Macron, Brexit and France
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Welcome to our live blog tracking the latest news and developments from the United Kingdom. Stay updated with real-time insights into the country's economy, politics, civic issues, and security situation.
President Emmanuel Macron has called for Britain and France to move on from Brexit and work “side by side” on issues including migration and defence, declaring “let’s not allow the Channel to grow wider”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced tougher migration controls on Thursday, ending a state visit with deals on defence, nuclear cooperation and plans to support Ukraine in case of a ceasefire.
The European Union is likely to get a worse trade deal with Donald Trump than the UK, according to diplomatic sources. Brussels and Washington are still locked in talks, but a "temporary" deal is expected to be announced in the coming days.
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Rock legend Rod Stewart voiced support for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage while criticizing American leadership on Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Car buyers in Northern Ireland could soon have less choice and pay higher road tax when purchasing new vehicles because of post Brexit trading arrangements due to come into force next year, MLAs have been warned. Some of Northern Ireland's top dealerships have also warned of job losses in the sector which currently employs around 17,500 workers.
After Mr Macron says small boat crossings have got worse since Brexit because the UK has no migratory agreement with the EU, the Reform UK leader accuses Mr Macron of "arrogance" - and says the UK was struggling with illegal migration even when it was a member of the EU.
One by one the supposed pillars of the economic argument for Brexit have been knocked away by the realities. Far from being shackled to a corpse, as some Brexiters described the EU economy, both the Eurozone and the EU have grown faster than the UK since the 2016 referendum. Britain’s goods exports have slumped compared with the rest of the G7.