Brexit: Ursula von der Leyen says the “path to a deal” between the UK and the EU already exists – live | Politics

Good Morning. Ursula von der Leyen, The President of the European Commission, addressed the European Parliament this morning and was especially positive about the prospects of the UK and the EU agreeing to a trade deal. There was a “path to agreement,” he said. She told them:

As things stand, I cannot tell you whether there will be a deal or not, but I can tell you that there is now a path to a deal. The path may be very narrow, but it is there, and that is why it is our responsibility to keep trying.

The good news is that we have found a way forward on most problems, but now we are so close and yet we are so far from each other, because now there are two outstanding problems, you know them: a level playing field . and fisheries.

I will post more of his speech shortly. The independent Jon stone has posted the full quotes on Twitter.

Here is the agenda for the day.

9.30 am: The ONS must publish figures on the prevalence of Long Covid.

Morning: Michael Gove, the Minister of the Cabinet Office, resumes a call with the leader of the delegated administrations about the rules for Christmas.

12:00 pm: Boris Johnson faces Sir Keir Starmer in PMQ.

12.15pm: Dr Andrew Goodall, Executive Director of NHS Wales, and Judith Paget, Executive Director of the Aneurin Bevan University Board of Health, hold a Welsh Government Coronavirus briefing.

12.15pm: Nicola Sturgeon is expected to hold her regular Scottish Government Coronavirus briefing.

Ministers are also meeting today to review the tiering arrangements for England. We may receive an announcement about any changes, although it could be delayed until tomorrow.

Politics Live is now doubling down as the UK’s coronavirus live blog and given the way the Covid crisis overshadows everything, this will continue for the foreseeable future. But we’ll also cover non-Covid political stories, like Brexit, and when they seem more important or more interesting, they will take precedence.

Here’s our global coronavirus live blog.

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If you want to get my attention quickly, it’s probably best to use Twitter. I’m in @ AndrewGorrión.