The UK and the European Union have agreed on a major new trade and cooperation deal, marking a significant shift in the post-Brexit relationship and paving the way for closer economic and security ties
Sky News reported that the agreement, which comes after months of negotiations, is described as a “reset” of UK-EU relations and opens the door to renewed collaboration in trade, defence, energy, and more.
Strengthening trade ties between the UK and the European Union
A central pillar of the agreement is improved access to the EU single market, offering the UK the most comprehensive trading terms of any country outside the EU or EFTA.
The deal includes a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, which will reduce paperwork and red tape on food and agricultural exports. This is expected to lower food prices, ease supply chain pressures, and increase product variety in UK supermarkets.
British exporters, particularly in the food sector, are set to benefit as the deal enables the return of key products like British shellfish and sausages to EU markets. The seafood industry stands out, with around 70% of UK seafood sold in Europe. The government is investing £360 million to help the fishing industry capitalise on these new opportunities.
Fishing rights maintained
Fishing was resolved with an agreement that preserves the UK’s current quotas and access. There will be no increase in EU fishing in British waters, and the terms will remain in place for 12 years. This offers stability for the industry and avoids disruption for coastal communities.
Eased travel and border measures
Under the new deal, British passport holders can use eGates when entering EU countries, cutting down on border delays and long queues at passport control. Additionally, pet passports are set to return, eliminating the need for repeated veterinary checks and certificates for pets travelling between the UK and the EU.
Defence, security, and energy cooperation
The UK and the European Union have agreed to a new Defence and Security Partnership to strengthen collective security in a time of rising global instability. This includes closer intelligence sharing and new avenues for joint participation in European defence initiatives, benefiting the UK’s defence industry and supporting jobs.
The deal also tackles climate and energy collaboration. The UK and EU will align more closely on emissions trading systems, potentially saving UK businesses up to £800 million in EU carbon tax payments. A new energy cooperation plan will reconnect the UK’s energy grid with European systems, primarily through North Sea renewable projects, an effort expected to reduce long-term energy bills.
Migration and law enforcement
The agreement closes a previous gap in cross-border cooperation on illegal migration and criminal networks. New protocols will enable more coordinated efforts to tackle people smuggling, organised crime, and terrorism, including enhanced data sharing and facial recognition tools.
Youth mobility scheme in the works
Discussions are ongoing over a youth mobility scheme allowing individuals aged 18 to 30 to live and work in each other’s countries for limited periods. Though not yet finalised, the scheme is expected to include time limits, caps, and visa controls.
A turning point in UK-EU relations
The deal is widely seen as a step forward in stabilising UK-EU relations, providing practical solutions to long-standing issues created by the original Brexit agreement. It signals a move away from years of political gridlock and toward a more cooperative, pragmatic approach, focusing on jobs, growth, and global engagement.
