Today is an historic day.

In our election manifesto last year, we promised to deliver an improved and ambitious relationship with our European partners.

And today we have delivered on that promise.

After years of chaos and delay under the Tories, our Labour Government has negotiated and secured a new agreement with the EU that delivers on security, safety and growth.

It means:

A better deal for UK business, with less red tape and improved access for businesses exporting to the EU
Food and drink products flowing more freely between the UK and the EU, helping lower costs and boosting choice on supermarket shelves
Closer co-operation on energy security, without UK business being hit with increased taxes
Better sharing of security intelligence data, to boost our ability to catch dangerous criminals
Less time queuing at airports, with more British holidaymakers able to use more eGates in Europe
Labour has been clear all along, the deal that the Conservatives negotiated with the EU sold us short. Britain always deserved better.

This new deal shows the difference that a Labour government can make. It delivers for working people on jobs, bills and borders. It delivers for UK business on exports, trade and growth. It is our Plan for Change in action.

And it shows that Britain is back on the world stage, securing deals that will grow our economy and put money back in the pockets of British people.

In the last two weeks alone, we’ve delivered trade deals with India and the United States. And now we can add a new and improved deal with the EU. Jobs saved, more growth, wages rising.

While the Tories and Reform continue to bicker over Europe, defending a status quo that they themselves know isn’t working, our Labour Government is providing leadership in the national interest.

We know there is much more to do. But today is an important step in our mission to put more money in the pockets of working people across Britain and build our long-term stability and security.

Thank you,

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP
Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations