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The EU has now demanded that fishing quotas be revised after ten years, which will be linked to the general agreement. This means that the two sides could clash over quotes in 2030 if Barnier fulfills his wish. The UK had pushed for annual fishing quota negotiations as it has done with Norway, now Britain is an independent coastal nation.
Before any possible deal, Whitehall public officials are preparing legislation to get the deal through the Commons and Lords as quickly as possible.
A source told The Times: “There is a growing expectation for a deal. We need to be prepared to pass it in parliament.”
The talks ended this week with the two parties still without reaching an agreement.
EU officials admitted that some progress had been made during the week’s discussion and that most of the key issues had legal texts attached.
However, problems remain between the two parties, namely the level playing field, fishing and the dispute mechanism.
Brexit Live: talks continue between the two parties (Image: GETTY)
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “After difficult weeks with very, very slow progress, we have now seen in the last few days better progress, more movement in important files. This is good.” .
If an agreement is reached between the two parties, it will also need to be ratified by EU officials in Brussels.
Before any potential breakthroughs, the EU coordination team has drawn up plans to adjust the ratification process before the end of the year.
Due to the broad and complicated nature of the agreement, the agreement we need is expected to be ratified by MEPs in the EU Parliament and national governments.
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8.41am update: No-deal Brexit will cause serious damage to Scotland
A no-deal Brexit will cause “irreparable damage” to the Scottish economy, a former MEP warned.
Former Lothians Labor MP David Martin said a no-deal Brexit coupled with the pandemic will cause serious problems for the economy.
He said: “Covid has caused massive damage to the Scottish economy. The impact of this global pandemic could not have been foreseen, while the impact of a no-deal Brexit is predictable.”
“It takes a special kind of arrogance or incompetence to put the UK business community in a situation where, within 40 days of a momentous change in their relationship with their most important trading partners, they have no idea what wait.
“Irreparable damage will be done to the Scottish economy unless they suddenly wake up and smell the coffee.”
8.25am update: Rishi Sunak to reveal Brexit momentum for Britain
The chancellor will announce a series of measures to help level Britain in next week’s spending review.
In an announcement Wednesday, Sunak is keen to contribute £ 2 billion worth of measures for post-Brexit rejuvenation.
An estimated £ 572 million will be announced for farmers to help them navigate new rules and regulations, The Daily Telegraph has stated.
It will also drive a commitment to fund major projects in the North and Midlands, including new flood defenses and rail schemes.
Brexit live: Brexit negotiation schedule (Image: Express)
8.01am update: Ireland issues caution on Brexit deal
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney admitted there is enormous pressure to reach a Brexit deal before the end of this month.
Although EU officials admitted that some progress had been made this week, the main issues still remain between the two sides.
He said: “This process must move towards a conclusion, certainly in the next week to 10 days, and I think everyone realizes that now.
“It is true that a large amount of text has been agreed. As with any agreement, the last 5 or 10 percent of the text is the difficult material. Some of the issues that have prevented an agreement in recent months remain without agreement.
“We need something real about fair competition and a level playing field. We need a governance model that is credible, that can address disputes when they arise. And we need an agreement on fisheries.”
“There is no way for the EU side or an Irish government to sell our fishing industry, and the UK is saying the same thing, and that’s understandable.
“Trying to find a way to come to an agreement on fish that both parties feel they can accept and live with can only happen in the context of reaching an agreement in other areas as well.”
Brexit Live: European Fishing (Image: Express)
7.39am update: Michel Barnier makes final fishing demand
Ahead of next week’s talks, Barnier has demanded that fishing quotas be traded for 10 years, according to The Times.
This is in contrast to the UK’s quest for annual negotiations on access and quotas now that Britain is an independent coastal nation.
Both Barnier and Lord Frost will hold talks virtually after an EU official tested positive for coronavirus last week.
Although some progress has been made, gaps remain between the two sides and Brussels is now running out of time to ratify any agreement.
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