Brexit deal between the UK and the European Union agreed

The Government has declared the deal, agreed today after long negotiations that have been years in the making, the delivery of "everything that the British public was promised" during the 2016 Brexit referendum.

"We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade and our fishing waters," the Government's statement, released this afternoon, said.

"The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses in every part of the UK.

"We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved with the EU.

"The deal is the biggest bilateral trade deal signed by either side, covering trade worth £668bn in 2019.

"The deal also guarantees that we are no longer in the lunar pull of the EU, we are not bound by EU rules, there is no role for the European Court of Justice and all of our key red lines about returning sovereignty have been achieved.

"It means that we will have full political and economic independence on 1st January 2021."

A "points-based immigration system" has also been put in place, ending the free movement of people between the UK and EU.

The Government's statement added: "We have delivered this great deal for the entire United Kingdom in record time, and under extremely challenging conditions, which protects the integrity of our internal market and Northern Ireland’s place within it.

"We have got Brexit done and we can now take full advantage of the fantastic opportunities available to us as an independent trading nation, striking trade deals with other partners around the world."

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: "We have finally found an agreement.

"It was a long and winding road, but we have got a good deal to show for it.

"It is fair, it is a balanced deal, and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides."

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Since the election, the Labour Party has urged the Government and the EU to secure a trade deal because that is in the national interest.
"We will be setting out our formal response to the deal in due course."

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: "Scottish Labour has called for an extension to the Brexit process, in light of the escalation of the Covid crisis so that we avoid the economic shock we will now face.

"While it's better that a no-deal exit has been averted, Boris Johnson's irresponsible brinksmanship and his gross mismanagement of this process from start to finish has caused huge economic uncertainty.

"Against the backdrop of Covid, the worst crisis the UK has faced since the Second World War, the Tories have left workers and businesses on the cliff-edge of a disastrous 'no deal' by leaving it to the 11th hour to secure a deal.

"We must now look at the detail of the deal and move on with a plan to protect jobs, incomes and our public services in Scotland, as we face a pandemic-driven recession."

Aodhan Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, welcomed the Brexit deal.

"We hope this will protect consumers across the UK from billions in import tariffs on everyday goods," he said.

"For Northern Ireland it also means a reduction in new customs frictions between GB and NI."

However. he also warned that more work is required.

"Even with a deal, retailers face a very different retail landscape from January 1, with many new checks and costs. The result will be rising costs for businesses, some of which may impact consumers," he said.

"We need to ensure maximum flexibility from both the UK Government and the EU to prevent breakdowns in the supply chain.

"There is still much hard work needed on Northern Ireland issues if we are not to face another cliff-edge in three or six months and retailers are to continue to give NI families the choice and affordability that they so desperately need."

European Council president Charles Michel said: "The announcement of an agreement at negotiators' level on the future relationship is a major step forward."

But he said the 27 EU member states and the European Parliament now had to analyse it "before they give their green lights".