Brexit: Sandell hits out at 'disgraceful' lack of Norway deal

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The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said the agreement comes ahead of the start of commercial testing operations in October of the North Sea Link, the first electricity interconnector between the two countries. UK ministers said the North Sea Link would help reduce wholesale electricity prices, and cited an estimate from regulator Ofgem which said savings for customers’ annual energy bills could total £3.5 billion over the next 25 years.

The 1,400 megawatt (MW) cable’s start-up comes as electricity prices in both countries are at multi-year highs, albeit UK prices at a steep premium, suggesting it will initially export power from Norway to Britain.

The UK will also benefit from Norway’s vast hydropower resources to help balance intermittent wind power.

Meanwhile, Norway can import cheap surplus renewable energy to save water in its hydropower reservoirs.

Lars Andreas Lunde, State Secretary in the Norway Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, said: “I am happy to sign a power trade agreement with the UK today.

“This agreement facilitates a predictable framework for power trade and strengthens cooperation between our two countries.”

The deal was negotiated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the British Ministry of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in parallel with the negotiations on the free trade agreement between the EEA countries and the UK.

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4.30am update: ‘A Brexiteer’s dream!’ Farage welcomes Aukus deal as he ridicules outdated French military

Nigel Farage hailed Britain’s new military pact with the US and Australia as a “Brexiteer’s dream” as he welcomed the UK’s refound ability to strengthen its relationship with the Commonwealth nation.

Nigel Farage insisted the UK will play a pivotal part in ensuring the protection of Australia from growing threats from China.

The British Government this week announced a new partnership, dubbed Aukus, that will see the UK and the US provide Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines in a bid to defuse Beijing’s hostile conduct in the Indo-Pacific.

The GB News producer hailed the agreement as a “Brexiteer’s dream” as he ridiculed France for losing out on a military contract with Canberra.

2am update: Boris Johnson says Brexit Britain won’t get quick US deal – Rather one ‘that really works’

Boris Johnson has said Brexit Britain may not strike a quick trade deal with America but also assured journalists the UK would rather wait for a deal “that really works”.

Boris Johnson, 57, has admitted Britain is unlikely to strike a quick trade deal with the United States.

Speaking to journalists after his visit to the UN conference in New York, the Prime Minister also suggested his counterpart Joe Biden, 78, has to fixate his administration’s efforts on building the 50 states back better.

“The reality is that Joe has a lot of fish to fry,” he said.

11.20pm update: Brexit-bashing peers launch House of Lords inquiry into checks and controls with EU

Brexit-bashing peers in the House of Lords are to launch a new inquiry into the impact of leaving the EU on customs checks.

The European Affairs Committee announced it is to start hearing evidence on the “overall impact to date of Brexit and of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU on trade in goods in both directions”.

It will scrutinise how businesses have been affected by the new trading relationship with the continent since the start of January.

Peers will scrutinise if the deal brokered by Lord Frost has caused added barriers to trade for businesses both in the UK and in the EU.

They will also examine whether firms are prepared for extra customs checks due to be introduced next year.

Isabella Marsans is taking over from Oliver Pritchard-Jones.

10.20pm update: We’ve paid MILLIONS! Britons blast ‘greedy, self obsessed’ France: ‘We owe nothing’

Britons have hit out at France after a supporter of the Rejoin the EU movement said the UK must pay compensation to Emmanuel Macron’s country.

The Rejoiner took to Twitter to express their belief that France deserves more from the UK. Mia Queef, whose Twitter profile picture shows a woman draped in the EU flag, tweeted: “France a pure EU member, has lost a €90billion contract to build subs because of Brexit.

“The EU must make sure that the UK pays compensation to France and impose a total blockade until the racist UK pays up.”

“Good EU citizens can’t lose out because of Brexit.”

But Express.co.uk readers were quick to pick apart Ms Queef’s tweets.

One wrote: “We’ve paid France millions and they still renegade on their agreements. They are greedy and self obsessed.”

9.48pm update: ‘Why stay silent?’ Remainer rages he’s doing ‘patriotic duty’ as Brexit ‘sinks’ UK

A staunch Remainer has launched a scathing attack against the perception Brexiteers have of their views around the UK’s departure from the European Union, fuming: “Why on earth should we stay silent?”

More than five years have passed since the historic Brexit referendum of June 2016, which saw Britain vote by a narrow margin of 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of leaving the European Union.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has continued to insist the UK will flourish outside the bloc, as Brexiteer ministers insist the country has finally “taken back control”. But despite this, Remainers have continued to hold out hope of reversing the Brexit result and the UK one day rejoining the EU.

They have also joined forces to blame a number of issues on Brexit, most recently the shortage of HGV drivers which has led to supermarket shelves being left empty.

8.54pm update: Top Eurocrat accuses US of “lack of loyalty” to France over Aukus deal

A top Eurocrat has accused the US of displaying a “lack of loyalty” to France over the Aukus deal.

Last Wednesday US President Joe Biden stood alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian leader Scott Morrison to unveil an agreement which will see Mr Morrison’s country supplied with nuclear-powered submarines.

By entering into this deal, Australia reneged on a long-standing £65bn agreement to buy French diesel-powered submarines.

The fallout has caused an international spat.

And this evening European Council President Michel claimed that Mr Biden showed a “lack of loyalty” towards France with the move.

8.30pm update: Spain’s shops furious they can’t get British goods ‘It’s a disaster!’

Shopkeepers in Spain have been left furious by post-Brexit rule changes as stores struggle to purchase British goods, with one boss branding the situation a “disaster”.

The UK finally left the EU at the end of the Brexit transition period last December and Spain has been one of the hardest hit EU nations.

Figures suggest UK food and drink exports to Spain have fallen by 54 percent this year compared to 2019, costing the industry around €2 billion.

Inge Barker who runs A Taste of Home, a chain of British food stores in Spain, has raged at the additional checks involved in buying products from the UK.

She told The Local Spain: “We’ve definitely been feeling it, Brexit has not been good for our business.

“With the drop in exports, extra costs, and red tape, it’s a total disaster.”

7.23pm update: Brexit Britain’s financial services boom as minister hints at slashing taxes to make city

Brexit Britain could slash taxes on financial services to help the industry thrive outside of the European Union, a government minister has hinted.

John Glen promised that the key industry for the UK will benefit from “competitive tax rates” ahead of the next Budget on 27 October.

Speaking to the Financial Times, the City Minister would not be drawn further.

But he added: “To be competitive, we have to have competitive tax rates and that’s what’s on the chancellor’s mind at the moment.”

Currently, the sector is subject to an eight percent surcharge.

6.47pm update: Speaker Lindsay Hoyle loses temper at MP in Commons ‘What did you say?!’

Chaos erupted in the House of Commons as Speaker Lindsay Hoyle accused MP Tobias Ellwood of “abusing his power” during a discussion on Aukus before a nasty argument erupted between the pair.

Mr Ellwood gave a long winded series of questions during the debate over the fallout of the Aukus deal which has seen the US, UK and Australia shun France from a lucrative nuclear submarine deal.

He accused the French of having overreacted over the plans as he set about stressing the importance of the western alliance against China.

He said: “This is to stand up to China’s errant behaviour in the South China Sea, let us not be in denial about that.

“But the timing and the manner of this announcement is not without diplomatic consequence and prompts further questions about the cohesion, purpose and indeed leadership of NATO after a bruised departure from Afghanistan.”

5.06pm update: EU snub! Rishi Sunak eyes US Brexit finance deal as Brussels shuts out City of London

Ministers have vowed to strike a financial services deal with the US as the EU continues to show a lack of willingness to grant “equivalence” to UK markets.

The UK is hoping to strike a deal over the British financial sector’s role in Europe, which would allow for mutual recognition of financial service rules between London and Brussels.

But despite a “memorandum of understanding” being provisionally agreed in March this year allowing for engagement on financial industry matters, no “equivalence” deal for the sector has been signed.

John Glen, who works under Chancellor Rishi Sunak, said there was no sign of any movement by the European Commission on a finance deal stressing that was “a matter for them”.

4.26pm update: SNP slapped down by Kwarteng for cheap Brexit gas jibe ‘This is a serious issue!’

SNP MP Stephen Flynn was quickly put down by Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng after the Scottish politician attempted a sly Brexit jibe during a debate on UK energy prices.

Stephen Flynn grilled Kwasi Kwarteng during a House of Commons debate as he demanded more investment into renewable energy was made to avoid the gas shortages now experienced around the world.

Demand for energy is feared to leave prices skyrocketing with Mr Flynn stating the crisis was a “cost of living” problem before urging the UK Government to look at renewables in Scotland.

But as Mr Flynn concluded his statement, the SNP spokesperson delivered a sly Brexit jibe where he recalled Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2016 promising energy prices would be cheaper post-Brexit.

The news emerged as Nicola Sturgeon’s party appears to be increasing the chances of holding a second independence referendum by 2023.

Bookies Betfair are currently offering 4/1 odds of it happening by that date.

3.15pm update: EU panic: Dutch officials erupt at ‘Rutte offer’ – accuse Boris of splitting bloc

Boris Johnson was told to stop negotiating with EU capitals in his bid to break the deadlock over the hated Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland.

Senior Dutch diplomatic sources disputed a claim by the Prime Minister, who said his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte offered to mediate in the EU-UK talks. Mr Johnson said the Dutch PM had offered to help during a meeting in Downing Street last week.

But Dutch diplomats said No10 should focus its efforts on working with the European Commission to find a solution to end the threat of chaos in Northern Ireland.

A senior dutch diplomatic source told Express.co.uk: “The prime minister called on Boris Johnson to be constructive, pragmatic and engage with the Commission.

“Both the UK and EU share the responsibility to make the protocol, as negotiated and ratified on both sides of the Channel, work for the people in Northern Ireland.”

2pm update: Michelle O’Neill slates threat by DUP to collapse Stormont 

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has described a threat by the DUP to withdraw ministers from the Executive if the UK takes no action over the Northern Ireland Protocol as “reckless” and “irresponsible”.

She added: “The thing that weighs most heavily on people’s minds right now are the issue of the winter ahead, and what that looks like in terms of the pandemic, waiting lists and how the Executive is going to take the pressure off our health service and ensure that people have timely access to medical care, it’s about agreeing a budget – for the first time ever over the next number of weeks we have the opportunity to agree a multi-year budget.”

1:15pm update: Boris Johnson says NI issues ‘can’t go on’ forever

Boris Johnson has warned that the post-Brexit issues with Northern Ireland “can’t go on forever” as ministers consider the prospect of tearing up parts of an agreement with the EU.

The Prime Minister insisted the UK is not “trying to stoke” the problems ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday.

Proud of his Irish heritage, Mr Biden has repeatedly warned the Government not to damage the peace process amid continuing issues over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

12:30pm update: Jersey set to hand France extension – chief fears another boat blockade

Jersey could be set to cave to France and extend fishing licences for French vessels in a major victory for Paris.

An amnesty period allowing French vessels unfettered access to Jersey waters is due to expire on September 30th. 

Crunch negotiations have been taking place over the last few weeks to resolve the issues but Jersey ministers alongside UK officials have yet to reach an agreement with France.

11:45am update: No link between growing energy crisis and Brexit

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said there was no connection between the growing energy crisis and Brexit.

Asked if there was a link, he told LBC: “No, no, this is hitting a number of countries around the world and it is – I think the Prime Minister summed up rather well – this is a byproduct of the sudden increase in demand as we come out of Covid.

“Globally, the UK is in a better position than many countries because, obviously, we have a domestic gas production capability, and our imported gas is from very, very reliable partners like Norway. So whilst this is affecting many, many parts of the world simultaneously, actually the UK is in a better position than many.”

11am update: Boom for Brexit Britain’s tech sector 

The UK tech sector raised £13.5 billion in the first six months of the year, almost three times more than the same period a year ago, according to new data.

Companies including fintech giant Revolut, online video conference business Hopin and online car sales platform Cinch were major contributors to the record-breaking investment.

The UK’s Digital Economy Council and Tech Nation by Dealroom, which crunched the numbers, said it means the UK in on course to make 2021 the biggest year for tech investment ever.

10:15am update: Boris breaks silence to warn of new ‘issues’ as shelves could remain empty for Christmas

Supermarket shelves could remain empty for months due to the strains being put on the global economy due to Covid, the Prime Minister has warned.

Touching down in the US, the Prime Minister admitted “bottlenecks” were being reported across the supply chain.

While he could not reveal when the supply chains may recover, Mr Johnson insisted a quick recovery is possible.

9:30am update: France crashes Aussie trade talks in submarine deal fury

France has scuppered the European Union’s trade negotiations with Australia amid growing anger over the lost submarine deal.

Paris has signalled it will block future talks between Brussels and Canberra after the latter’s decision to renege on a contract for French-built submarines Australia instead agreed to a new pact with Britain and the United States to purchase nuclear-powered vessels.

Clement Beaune, France’s hardline Europe minister, said future negotiations between the EU and Australia would be “unthinkable” as a result of the feud.

8:45am update: Lib Dems ‘Laugh at Leavers’

Liberal Democrats caricature Leave voters as stupid, racist and evil, a top official admitted.

Brexiteers were dismissed as “gammon” – an insult for older voters on the Right.

The admission was made at the Lib Dems’ weekend online conference during a training session to stop members being biased.

A Tory source said: “This shows the Lib Dems are still in denial about Brexit, backward looking and out of touch with working people.”

Lib Dem governing board member Candy Piercy said: “Lib Dems often characterise Leave voters as stupid, racist, ill-educated.We can find it funny but actually it’s a malicious funny.”

8am update: Ministers say Aukus deal ‘isn’t about France’ 

A Foreign Office minister has insisted that an agreement which will see the UK and US co-operate to develop a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian navy “is not about France” after a contract between France and Australia was cancelled.

James Cleverly told Sky News that the agreement – known as Aukus – was instead “about our very strong relationship with the United States of America and Australia, it’s about reinforcing an incredibly important and strong defence relationship, and it is also about making sure that we have hi-tech manufacturing jobs here in the UK, that’s what this is about”.

He said: “Obviously, with any international relationship, there are ups and downs, and I have no doubt that we will ultimately resolve any frictions that there are currently with France. But this is actually about making sure that A, we are protected, and B, that we are closely aligned with two of our strongest and most long-standing defence and security partners in the world.”

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