A Brexit trade deal has been agreed and the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will leave the single market and the customs union, and EU law will no longer apply in the UK.
“We will be able to decide how and where we are going to stimulate new jobs and new homes in freeports and new green industrial zones,” he said adding that
“For the first time since 1973, we will be an independent coastal state with full control over our waters.”
In a statement earlier Downing Street said
“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.”
The deal had been delayed for several hours, said the Times “after it emerged that the European Commission was using out of date figures to calculate the reduction in the amount of fish stocks that EU countries will be able to catch as part of the agreement
The fish transition period will last five and a half years, after which there is “no theoretical limit” to the amount of fish British fishermen can catch in our waters.
“The negotiations were very difficult. A lot was at stake for so many people, so this was an agreement that we absolutely had to fight for,” says Ursula von der Leyen head of the European Commission
“I believe, also, that this agreement is in the United Kingdom’s interest. It will set solid foundations for a new start with a long-term friend. And it means that we can finally put Brexit behind us, and Europe is continuing to move forward.”
Tony Danker, CBI Director-General, said:
“We congratulate David Frost, Michel Barnier and their teams for this landmark achievement, and we praise the courage of our political leaders in reaching a deal.
“This will come as a huge relief to British business at a time when resilience is at an all-time low. But coming so late in the day it is vital that both sides take instant steps to keep trade moving and services flowing while firms adjust.
“Firms will immediately study the details, when they can, to understand the implications for their companies, customers and clients but immediate guidance from government is required across all sectors.
“Above all, we need urgent confirmation of grace periods to smooth the cliff edge on everything from data to rules of origin and we need to ensure we keep goods moving across borders.
“The UK has a bright future outside the European Union and with a deal secured we can begin our new chapter on firmer ground.”
