And No: Not a single extra fish will be pulled out of the water by EU Boats
[Falkirk, 20.05.2025] Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank has welcomed the announcement of a new UK-EU trade agreement, describing it as a “common-sense deal that will bring down prices, support British jobs, and provide much-needed certainty for businesses and families alike.”
The deal, confirmed by the Prime Minister following six months of detailed negotiations, removes unnecessary checks and red tape on UK imports and exports. By cutting bureaucracy at the border, the agreement will help reduce food prices, lower energy bills, and avoid costly tariffs that have previously hit key Scottish industries such as steel and food exports.
Mr Stainbank said:
“This is a practical, no-nonsense agreement between a sovereign United Kingdom and the European Union that delivers real benefits for people here in Falkirk and across the country.
“By removing unnecessary red tape at the border, we’ll no longer see food rotting in trucks at a checkpoint—we will see easier trade and prices coming down in the shops something families across Scotland will welcome during these challenging times. This deal also cuts the cost of energy exports, helping to lower household bills, something we’ve already seen OFGEM commit to and avoids billions in unnecessary taxes and tariffs that would have hit British industries hard.
“It’s not about reopening old arguments over the referendum or re-joining the EU; it’s about fixing the Tories’ bungled betrayal of the benefits they committed to but failed to deliver under Brexit and replacing it with a better one that works for our economy and our communities.
“On fishing rights, this prevents an annual negotiation and maintains the deal as is, 12 years of certainty for the fishing industry, and the EU nations can’t pull a single extra fish out of our waters.
“The agreement will also remove routine checks on animal and plant products, making it easier for Scottish food and drink to reach European markets again, supporting local producers and safeguarding jobs. British steel exports will benefit from a bespoke arrangement that will save the industry £25 million each year.”
In addition to the economic benefits, Mr Stainbank welcomed the commitment to further co-operation on a youth mobility scheme, which could give young people in Scotland the opportunity to work and travel freely in Europe again, broadening horizons and providing valuable career experience.
Mr Stainbank said:
“The proposed youth experience scheme will help open doors for the next generation of all backgrounds, allowing them to work and travel abroad, gain new skills, and bring those experiences back to benefit our economy here at home.
“At the end of the day, this is about growing the economy, backing British jobs, and putting more money in people’s pockets. That’s exactly what this deal delivers.”
ENDS
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