UK Politics

Starmer strikes UK-EU deal ahead of major summitSir Keir Starmer has defended his “win-win” UK-EU reset deal as he hit out at Reform leader Nigel Farage and the Tories in the Commons.Sir Keir said the agreement, announced during a major summit in London with EU leaders on Monday, would “cut the price of the weekly shop” and “put money back in people’s pockets.”But Conservative former minister Esther McVey argued the EU youth mobility scheme was “a bitter betrayal of British youth”, as she called for a cap on the numbers, to specifically protect “white working class boys”.The prime minister also slammed Nigel Farage, who was not at the debate, for showing that his Reform party “simply does not care” about Britain’s relationship with the European Union.The deal sparked backlash from the fishing industry and Brexiteers by striking a deal for EU fisherman to access British waters for 12 years, far longer than had been expected.Israel hits back at ‘unjustifiable’ sanctions on settlersResponding to David Lammy’s announcement suspending trade deal talks with Israel and sanctioning West Bank settlers, Israel’s Foreign Ministry hit back on X.They said: “Following the UK’s announcement that it will suspend free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and impose sanctions on settlers: Even prior to today’s announcement, the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced at all by the current UK government. “More than that, the agreement would serve the mutual benefit of both countries. If, due to anti-Israel obsession and domestic political considerations, the British government is willing to harm the British economy — that is its own prerogative. “The sanctions against residents of Judea and Samaria are unjustified, and regrettable, especially at a time when Israel is mourning yet another victim of Palestinian terror — Tzeela Gez, of blessed memory, who was murdered on her way to the delivery room.“Doctors continue fighting for her newborn’s life in hospital. The British Mandate ended exactly 77 years ago. External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction.”Barney Davis20 May 2025 15:50Keir Starmer vows to get Brits to the beach soonerSir Keir Starmer has hailed his agreement with the EU which gives UK tourists in Europe easier access to passport e-gates.The prime minister posted on X: “You know how it goes: all you want to do is start your holiday, but you get off the plane to never-ending queues at passport control. “My deal with the EU means more Brits will be able to sail through the e-Gates instead. Getting you to the beach sooner.”Barney Davis20 May 2025 15:44Prime Minister apologises for ‘overly rude’ comment that MP ‘talks rubbish’Sir Keir Starmer has said his comment that the Plaid Cymru Westminster leader “talks rubbish” was “overly rude”.The Prime Minister apologised to Liz Saville Roberts at the despatch box on Tuesday, as he took questions about the UK agreement with the European Union.Ms Saville Roberts told the Commons: “The Prime Minister once argued and we quote, ‘we should retain the benefits of the single market’.“Given his recent tendency to dismiss the views of others, what would he say to his younger self?”Sir Keir replied: “I think last week I was overly rude and I apologise.“I do respect the honourable member.”Responding to her question, the Prime Minister described “red lines” on the single market in Labour’s 2024 manifesto and added the Government had “kept those red lines and delivered a very good deal”.Barney Davis20 May 2025 15:22UK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violenceUK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violenceBarney Davis20 May 2025 15:13UK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violenceThe UK has slapped Israel with further sanctions and suspended trade talks with the country in response to violence against Palestinians in Gaza.My colleague Political Correspondent Millie Cooke with the latest: Barney Davis20 May 2025 14:52Science minister hails potential of mRNA cancer vaccines amid £1bn BioNTech dealThe British government will today sign a £1billion-pound deal with Covid-vaccine maker BioNTech to advance mRNA technology which could prevent cancers from developing.BioNTech is looking to set up three “centres of excellence” in the Britain which will use AI to develop new drugs.Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the Mirror: “There are two totally transformative technologies coming together – mRNA as a tool for vaccines plus artificial intelligence. We as a country can be not just a leading force, but the superpower that the world needs when it comes to treating disease.”“The Holy Grail is always stopping people getting cancer in the first place and mRNA treatments are preventative. We are in the foothills of the age where we could be treated for diseases that are not currently present in our bodies and actually the technology is leading in that direction faster than people realise. This is something that this government wants to be at the forefront of so it is British people who benefit first, while we also contribute to the global good.”( More

A major investment by a Covid-19 vaccine pioneer will create hundreds of high-skilled jobs and fund new research centres, the Government has said.Biopharmaceutical company BioNTech has announced funding of up to £1 billion into the UK over the next 10 years.The planned investment would be one of the biggest in the history of UK life sciences, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said.As part of plans to increase its UK presence, the vaccine maker will create two new research and development hubs – one in Cambridge, and an AI hub at its planned UK headquarters in London.The centres could create more than 400 new jobs over the next 10 years including researchers in clinical and scientific drug development.As part of the agreement, the Government will contribute up to £129 million over the same period.German-based BioNTech developed mRNA vaccines and cancer immunotherapies, notably used to tackle Covid-19.Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the investment would boost the economy.“This investment will propel the growth-driving life sciences sector to new heights, delivering cutting-edge facilities, building careers in the future-facing jobs we want our children to have, and ultimately unlocking progress in medical science that could save lives,” he said.“This is a clear indication of how we will deliver the Government’s Plan for Change: working together with the best and brightest businesses and innovators to unlock their potential, and then reap the benefits for the economy, health and more that their drive and genius can deliver.”Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “This is another testament to confidence in Britain being one of the world’s top investment destinations and a global hub for life sciences.“It will create hundreds of high-skilled, well-paid jobs, as we deliver on our promise to put more money in working people’s pockets through our Plan for Change.”The CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, Ugur Şahin, said the agreement “marks the next chapter of our successful strategic partnership with the UK Government”. More

The head of NatWest has said he sees no “direct link” between artificial intelligence and the loss of human jobs at the bank.Chief executive Paul Thwaite told MPs on Tuesday that he thinks AI can “improve the productivity of the economy” and that NatWest is deploying the technology across the bank.NatWest is using generative AI to “make colleagues more efficient”, he said, citing jobs like software engineers and relationship managers.Scores of companies, mainly in the tech sector, have already announced rounds of job cuts which are thought to be linked to the growing use of AI.Microsoft said it would lay off about 6,000 workers earlier in May, at the same time as it invests heavily in AI and uses it more for jobs such as software development.A World Economic Forum survey showed earlier this year that 41% of employers intent to downsize their workforce as the technology automates tasks.Mr Thwaite, who employs more than 60,000 people at NatWest, said: “We don’t see a direct link between deploying technology and removal of jobs.“What I would say is the profile of the workforce is changing a lot.“We’re now recruiting people who are specialists in AI, data scientists, digital experts, that’s obviously a different profile of staff from which the bank was recruiting 15, 16 years ago.“So really it’s an addition to staff rather than a replacement.”Mr Thwaite was speaking to the cross-party Treasury Committee of MPs, along with bosses from Barclays, Lloyds and HSBC.Charlie Nunn, the chief executive of Lloyds, said AI could give customers “more personalised advice” for banking services.He said this is currently always done with a “human in the loop”.Mr Nunn was separately pressed on Lloyds’ record over the car finance mis-selling scandal, which has so far seen the bank set aside more than £1.1 billion in case of a possible fallout.Mr told MPs: “At this stage we don’t have evidence of harm.“That’s not one of the things that’s been focused on, or in fact that we’ve broken the regulation retrospectively.“If those things were found to be true of course we’d then lean in fully to try to identify the customers that did experience harm as defined by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), and then support a remediation programme.”Lloyds is at the centre of a looming crisis facing the motor finance industry, with major lenders in the sector on the hook for potentially billions of pounds’ worth of compensation for motor finance deals with hidden commission payments.The Court of Appeal in London ruled last October that it was unlawful for car dealers to receive commission on motor finance from lenders without a customer’s informed consent.The court decision opened the door for a potential fresh wave of complaints from consumers who think they may have been mis-sold car finance in previous years.When it was put to Mr Nunn by MPs that constituents felt they had been “duped” on car finance deals, he said: “The specifics are in the individual cases.”He added: “When we look at the individual cases… it’s looking at that combination of factors that determines whether a customer actually got the right package or the right deal or whether there were harm.“And as I said at this stage we haven’t had evidence of harm although if it were identified of course we would lean into it.” More

The Conservatives have slipped to fourth place behind Labour, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats, a major poll has found. In a survey that will raise fresh questions about Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the Tories were in fourth on 16 per cent of the vote. Sir Ed Davey’s Lib Dems have overtaken the party, the YouGov poll showed, with 17 per cent of the vote. And, with Labour flatlining in second on 22 per cent, Reform UK continues to surge ahead, with Nigel Farage’s party rising one percentage point to 29 per cent. Pollster Luke Tryl said Britain’s political landscape has been upended, with “lots in the pool that would have once seemed mind-blowing”. The poll will raise fresh questions about Kemi Badenoch’s leadership More

Sir Keir Starmer has secured a landmark deal between Britain and the European Union in a move that has dominated headlines across the political spectrum.Following a last-minute breakthrough in reset talks, the prime minister – who has made the Brexit reset a centrepiece of his administration – hailed Monday’s summit as marking a “new era” of relations with the bloc.While Sir Keir declared that Britain was “back on the world stage” with his “win-win” deal, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage made it clear that they would scrap it if they were to win power at the next election.The prime minister met with EU leaders on Monday 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 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