UK and EU agree Brexit reset trade deal as Sir Keir Starmer declares 'Britain is back'

The UK and EU have agreed a new post-Brexit reset trade deal after months of negotiations.

Sir Keir Starmer declared "Britain is back on the world stage", while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a "historic moment".

The talks were the first since Boris Johnson agreed the initial Brexit deal in January 2020, when the UK left the EU.

Politics latest: Details of UK-EU deal emerge

Some of the main points include eGate access for British passport holders in Europe, no health certificates every time pets travel to Europe and the removal of red tape from most food and drink imports and exports.

Negotiations went "down to the wire", with a breakthrough at about 10.30pm on Sunday ahead of a Monday 10am deadline, as UK fishing rights were, yet again, a major sticking point.

Sky News understands the EU wanted permanent access to UK waters for fishing, but they have agreed a deal which extends the current rules on fishing for 12 years.

There will be no change to the current access for UK fishing communities, with no reduction in British quotas or increase in the amount the EU is allowed to catch, which is set annually.

Fishing rights were a major part of the Brexit "leave" campaign, although the industry only accounts for 0.4% of GDP.

Read more: What is in the Brexit reset agreement?

eGates and pet passports

Under the new deal, British passport holders will be able to use eGates in Europe following years of lengthy passport control queues.

The prime minister called on EU members "to help make this a reality without delay".

Pet passports will also be brought back so cats, dogs and ferrets coming from the UK will no longer need expensive health certificates from vets in both the UK and Europe to travel with their owners to the EU.

Most routine checks and the need for certificates for food and drinks have been removed, which the government said will reduce the burden on businesses and reduce lorry queues at the border.

Sir Keir said British burgers and sausages will be allowed into the UK again.

Read more:
People do feel like strangers in Britain, poll finds
Britain may have to resort to anti-subversion laws

Defence partnership

A new security and defence partnership was agreed so the UK defence industry can participate in the EU's plan for a £150bn defence fund called Security Action for Europe (SAFE).

What will concern Brexiteers is a line in the official document saying the UK and the EU "note the importance" of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial law, including family matters.

The Leave campaign had said one of the benefits of Brexit would be judicial independence from the EU.

Talks are continuing on a youth mobility scheme to allow people aged 18-30 in the UK and the EU to move freely between countries for a limited period to work, study and travel. This would also include au pairs.

The UK and the EU will also work towards reviving Erasmus, the student exchange programme that was scrapped when Brexit happened.

These two points have been controversial as the government is on a drive to cut net migration.

The two sides have agreed to further work on finding solutions to tackle illegal migration, including on returns and a joint commitment to tackle Channel crossings.

'Not been easy'

Sir Keir promised in his 2024 election manifesto that he would sign a new trade and security deal with the EU, and has embarked on a charm offensive across Europe since winning power.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves told a meeting of business leaders it had "not been easy" to reach a deal but said it would "make it easier" for UK businesses.

EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said it was a "historic day".

"Good for jobs, good for bills, good for borders," he posted on X.

"And more... Britain back on the world stage, with a government in the service of working people."

?Listen to Politics at Sam and Anne's on your podcast app?

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the deal "very concerning" and said that 12 years EU access for fishing is three times longer than the government wanted.

"We're becoming a rule-taker from Brussels once again," she said.

"And with no details on any cap or time limits on youth mobility, fears of free movement returning will only increase."

Reform UK leader and Brexiteer Nigel Farage described the deal as a "surrender" and said the 12-year fishing deal "will be the end of the fishing industry".

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News that details were still being worked out just three hours before the deadline.

With just over an hour to go before the 10am deadline, the EU ambassadors' committee approved the deal ahead of a summit with EU leaders in London on Monday.

(c) Sky News 2025: UK and EU agree Brexit reset trade deal as Sir Keir Starmer declares 'Britain is back'