Negotiations between the UK and EU are still in progress, with the prime minister set to host a UK-EU summit on Monday. Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet for the second time in four days with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an effort to reach a deal on various issues. The discussions may involve a youth mobility scheme, potential access for UK passport holders to EU airport e-gates, as well as announcements regarding trade, security, and fishing rights. Despite the unknown details of the deal, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have already criticized it as a “surrender.”
As the talks persist late into the night, it has been reported that there is no fixed deadline for when they will be concluded. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister responsible for UK-EU relations, emphasized the importance of being pragmatic and focused on concerns like job preservation, reduced household expenses, and reinforced borders. While refraining from disclosing specific details, Thomas-Symonds maintained that nothing is confirmed until everything is settled. Anticipated announcements on trade and security could potentially grant British access to a 150 billion euro EU defense fund, benefitting UK defense enterprises. A post-Brexit deal on fishing rights is also under consideration, set to expire by the end of June 2026.
There have been reports suggesting the establishment of a youth mobility scheme with the EU, allowing young individuals to move abroad for up to two years in a reciprocal agreement. Response from opposition parties has been mixed, with Badenoch criticizing the scheme as a form of “free movement through the back door.” Meanwhile, the possibility of British travelers using EU e-gates at European airports and streamlining food exports and imports have also been raised as potential agreements. Thomas-Symonds is pushing for faster airport processes and expresses confidence in a deal regarding food. However, Conservative MP Alex Burghart expressed concerns about the UK aligning with EU standards and becoming a “rule taker,” straying away from the independence sought after leaving the EU
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