UK Politics

Critics have branded Keir Starmer’s fishing deal with the EU “a horror show” for the industry after he granted European trawler fleets 12 years of access to UK waters.The roll over of the existing fisheries deal to 2038 will benefit the British fishing industry, the prime minister has claimed, by allowing the sale of fish caught in UK waters to be sold in the EU without veterinary checks, removing a costly post-Brexit barrier. Sir Keir has also unveiled a £360m fund to support fishing communities and modernise the British fishing fleet.He told reporters on Monday: “It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people.”But he faces another argument with the Scottish government after failing to consult them before signing his deal, which impacts Scottish fisheries. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) branded the UK-EU deal a “horror show” for the sector, while Scottish constitution secretary Angus Robertson blasted the UK for agreeing a fisheries deal in principle “without any recourse, involvement or approval of devolved administrations”.However, government sources have briefed that UK hands were tied because the Windsor Framework Agreement struck last year by Rishi Sunak meant the UK would have to negotiate fishing rights at the same time as access to the energy market.The core elements remain unchanged from the Conservatives’ post-Brexit fisheries deal, first implemented in 2020, and continues to allow EU fishermen access to UK waters. However, Tory Party leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that the fishing agreement was three times longer than the government wanted.But Richard Kilpatrick, head of campaigns at thinktank European Movement UK, said the certainty provided by the longer timeframe will benefit the industry. Scottish SNP First Minister John Swinney said the deal showed Scotland is an ‘afterthought’ to UK ministers. (Andrew Milligan/PA)“This will open a serious food deal with the EU, which is of huge benefit to all of us – including the fishing industry,” he told the Independent.“Even if it is not quite what they wanted, [the fisheries deal] gives the industry certainty, which can guide their investment decisions – much clearer than returning to it every few years.”‘Betrayal’ over fisheriesThe EU is still Britain’s top market for fish but since Brexit, the UK’s seafood exports have dropped by 26 per cent to just 336,000 tonnes in 2023 compared to 454,000 in 2019. EU fishing vessels will have access to UK waters until 2038 under the new agreement, though quotas will see no increase. More

Independent readers remain divided by Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit reset deal with the EU.But despite some reservations, many have welcomed it as a step toward stability, cooperation, and restoring the UK’s global standing.For supporters, the deal marks a significant breakthrough. They praised Starmer’s pragmatic leadership and the symbolism of Britain “acting like a grown-up” again. Several welcomed the cutting of red tape, viewing the agreement as a long-overdue step toward repairing the economic and diplomatic damage caused by previous Brexit deals. Others expressed cautious optimism, noting that while the current agreement is modest, it lays the groundwork for deeper integration.A common sentiment was that the reset puts the UK on the right trajectory, and that rejoining the EU could eventually follow with popular support.Meanwhile, critics argued that the deal doesn’t go far enough. Some said it leaves many Brexit burdens in place, such as import duties and the 90/180-day rule, while giving too much away, especially on fishing rights. Brexiteers, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, decried it as a “surrender,” and some readers worried it makes the UK a “rule taker” under EU law.Here’s what you had to say:Britain can act like a grown-up againStarmer is showing that Britain can act like a grown-up again. Unfortunately, the hard-line Brexiters still cannot admit Brexit has been a disaster, and the vote to leave was nine years ago!MintmanTrade without red tapeThis is a good deal for the UK. It’s the same deal the fishermen got under the Tories. And no one is mourning Australia, New Zealand, and America’s free movement of young people. So what is the difference? Or is it that they have a free trade deal with the EU, so our businesses can trade without red tape?mG123Share your opinion in the commentsSend your thank you letters to JohnsonJohnson’s deal with the EU settled the fishing matter as follows:Fishing quotas in UK waters are reduced by 25% between 2021 and 2025 and then level off. From 2025, the fish quotas are negotiated once a year, but the UK cannot lower the EU’s fishing quotas without the EU’s consent. Should the UK lower the EU’s quotas without EU consent, the EU can trigger TCA Articles 501 and 506, allowing the EU to immediately suspend part or all of the TCA. The EU Parliament already passed a resolution asking the EU member states to trigger these articles should the UK lower the quotas. Hence, the legal text of Johnson’s deal left Starmer with only two options: renew the deal once a year, or renew the deal for multiple years in one go. Send your thank you letters to Johnson.Real EuropeanThe Tories or Reform would never have got this farLabour have done pretty well recently.They’ve managed to come to an agreement with the USA over tariffs.They’ve reached a trade agreement with India, a huge market.Now they’ve started to reset trading relations with the EU.The Tories or Reform would never have got this far. All they do is criticise from the corner, like the naughty kid who has been sent out of the room.I’d love to see Badenoch, Farage, the Mail and Express, left with egg on their faces.We wait and see how the fickle British public react.tommy2topsBritain is back on the world stage”Britain is back on the world stage.”That says everything about Starmer’s genuine mindset.And, of course, he’s spot on.Can’t say I like the man, but he is doing something very positive, at last.Britain has gone up in the eyes of the world overnight.Cyclone8Striving for ever greater unionThe different emphasis in the speeches by Starmer and von der Leyen just shows that for her and most people in EU countries, the EU is about striving for ever greater union between the peoples of Europe… but even for Starmer, the EU is all about transactions and exploiting the best deal.IMHO, most British people are inclined to Starmer’s approach.In youth mobility, the UK already has deals with countries like Taiwan and South Korea… future business dealings more important than the actual people involved?EuropeanObserverUnconditional surrender‘Sir’ Jacob Rees-Mogg has piped up to call it an ‘unconditional surrender’. Of course, he found buckets of wonderful non-surrenderous golden goodies when he was Minister for Brexit Opportunities. He just didn’t tell us what they were. Because there were none.YetigooseLying BrexiteersIndeed. When lying Brexiteers like Farage and JRM spout about ‘surrender’, they think we’ve forgotten what an utter disaster their plan was. By all accounts, it has damaged the UK’s GDP by more than 5 per cent, cost us at least £100 billion and made us an international laughing-stock. But the swivel-eyed far-right never had any sense of irony or self-awareness…haynemanOpen-endedBrexiteers are absolutely incandescent with rage at this Brexit ‘betrayal’, but the question on the referendum form in 2016 simply asked: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” (And we left — job done). In reality, this open-ended question could have been interpreted in any way, but I sometimes wonder whether the dwindling band of diehard Brexiters would only have been satisfied with a no-deal Brexit where we reneged on the severance payment deal, followed up by a declaration of war on the EU.KlikKurtisSlapped about the gills with a wet kipperAnother kick in the goolies for the Scottish fishing industry, which lands over 60 per cent of white fish for the UK market. The east coast of Scotland fishermen voted for Brexit in the hope that they would reap the rewards, but instead have been slapped about the gills with a wet kipper by both Tory and Labour post-Brexit governments. Nothing is new. Thatcher did the same.BillcoBasically nothing…This ‘deal’ amounts to next to nothing now, and the possibility of just a very little sometime later.Basically, nothing less than a referendum to get authority to start negotiations for re-entry to the EU will be enough for the sizeable majority of this country’s population that wants to be in the EU. And yes, before others point it out, that would entail membership of the Euro and Schengen at a minimum to prove our commitment. Even with those requirements, a second (third) confirmatory referendum would be won quite easily.arboreal1Reform must be rolling on the floorEvery “concession” from the EU in this “reset” – such as allowing UK exports of sausages, minced meat, or easier food checks – is conditional on the UK following EU law, and EU law is interpreted solely by the ECJ.So when the UK chooses to align with those specific EU standards, it also accepts that the ECJ is the final authority on interpreting those rules.Reform must be rolling on the floor with amusement.UribaA start, but more needs to be doneIt’s a start, but a lot more needs to be done. Using e-gates at airports is the least of the UK’s problems – what we need is investment in manufacturing and infrastructure.BlindPewUtterly useless… irreparable damageA deal like this should have been set up eight to ten years ago.But Cameron was too lazy, May was sabotaged by the right wing of her own party (it’s the only part of it left), and Johnson was just utterly useless with his half-baked ‘deal’, which has done irreparable damage to the UK economy.rcourt130864Starmer lacked graceAt last, a positive outcome, but Starmer lacked grace. Von der Leyen’s speech was all about the positive side for the UK and the EU, but all Starmer trumpeted was “British this” and “Britain that”. Not a word about how it would be good for the EU as well. Plus, he was quick to get in the three red lines, which were obviously intended to appease the unappeasable hard right.Here’s the problem for the UK: the EU sees itself as an effort to cooperate for the common good. The UK only looks at the national balance sheet and comes across as entirely self-interested. Starmer did nothing to dispel this.KenhubertBrexit is now a decomposing wreckVery happy today as we make a great stride towards full EU membership. Now just a matter of time.Brexit is now a decomposing wreck. Keep the faith, keep the pressure on, force a rejoin referendum urgently.voxtrotRIP BrexitAll the evidence is that a majority in the UK now see Brexit as a mistake.This UK–EU reset, the first step towards a closer relationship between the UK and EU, hands Badenoch/Tories/Farage/Reformies a bit of a problem:How are they going to sell the idea of reinstating costly, restrictive Brexit sanctions, when the benefits of undoing them have been witnessed, as an election pledge in a couple of years?RIP Brexit.wolfieIs that all?My first impression was “Is that all?” Pet passports, young people exchanges, e-gates and sausages seem to be very little for all the hype. There must be more to it. Fishermen always complain, but they were terminally stitched up by Farage and Johnson well before Starmer. All in all, it looks at the moment like a puny deal — just right for a nation which is not fully in and not fully out of the EU. The ridiculous 90/180 days rule remains, the discriminatory “Not for EU consumption” stamp on our food remains, and import duties remain.Pomerol95TriggeringThese positive developments are clearly triggering a lot of glitching amongst the isolationist Brexit cultists, led by NF, who would be happy to kneel before Trump and allow the UK to become a MAGA-influenced vassal state.This is pragmatic economic action and good news for the UK, small businesses — and not least our fresh fish and shellfish industry, who need faster export to the EU.HerbaciousSome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. 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Critics have accused Sir Keir Starmer of missing an “open goal” after he failed to strike a youth mobility agreement with Brussels as part of his Brexit reset deal.As the prime minister hailed the success of his negotiations, the European Movement UK group accused the prime minister of caving in to Eurosceptics.Mike Galsworthy, chair of European Movement UK, told The Independent: “We already have these schemes with countries all around the world – it’s an absolute no-brainer to have one with the EU. The PM needs to push through with this and ignore the critics, and finally stop our young talent from losing out.”He said the scheme, which would have let young people live and work across the continent for a number of years, was an “open goal” for the reset, having “nothing to do with immigration numbers”. But as Sir Keir touted concessions from Brussels, including on passports for cats and dogs and British travellers gaining access to EU passport gates, criticism grew of his failure to include youth mobility in the reset. Instead, the reset deal agreed a commitment for the European Commission and the UK to “work towards a balanced youth experience scheme”, with the terms yet to be fleshed out. European Commission sources told The Independent there is significant disappointment over a failure to agree terms for a youth mobility scheme.One official with knowledge of the talks said he has “no idea” how long it will take to get such an agreement over the line, but said he is optimistic that it will happen. In his press conference, Sir Keir said the details were being discussed with Brussels, but the PM’s official spokesperson refused to say whether it would be in place in time for this year’s school leavers to benefit from it this autumn. The prime minister welcomed Ursula von der Leyen to London on Monday More

For those of us who covered the infamous 2016 EU referendum and subsequent negotiations to “get Brexit done”, the bitter memories and toxicity displayed by both sides scarred almost all involved.Throughout the painful negotiations, particularly when Theresa May was prime minister, the constant refrain to the UK was “you can’t have your cake and eat it” – you cannot have the benefits of EU membership without being part of the bloc.Yet the deal struck in London on Monday, in the wake of the India trade deal and US agreement with Trump, suggests that Sir Keir has succeeded where others failed and managed to break the Brexit conundrum.But much of how he has achieved the apparently impossible can be explained by the markedly different tone between the UK and EU at this summit.Sir Keir Starmer and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference at the end of the UK-EU Summit at Lancaster House in London (Carl Court/PA) More

Critics have branded Keir Starmer’s fishing deal with the EU “a horror show” for the industry after he granted European trawler fleets 12 years of access to UK waters.The roll over of the existing fisheries deal to 2038 will benefit the British fishing industry, the prime minister has claimed, by allowing the sale of fish caught in UK waters to be sold in the EU without veterinary checks, removing a costly post-Brexit barrier. Sir Keir has also unveiled a £360m fund to support fishing communities and modernise the British fishing fleet.He told reporters: “It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people.”But he faces another argument with the Scottish government after failing to consult them before signing his deal, which impacts Scottish fisheries. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) branded the UK-EU deal a “horror show” for the sector, while Scottish constitution secretary Angus Robertson blasted the UK for agreeing a fisheries deal in principle “without any recourse, involvement or approval of devolved administrations”.However, government sources have briefed that UK hands were tied because the Windsor Framework Agreement struck last year by Rishi Sunak meant the UK would have to negotiate fishing rights at the same time as access to the energy market.The core elements remain unchanged from the Conservatives’ post-Brexit fisheries deal, first implemented in 2020, and continues to allow EU fishermen access to UK waters. However, Tory Party leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that the fishing agreement was three times longer than the government wanted.But Richard Kilpatrick, head of campaigns at thinktank European Movement UK, said the certainty provided by the longer timeframe will benefit the industry. Scottish SNP First Minister John Swinney said the deal showed Scotland is an ‘afterthought’ to UK ministers. (Andrew Milligan/PA)“This will open a serious food deal with the EU, which is of huge benefit to all of us – including the fishing industry,” he told the Independent.“Even if it is not quite what they wanted, [the fisheries deal] gives the industry certainty, which can guide their investment decisions – much clearer than returning to it every few years.”‘Betrayal’ over fisheriesThe EU is still Britain’s top market for fish but since Brexit, the UK’s seafood exports have dropped by 26 per cent to just 336,000 tonnes in 2023 compared to 454,000 in 2019. EU fishing vessels will have access to UK waters until 2038 under the new agreement, though quotas will see no increase. More

Sir Keir Starmer today “turned a page” on Britain’s relations with the EU as he ushered in a “new era” of cooperation and friendship with his landmark Brexit reset deal.A clearly jubilant prime minister said the deal — his third major international agreement this month after securing trade deals with India and the US — would be a “win-win” for both sides and showed Britain is “back on the world stage”. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen described it as an “historic moment” as she appeared alongside the PM at a press conference in London, just hours after frantic negotiations concluded to get the deal over the line. “We are turning a page,” she said. “We are opening a new chapter in our unique relationship.”The agreement, which officials claim will boost the UK economy by £9 billion by 2040, appears to be a major coup for the Labour leader with “the pragmatic and positive” elements of removing red tape and border checks lauded by some.It represents the first serious attempt to fix the harms caused by Brexit from Boris Johnson’s flawed deal in late 2019 which Rishi Sunak tinkered with last year in the Windsor Framework.European Council president Antonio Costa, Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen host a joint press conference More

The “antiquated” IT system used by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has come under fire after a major cyber attack saw potentially millions of pieces of personal data stolen, including criminal records.A “significant amount of personal data” of people who applied to the agency since 2010 was accessed and downloaded in a cyber attack in April this year, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said.Those eligible to apply for legal aid include domestic violence and modern slavery victims, people involved in cases in the family court, as well as those accused of criminal offences.The group that carried out the attack has claimed it accessed 2.1 million pieces of data but the MoJ has not verified that figure.Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, a professional body that represents solicitors, said: “It is extremely concerning that members of the public have had their personal data compromised in this cyber security incident and the LAA must get a grip on the situation immediately.“The incident once again demonstrates the need for sustained investment to bring the LAA’s antiquated IT system up to date and ensure the public have continued trust in the justice system.“The fragility of the IT system has prevented vital reforms, including updates to the means test that could help millions more access legal aid, and interim payments for firms whose cash flow is being decimated by the backlogs in the courts, through no fault of their own.“If it is now also proving vulnerable to cyber attack, further delay is untenable.“Legal aid firms are small businesses providing an important public service and are operating on the margins of financial viability. Given that vulnerability, these financial security concerns are the last thing they need.”The National Crime Agency is investigating the breach. It is understood that so far there is not believed to be any link to the cyber attacks on Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods, but investigators are keeping an open mind.The Government became aware of a cyber attack on the LAA’s online digital services on April 23, but realised on Friday that it was more extensive than originally thought.The data accessed may include contact details and addresses of legal aid applicants, their dates of birth, national insurance numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.Officials will try to contact anyone identified in the data believed to be at significant risk of harm.The LAA’s online digital services, which are used by legal aid providers to log their work and get paid by the Government, have been taken offline.An MoJ source put the breach down to the “neglect and mismanagement” of the previous government, saying vulnerabilities in the LAA’s systems have been known for many years.“This data breach was made possible by the long years of neglect and mismanagement of the justice system under the last government.“They knew about the vulnerabilities of the LAA digital systems, but did not act,” the source said.It is understood the attack happened as the MoJ has been working on replacing the internal system with a new version hoped to be up and running in the coming weeks.The MoJ is urging anyone who has applied for legal aid since 2010 to be alert for unknown messages and phone calls and to update any passwords that could have been exposed.The ministry has been working with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre, and has informed the Information Commissioner.Legal Aid Agency chief executive Jane Harbottle apologised for the breach.“I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people and I am extremely sorry this has happened.“Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the National Cyber Security Centre to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency.“However, it has become clear that, to safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we’ve taken the decision to take the online service down,” she said.Ms Harbottle said contingency plans are in place to make sure those in need of legal support and advice can continue to access it.Reacting to the attack, global cyber security adviser Jake Moore, from software company ESET, said it highlights how critical it is for public bodies to invest in stronger cyber defences and be transparent immediately when things go wrong.“When criminal records and other sensitive personal data are exposed, it is not just a matter of IT failure, it’s a breach of trust, privacy, and even safety in this case,” he said.“Many of the individuals affected may already be in vulnerable situations and could now face the added stress of not knowing where their data will end up or how it might be used.“Delays in notifying victims or vague reassurances can often worsen the damage whether it’s a Government agency or private company.” More

A landmark deal has been agreed between Britain and the European Union after a last minute breakthrough in Sir Keir Starmer’s reset talks.Sir Keir — who has made the Brexit reset a centrepiece of his administration — said Monday’s summit marks a “new era” of relations with the bloc, adding that it is about “moving on from stale old debates” and “looking forward, not backwards”.Some issues have proven thornier than others, with the topic of fishing rights understood to have been a key stumbling bloc for negotiators that was only solved in the early hours of the morning. Meanwhile, talks surrounding a youth mobility scheme appear to have ended in a deadlock. As the the prime minister faces judgement on how successful his mission to reset relations with the EU has really been,The Independent takes a look exactly what has been agreed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen More