Ladies and gentlemen – Britain is back on the world stage.
Working with our partners. Doing deals that will grow our economy
and putting more money in the pockets of working people.
In the last two weeks alone, we've delivered trade deals with
India and the US. That means: jobs saved, jobs created, more
growth and a huge vote of confidence in this country.
It shows that – as global instability is rising, the decisions we
have taken to stabilise the economy and lead the way
internationally have made Britain a place where people want to do
business once again.
And from that position of strength – today we have struck this
landmark deal with the EU – a new partnership between an
independent Britain and our allies in Europe.
This is the first UK-EU summit, that marks a new stage in our
relationship. And this deal, is a win-win. It delivers what the
British public voted for last year.
It gives us unprecedented access to the EU market – the best of
any country outside the EU or EFTA.
All while sticking to our red lines in our manifesto about. Not
rejoining the single market, no rejoining the customs union and
no return to freedom of movement.
This deal is good for both sides – and let me set out why it is
good for Britain. We've struck an SPS deal to make food and
agriculture trade with the EU cheaper and easier.
Slashing red tape and bureaucracy. That will mean lower food
prices at the checkout.
More choice on our supermarket shelves – and more money in
people's pockets.
It will boost British exporters because, once again after a long
absence, we'll be able to sell great British burgers, shellfish
and other products into the EU.
We've also struck a new Defence and Security Partnership to
strengthen our cooperation and strengthen our security – which is
vital in this dangerous new era.
And it will open the door to working with the EU's new defence
fund – providing new opportunities for our defence industry,
supporting British jobs and livelihoods.
We are also increasing our co-operation on emissions trading.
Saving UK businesses from having to pay £800 million in EU carbon
taxes. Once again: supporting British businesses, backing British
jobs.
Next, we are increasing our cooperation on energy to drive down
bills in the long term.
The agreement negotiated by the last government left us with more
disconnected with our closest neighbours despite being physically
connected to the European grid by our undersea cables.
Today's deal will see us work to bring these systems together
again – benefitting bill payers and boosting our renewables
industry in the North Sea.
Today's deal is also good for British steel,
protecting our steel exports from new EU tariffs. Saving the
industry £25 million each year. Another example of this
government backing our steel sector to the hilt.
We've reached a deal today on fish, protecting our access, rights
and fishing areas with no increase in the amount that EU vessels
can catch in British waters.
Our fishing industry will also benefit from the new SPS agreement
which slashes costs and red tape for our exports into the
European market. And we already sell 70% of our seafood into that
market so it's really significant. It is also opening the gates
to sending shellfish back into the EU.
And I can announce today that we're investing £360 million into
our fishing industry – to help them take advantage of this deal.
We have acted today to strengthen our borders. The previous deal
left a huge gap in our ability to work together to tackle illegal
migration.
So this deal closes that gap so that we can work across the
migration routes to end the migration crisis and smash the
criminal gangs.
We are boosting our cooperation on law enforcement. Combating
terrorism and serious organised crime with better sharing of
intelligence and data – including facial imaging, for the first
time.
Today's deal will also help British holidaymakers as we are
confirming that they will able to use e-Gates when they travel to
Europe – ending those huge queues at passport control.
And I call on all EU members states to help make this a reality
without delay.
Finally – we have agreed today cooperate on a youth experience
scheme to allow our young people to travel and work freely in
Europe. And I'm clear – this will come with all the appropriate
time-limits, caps and visa requirements.
So – it's a long list – and it just
shows how much we have achieved here today – real benefits for
the British people.
Because, it's time to look forward. It's time to move on from the
stale old debates and political fights to focus on delivering
common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the
British people.
We're ready to work with all our partners.
If it means we can improve people's lives here at home.
And that's what this deal is all about: facing out to the world
once again in the great tradition of this nation. Building the
relationships we choose, with the partners we choose and closing
deals in the national interest.
