A SENIOR minister said yesterday there was still a chance of a turbulent Brexit without a trade deal as talks continue with the EU.
Asked if a "no deal" scenario was closer than anyone would admit, Michael Gove told ITV: "It's certainly the case that there is a chance that we may not get a negotiated outcome."
It comes as the EU's Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier is set to give an update to the bloc's hub Brussels today.
The UK and EU will need to seal an arrangement by Saturday to have time to get it through their respective parliaments by the end of the year.
Follow our Brexit live blog for all the latest news and updates…
- Chris Bradford
GOVERNMENT 'FAILED' TO PREPARE FOR NO DEAL, WATCHDOG WARNS
The Government has "failed" to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, Parliament's Whitehall watchdog has warned in a report published today.
The cross-party Public Accounts Committee said the government was still "taking limited responsibility" for Brexit readiness despite just four weeks remaining until the end of the transition period.
In the grim report, MPs expressed concern about the risk of "serious disruption and delay" at ports like Dover.
It is the twelfth time that parliamentarians have warned the government about the issue – accusing them of "not doing enough" to ensure businesses and citizens are prepared for the end of the transition period.
It comes as the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier revealed that a post-Brexit trade deal "hangs in a balance".
- Chris Bradford
LONDON STOCKS SUBDUED AS BREXIT FEARS OFFSET VACCINE APPROVAL
Shares on London's stock exchange were muted as no-deal Brexit fears overshadowed news that the UK had become the first country to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 was flat and the mid-cap FTSE 250 down 0.4% even as the government said the vaccine would be rolled out from early next week.
The FTSE 100 had rallied more than 12% in November, marking its best month in 31 years, on optimism that a COVID-19 vaccine would soon be available.
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, will brief the EU-27 this morning where he's likely to say that serious gaps remain on the issues of fisheries, the level playing field, and how to resolve disputes.
- Chris Bradford
BARNIER TO BRIEF MEMBER STATES THIS MORNING
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier is expected to brief EU member states this morning by video link from London.
It's understood that serious gaps remain on the issues of fisheries, the level playing field, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
The chief negotiator reportedly told EU envoys that a deal "hangs in the balance".
Several EU capitals are said to be nervous that Barnier may be stretching his mandate.
The chief negotiator recently offered to forgo up to 18 per cent of the value of fish caught by EU vessels in UK waters – a proposal which has been rejected as "derisory" by London.
Credit: �2020 Martyn Wheatley / Parsons Media
- Chris Bradford
BARNIER: 'THERE MAY BE NO DEAL'
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that there may be no post-Brexit free trade agreement.
Speaking to European envoys this morning, he said that three major issues persist in the trade talks.
These are understood to be fishing, state aid, and dispute resolution.
The UK will complete its exit from the EU's orbit at the end of the transition period on December 31 irrespective of whether there is a deal or not.
- Chris Bradford
BREAKING: THREE MAIN ISSUES STILL UNRESOLVED IN BREXIT TRADE TALKS
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has told envoys that three major issues still persist in the trade talks with the UK.
It's understood that serious gaps remain on fisheries, the level playing field and how to resolve disputes.
Mr Barnier warned that a deal "hangs in the balance".
- Claudia Aoraha
'SERIOUS DISRUPTION' AT CHANNEL POST-BREXIT
A group of MPs have warned of the "risk of serious disruption and delay" at Channel crossings when the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.
The Commons Public Accounts Committee said the government was "taking limited responsibility" for national readiness ahead of the looming deadline.
And it said the necessary systems would not be in place in time, regardless of whether an EU trade deal is agreed.
A government spokeswoman said they were "making significant preparations".
- Claudia Aoraha
BREXIT PLAN ON 'BARBARIC' LIVE ANIMAL EXPORTS
Ministers will begin the abolition of cruel live animal shipments tomorrow — a ban only made possible by Brexit.
Under strict European Union Single Market rules that guarantee free movement of goods, no member state can ban livestock being transported across borders alive.
But with Britain finally cutting ties with Brussels in 29 days time, the controversial process will be outlawed to the delight of campaigners.
Boris Johnson has repeatedly vowed to use the "the opportunity of Brexit" to "champion animal welfare” and will unveil plans for new legislation on Thursday.
- Niamh Cavanagh
GOVE SAYS THERE'S A CHANCE OF NO-DEAL BREXIT
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Tuesday that there was a chance that Brexit trade talks may end without a deal, the nightmare finale to the five-year Brexit crisis.
"We have intensified the negotiation process, but it's important that the EU also lives up to its responsibilities as well," Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Gove told ITV's Good Morning Britain.
Asked whether a no deal was closer than anyone would admit, he said: "I think it's certainly the case that there is a chance that we may not get a negotiated outcome, that's why it's important business prepares for all eventualities, but I very much want a deal and I believe that we can secure one."
- Niamh Cavanagh
BREXIT IS STILL STUCK AS EU IS BEING UNFAIR, UK SAYS
Brexit trade talks are still stuck on fishing, governance rules and dispute resolution because the European Union is asking too much, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Tuesday.
Negotiators are trying to hash out a trade deal to avoid a tumultuous finale to the five-year Brexit crisis when Britain finally exits the EU's orbit in four weeks' time.
"The EU still wants to take the lion's share of the fishing in our waters – which is just not fair given that we are leaving the EU," Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Gove told Sky.
"The EU still want us to be tied to their way of doing things," Gove said.
"The EU are at the moment reserving the right if there is any sort of dispute not quite to rip everything up but to impose some really penal and tough restrictions on us and we don't think that's fair."
- Niamh Cavanagh
UK SAYS BREXIT TALKS STILL STUCK AS EU WANTS TOO MUCH
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Tuesday that trade deal talks with the European Union were still stuck on fishing, dispute resolution and governance rules.
"The EU still wants to take the lion's share of the fishing in our waters – that's not fair," Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Gove told Sky. "The EU still want us to be tied to their way of doing things."
- Niamh Cavanagh
DEFRA TO REVEAL BAN PLAN TO FARMING INDUSTRY ON THURSDAY
The Sun can reveal the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs are to reveal the ban plan to the farming industry, launching a formal consultation on Thursday.
Last night a No 10 source said: “The Prime Minster has always been a passionate supporter of animal welfare, and as part of his plans to build back better and fairer, he is determined to make sure that the UK continues its proud tradition of protecting animals.
The insider added: “Free from EU red tape, we can now do away with the cruel practice of exporting live animals for slaughter and fattening – setting an example to other countries with our world-leading standards.”
Yesterday talks between the EU and the UK over a post-Brexit trade deal continued.
Although there is hope of a breakthrough this week, some fear the process may drag into next week because proud Brussels want the key moment “to happen on their turf”.
Negotiators are holed up in a secret final haggle in London until Friday, but UK sources believe the EU team could stall on giving a deal the final nod until they are back in Brussels early next week.
- Niamh Cavanagh
CONTINUED
In 2018 Mr Johnson hit out: "I cannot believe that this barbaric trade is still going on — but it is. Every year this country sends thousands of live calves overseas for slaughter, and some of them are enduring nightmare journeys as far as North Africa.
"They are jammed together in the dark. They are terrified. They slip and slide in their own excrement as the boats buck in the swell."
Then a backbencher, he wrote in The Sun: "They travel for more than 100 hours in conditions of such extreme discomfort that campaigners have been protesting for decades.
"The animals know they are going to die — and they are going to die far from home."
- Niamh Cavanagh
BAA BAA BREXIT
Ministers will begin the abolition of cruel live animal shipments tomorrow — a ban only made possible by Brexit.
Under strict European Union Single Market rules that guarantee free movement of goods, no member state can ban livestock being transported across borders alive.
But with Britain finally cutting ties with Brussels in 29 days time, the controversial process will be outlawed to the delight of campaigners.
Boris Johnson has repeatedly vowed to use the "the opportunity of Brexit" to "champion animal welfare” and will unveil plans for new legislation on Thursday.
- Niamh Cavanagh
RECAP – CRUNCH TIME
The UK could strike a Brexit trade deal this week if the EU “doesn’t move the goalposts”.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab admits fishing rights are “still a bone of contention” but he is confident of an agreement.
The UK and EU need to seal an arrangement by Saturday to have time to get it through their respective parliaments by the end of the year.
It is understood Boris Johnson is lining up a call with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen after she put pressure on her negotiator Michel Barnier to get it tied up.
Mr Barnier was holding face-to-face discussions last night with British negotiator Lord David Frost in London.
Before the talks, Mr Barnier said: “Work continues, even on a Sunday.”
- Niamh Cavanagh
UP & RUNNING
Britain's new Australian-style immigration points system goes live today.
The scheme, which will stop unrestricted EU access, comes in four years after the Brexit referendum.
Home Secretary Priti Patel says it will allow the best and brightest from around the world into the UK.
Applications for the new skilled worker visa open today, meaning those who meet the tough requirements could start work from January 1, 2021.
Points will be awarded for job offers at the appropriate skill level, knowledge of English and a minimum salary of £25,600.
Skilled worker visas will be awarded to those who gain enough points.
The rules will ensure employers can recruit the most highly qualified global talent.
- Niamh Cavanagh
DO OUI HAVE A DEAL?
Brexit negotiations ran late into the night in London as panicky Ireland declared a trade deal "needs to be finalised this week".
Brussels chief Michel Barnier was snapped leaving talks with the Brits at 10pm on Sunday night clutching a draft of the massive 700 page legal text.
Yesterday Angela Merkel told Brussels to hold off on triggering its No Deal plans for "as long as possible" with hope growing that a breakthrough is just days away.
The German leader pushed back against "more and more energetic" calls, spearheaded by “impatient” France and the Netherlands, to declare the negotiations over.
"We should really put all of our efforts into the last phase of the talks in the hope of reaching an agreement”, the German Chancellor said.
But French minister Clement Beaune accused the UK of deliberately running down the clock to create pressure but vowed not to buckle on their demand to carry on fishing UK waters.
- Niamh Cavanagh
CONTINUED
He fiercely grilled the MP on a variety of issues, but fans at home were unimpressed that he then spoke over Gove each time that he tried to answer – making much of the conversation inaudible.
They were also irritated that a significant chunk of the brief interview revolved around whether or not a scotch egg counted as a "substantial meal" when pubs open again.
Taking to Twitter, one disappointed viewer wrote: "So we wait 8 months to get #piersmorgan to eviscerate Gove and he wastes the interview on Scotch eggs & substantial meals for 16 year olds (same as on Sky) and Gove’s ambition to be PM."
Another agreed: "F**k sake @piersmorgan @susannareid100 Just let him speak! You ask him a question and don't let him answer."
A third said: "Pretty awful interview with Piers Morgan and Michael Gove. We can't hear you if you continually talk over each other."
- Niamh Cavanagh
'LET HIM ANSWER'
Good Morning Britain viewers slammed Piers Morgan for "speaking over" Michael Gove as he made his first appearance on the show in eight months today.
The presenter tore into the MP over the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit, and even Boris Johnson – forcing Gove to commit live on air that he doesn't want to run for Prime Minister himself.
The interview got off to an awkward start as the 55-year-old star criticised Gove for boycotting the ITV breakfast show for the majority of the year.
The politician insisted that he was just "taking good advice", but refused to directly admit that Dominic Cummings had implemented the decision.
Gove went on to heap praise on Piers' tough interviews, with the presenter interrupting as he snapped "flattery won't get you anywhere".
- Niamh Cavanagh
COUNCIL REFUSES TO BACK GOVERNMENT BID TO DEPORT HOMELESS
A council has refused to support Government plans to deport rough sleepers who are not UK nationals.
Haringey Council branded the Home Office policy – which would see homeless people who are not UK nationals removed from the country – "discriminatory" and said it would not "collaborate" with the department on the matter.
The Labour-run local authority said on Twitter: "We won't collaborate with Home Office on today's immigration rule change.
"Rough sleeping is now grounds for refusal of permission to stay for some non-UK nationals.
"We oppose this, believe it is discriminatory, & will do all in our power to protect the most vulnerable."
The plans, introduced as part of changes to the immigration system when freedom of movement ends, are part of the Government's bid for tougher border restrictions and a "firmer and fairer" immigration system after the Brexit transition period.
- Niamh Cavanagh
EU'S BARNIER TO UPDATE BLOC ON UK TRADE TALKS AT 07:30 WEDNESDAY SAYS SOURCES
The European Union's Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, will update 27 national envoys to the bloc's hub Brussels at 07:30 GMT on Wednesday on the latest in UK trade talks, two diplomatic sources told Reuters.
- Niamh Cavanagh
IRELAND HOPEFUL OF BREXIT DEAL WITH UK 'IN NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS' SAYS TANAISTE
In Ireland Tanaiste (deputy PM) Leo Varadkar on Tuesday said he was hopeful that a free-trade agreement would be concluded between Britain and the European Union during the next couple of weeks.
"We still don't know what will happen there, but obviously we are all hopeful that we will see an FTA concluded in the next couple of weeks," Varadkar told a briefing with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
- Niamh Cavanagh
UNSCARY 'BREXIT MONSTER' TAKES A TURN IN ROTTERDAM AHEAD OF BORDER CONTROLS
The "Brexit Monster", a furry blue mascot created by the Netherlands to personify problems linked to Britain's EU departure, made an appearance at the Port of Rotterdam on Tuesday to warn that customs controls are coming on Jan. 1.
"'Deal or no deal' is, for the port operations, not relevant," said Mark Dijk, the port's Brexit coordinator.
"From that date on all customs formalities and veterinary formalities have to be in place."
The Brexit monster is far from scary, merely a man dressed up in blue furry headwear, with the same fur on his arms and shoes, who is rolled out from time to time to remind people about the serious side of Brexit.
The Netherlands, one of Britain's closest trading partners, brought out the Brexit Monster this time due to concerns the coronavirus pandemic has reduced awareness around Britain's departure.
- Niamh Cavanagh
CONTINUED
Pubs in Tier 2 areas – covering 57% of England's population – can only serve alcohol with a "substantial meal" and are also covered by rules restricting households mixing indoors, severely harming trade.
In Tier 3, pubs and restaurants can only offer takeaway and delivery services.
Mr Johnson acknowledged that the hospitality sector had borne a "disproportionate" burden in the effort to reduce coronavirus rates as he announced the one-off December payment.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, said: "A one-off payment of £1,000 for pubs forced to close does not even count as a token gesture."
The Prime Minister acknowledged concerns about perceived "injustice" in the allocation of tiers as he faced a series of Tory complaints.
"There's no question people feel that they have been unfairly attracted, by proximity, into a higher tier than they deserve," he said.
"People also feel that the tiering is not working for them."
- Niamh Cavanagh
JOHNSON ANNOUNCES £1,000 FOR PUBS IN EFFORT TO WIN OVER REBELS TO HIS TIERS PLAN
Boris Johnson promised £1,000 to pubs forced to remain closed under England's new coronavirus restrictions as he sought to ward off a damaging Tory revolt over the plans.
The new arrangements will come into force on Wednesday, putting 99% of England in the toughest Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions, with the Commons almost certain to back the plans despite a Conservative rebellion.
But Mr Johnson's announcement of a one-off payment for "wet" pubs which do not offer food was branded "derisory" by the trade at a time when landlords should be enjoying a festive boost to their takings.
And senior Tories lined up in the Commons to say they would not be supporting the measures replacing England's national lockdown.
- Niamh Cavanagh
NO-TRADE DEAL BREXIT IS STILL POSSIBLE, UK MINISTER SAYS
– A senior British minister said on Tuesday there was still a chance of a turbulent Brexit without a trade deal as talks with the European Union had snagged on fishing, governance rules and dispute resolution.
Just 30 days before Britain leaves the EU's orbit following a standstill transition period since it formally quit the bloc, the sides are trying to agree a trade deal to avoid a rupture that could snarl almost $1 trillion in annual trade.
With each side urging the other to compromise, a French official said Britain must clarify its positions and "really negotiate", and cautioned that the EU would not accept a "substandard deal".
Both Britain and the EU say they want a deal, and their two negotiating teams have been locked in intensive talks for more than five weeks.
EU sources have said the talks are now in their final, most secretive phase and that they are hoping for a deal in the coming days.
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