UK and EU agree ‘Brexit reset’ trade agreement

"We're becoming a rule-taker from Brussels once again," claims Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

After months of negotiating, discussions between government officials reportedly went "down to the wire" with a breakthrough arriving late last night (May 18) ahead of this morning's 10am deadline.

Sky News says UK fishing rights caused the biggest headache, as the EU requested permanent access to British waters. Instead, they were handed 12 years of access.

"All in all, a good deal for all," commented a UK government source.

Fishing rights held great significance in the original Brexit 'leave' campaign of 2020, and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has revealed that the EU access is triple what the government wanted.

"We're becoming a rule-taker from Brussels once again. And with no details on any cap or time limits on youth mobility, fears of free movement returning will only increase. This is very concerning," she added.

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform, told Times Radio: "[Keir] Starmer has surrendered - lock, stock and barrel. He's waved the white flag and kissed goodbye to UK fishing.

"And my constituents in Boston & Skegness will be raging mad this morning if this news is true. It's unbelievable. The EU apparently asked for four or five years and Starmer has surrendered about 12 years. Mind-boggling."

Countering this uproar was business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who highlighted how UK fishermen will be able to sell their catch more easily.

"It's not just about what you catch in the UK, it's who you're going to sell it to and actually, for agricultural, fish and shellfish products, 70 per cent of our exports are to the EU," he told the BBC.

"That market access is fundamental to the prosperity of that industry, so it's not a trade-off in that regard. It's about delivering something that works for that sector."

A news conference detailing the deal is expected to go ahead, while talks are ongoing concerning a youth mobility scheme allowing 18 to 30-year-olds across the UK and EU to move freely between countries for a certain amount of time.