Latest news with #postBrexit
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Windsor deal an opaque mess, says Democratic Unionist Party leader
The rules governing the operation of the Windsor Framework are 'ineffective, opaque and overly bureaucratic' and give Northern Ireland's politicians little opportunity to influence decisions, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson has said. Speaking to the House of Lords Northern Ireland scrutiny committee in Westminster, the DUP leader was scathing of the agreement reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom in February 2023. It amended the previously agreed Northern Ireland Protocol and governs post-Brexit trading rules, though unionists complain bitterly that many British companies will no longer sell products to Northern Ireland customers because of the extra rules. Speaking of an announcement expected on Thursday about the availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, Mr Robinson said the current strategy being followed by the British government made little sense. READ MORE British prime minister Keir Starmer has already made clear he will keep rules governing food and animal security in line with European Union rules, which should mean no extra curbs on the drugs available to Northern farmers. 'We know what the direction of travel will be, even if we do not like it,' said Mr Robinson, yet London's actions will ensure that some drugs will not be sold in Northern Ireland for a year, or more, even though they meet all safety standards. Telling peers that he does not 'have a lot of faith' in the Windsor deal, Mr Robinson said it frustrates 'the ability for ordinary, routine and at times complex and serious engagement to either satisfy, resolve or ameliorate' some of its harmful effects. It could not ever be effective until the imposition of European Union rules 'without the consent of any elected unionist in Northern Ireland, without the consent of party colleagues in Westminster' was resolved, he went on. The House of Lords committee, chaired by the cross-bench peer Lord Carlile, has been holding a series of hearings to investigate in detail the operation of the framework agreement. Meanwhile, an independent report on the operation of the Windsor deal from the former Labour Northern Ireland Secretary of State Paul Murphy, which was started following a Stormont Assembly vote in January, is set to finish shortly, the meeting heard. Lord Murphy has been tasked with examining the effect it has had on social, economic and political life in Northern Ireland, and on the United Kingdom's internal market, and to make recommendations. While paying a personal tribute to the former Labour secretary of state, the DUP leader, however, questioned his independence, saying he is required to advance only ideas that have cross-community backing in Stormont. However, the SDLP's Stormont leader of the Opposition, Matt O'Toole, questioned the value of some of the measures that were taken to coax the DUP back into Stormont government last year. One of them, the East-West Council, designed to improve connections between different parts of the UK, could not be put at the same rank as the institutions created under the Belfast Agreement, he said.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Windsor Framework structures ineffective and overly bureaucratic
The structures of the Windsor Framework are 'ineffective, opaque and overly bureaucratic', DUP leader Gavin Robinson has told peers. Mr Robinson said that the post-Brexit trading deal could never be effective until fundamental issues around lack of consent from unionists are addressed. The SDLP's Stormont leader Matthew O'Toole said while he supported the framework, he believed there needed to be improvements in how Northern Ireland voices were heard within its structures. The House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee has been holding evidence sessions examining the operation of the framework. The Windsor Framework was agreed between the UK and the EU in 2023, amending the Northern Ireland Protocol. It governs post-Brexit trading arrangements in the region. The DUP later reached the Safeguarding the Union deal with the previous UK government to further reduce some checks and paperwork on goods moving from the rest of the UK into Northern Ireland, leading to the restoration of the powersharing Executive at Stormont last year. However, many unionists remain opposed to the framework, stating it creates a new regulatory border within the United Kingdom and because Northern Ireland continues to follow some EU laws relating to goods. During his appearance before the committee, Mr Robinson was asked to assess the extent to which voices in Northern Ireland could be heard through the structures of the framework. He said: 'I don't have a lot of faith in the current structures. 'When you consider the ability for politicians, parliamentarians, stakeholders, businesses, to engage with them. 'The structures around the Windsor Framework, though they may have evolved, are ineffective, opaque and overly bureaucratic. 'They frustrate the ability for ordinary, routine and at times complex and serious engagement to either satisfy, resolve or ameliorate some of the harmful impositions that Northern Ireland finds itself in under these arrangements.' The DUP leader added: 'I believe it cannot ever be effective until the fundamentals are resolved around the imposition that Northern Ireland was placed in without the consent of any elected unionist in Northern Ireland, without the consent of party colleagues in Westminster.' In December, MLAs at Stormont voted to continue with the current arrangements for at least another four years in a democratic consent motion, which was part of the arrangements agreed between the UK and the EU. However, unlike other votes at Stormont, there was no requirement for cross-community support for the motion. Mr Robinson told peers: 'Though we have gone through a cycle of a parliamentary vote in Assembly terms in December of 2024, an inversion of cross-community protections. 'A false choice, do you wish this imposition to continue for a period of eight years or four years with a potential review. 'I don't believe they have been effective at all and if the Government were serious about increasing the opportunity to have voices heard and engage fundamentally in the propositions that are causing material impact, both constitutionally and practically in Northern Ireland, then they wouldn't only find an effective mechanism for that engagement but they would look at the fundamentals.' He added: 'We have at the heart of this an agreement between the UK and the EU where they decide what is going to happen to Northern Ireland without any recourse to the citizenry of Northern Ireland or the elected representatives. 'Then you have the attempt or the added aspects of inclusion and participation but without any substantial or meaningful outworkings of that participation or inclusion.' Mr O'Toole told the committee that Brexit had led to 'real political division and controversy in Northern Ireland'. He added: 'I do think there can be a degree of, if not consensus, then some degree of agreement that we can improve the mechanisms by which stakeholders in Northern Ireland, be they politicians, business groups, trade unions, other parts of civic society, can have their voice heard in relation to the provisions of the protocol/Windsor Framework. 'I think they improved somewhat after the Windsor Framework was agreed in spring 2023, but I don't think they are there yet. 'Northern Ireland is in the position of being subject to a cohort of EU law, obviously I strongly support that as a necessity, but I probably do agree that our voice could be better heard in terms of making those laws or at least understanding how they are going to apply in Northern Ireland.' Mr O'Toole added: 'The summary answer is not quite where it should be, and I say that as someone who supports the provisions of the Windsor Framework and the protocol.'
Times
07-06-2025
- Times
10-year passport rule: is yours valid for EU travel?
One of the fastest ways to kill your pre-holiday good mood is to find out shortly before you fly — or worse, at the airport itself — that your travel documents aren't in order. However, some visitors to EU destinations are still falling foul of post-Brexit checks, because having an unexpired passport doesn't automatically mean that it will be deemed valid abroad. So what do you need to watch out for if you're planning a trip to Europe? You'll need to check that your passport is less than ten years old on arrival, and has an expiry date at least three months after the end of your stay. The only exception is if you're visiting Ireland, part of the Common Travel Area with the UK. These rules also apply to four non-EU countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — which, together with 25 of the 27 EU countries, form the Schengen Area. As Schengen nations have an open border with each other, they also share the same passport validity requirements. So if you're planning a trip to an EU country or one of the four mentioned above, here's what you need to know. EU countries require travellers from 'third countries' — anywhere outside the EU — to have a passport that's less than ten years old on the day of their entry to a member state and valid for at least three months after the end of their stay. Since the UK left the EU, this rule has applied to British passport holders. Previously the UK Passport Office allowed up to nine months remaining on an old passport to be carried over to a new one. This meant that some passports issued before October 2018 had more than ten years of validity. After Brexit, EU countries no longer recognised this extension, which is why passports now need to be less than ten years old. The only exception to this rule is Ireland. This is because Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area with the UK so the rules are slightly different. If you are travelling to multiple destinations, check that your passport and other documents cover all stops on your itinerary. For example, if you are travelling to a country where your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay, but you have a stopover in the EU where the above rules apply (or somewhere such as Dubai or Singapore, which require at least six months' validity remaining after arrival), then you will also need to make sure your passport meets these requirements. Speak to your travel operator if in any doubt. A valid passport is essential for travelling outside the UK. For travel to the EU and European Free Trade Association (Efta) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left on it after you intend to leave. The only exception is if you are going to Ireland, where you can travel until your passport expires. To visit Ireland, British nationals don't actually need a passport — although airlines typically insist on it — and can use another form of official photo ID. Depending on where you are travelling to, for what purpose and for how long, you may also need to get a visa. After Brexit, British citizens are permitted to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days out of 180 for leisure visits, after which a visa or other permit may be needed. You will need to check the specific entry requirements for each individual country you're visiting. From late 2026, you will also need to successfully apply for an Etias visa waiver before you travel. • When does the Etias scheme start for UK travellers? If you are planning to drive or hire a car, you will need to take your driving licence, and in some cases an international driving permit (IDP). Those taking their own cars across a border will also need relevant insurance and vehicle registration details, as well as a UK sticker displayed prominently on the vehicle. There may be additional requirements depending on your destination. • Driving in Europe: all the requirements and rules you need to know When travelling to EU countries, you may want to apply for and take your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This free benefit replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most UK nationals after Brexit. It entitles you to medically necessary public health care, which will either be free or subsidised. In some cases, having the card with you is a requisite for ensuring your travel insurance is valid. In most cases, you will need your passport to travel to Europe. Ireland is the only exception, although the government still advises taking your passport with you, and airlines will typically insist on it. If you have lost your passport while abroad, you may be able to apply for an emergency travel document. These cost £125 and you may need to attend a British embassy in person after you have applied online. The document contains your exact itinerary, and if you decide to change your plans at the last minute you will need to pay for a new one. If your passport is damaged, you should replace it before you travel, as it may not be considered valid. HM Passport Office consider a passport damaged if any details cannot be read, there are rips, cuts, holes (including the cover) or missing pages, the cover is coming away, or there are stains such as water damage. In theory, you could travel with an expired passport between certain countries in Europe, because land borders within the Schengen Area are open and ID checks are only carried out in exceptional circumstances. For example, the Spanish government has said that its citizens may enter the country on an expired passport or ID card after its authenticity has been checked; however, a valid travel document is still required to leave the country via an external border. In the case of the UK, your passport will be checked at the relevant border controls and you will need to make sure it's valid for travel. Like most countries in the EU, Spain requires those travelling on a British passport to have at least three months remaining after the date you plan to leave. You also need to check that it is less than ten years old on arrival. • Read our full guide to Spain For Greece, the usual EU passport validity rules apply. This means it needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months left after the date you plan to leave. • Read our full guide to Greece EU passport validity rules also apply in Portugal. So your passport needs to be less than ten years old when you enter the country and have at least three months remaining after the date you intend to leave. • Read our full guide to Portugal For entry into the US, your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. You will also need an Esta or visa for entry. • Read our full guide to the US Turkey requires UK passport holders to have at least 150 days left on their passports after arrival. It also needs to have a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps. • Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now?
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EU demands half a MILLION young Europeans are allowed into Britain under Keir Starmer's 'youth free movement' scheme
Brussels is demanding that as many as half a million young EU citizens are allowed to live in Britain under Keir Starmer 's post-Brexit EU deal. The Prime Minister has agreed in principle a 'youth experience scheme' that would allow adults aged up to 30 to come to the UK to work and study. Ministers want the scheme, which is reciprocal for UK citizens wishing to go to the continent, capped below 100,000. But an EU official last night suggested it would want the scheme to be similar in scale to the one Britain has with Australia. However, given the EU's population is 450million, compared to Australia's 26million, it raises the prospect of allowing in 500,000 from the continent. The Brussels official told the Times: 'Are Australians better than Europeans? If the same model applies, then the numbers would have to be much higher or it would be hurtful. 'What is the British problem with our young people, our children?' Much a figure would trigger a massive new immigration row, with Sir Keir facing demands to bring down net migration figures that rose out of control under the previous Tory government. As part of his Brexit 'reset' deal, Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to continue talks with Brussels on the 'youth experience' scheme. EU member states had demanded a youth mobility scheme in exchange for the Prime Minister's desire for closer post-Brexit defence and trade ties with the bloc. Following Monday's UK-EU summit in London, it was announced that both sides would 'co-operate further' on establishing such a scheme. But Downing Street last night insisted the Government had set a series of 'red lines' for those continuing discussions. These include EU migrants not being able to bring dependents or claim benefits under the proposed scheme, while they must pay to use the NHS. No10 also stressed there would be a cap on the number of youth visas that would be issued to EU nationals. It has previously been reported that Germany, Poland and Romania are particularly concerned about EU migrants in Britain having to pay healthcare charges. Downing Street declined to say when a youth mobility scheme with the EU might be finalised. 'We'll now be working with the EU on the details and we'll provide an update on that in due course,' Sir Keir's spokesman added. He also stressed that an EU scheme would 'mirror' the existing youth mobility schemes the UK has with other countries. Britain currently has such schemes with Andorra, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, San Marino, Taiwan, and Uruguay. Under the UK's youth mobility scheme with Australia, applicants must have £2,530 in savings, pay a £298 application fee, and stump up £776 per year to use the NHS. Those aged 18 to 35 from Australia can apply for a youth mobility visa to live and work in the UK for up to two years, with the possibility for a one-year extension. For this year, the number of youth visas is capped at 42,000 for Australians, 10,000 for Canadians, 9,500 for New Zealanders, and 6,000 for those from Japan. But the actual number of visas granted is much less, with just over 24,000 youth mobility visas issued by the UK across all 13 schemes in 2024.
The National
20-05-2025
- Business
- The National
UK says Gulf trade deal next in line after sealing pact with EU
The UK government's dealmakers are turning their attention to the Gulf after a series of trade agreements with Europe, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said. On Monday, a deal between London and Brussels was struck covering defence, fishing, food and passport controls. It follows agreements with the US to cut tariffs on some imports, give each partner access to the other's markets for agricultural goods and to ease trade restrictions with India. Ms Reeves told the BBC the Gulf would be the 'next deal' as the government looks to continue to forge post-Brexit trade ties. She said deals had 'come along like buses'. In April, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Labour government was continuing discussions with the six countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council over a trade deal which were started by the last Conservative government. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also hailed the 'good progress' on efforts to agree on a GCC-UK trade deal in a call with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in which they discussed 'tariffs and an economic partnership'. Ms Reeves suggested economic growth would be strengthened through recent trade deals. The UK economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the first three months of the year. 'Britain is in a better place than any other country in the world in terms of deals with those countries,' she said. 'The first deal and the best deal so far [is] with the US, we've got the best deal with the EU for any country outside the EU, and we've got the best trade agreement with India. 'Not only are these important in their own right, but it also shows that Britain now is the place for investment and business, because we've got preferential deals with the biggest economies around the world.' Ms Reeves also said the UK was 'not looking to have trade negotiations with China'. Mr Starmer hailed the deal with the EU, set out at a summit in London, as a 'win-win' for both parties, which would be the start of a new era in the UK-EU relationship. The wide-ranging deal will allow more British travellers to use passport e-gates when going on holiday to Europe, while farmers will have swifter, easier access to trade on the continent as a result of an agreement on animal and plant product standards. A 'youth experience scheme' allowing young British citizens to study and live in Europe, and a new security and defence partnership were also agreed. But it has been met with criticism after agreeing to grant European fishing trawlers a further 12 years' access to British waters. After last year's general election, Britain's Labour government said it was eager to restart talks towards securing a free-trade agreement with the GCC. Negotiations resumed in September and since then online and in-person negotiations have taken place, including a GCC delegation visiting London in October and a UK delegation visiting Riyadh in November. The UK's Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, told The National in March the UK aimed to deepen its trade and investment partnership with the UAE and was seeking more dual listings on the London Stock Exchange to strengthen ties in the financial sector.
