What’s happened?
Last week the UK and European Union reached an agreement on a draft Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship. Because of this decisive progress, over the weekend, an emergency EU Summit took place so that the Withdrawal Agreement could be ratified at the European level. Despite concerns that Spain wouldn’t endorse the Withdrawal Agreement due to the issue of Gilbraltar, the Agreement and Declaration have now officially been endorsed at the European level. You can read more on what the Political Declaration said for the aerospace, defence and security sectors by visiting the Brexit Hub.
What it means?
In short, it means that the Withdrawal Agreement is half way through its process to formal sign off. It will still need to pass through UK Parliament. Today the Prime Minister gave a statement to the House of Commons on the conclusion of negotiations to leave the EU outlining what the Withdrawal Agreement delivers for the UK. She stated that by creating a new free trade area, the deal protects jobs including those who rely on integrated supply chains, protects the UK’s security, and protects the integrity of the UK. She also argued that the deal delivers the broadest security partnership in the EU’s history including arrangements for effective data exchange including on passenger names and vehicle data.
What happens next?
A vote to the House of Commons on the finalised Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration is expected in the week commencing Monday 10 December. The Prime Minister is expected to do a road show across the country to talk through the Withdrawal Agreement and secure support from her parliamentary colleagues. ADS believes that the Withdrawal Agreement secures the important transition arrangement and the time needed to discuss the full detail of our long-term relationship with the EU. The Political Declaration represents a good foundation for securing many of the vital provisions our industries need to continue to prosper, sustaining high value jobs in every part of the UK.
