Sky News did a fact check today on things the government have claimed re the NHS. Now, Iām all for fact checking. Imo things said in parliament should be fact checked all the time. Having said that ( andIām happy to be corrected on this) I donāt remember Sky News making a point of fact checking previous ( Conservative) governments or claims made in the run up to the referendum ( I know this isnāt exactly relevant to this thread but didnāt really want to start a new thread about it),
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News & politics
Analysis of the key points to the EU/U.K. deal
(51 Posts)It is of necessity a long post, but you can dip into what interests you if you want. Or not at allš
Guardian 20/05/25
Food and drink exports and imports
ā fewer checks
This is possibly the biggest reset in the relationship and will draw accusations that the UK is once again becoming a ārule-takerā from the EU, with the Conservatives already arguing the deal is a āsurrenderā.
Under the deal, both sides have agreed to remove the health and public safety checks and certification, and farm products including fresh, meat, vegetables, timber, wool and leather, from so called sanitary and phtyosanitary checks, (SPS).
At a stroke it will mean cheese and sausage makers will once again be able to sell into the EU without health certification, something that killed off many small businesses including wool-sellers in Devon and cheese-makers in Yorkshire.
It will also be a big win for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, reducing the checks on fresh food going from GB into NI, and will allow Irish beef and cheese-sellers to export to the UK once again without veterinary certification.
Nevertheless, the UK will remain outside the customs union, and Brexit customs declarations will remain. Nor does there seem to be any movement on dual regulation on medicines, veterinary medicines or chemicals, such as paint or household cleaning products.
The communique says: āThe SPS agreement should cover sanitary, phytosanitary, food safety and general consumer protection rules applicable to the production, distribution and consumption of agrifood products, the regulation of live animals and pesticides, the rules on organics as well as marketing standards applicable to certain sectors or products.ā
Fisheries
The EU and UK have agreed to roll over the existing fishing deal for another 12 years, until 2038, providing access to UK waters for EU fishers.
But crucially, the food and drinks deal means that the fish caught in British waters can now be processed and sold into the EU without veterinary checks, eliminating huge costs created by Brexit.
It also opens the door for shellfish ā from crabs and mussels, to shrimp and shrimp products ā to be sold into the EU, allowing fish to be caught in the EU, for example in the Irish sea, and processed in Great Britain.
These SPS easements are potentially a big bounce for exporters, given that 70% of seafood caught in the UK is sold in EU shops and restaurants.
Youth exchanges and Erasmus is set to return for British students
The deal to allow young people from both the UK and the EU member states visit or work in each otherās countries for a limited period of time goes further than expected.
In a big win for the EU, it includes a commitment to look at rejoining the Erasmus+ university and vocational exchange programme, something Labour had objected to, largely on the grounds of cost as more EU students tended to go to British universities than Britons went to EU institutions, opening a financial burden to impoverished universities.
The communique says: āThe specific terms of this association, including mutually agreed financial terms, should be determined as part of that process in order to ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions of and benefits to the United Kingdom.ā
As expected the youth mobility scheme will be named the āyouth experienceā scheme to launder some of the toxicity accumulated by the four-year YMS proposed by the European Commission as far back as April 2024.
Details have yet to be agreed, but as part of the ācommon understandingā, both sides will work towards a scheme that will allow work, study, au pairing, volunteering or travelling for a limited period under a visa programme.
The time limit has not been specified but it is expected to be at least a year, and could be more, depending upon how much the UK can stomach any pushback. Nevertheless Brexiters, including Steve Baker, have said it is a good thing and their objections focus on food health checks rather than youth exchanges.
Closer defence and security
Already in lock-step in relation to the big issues including Nato, Ukraine and the need for Europe to decrease its military reliance on the US, the deal paves the way to further strengthen their partnership.
The main feature is UK access to a ā¬150bn (Ā£126bn) new EU rearmament financing instrument, known as Safe, which is just about to be agreed by member states.
According to the communique it will āhelp the EU and the UK boost support for Ukraineā and efforts on peace-building, crisis management, countering cyber-attacks and other hybrid attacks including threats to subsea cables.
Policing
The UK lost its access to a clutch of Europol databases after leaving the EU.
Today, in what the UK is promoting as a sizeable win, the Home Office will once again get access to DNA and criminal records as well as fingerprints and access to vehicle registrations and stolen goods.
They will also explore extending the exchange of data to facial images.
Medicines
There is no specific mention of the regulation of medicines, which Brexit severely disrupted, causing the establishment of a dual regulatory body in the UK and the loss of the European Medicines Agency to Amsterdam.
Nevertheless, there does seem to be scope for cooperation on the development of drugs and drug addiction.
Migration
The two sides will deepen cooperation on migration with the mutual sharing of information.
This has been on the cards for more than two years, allowing British Border Force to get real-time information from authorities in receiving countries such as Italy, Greece, the Balkans and the Canary Islands in Spain.
They will work together in trying to deal with the small boats crossing the Channel and the UK will get āenhanced cooperation with Europol and its European migrant smuggling centreā.
Touring artists
Despite the protests from Elton John and others, there is still no light at the end of the tunnel for musicians and performers who can only gig in the EU under specific visa arrangements.
Both sides, however, have agreed to ācontinue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchangeā.
Travel and e-gates
While this has been billed as a big win for the UK, on closer scrutiny nothing is imminent and any access to e-gates in airports for British travellers is unlikely before 2026.
Under the deal there are hopes that there will be a breakthrough to allow British citizens to go through e-gates at European airports.
Currently, some countries allow this, including Portugal and some cities in Spain and France. But it looks like the use of e-gates for British citizens into EU member states will not happen until 2026 when the EU brings in its own version of the UKās electronic travel authorisation, which will automatically record moves in and out of the EU for all visitors.
Carbon emissions
Both sides have agreed to work towards linking the emissions trading systems of the EU and the UK.
WithNobsOnIt
I think we could br heading down a very slippery slope with these EU agreements. I think this Govt is one of the biggest shower of lying shit l have ever come across.
This Erasmus Sttudent bollocks.
Sincerely hope all these would be EU student wallets have to pay the same fees as Overseas students. They had ot bang off when they were over here last time with loans etc.
You know the loans that they never paid off before they pissed off home at the end of their studies.
Whete l live had a massive EU student population and mot paying became known as doing a Greek Runner.
As it was one of favourite tricks of Greek Stufents
BEWARE OF GREEKS BEARING GIFTS!!!!
Think you may be talking about a different group of students, those on ordinary visas?
The Erasmus Scheme closed in December 2020.
It offered grants primarily with some loans for post graduates, and it about far more than student loans, its about bringing together academics and relevant industry for major research and development projects at the highest level, for example example medical genetics opening up treatments for serious health conditions, and other high tech research.
It allowed for cross disciplinary work at this high level so for example mathematicians could work with epidemiologists and chemists. Because they were grants it meant that the brightest PhD students could take part.
Allowing the UK back into the same levels of the Erasmus schemes we had before eventually benefits business and industry in world markets.
DS was involved in the Erasmus Scheme at this level so I'm aware of what I describe in practice.
I realise now its the Guardian but thank you again for the post.
Thank you so much Whitewavemark2.its clear and immensely helpful. I have read it all and going to screen shoot it to read again. Perhaps we will need this beside us when watching Question Time tonight as I am sure there will be representatives from Reform and the Conservatives who will seek to undermine the enormous achievements of the Keir Starmer Government. Thank you again for your clear sight and your time..
I think we could br heading down a very slippery slope with these EU agreements. I think this Govt is one of the biggest shower of lying shit l have ever come across.
This Erasmus Sttudent bollocks.
Sincerely hope all these would be EU student wallets have to pay the same fees as Overseas students. They had ot bang off when they were over here last time with loans etc.
You know the loans that they never paid off before they pissed off home at the end of their studies.
Whete l live had a massive EU student population and mot paying became known as doing a Greek Runner.
As it was one of favourite tricks of Greek Stufents
BEWARE OF GREEKS BEARING GIFTS!!!!
I'm pleased to see a return to common sense. It's up to politicians to stand up for UK when necessary. Luckily plenty of goodwill in all this. Stop moaning.
Not just ignored by the last government, Maybee, but facilitated, since it was the Tory government who allocated quotas. Its well known that
"Large fishing companies holding significant fishing quotas disproportionately impact small-scale fishermen.
This can lead to reduced access to quotas, increased costs for leasing quotas, and potentially the demise of small coastal fishing businesses
The concentration of quotas in the hands of a few can also have negative impacts on the overall health of fish stocks and the sustainability of fishing communities.
So as the Tories paint a cosy nostalgic picture of small fishing towns and the plight of small fishermen and women, and how dreadful Starmer is,
They have hugely contributed to the problems, and these cannot be remedied, as once fishing quotas are sold, that's it.
(oh, the hypocrisy makes me so š”)
Wyllow3
Another fact on fishing ignored by the press - most of the UK's fishing quotas (licences) are held by a very small number of "fish barons".
"In the UK, the ownership of fishing quotas is a complex mix of foreign and domestic interests, with a significant portion held by foreign companies and wealthy families. While the UK government allocates quotas, much of the quota is then traded or leased to different entities, including foreign-owned vessels and companies". This has been a controversial issue the public have now little about since reports from 2018-2020
The small fishermen and women are caught up in this, and past governments have done nothing to stop it. (Something to be tackled, unless it's beyond repair?)
Again, is this mentioned in the press when blaming the current government for all ills?
I think this was another thing pointed out at the time of the referendum but, along with the fact that Brexit would cause huge problems with Ireland, was largely ignored. And people like Farage never seem to be questioned by the news media about it: just allowed to continue spewing out the same old mis truths.
rowyn
Ah - now I see why Starmer is hinting that the fuel payment for pensioners may come back.
He thinks that it will make it easier for him to ignore the referendum and rejoin the EU
Itās not about rejoining the EU, it is about rationalising some of the effects of Brexit which were detrimental both to us and to Europe.
Ah - now I see why Starmer is hinting that the fuel payment for pensioners may come back.
He thinks that it will make it easier for him to ignore the referendum and rejoin the EU
Just re-looking at the list, this really stood out, given the hostility and withdrawal of the US:
"The main feature is UK access to a ā¬150bn (Ā£126bn) new EU rearmament financing instrument, known as Safe, which is just about to be agreed by member states.
According to the communique it will āhelp the EU and the UK boost support for Ukraineā and efforts on peace-building, crisis management, countering cyber-attacks and other hybrid attacks including threats to subsea cables."
This doesn't seem to be commented on in the press, unless I've missed something, but it's actually very significant if countries can work it through - we have relied on the USA too long.
Casdon
fancythat
Well when National Farmers Unions are welcoming it it is clearly significant.
Not nexessarily.
Last time I noticed who the Leader was, many were not happy with what the lady was saying.
But that was a few years ago, so things may have changed now, for all I know.In the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the leader (President) is elected by the NFU Council, which is a representative body of the union. The NFU Council is composed of elected representatives from county branches and commodity boards, as well as national officeholders. In Wales, NFU Cymru also has a Council for Wales that elects its own President. The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) also has a Presidential Policy Team that is democratically elected by its farmer members. (AI overview). The leader is currently a man, Tom Bradshaw. It is safe to say that he was democratically elected and is their spokesperson.
I have looked things up, and refreshed my memory.
Tom Bradshaw appears to be liked.
Well, not much critisism, which can be the best to hope for with leaders of anything nowadays!
If he is welcoming of whatever, then things may not be too bad.
Minette Barrows, or whatever she was called, was not liked across the board. By quite some way on occasions.
Whitewavemark2
We eat a lot of fish in our house, and I have to get it from my local fisherman, as the supermarkets do such a limited choice, so you can tell people simply donāt eat the variety.
When I was working, I once audited a local fishermanās accounts, and he said that 95% of what he caught went straight to the EU. Heāll be able to do the same again now without all the bureaucracy
We love fish, but as you say, not a huge amount of choice and our nearest Fishmonger has now closed permanently
fancythat
^Well when National Farmers Unions are welcoming it it is clearly significant.^
Not nexessarily.
Last time I noticed who the Leader was, many were not happy with what the lady was saying.
But that was a few years ago, so things may have changed now, for all I know.
In the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the leader (President) is elected by the NFU Council, which is a representative body of the union. The NFU Council is composed of elected representatives from county branches and commodity boards, as well as national officeholders. In Wales, NFU Cymru also has a Council for Wales that elects its own President. The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) also has a Presidential Policy Team that is democratically elected by its farmer members. (AI overview). The leader is currently a man, Tom Bradshaw. It is safe to say that he was democratically elected and is their spokesperson.
Well when National Farmers Unions are welcoming it it is clearly significant.
Not nexessarily.
Last time I noticed who the Leader was, many were not happy with what the lady was saying.
But that was a few years ago, so things may have changed now, for all I know.
Wyllow3
I'll give you a quote from Farmers Weekly that various news outlets have failed somehow to pick up on:
"The UK and EU have struck a landmark trade and co-operation agreement that promises to reset their post-Brexit relationship ā with major implications for the food and farming sector.
In practical terms, this means UK farmers and agri-food businesses could benefit from faster, simpler border checks and reduced costs when exporting to the EU "
Was that all the article says?
I will go and read it for myself at some point.
It used to be[dont know now] the publication that all farmers rated.
I was so disappointed by the BBC report this lunch time.
We now know the full and comprehensive agreement negotiated by this government, and yet, all that was reported on was fishermen in Brixham, who rather thought it was probably bad for them but werenāt fully clear yet. Absolutely nothing else.
Thst is not balanced reporting.
Wyllow3
Parsley3
In practical terms, this means UK farmers and agri-food businesses could benefit from faster, simpler border checks and reduced costs when exporting to the EU
Who can say that this is not a good thing?Well when National Farmers Unions are welcoming it it is clearly significant.
However, it's not mentioned in the Mail, Express, or Telegraph.... they talk about fish - yet how long ago was it that their news was full of the dreadful fate of UK farmers?
Relentlessly negative press against a government those media outlets do not want to succeed?
Parsley3
^In practical terms, this means UK farmers and agri-food businesses could benefit from faster, simpler border checks and reduced costs when exporting to the EU^
Who can say that this is not a good thing?
Well when National Farmers Unions are welcoming it it is clearly significant.
However, it's not mentioned in the Mail, Express, or Telegraph.... they talk about fish - yet how long ago was it that their news was full of the dreadful fate of UK farmers?
Another fact on fishing ignored by the press - most of the UK's fishing quotas (licences) are held by a very small number of "fish barons".
"In the UK, the ownership of fishing quotas is a complex mix of foreign and domestic interests, with a significant portion held by foreign companies and wealthy families. While the UK government allocates quotas, much of the quota is then traded or leased to different entities, including foreign-owned vessels and companies". This has been a controversial issue the public have now little about since reports from 2018-2020
The small fishermen and women are caught up in this, and past governments have done nothing to stop it. (Something to be tackled, unless it's beyond repair?)
Again, is this mentioned in the press when blaming the current government for all ills?
In practical terms, this means UK farmers and agri-food businesses could benefit from faster, simpler border checks and reduced costs when exporting to the EU
Who can say that this is not a good thing?
Ditto National Farmers Union Scotland
www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/nfu-scotland-welcomes-progress-on-uk-eu-sps-deal-to-cut-trade-friction-for-farmers
ditto National Farmers Union Wales
www.fuw.org.uk/en/news/16690-farmers-union-of-wales-responds-to-uk-eu-agreement
I'll give you a quote from Farmers Weekly that various news outlets have failed somehow to pick up on:
"The UK and EU have struck a landmark trade and co-operation agreement that promises to reset their post-Brexit relationship ā with major implications for the food and farming sector.
In practical terms, this means UK farmers and agri-food businesses could benefit from faster, simpler border checks and reduced costs when exporting to the EU "
I think it all sounds great. Well done Keir! I also heard one of the people smugglers has been caught and sentenced to 25 years. People have been so quick to judge him in such a short time.
I really can't see why anyone should object to the agricultural advantages, to the defence and security measures.
The press claiming "Brexit betrayed" are forgetting that after the referendum there were a whole variety of "Brexits" to negotiate on. surely we recall the debate when BJ won the election on 2019 between a "Soft Brexit" and a "Hard Brexit"? That feelings on the two stretched across party divides?
Had he taken the "Soft Brexit route" we wouldn't have had to be renegotiating some of the T's and C's we are, particularly the red tape around some aspects of trade, and certainly around vital crime and terrorism information sharing. Yet it would still have been "Brexit".
Its in all the EU interests to interrupt people smuggling but I imagine irregular migration would be a whole conference in itself (except the agreements in better information sharing) as each EU country has very different issues.
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