Byline: Becky Morton, Political Reporter
The UK and the European Union have recently reached a critical new agreement encompassing trade, defense, fishing, and energy. Even though negotiations are lingering on several key points, significant questions remain unanswered.
One of the main concerns revolves around the financial aspect, with the UK agreeing to a “financial contribution” to access certain benefits under the deal. The actual cost that the UK will bear is still uncertain, particularly in areas where negotiations are ongoing, such as rejoining the Erasmus+ exchange program.
Additionally, the agreement outlines a prospective “youth experience scheme” that would allow young individuals from the EU and the UK to acquire visas for living and working in each other’s territories. However, details regarding the number of visas that will be issued annually and their validity period are yet to be determined.
Another major development involves British travelers utilizing e-gates at EU airports, a practice that has been disrupted post-Brexit. While progress has been made towards enabling Britons to access e-gates following the introduction of the European Union Entry/Exit System, individual EU countries still hold the authority to decide whether British passport holders can utilize this facility at their airports.
Lastly, concerns persist regarding the recognition of UK qualifications in the EU. While Labour’s manifesto previously aimed to secure a mutual recognition agreement for professional qualifications, the current agreement merely pledges to initiate dialogues on the matter. This reflects a broader challenge for UK firms seeking to compete in the European market due to potential barriers to movement and work within the EU
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
