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Watch as Brexit minister David Frost discusses the Northern Ireland protocol
The EU has swiftly rejected the UK government’s proposals to change the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol after ministers announced plans to rewrite the post-Brexit trading arrangements.
European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said the bloc would “continue to engage” with the UK but insisted solutions had to be within the framework of the existing agreement.
Boris Johnson has refused to apologise for a text last autumn in which he suggested that Covid-19 was killing only people over 80, as he took part in Prime Minister’s Questions from self-isolation today.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer labelled the PM “a super-spreader” of confusion on Covid policy following U-turns over self-isolation guidance and vaccine passports.
Sir Keir was later forced into self-isolation himself when one of his children tested positive for the virus.
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Key Points EU ‘will not agree to renegotiation’ of NI Protocol, European Commission VP says Boris Johnson refuses to apologise for saying Covid only kills over-80s NHS staff to receive 3% pay rise this year Starmer self-isolating after one of his children tests positive for Covid Government calls for ‘standstill period’ to freeze Northern Ireland Protocol UK ‘cannot go on as we are’ with NI Protocol but stops short of suspending agreement Labour threaten Boris Johnson with Commons defeat over vaccine passports Tory MPs should be suspended over attempt to influence ex-MP’s case, watchdog says
Show latest update 1626889404 NI business leader urges UK to reach agreement with EU
A Northern Ireland business leader has warned that the UK cannot pursue changes to the Brexit agreement without agreement from the European Union.
Aodhan Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said the UK government must reach agreement with the bloc.
He said: “While it is good to see that the UK government has listened to the problems facing retailers, any solution that is not agreed by both sides cannot provide the certainty and stability that retailers and NI consumers need.
“Any solution needs to be agreed with EU, as without this, there can be no stability.
“This could also have severe consequences for consumers across the UK, if sanctions, such as tariffs, are brought in under the provisions of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement.”
Mr Connolly said: “Northern Ireland is in a unique situation which requires a unique solution that is agreed by both the UK and EU. There is a real urgency now to deliver an agreed solution that works for consumers.
“It is hugely difficult for businesses to plan for the future or invest if there is no stability.
“Retailers need to know by August what the agreed arrangements from October will be to allow retailers to make key decisions on sourcing and availability of products and so avoid choice and affordability problems for NI households.”
The EU earlier ruled out a renegotiation of the Northern Ireland Protocol after the UK laid out demands for changes to the terms of the deal that were agreed in 2019. The bloc said solutions had to be within the framework of the Protocol and in the interest of all communities in the region
Liam James 21 July 2021 18:43
1626888693 Ireland minister: UK and EU ‘can’t spend next few years negotiating' NI protocol
Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s European affairs minister, said the UK and the EU could not “spend the next few years negotiating” over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
He told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “We’re not entirely surprised by what Lord Frost said. This is something that has been expected and there has been discussions between the European Union and the UK over the past number of weeks.
“I have to say, I take the UK today at face value, I think they do want to do what they have set out to do, but I think they are also constrained by an agreement they have signed.
“But I think the attitude on the European Union side is to work within the framework of that agreement, for that agreement to be as flexible as possible and to do right by the people in Northern Ireland.
“But we can’t spend the next few years negotiating - I think the people that would harm most of all is the people of Northern Ireland.”
Mr Byrne said the protocol brought “huge advantages” for Northern Ireland, as it allowed the region to exist in the single market and also be able to export to the rest of the UK without border checks, but that there needed to be co-operation to realise the benefits.
Liam James 21 July 2021 18:31
1626887494 NHS staff to receive 3% pay rise this year, Sajid Javid announces
NHS staff are to receive a 3 per cent pay rise this year, health secretary Sajid Javid has announced.
The rise was announced just hours after health minister Helen Whately provoked fury from health unions by telling MPs that the final decision on the annual hike had been delayed.
Andrew Woodcock is following this breaking news:
NHS staff to receive 3% pay rise this year, Sajid Javid announces NHS staff are to receive a 3 per cent pay rise this year, health secretary Sajid Javid has announced.
Liam James 21 July 2021 18:11
1626886973 NI proposals on animal products ‘open the door’ to fraudsters
The British Veterinary Association has warned that the government’s proposed solution to post-Brexit issues relating to the transport of animal products could open the door to fraudsters.
Responding to the proposals on sanitary measures set out in the government’s command paper on the Northern Ireland Protocol today, BVA President James Russell said he “welcome concerted efforts by the UK government and EU Commission” to address issues around products of animal origin.
But, he said, “the government must not underestimate the complexity of finding a workable solution.
“A solution for [Sanitary and Phytosanitary] cannot simply be modelled on a customs arrangement as it needs to provide assurance throughout the whole system. Even if a product is sold in NI, there’s no guarantee that it will be consumed in NI due to the thousands of border crossings that take place every day.
“And consideration needs to be given to those farms and other businesses that straddle the border. How will products destined for these companies be designated?
“In the command paper the UK Government also proposes a dual regulatory regime for Northern Ireland. We remain concerned that dual systems can open the door to food fraud and would want to see significant safeguards in place.
“Steps to address the significant problems under the NI Protocol are essential, but the devil will be in the detail.”
Liam James 21 July 2021 18:02
1626884705 Labour threaten Boris Johnson with Commons defeat over vaccine passports
Boris Johnson’s plans to bring in mandatory Covid vaccine “passports” for crowded venues this autumn have been thrown into disarray after Labour signalled its opposition.
Around 40 Tory MPs are believed to be ready to rebel against the plan to make full vaccination a requirement of entry into nightclubs and other large venues from the end of September. Together with the Lib Dems, it means the government could lose the vote. Adam Forrest reports:
Labour threatens Johnson with Commons defeat over vaccine passports ‘We oppose use of Covid vaccination status for everyday access to venues and services’
Jane Dalton 21 July 2021 17:25
1626883775 Guide dog owners call for border wrangle resolution as soon as possible
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has called for the border position to be settled as soon as possible.
It said owners of guide and assistance dogs should be able to travel without paperwork checks in the UK.
A spokesperson said: “Both parties clearly agree there should not be internal border checks for guide and assistance dog owners when travelling within the UK. However, people who rely on assistance dogs are still waiting for a clear and practical solution to this issue and this needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
“All sides must work together to ensure assistance dog owners can travel freely within the UK without requiring any compliance checks or documentation.”
Jane Dalton 21 July 2021 17:09
1626879300 It isn’t unusual to renegotiate treaties, Lord Frost insists
Brexit minister Lord Frost has insisted it is not unusual to renegotiate treaties after the EU rejected the UK government’s plans to change the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Lord Frost was asked on Wednesday whether Boris Johnson had lied in 2019 when he said there would be no extra customs checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
He replied: “What we expected at the time was that we would be able to operate the protocol in a light touch way, taking account of the delicate politics and the peace process in Northern Ireland and obviously that's not how it's turned out.”
Speaking to broadcasters, the minister added: “I don't think that there's anything unusual or surprising in looking again at a treaty.
“We have a lot of experience now about how it's operating that we did not have in 2019.”
Conrad Duncan 21 July 2021 15:55
1626878583
Our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick, has more details below on the EU rejecting the UK government’s call for a renegotiation the Brexit deal:
EU rejects UK’s demand to rip up Brexit deal for Northern Ireland after less than three hours The EU has rejected the UK’s demand to rip up the Northern Ireland Protocol, within three hours of the audacious demand being made in Parliament.
Conrad Duncan 21 July 2021 15:43
1626877642 EU ‘will not agree to renegotiation’ of NI Protocol, European Commission VP says
The European Commission’s vice-president has said that the EU “will not agree to a renegotiation of the Protocol” in response to the UK’s call for major changes to the post-Brexit trading arrangements with Northern Ireland.
Maros Sefcovic said that the bloc would “continue to engage” with the UK but solutions had to be within the framework of the Protocol and in the interest of all communities in the region.
“However, we will not agree to a renegotiation of the protocol,” Mr Sefcovic added.
“Joint action in the joint bodies established by the Withdrawal Agreement will be of paramount importance over the coming months.
“We must prioritise stability and predictability in Northern Ireland. I look forward to speaking to Lord Frost soon.”
(REUTERS)
Conrad Duncan 21 July 2021 15:27
1626876727 Irish premier says EU willing to engage on NI Protocol in ‘positive way’
Ireland’s premier has said that the “bulk” of his conversation with Boris Johnson on Tuesday was focused on the Northern Ireland Protocol, as he insisted that the EU would be willing to engage on the issue “in a positive way”.
Speaking in Dublin, Micheal Martin said: “We've made it very clear to the UK government that the mechanisms exist within the Withdrawal Agreement, for issues that need to be resolved within the operation of the protocol, that they can be resolved with goodwill on both sides.
“The British government has indicated that they are willing to give this significant engagement over the coming months.”
Mr Martin added: “Our sense from the EU all along, and I spoke to Ursula von der Leyen about this on Friday, the EU has always been willing to engage in a positive way.
“There has to be engagement on both sides. The EU stands ready to engage with the UK on these issues.”
Conrad Duncan 21 July 2021 15:12
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