In 2017 the EU showed on their own slide that a Canada type FTA was the only available relationship for the UK. Now they say it’s not on offer after all.
@MichelBarnier
what’s changed?
1/5 The EU has set out its objectives for the negotiations with us in the mandate it has agreed today. We welcome that and we will be setting out our own approach on Thursday. Meanwhile, a few key points:
3/5 The EU has respected the autonomy of other major economies around the world such as Canada and Japan when signing trade deals with them. We just want the same.
4/5 We agree the UK’s trade with the EU is significant. The US’s is on the same scale – yet that did not stop the EU being willing to offer the US zero tariffs without the kind of level playing field commitments or the legal oversight they have put in today’s mandate.
2/5 The EU mandate stresses (reasonably) the importance of its own legal autonomy. We are equally determined to protect ours. That is the key point of Brexit and is fundamental to the sustainable long-term relationship the EU says it wants with us.
Today we have set out further details on our approach to our future relationship with the EU, the core of which is a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. Read more here:
David Frost: We are confident in the strategy we have chosen. Modern, advanced economies are hugely complex systems capable of finding solutions we did not expect.
Read the full lecture:
UK Government has sent out only one text message on new rules about staying at home to prevent the spread of
#coronavirus
(see below). If you see others claiming to be from UK Government, they are false.
The High Level Meeting between the Prime Minister and President von der Leyen, President Michel and President Sassoli will take place by video conference on the afternoon of Monday 15 June. 1/4
Chief Negotiator
@DavidGHFrost
briefs the UK team on the latest on Round 1 of negotiations with the EU. Talks ended today and resume 18 March in London.
Read our statement here:
“Geography is no reason to undermine democracy.”
– Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
@MichaelGove
speaking in the House of Commons earlier today on our future relationship with the EU
Read his full statement:
The UK’s Chief Negotiator David Frost and his 100-strong team have been in Brussels today to begin talks on our future relationship with the EU. This round of negotiations lasts until Thursday.
The negotiations on the UK's future relationship with the EU are led by Task Force Europe, a team within No 10 who report directly into the Prime Minister. Follow this account for updates.
Today in the
@DailyMirror
@martinfricker
claimed ‘The PM finally got round to calling a COBRA meeting on the coronavirus virus spread’ yesterday. In fact, there have been 5 COBR meetings since the outbreak. The first COBR meeting was held on the 24th January.
Today’s
@DailyMirror
leader column claimed the PM ‘has not shown any sympathy for the victims’ of flooding. This is false. The PM has repeatedly expressed sympathy to flood victims and thanked all those involved in the recovery efforts, including in Parliament yesterday.
This new process will involve a mix of formal negotiating rounds and smaller group meetings, both in London and Brussels assuming public health guidelines enable this. 3/4
We are leading a national effort to fight
#coronavirus
in the UK and taking the necessary steps based on the best scientific advice. We will be stepping up capacity of testing to 25,000 people in hospitals a day.
#CoronavirusFAQs
To help with the recovery the UK government has announced:
- £500 in financial hardship payments
- 100% council tax and business rates relief for at least three months
- £2,500 Business Recovery Grant
- £5,000 to help make homes more resilient to future flooding