Sir Keir Starmer hails “new era” as EU and UK agree trade deal | BBC News

The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the new UK‑EU trade deal as a win‑win, following the first joint summit between Britain and the European Union since Brexit. The agreement keeps the current status quo, granting EU fishing vessels continued access to UK waters until 2038 and extending existing fishing rules while the UK secures a reduction in checks on food exports to the EU. Routine border checks on animal and plant shipments will largely be dropped, allowing the UK to export raw burgers and sausages back into the EU for the first time since Brexit. A formal defence and security pact has been established, with UK and EU officials meeting every six months to coordinate on sanctions, share information, and develop a space‑related security policy. The UK will join the EU’s PESCO project on military mobility and gain access to the €150 bn Security Action for Europe fund for defence projects. Further cooperation is planned on a youth experience scheme, potentially allowing young people to work and travel freely in Europe, and the UK is negotiating to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme. British holidaymakers will be able to use e‑gates at more European airports, and a new passport system will simplify pet travel. The UK and EU will link their carbon markets to avoid taxes on carbon‑intensive goods, saving £800 m in taxes and shielding British steel from EU tariffs. The UK will also begin discussions on buying and selling directly into the EU’s shared electricity market, subject to EU rules.