THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNED A MAJOR NEW TRADE DEAL, ‘DESPITE BREXIT’. The UK has signed a major trade deal with Switzerland which will see trade continue as normal between the two countries after Brexit.
This is the first of many trade deals to come and it’s great to see the government taking advantage of its new ability to sign trade agreements bilaterally, without the EU’s involvement.
Trade with Switzerland was worth more than £30 billion last year, so it’s obvious why the government was determined to get this agreement signed.
The UK is seeking to replicate about 40 EU free trade agreements, covering more than 70 countries.
Brexit PLOT: Top UK official 'RULES OUT' no deal - MPs must pick LONG delay or May's terms
FURY erupted tonight after a senior official effectively ruled out a no-deal Brexit. Olly Robbins told colleagues MPs will be made to choose between a revised divorce deal or a “long” delay to Britain’s exit from the European Union.
He was overheard in a hotel bar in Brussels openly discussing how fear of keeping the UK well after March 29 might focus minds when the agreement goes back to the Commons. The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator said he believed the EU would “probably just give us” an extension on the deadline for leaving, according to ITV. Theresa May has repeatedly insisted that no deal is better than a bad deal and today appealed to MPs to “hold their nerve” as she continues to battle for changes to her withdrawal agreement.
But Mr Robbins, who has faced repeated criticism from Brexiteers over his handling of the negotiations, appeared to expect a delay. “The issue is whether Brussels is clear on the terms of extension,” he was overheard saying. “In the end they will probably just give us an extension.” Conservative MEP David Campbell Bannerman, said: “The truth is out. This man is a total disgrace.” Brexiteer Tory Marcus Fysh warned Mrs May that voters would feel “betrayed” if she broke her promise that the country would leave on next month. He said: “The Prime Minister has been telling everybody, including thousands and thousands of Conservative councillors, that she is determined to leave whatever happens on March 29." Conservative Brexiteer Peter Bone: "The Prime Minister has repeatedly said there will not be an extension to Article 50 yet Olly Robbins appears to be saying the opposite. It would be extraordinary to have a civil servant supporting a policy which is the complete opposite of the Government's. Perhaps he is freelancing out there. "The Prime Minister should summon him back to London immediately to ask him exactly what is going on."
It's May's deal or a long delay to Brexit, PM's chief negotiator is overheard telling colleagues in Westminster bar
Theresa May's chief negotiator expects long talks if MPs do not sign Brexit deal Olly Robbins was overheard saying they can get an extension until 'job is done' Bombshell comments imply backstop could lead to customs union with the EU
Theresa May's chief Brexit negotiator was overheard telling colleagues in a hotel bar either MPs will back May's deal – or they can expect 'extended talks' with the European Union. Olly Robbins loudly told his companions on Monday evening Parliament could see a revised deal in March but that 'in the end they (EU) will probably just give us an extension' if it is not backed. Mr Robbins was overheard by ITV's Angus Walker following the meeting at the UK Ambassador's Residence between Michel Barnier and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay. 'The issue is whether Brussels is clear on the terms of extension,' he was overheard saying by Mr Walker.
Back May’s deal, then hold people’s vote: plan to end Brexit deadlock
Cross-party move likely to be put forward as amendment to EU withdrawal bill
Theresa May could win parliament’s approval for her controversial Brexit deal in return for guaranteeing another referendum, under a new plan being drawn up by a cross-party group of MPs. The new vote would give the British people a simple choice: to confirm the decision or stay in the EU.
One of the most stupid arguments I have heard during the Brexit process has been used by Brexiteers, and pundits alike.
To say that you cant negotiate properly without having no deal on the table is a ridiculous claim.
To say this is naïve.
To support this argument you have to assume that the EU don't have access to the British media.
The MPs that stand up almost on a daily basis, and voice their objection to a no deal outcome, would have to be invisible to the EU.
Neither are they able to read the economic projections, or the fears of business owners, that appear in the press on a daily basis assessing no deal as a catastrophe.
Under normal circumstances, if one side was desperate to do a deal, they would be negotiating from a weak position.
These are not normal circumstances. From day one it was clear that both sides wanted a deal. A no deal will be a disaster for both sides.
The likes of Boris Johnson, and many others have claimed since the negotiations began, that the Germans would want to continue to sell us their cars, the Italians their prosecco etc, etc, This is true.
We also wish to continue selling our products to the EU, and maintain frictionless trade.
The main consideration is that this impasse is about the Irish border arrangements. We haven't properly started negotiating a trade deal, although a framework for future trade negotiations has been agreed.
So the mess we are currently in, is not about trade negotiations. If we crash out without a deal, it will be because the Tories wont support the Irish border arrangements that The PM has already agreed with the EU.
The EU have faced much criticism, yet they have made concessions on The Backstop. Pretty much agreed to what the PM was looking for as far as trade is concerned, said they will discuss Jeremy Corbyns proposals, offered a Canada deal, and seem to have no objection to a Norway deal. I think it is hard to claim they have been difficult.
Although both sides want a deal, neither side would do a deal at any cost. The EU will not compromise their fundamental principles, and The PM, who seems to have no principles, wont cross her made up red lines.
So we are where we are because The PM cant get support from her own party, for what she has already agreed on the Irish border.
The realistic solutions to this problem were obvious on day one, yet the Tories cant agree on any of them.
No alternative solutions have surfaced in the two years since negotiations started.
So the claim that it is foolish to take no deal off the table is idiotic, as we haven't even started negotiating the deal. If we crash out it will be because of the lack of an acceptable solution to the Irish border problem, as far as the Tories are concerned.
Some articles have appeared, suggesting celebrations after the UK concluded a trade deal with Switzerland. I find this strange as it is not a new trade deal, we have merely rolled over the deal we currently have through our EU membership. So its not extra trade, it is just what we are currently doing. Also another cause for not celebrating is that this is only deal number 5 of the 40 that Liam fox promised to be ready by the time we leave in March. So 5 in 22 months would not convince many people that he will get the other 35 rolled over in the remaining 2 months. Another Brexit exaggeration.
Liam Fox’s department u-turns on Brexit trade deal pledge
Liam Fox’s trade department has secretly admitted to some of Britain’s biggest businesses that the 40 free trade deals the minister promised to have ready by Brexit day are “unlikely” to materialise. At the meeting, Department for Trade officials were probed on the pledge by Mr Fox that he would sign free trade agreements to replicate the EU’s 40 existing deals with countries around the world.
However, the minutes read: “A panel member asked whether it was true (as claimed by Liam Fox) that there were 40 FTAs ready to go, just awaiting a signature and that the only delay was the EU Exit date of 29 March.
Mr Fox has previously said that he’d have “40 trade deals ready for one second after midnight” on March 29. He also said that a “free trade deal with the EU should be the easiest in human history”.
Brexit: Businesses will be ‘hung out to dry’ if government fails to provide clarity over no-deal, experts warn
Businesses are at risk of being “hung out to dry” as a result of a no-deal Brexit, with companies still calling out for clarity on key issues just weeks ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU. A list of 20 of the most burning questions businesses have has been put together by the British Chambers of Commerce, which said that many of the unanswered questions “reflect fundamental aspects of how companies operate”. The list comes days after a number of the UK’s biggest food and drink companies threatened to stop cooperating with the government on anything that is not connected to Brexit. It also follows a warning from retailers including Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose that a no-deal Brexit will result in items disappearing from supermarket shelves and could put the UK’s food security at risk. Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “In less than 50 days, UK firms could face the biggest change to their terms of trade in over a generation, without the information and clarity they need to navigate their forward course.
UK economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter of 2018 amid disruption to retail and industrial sectors borne from Brexit related fears. Global slowdown fears and the seasonal effect of Black Friday on retailers also impacted economic growth. The UK economy grew just 0.2% in the three months to December. General consensus leading up to the fourth quarter indicated that economic growth would be at 0.3% quarter-on-quarter and 1.4% year-on-year. So, all-in-all, the figures are worse than what economists expected. UK 2018 economic growth was the weakest since 2012.
The Times says it has learnt that the head of MI6 is expected to stay in post beyond his retirement date this year to guide the service through the post-Brexit period. According to the paper, Whitehall officials want Alex Younger to extend his appointment to cover the 12 to 24 months after Britain has left the EU. It points out that Andrew Parker - Mr Younger's counterpart at MI5 - has agreed to remain as director-general of the domestic security service until 2020. 'Secret Brexit plot' A conversation overheard by an ITV News reporter in the bar of the Brussels hotel where the UK's chief Brexit negotiator, Olly Robbins, was staying is widely reported - and makes the lead story for the Express. According to the paper, he told colleagues that MPs will be made to choose between a revised deal or a "long" delay to Brexit - in effect, ruling out a no-deal scenario. The Guardian says Mr Robbins may have accidentally revealed Theresa May's high-stakes Brexit strategy: "my way or a long delay". The Huffpost UK website says Mr Robbins' comments have been seized on by hardline Tory Brexiteers, who warned that "officials advise, ministers decide".
Yep it's all doom and gloom .... UK inflation fell to 1.8% in January, the lowest in two years, the Office for National Statistics said.
This is down from 2.1% the previous month.
A fall in electricity, gas and other fuels drove the decline, the ONS said.
Head of Inflation Mike Hardie said: "The fall in inflation is due mainly to cheaper gas, electricity and petrol, partly offset by rising ferry ticket prices and air fares falling more slowly than this time last year".
It means that rises in pay are now now outpacing inflation.
The rate of inflation is now below the Bank of England's 2% target and has fallen from the five-year peak of 3.1% in November 2017 in the wake of the Brexit referendum vote.
Energy prices fell because of Ofgem's energy price cap which came into effect from 1 January 2019, the ONS said.
Switzerland Chile The Faroe Islands Eastern and Southern Africa
Mutual recognition agreements - where a product lawfully sold in one country can be sold in another - have also been signed with Australia and New Zealand.
Comments
The UK has signed a major trade deal with Switzerland which will see trade continue as normal between the two countries after Brexit.
This is the first of many trade deals to come and it’s great to see the government taking advantage of its new ability to sign trade agreements bilaterally, without the EU’s involvement.
Trade with Switzerland was worth more than £30 billion last year, so it’s obvious why the government was determined to get this agreement signed.
The UK is seeking to replicate about 40 EU free trade agreements, covering more than 70 countries.
FURY erupted tonight after a senior official effectively ruled out a no-deal Brexit. Olly Robbins told colleagues MPs will be made to choose between a revised divorce deal or a “long” delay to Britain’s exit from the European Union.
He was overheard in a hotel bar in Brussels openly discussing how fear of keeping the UK well after March 29 might focus minds when the agreement goes back to the Commons. The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator said he believed the EU would “probably just give us” an extension on the deadline for leaving, according to ITV. Theresa May has repeatedly insisted that no deal is better than a bad deal and today appealed to MPs to “hold their nerve” as she continues to battle for changes to her withdrawal agreement.
But Mr Robbins, who has faced repeated criticism from Brexiteers over his handling of the negotiations, appeared to expect a delay.
“The issue is whether Brussels is clear on the terms of extension,” he was overheard saying. “In the end they will probably just give us an extension.”
Conservative MEP David Campbell Bannerman, said: “The truth is out. This man is a total disgrace.”
Brexiteer Tory Marcus Fysh warned Mrs May that voters would feel “betrayed” if she broke her promise that the country would leave on next month.
He said: “The Prime Minister has been telling everybody, including thousands and thousands of Conservative councillors, that she is determined to leave whatever happens on March 29."
Conservative Brexiteer Peter Bone: "The Prime Minister has repeatedly said there will not be an extension to Article 50 yet Olly Robbins appears to be saying the opposite. It would be extraordinary to have a civil servant supporting a policy which is the complete opposite of the Government's. Perhaps he is freelancing out there.
"The Prime Minister should summon him back to London immediately to ask him exactly what is going on."
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1086384/no-deal-brexit-olly-robbins-theresa-may-deal-brexit-news-irish-backstop-latest
Theresa May's chief negotiator expects long talks if MPs do not sign Brexit deal
Olly Robbins was overheard saying they can get an extension until 'job is done'
Bombshell comments imply backstop could lead to customs union with the EU
Theresa May's chief Brexit negotiator was overheard telling colleagues in a hotel bar either MPs will back May's deal – or they can expect 'extended talks' with the European Union.
Olly Robbins loudly told his companions on Monday evening Parliament could see a revised deal in March but that 'in the end they (EU) will probably just give us an extension' if it is not backed.
Mr Robbins was overheard by ITV's Angus Walker following the meeting at the UK Ambassador's Residence between Michel Barnier and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay.
'The issue is whether Brussels is clear on the terms of extension,' he was overheard saying by Mr Walker.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6696905/Its-Mays-deal-long-delay-Brexit-PMs-chief-negotiator-overheard-telling-colleagues-bar.html
Chief negotiator Olly Robbins was overheard in a Brussels bar, discussing strategy
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/12/theresa-mays-brexit-tactic-my-way-or-a-long-delay
Cross-party move likely to be put forward as amendment to EU withdrawal bill
Theresa May could win parliament’s approval for her controversial Brexit deal in return for guaranteeing another referendum, under a new plan being drawn up by a cross-party group of MPs. The new vote would give the British people a simple choice: to confirm the decision or stay in the EU.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/09/back-theresa-may-brexit-deal-then-hold-peoples-vote-backbencher-plan
To say that you cant negotiate properly without having no deal on the table is a ridiculous claim.
To say this is naïve.
To support this argument you have to assume that the EU don't have access to the British media.
The MPs that stand up almost on a daily basis, and voice their objection to a no deal outcome, would have to be invisible to the EU.
Neither are they able to read the economic projections, or the fears of business owners, that appear in the press on a daily basis assessing no deal as a catastrophe.
Under normal circumstances, if one side was desperate to do a deal, they would be negotiating from a weak position.
These are not normal circumstances. From day one it was clear that both sides wanted a deal. A no deal will be a disaster for both sides.
The likes of Boris Johnson, and many others have claimed since the negotiations began, that the Germans would want to continue to sell us their cars, the Italians their prosecco etc, etc, This is true.
We also wish to continue selling our products to the EU, and maintain frictionless trade.
The main consideration is that this impasse is about the Irish border arrangements. We haven't properly started negotiating a trade deal, although a framework for future trade negotiations has been agreed.
So the mess we are currently in, is not about trade negotiations. If we crash out without a deal, it will be because the Tories wont support the Irish border arrangements that The PM has already agreed with the EU.
The EU have faced much criticism, yet they have made concessions on The Backstop. Pretty much agreed to what the PM was looking for as far as trade is concerned, said they will discuss Jeremy Corbyns proposals, offered a Canada deal, and seem to have no objection to a Norway deal. I think it is hard to claim they have been difficult.
Although both sides want a deal, neither side would do a deal at any cost. The EU will not compromise their fundamental principles, and The PM, who seems to have no principles, wont cross her made up red lines.
So we are where we are because The PM cant get support from her own party, for what she has already agreed on the Irish border.
The realistic solutions to this problem were obvious on day one, yet the Tories cant agree on any of them.
No alternative solutions have surfaced in the two years since negotiations started.
So the claim that it is foolish to take no deal off the table is idiotic, as we haven't even started negotiating the deal. If we crash out it will be because of the lack of an acceptable solution to the Irish border problem, as far as the Tories are concerned.
I find this strange as it is not a new trade deal, we have merely rolled over the deal we currently have through our EU membership.
So its not extra trade, it is just what we are currently doing.
Also another cause for not celebrating is that this is only deal number 5 of the 40 that Liam fox promised to be ready by the time we leave in March.
So 5 in 22 months would not convince many people that he will get the other 35 rolled over in the remaining 2 months.
Another Brexit exaggeration.
Liam Fox’s trade department has secretly admitted to some of Britain’s biggest businesses that the 40 free trade deals the minister promised to have ready by Brexit day are “unlikely” to materialise.
At the meeting, Department for Trade officials were probed on the pledge by Mr Fox that he would sign free trade agreements to replicate the EU’s 40 existing deals with countries around the world.
However, the minutes read: “A panel member asked whether it was true (as claimed by Liam Fox) that there were 40 FTAs ready to go, just awaiting a signature and that the only delay was the EU Exit date of 29 March.
Mr Fox has previously said that he’d have “40 trade deals ready for one second after midnight” on March 29. He also said that a “free trade deal with the EU should be the easiest in human history”.
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/liam-fox-department-u-turns-115053521.html
Businesses are at risk of being “hung out to dry” as a result of a no-deal Brexit, with companies still calling out for clarity on key issues just weeks ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU.
A list of 20 of the most burning questions businesses have has been put together by the British Chambers of Commerce, which said that many of the unanswered questions “reflect fundamental aspects of how companies operate”.
The list comes days after a number of the UK’s biggest food and drink companies threatened to stop cooperating with the government on anything that is not connected to Brexit.
It also follows a warning from retailers including Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose that a no-deal Brexit will result in items disappearing from supermarket shelves and could put the UK’s food security at risk.
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “In less than 50 days, UK firms could face the biggest change to their terms of trade in over a generation, without the information and clarity they need to navigate their forward course.
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/brexit-businesses-hung-dry-government-223758596.html
UK economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter of 2018 amid disruption to retail and industrial sectors borne from Brexit related fears. Global slowdown fears and the seasonal effect of Black Friday on retailers also impacted economic growth.
The UK economy grew just 0.2% in the three months to December. General consensus leading up to the fourth quarter indicated that economic growth would be at 0.3% quarter-on-quarter and 1.4% year-on-year. So, all-in-all, the figures are worse than what economists expected. UK 2018 economic growth was the weakest since 2012.
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/brexit-black-friday-helped-punch-hole-uk-economic-growth-093155177.html
Always nice to see this arrogant so and so getting owned by a caller
According to the paper, Whitehall officials want Alex Younger to extend his appointment to cover the 12 to 24 months after Britain has left the EU.
It points out that Andrew Parker - Mr Younger's counterpart at MI5 - has agreed to remain as director-general of the domestic security service until 2020.
'Secret Brexit plot'
A conversation overheard by an ITV News reporter in the bar of the Brussels hotel where the UK's chief Brexit negotiator, Olly Robbins, was staying is widely reported - and makes the lead story for the Express.
According to the paper, he told colleagues that MPs will be made to choose between a revised deal or a "long" delay to Brexit - in effect, ruling out a no-deal scenario.
The Guardian says Mr Robbins may have accidentally revealed Theresa May's high-stakes Brexit strategy: "my way or a long delay".
The Huffpost UK website says Mr Robbins' comments have been seized on by hardline Tory Brexiteers, who warned that "officials advise, ministers decide".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-47220712
UK inflation fell to 1.8% in January, the lowest in two years, the Office for National Statistics said.
This is down from 2.1% the previous month.
A fall in electricity, gas and other fuels drove the decline, the ONS said.
Head of Inflation Mike Hardie said: "The fall in inflation is due mainly to cheaper gas, electricity and petrol, partly offset by rising ferry ticket prices and air fares falling more slowly than this time last year".
It means that rises in pay are now now outpacing inflation.
The rate of inflation is now below the Bank of England's 2% target and has fallen from the five-year peak of 3.1% in November 2017 in the wake of the Brexit referendum vote.
Energy prices fell because of Ofgem's energy price cap which came into effect from 1 January 2019, the ONS said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47224913
Switzerland
Chile
The Faroe Islands
Eastern and Southern Africa
Mutual recognition agreements - where a product lawfully sold in one country can be sold in another - have also been signed with Australia and New Zealand.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-live-theresa-may-pmqs-corbyn-deal-eu-negotiations-commons-a8776721.html