UK strikes new deal with EU

News Update

Security & Defence

– Security and Defence Partnership concluded between UK and EU

– Partnership covers cooperation on Ukraine, cyber, defence industry, crisis management, and more

– UK defence firms set to participate in the proposed £150bn EU Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund.

Fishing

– 12-year reciprocal fishing agreement until 30 June 2038

– No increase in EU quotas in UK waters

– UK to invest £360 million in fishing industry and coastal communities, such as upgrading equipment.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement

– UK and EU to establish a permanent SPS Agreement to reduce checks and red tape on food and agricultural trade with no time limit

– UK food like sausages and burgers can be exported to the EU again

– Some routine checks on animal and plant products will be removed completely

– Includes “dynamic alignment” of food rules, joint oversight, and a system to resolve disputes

– Extends to Great Britain–Northern Ireland trade via Windsor Framework

Climate & Energy

– UK and EU to link their Emissions Trading Systems (ETS)

– Prevents UK firms from paying EU carbon border tax (saving ~£800 million/year).

– Includes dynamic alignment and joint governance

– UK and EU to explore UK participation in EU internal electricity market

– Cooperation on hydrogen, carbon capture, and biomethane to continue

– Combined, the SPS and ETS agreements are projected to add £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040

Youth, Arts and Study

– Agreement to work towards a UK-EU “youth experience scheme”, like those with Australia/New Zealand, which will be “capped and time-limited”

– UK to rejoin Erasmus+ (subject to financial and legal terms)

– Agreement to support touring artists

Travel & Border Management

– UK nationals will be able to use eGates at EU borders, even after the new Entry/Exit System is introduced

– Pet passports for UK dogs and cats to be introduced (no need for individual trip certificates)

Trade & Services

– Conclusion of a Competition Cooperation Agreement

– UK and EU to set up dialogues on services trade, including:

1. Recognition of professional qualifications

2. Business mobility (entry and temporary stay of natural persons)

– British steel exports protected through bespoke arrangement – saves £25 million/year by avoiding tariffs and new EU rules

Law & Data Sharing

– Pending Europol arrangements to be finalised swiftly, including better exchange of fingerprints, DNA, vehicle registration data, and future facial images

– Further cooperation between UK and Europol/National Crime Agency planned

Judicial Cooperation

– UK to enter into Hague Convention on Judgments effective 1 July 2025

– UK and EU to improve judicial cooperation in civil, commercial, and family law

Health & Drugs Cooperation

– Regular dialogue to be established on health security, including pandemics, and a proposal for a working arrangement between UK authorities and the EU Drugs Agency

Illegal Migration

– Commitment to deepen cooperation on irregular migration, including on returns, best practice sharing, and tackling Channel crossings

– UK may participate in the Khartoum and Rabat Processes – EU-led initiatives focused on tackling human trafficking along key African routes

– Improved cooperation with Frontex and EU Asylum Agency.