An East Lancashire MP has said the UK’s deal with the European Union (EU) is a “step in the right direction” following the first meeting of the partners since Brexit.
The two partners met on Monday, May 19, intending to establish a new strategic partnership which enhances cooperation on several key issues.
Building on earlier negotiations between the Minister for EU Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, and European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, the summit also supports as ongoing discussions between UK and EU officials.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has claimed that this post-Brexit “reset” will cut red tape for travellers and businesses and boost the economy by £9billion by 2040.
MP Sarah Smith for Hyndburn and Haslingden has said that a reduction in the regulatory burden faced by local businesses will aid when importing and exporting goods from the EU.
Welcoming the summit, she outlined the crucial timing of the event for firms in East Lancashire.
Ms Smith said: “Today’s deal is a step in the right direction. The EU is our biggest trading partner, and I know how much businesses like iMEP have suffered from bad trading deals in the past.
“The current situation isn’t working — our lorries are delayed at borders and too many businesses are drowning in red tape just to trade with our nearest neighbours. Things have got to change.
“This will ease the pressure on local businesses, cut paperwork, and help them grow and create jobs here in Hyndburn and Haslingden. As your local MP, I’m fighting for practical changes that make a real difference for our community.”
East Lancashire firm, iMEP, who provide stage equipment and production services across Europe have also welcomed the deal.
Eddy O’Brien, CEO of iMEP said: “The current trade barriers across the EU are holding back the potential of the UK entertainment industry, and I’m glad to see progress on this.
“As a company that provides stage equipment and production services, we could go anywhere and trade throughout the EU.
“Removing these restrictions would boost our business, unlock new opportunities across Europe, and bring more money into the UK economy.”
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Within the deal, the government has also offered fishing rights to European boats, a boost to defence co-operation, a youth mobility scheme, border controls, and co-operation on illegal migration.
The Tories branded the Lancaster House gathering a “surrender summit”.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “We’re becoming a rule-taker from Brussels once again.
“And with no details on any cap or time limits on youth mobility, fears of free movement returning will only increase. This is very concerning.”
She said it had been “an amateur negotiation from the start, ending in a total sell-out”.
A recent study by the Centre for Economic Performance at the LSE estimated that, by the end of 2022, Brexit-related red tape led to around 16,000 UK firms — 14% of EU exporters — halting trade with the EU altogether.
Between 2018 and 2024, UK agri-food exports to the EU dropped by 21%, while imports fell by 7%.
Major UK retailers, including M&S, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons, have added their voice to calls for progress, signing a letter urging the EU and UK to agree a deal to simplify the export process for plant and animal products.
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