17 hours ago Becky Morton Political reporter The UK and the European Union have agreed a major new deal covering areas including trade, defence, fishing and energy.
However, negotiations are still taking place on a number of key issues – leaving some important questions unanswered.
The deal states that there will be “no legal barriers” to Britons using e-gates when travelling to and from EU countries after the introduction of the European Union Entry-Exit System.
But it is up to individual EU countries to decide whether British passport holders can use e-gates at their airports.
But the deal agreed on Monday only recognises the “value” of touring artists and promises to continue efforts “to support travel and cultural exchange”.
17 hours prior.
Becky Morton. .
reporter for politics.
A significant new agreement spanning trade, defense, fishing, and energy has been reached between the UK and the EU.
On a number of crucial issues, however, negotiations are still ongoing, leaving some significant questions unresolved.
What will the UK pay?
A “financial contribution” from the UK is mentioned multiple times in the agreement to access certain benefits, most notably a consensus to lessen restrictions on food exports to the EU.
These, according to the prime minister’s official spokesperson, were “administrative costs.”.
Although he refused to provide a figure for the amount the UK would pay, he insisted they would not be “big.”.
The cost to the UK is still unknown because terms are still being negotiated in other areas.
For instance, the two parties are attempting to get the UK back into the Erasmus+ exchange program, which enables students to study or complete research abroad.
The UK would expect direct benefits in return, not just administrative costs, and the government has stated that it will only participate “on significantly improved financial terms.”.
How many people will gain from the youth visa program?
A “youth experience scheme” that would enable young people from the bloc to apply for a visa to live and work in the UK and vice versa has been agreed to by the UK and the EU.
The government has stated that any such agreement would be “capped and time-limited,” but it has not indicated the maximum number of visas that could be granted each year or the duration of their validity.
Future negotiations will focus on these specifics.
Similar programs are already in place in the UK with 11 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Depending on the country of origin, individuals can stay for up to three years.
Just over 24,000 youth mobility visas were granted by the UK last year.
When are e-gates open to British travelers?
Since Brexit, British passengers at EU airports have typically been unable to use automated gates with facial recognition technology and must instead have their passports stamped at manned desks.
British passport holders can already use e-gates at some airports, but people without them frequently have to wait in a long line.
Following the implementation of the European Union Entry-Exit System, the agreement declares that there will be “no legal barriers” to Britons using e-gates to enter and exit EU nations.
For visitors from outside the EU, passport stamping will be replaced in October by the eagerly anticipated digital border checks system.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that he wants e-gates to be operational “as soon as possible” because UK vacationers will want to travel “without delay” this summer.
But whether or not British passport holders are allowed to use e-gates at their airports is up to the individual EU nations.
It is unclear, therefore, if this will be feasible in more nations by the summer vacation.
Will British bands find it simpler to go on European tours?
British musicians have long demanded action to address the increased expenses and red tape they face when touring Europe as a result of Brexit.
In its general election manifesto from the previous year, Labour promised to “assist our touring artists” in talks with the European Union.
The agreement reached on Monday, however, only acknowledges the “value” of touring performers and pledges to keep up its efforts “to support travel and cultural exchange”.
“How best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent” is what the UK says it will look into.
UK Music’s CEO, Tom Kiehl, praised this as “an important first step” but stated that the industry was looking for “more concrete commitments.”.
Will the EU accept degrees from the United Kingdom?
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