New UK-EU deal is welcome first step, says Prospect

The new UK-EU deal that sets out greater post-Brexit co-operation in specific areas such as on defence, energy and food standards is welcomed by Prospect.

However,  adds Prospect, this deal should be just the start of the process in mending the UK’s relationship with its European partners.

The full details of the agreed plan can be found here.

Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary and Chair of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement Domestic Advisory Group, said:

“This announcement is a welcome first step in mending the UK’s relationship with Europe, but this should be the start, not the end, of the process.

“Agreements on greater defence cooperation, energy market policy, and alignment on food standards represent a start in undoing the damage done by the last government’s bad deal.

“Workers also need dynamic alignment on employment rights, and commitments to future negotiations on a youth experience scheme and simplified access for the creative sector, in particular touring crew, must now be a priority to ensure British workers have the rights and freedoms of their European neighbours.

“Today marks a much-needed change in direction for our relationship with the EU. The Government must now capitalise on the momentum of this deal to protect UK workers and secure our economic future.”

Watch Mike Clancy discussing the UK-EU deal, filmed outside 10 Downing Street: