German exports to Britain down amid Brexit uncertainty
German exports to Britain dropped by about 4% during the first 11 months of last year amid concerns about the UK’s future relationship with the European Union, a German trade body has said.
EU
Holidaymakers can ‘travel as normal’ after Brexit
Travel firms are insisting that “everything will remain the same” for holidaymakers after Brexit.
Aberdeen hydrogen bus trial at its ‘natural end’
Aberdeen’s hydrogen buses have been taken off the road, marking the end of the first phase of the programme.
Boris Johnson hails end of ‘years of argument’ as he signs Withdrawal Agreement
Boris Johnson has heralded the end of “far too many years of argument and division” as he signed the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement ahead of Britain’s departure from the EU next week.
UK won’t adopt EU copyright laws that could hit YouTube, says minister
Divisive EU copyright reforms that could affect the likes of YouTube will not be adopted in the UK, a Government minister has said.
Legal chaos deepens in Poland amid new challenge for the EU
Legal chaos has deepened dramatically in Poland following the passing of legislation that will allow the government to fire judges whose rulings it does not like — even when those rulings respect EU law.
EU prepares to sign off on Withdrawal Agreement as Brexit day approaches
The presidents of the European Commission and European Council are due to sign the Withdrawal Agreement as Britain’s divorce from Brussels is finalised in the coming days.
Apple warns of ‘unprecedented’ waste impact if forced to drop Lightning cable
Apple has warned that EU proposals forcing it to stop using its own Lightning cable risks “creating an unprecedented volume of electronic waste”.
UK headed for January 31 Brexit as legislation given royal assent
The Queen has given royal assent to the legislation for Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, paving the way for the UK to leave the EU with an agreement at the end of January.
Brexit deal set for Royal Assent after peers bow to MPs’ will
Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle, paving the way for the UK to leave the EU with a pact in place at the end of the month.
MPs reverse changes made by House of Lords to key Brexit legislation
Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal has overcome another hurdle after MPs overturned amendments made by defiant peers.
Donald Trump hints at tariffs on European car imports without trade deal
President Donald Trump has said he will strongly consider imposing tariffs on European car imports if the US and European Union cannot strike a trade agreement.
Donald Trump praises EU’s Ursula von der Leyen as ‘very tough negotiator’
President Donald Trump said he hears European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is a “very tough negotiator”, but said he hoped the US and European Union could make progress on a new trade deal.
Pro-EU banner to fly over White Cliffs of Dover ahead of Brexit
A crowdfunding campaign for a massive pro-EU flag to be displayed over the White Cliffs of Dover ahead of Brexit has raised £11,000 in three days.
Free trade agreement ‘very difficult if UK does not comply with EU standards’
A free trade agreement will be “very difficult” to secure if Britain does not sign up to honouring Brussels’ rules on standards, according to Guy Verhofstadt.
EU commissioner warns full trade deal by end-of-year ‘just not possible’
Boris Johnson’s ambition to get a full trade deal negotiated with Brussels by the end-of-year deadline is “just not possible”, the EU’s trade commissioner has said.
New laws to reward farmers for boosting wildlife and tackling climate change
Farmers will be paid for “public goods” such as protecting water and air quality, boosting wildlife and tackling climate change under new laws for agriculture.
Irish premier calls for ‘level playing field’ over Brexit negotiations
Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said that there has to be a level playing field in the Brexit negotiations to ensure the single market and customs union are “not diluted”.
Fugitive Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont becomes EU legislator
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has taken his seat as a member of the European Parliament in Strasbourg despite facing an arrest warrant against him in Spain.
Barnier: We will ask for conditions on state aid policy in UK
The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has said that if Britain wants as much access as possible to the bloc’s market after it leaves, it will not have unfettered freedom to subsidise its industry.
Relationship between Westminster and Holyrood ‘at low ebb’
The relationship between Holyrood and Westminster is at a “low ebb” and has deteriorated since Boris Johnson’s election victory, Scotland’s Constitutional Relations Secretary has said.
MSPs urged to reject Brexit deal
The Scottish Parliament has been urged to reject the UK Government’s Withdrawal Agreement.
New car market sinks to lowest level since 2013
New car sales sunk to a six-year low in 2019 due to low consumer confidence and uncertainty over the treatment of diesel vehicles, the automotive industry has said.
EU chief warns that new Brexit delay might be necessary
The European Union and Britain will struggle to seal an agreement on trade and other aspects of their future ties after Brexit next year and should consider extending the negotiations beyond 2020, a top EU official has said in an interview.
You will always be welcome to come back, EU chief tells UK
The UK has inflicted “unnecessary damage” on itself with Brexit but would be warmly welcomed back into the EU at any time, the European Commission’s vice president has said.
What next for Brexit after MPs back the Prime Minister’s deal?
Brexit passed a major hurdle on Friday that paved the way for Britain’s exit from the European Union to become a reality early next year.
North Sea cod quotas slashed in half
The amount of cod that Scottish fishermen can catch will be cut by 50% next year.
North Sea cod quota reduction will be ‘extremely challenging’ for trawlermen
The amount of cod which can be caught in the North Sea is to be cut significantly next year.
Pound’s election gains wiped out over Johnson plans to block future Brextension
The pound saw all gains made following Boris Johnson’s election victory wiped out on Tuesday after Government sources said it plans to ban any future extensions to the Brexit transition period.
Johnson’s Brexit deal to be brought before Commons this week
MPs will be asked to vote on the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal this week as the Government begins its push to take Britain out of the European Union next month.