Brexit & the EU Archives

Removing sanitary and phytosanitary checks at EU borders

Thursday, 12 November, 2026

The UK and the EU are expected shortly to conclude negotiations on an agreement to remove the majority of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls and certification requirements on goods moving between Great Britain and the EU. Critics of the prospective deal have raised concerns about the UK dynamically aligning to EU law and have suggested the UK should look to other international models for reducing EU border checks, such as the EU’s agreement with New Zealand.

Removing sanitary and phytosanitary checks at EU borders

UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar

Wednesday, 14 October, 2026

The UK and the EU have agreed a treaty that would create a new framework for Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU following the end of the Brexit transition period at the end of 2020. The arrangements are aimed at creating a fluid land border between Gibraltar and Spain. The treaty has been provisionally applied by the parties since 15 July 2026.

UK-EU competition cooperation agreement

Wednesday, 30 September, 2026

The UK-EU competition cooperation agreement would establish a formal framework for the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority and EU competition authorities to work together to enforce their respective competition laws. This would include duties for authorities to consider the interests of other parties when enforcing competition law and safeguards regarding the sharing and use of information. The agreement was signed in February 2026 but it is not in force at the time of writing.

Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Economic growth, trade and EU partnership

Thursday, 07 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about economics, business and trade. It also summarises the current economic situation.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Foreign affairs

Thursday, 07 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about foreign affairs.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Constitution

Thursday, 07 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about the constitution.
In Focus

Draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026: Fatal motion

Wednesday, 22 April, 2026

The draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 would make changes to three sets of assimilated regulations which concern chemicals in Great Britain. The government has said that the changes would rectify a number of issues that could not be addressed at EU exit. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on Northern Ireland, divergence from the EU, efficiency savings and further legislation.
In Focus

Strengthening Northern Ireland’s voice in the context of the Windsor Framework: Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee report

Thursday, 19 March, 2026

The House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee published a report in October 2025 examining how Northern Ireland politicians and stakeholders can participate in the Windsor Framework structures. Its findings overlapped with those of an independent review of the Windsor Framework commissioned by the government. In response, the government set out how it was working to engage stakeholders and facilitate democratic scrutiny. It is also creating a new ‘one stop shop’ to help businesses understand the rules that apply under the Windsor Framework.
In Focus

Resetting the UK-EU relationship: House of Lords European Affairs Committee report

Thursday, 19 February, 2026

The House of Lords European Affairs Committee published a report on the UK-EU reset in November 2025, describing it as “unfinished business”. Ahead of a debate on the committee’s report, this briefing looks at progress on implementing commitments made at the UK-EU summit in May 2025, including negotiations on a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, emissions trading, participation in the EU electricity market and a youth experience scheme. It also summarises the committee’s findings and the government response.
In Focus

UK-EU relations: Proposals for customs union and connections with the EU single market

Thursday, 22 January, 2026

The government is negotiating an EU ‘reset’ involving an animal and plant health agreement, the UK joining the EU’s electricity market and linking up emissions trading systems. The Liberal Democrats are calling for a bespoke UK-EU customs union, but the Conservatives and Reform UK argue against measures they believe would undermine UK sovereignty. This briefing examines proposals for a customs union and the implications of closer connections with the EU single market.
In Focus

Youth mobility schemes

Monday, 27 January, 2025

The UK has schemes to allow young people from specific countries to come to the UK to live and work for a limited period of time. In April 2024, the European Commission made a proposal to the European Council to open negotiations with the UK on agreeing a youth mobility scheme between the UK and the EU. The Labour government has stated that it has no plans for a scheme with the EU. Several organisations have expressed support for it, but others have expressed concern that it would be a return to a form of freedom of movement.
In Focus

UK-EU relationship and the war in Ukraine: Lords committee report

Thursday, 14 November, 2024

The House of Lords European Affairs Committee welcomed the EU and UK response to the war in Ukraine “in general terms”. In its January 2024 report, the committee said some areas of UK-EU cooperation had been broadly effective. The committee said the report’s aim was to consider a longer-term approach and make recommendations to strengthen the UK-EU response. It called for more formal arrangements in several security and foreign policy areas.
In Focus

Northern Ireland retail movement scheme and ‘rest of the world’ goods

Monday, 14 October, 2024

The government has recently changed the entry requirements for certain non-EU goods being imported into Great Britain to enable them to move onwards under the Northern Ireland retail movement scheme. The House of Lords is due to consider a motion to annul the regulations that made these changes. This comes in the context of wider debates about the impact of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland.
In Focus

UK and Europe: Cultural, diplomatic and security relations

Tuesday, 01 October, 2024

The Labour government has called for an “improved and ambitious relationship” with Europe, including a new UK-EU security pact and stronger bilateral partnerships with partners including France, Germany and Joint Expeditionary Force allies. This briefing outlines some of the actions proposed and undertaken by the UK government to improve ties since the July 2024 general election.
In Focus

Border controls for UK and EU imports and exports

Friday, 26 April, 2024

In August 2023, the UK government published its ‘border target operating model’ (BTOM), which set out how the UK would gradually introduce full border controls on imports into Great Britain from the EU. The BTOM is being introduced gradually during 2024. The second phase is scheduled to commence on 30 April 2024 and is set to include the introduction of full sanitary and phytosanitary checks on certain goods imported from the EU. This briefing looks at the controls being introduced on 30 April 2024, as well as concerns raised by industries about how the changes could impact EU imports.

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