Shorouk Express
Labour MP says e-gates deal will deliver ‘less stress’ for British holidaymakers
Labour York Outer MP Luke Charters has been campaigning for a deal on e-gates for British tourists.
He met an EU delegation last week to help push the case for the government.
On hearing a deal was confirmed, Mr Charters said: “Millions of Brits travelling to Europe this summer have faced long passport queues since Brexit. As we reset our relationship with the EU, I’ve been campaigning for an e-ates deal to speed up border checks, and I called for this in Parliament just last week.
“I’m delighted the government has now secured it, delivering more sun and less stress for hardworking British holidaymakers.”
David Maddox 19 May 2025 10:50
European Commission president arrives at summit
Ursula von der Leyen has arrived at Lancaster House for the UK-EU summit.
Sir Keir Starmer met the European Commission President at the entrance.
Holly Evans 19 May 2025 10:37
Scottish MP says no consultation given to devolved governments over fishing access
As backlash continues over a new fishing deal with the European Union, which will allow them a further 12 years access to British waters as part of a “reset” relationship, a Scottish MP has said his government was not consulted.
Angus Robertson, the SNP MP for Edinburgh Central, wrote on social media site X: “UK Govt has agreed a fisheries (devolved) deal with EU in principle, without any recourse, involvement or approval of Devolved Admins.
“Scottish Government received no documentation or draft proposals in advance.
“I asked UK minister last week for this. Nothing received. Reset?”
Holly Evans19 May 2025 10:29
Details on defence, security and cutting red tape on food exports to be discussed
Further details of the deal are expected to be announced at the first UK-EU summit on Monday, at which Sir Keir will meet European Commission president Mrs von der Leyen and European Council president Mr Costa.
Other issues under discussion included defence and security, with a potential agreement allowing British firms access to a 150 billion euro (£125 billion) EU defence fund.
Deals on allowing British travellers to use e-gates at European airports, cutting red tape on food exports, and setting up a youth mobility scheme with the EU, were also thought to be on the table.
Sir Keir said: “It’s time to look forward – to move on from the stale old political fights and to find common sense, practical solutions that improve the lives of British people.
“Secure borders. Cheaper bills. More jobs.
“We will close a deal in the national interest.”

Holly Evan s19 May 2025 10:21
Live: Keir Starmer welcomes leaders at crucial UK-EU Brexit reset summit
Holly Evans 19 May 2025 10:11
Sir Keir Starmer arrives at UK-EU summit
The prime minister has just arrived at Lancaster House, where he is hosting a UK-EU summit with fellow leaders on Monday.
It was confirmed this morning that the UK and European Union have agreed a post-Brexit deal, which will likely spell out negotiations on key issues such as defence, security, fishing and trade.

Holly Evans19 May 2025 10:09
Good news for holiday makers as use of e-gates confirmed
A UK government source has confirmed that the UK and the EU have struck an agreement on ‘e-gates’, meaning the British visitors to the bloc will be able to rejoin fast track-passport queues.
The move is set to cut the amount of time travellers spend waiting in queues in Europe.
Since Brexit, British arrivals have had to wait in the “all passports” queue, which can take hours.

Kate Devlin 19 May 2025 10:04
Breaking: UK visitors to use e-gates at EU airports
A UK government source has confirmed that e-gates has been agreed meaning UK visitors to the EU will be able to rejoin the fast track passport queues.
But a youth mobility scheme “is to be explored” as a “limited mutually agreeable scheme”.
Holly Evans19 May 2025 09:58
Analysis: Failure on youth mobility will be embarrassing for the UK
David Maddox, our political editor, reports:
On the morning broadcast round business secretary Jonathan Reynolds appeared to suggest that a youth mobility scheme had been agreed saying it was “capped and time limited.”
But if briefings from Brussels prove correct – and they often do – then it appears that they have failed to land a deal which was at one point a priority for both sides.
We have gone from “no plans” to “we will have youth mobility” to “maybe at a future deal”.
It was one of the big prizes on offer for the young people in the UK and EU aged up tom 35 and the two sides may have dropped the ball. Nevertheless, we will not know the full truth until the deal is unveiled shortly.
Holly Evans 19 May 2025 09:57
Business secretary insists European food standards will not restrict future deals
It is “completely wrong” to think that, in signing up to European food standards, the UK will restrict its ability to do new deals in the future, a minister has said.
Trade Secretary Jonathon Reynolds was asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme if the UK Government securing a new deal on food with the European Union will restrict the country’s ability to secure deals with the US in future.
He said: “No, I think that is completely wrong. And we have shown it (to be) absolutely wrong.
“We have been absolutely clear in all of our trade negotiations, whether it’s with India, the US, the EU, the Gulf, South Korea, Switzerland, we will not change our food production standards.”
Holly Evans19 May 2025 09:49