Brexit & Beyond newsletter

17 February 2025

Welcome to the 17 February 2025 Brexit & Beyond newsletter

Last week the European Commission published the 2025 Work Programme. This lays out the main strategies, action plans, and legislative initiatives that will serve as the foundation for the work ahead this term.

At the Assembly, the Minister for Communities was asked what advice he is giving to applicants to the Northern Ireland Football Fund in relation to the impact of the EU regulation preventing the sale of polymeric infill materials from 2031 on 3G and 4G football pitches.

At the House of Commons, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations at the Cabinet Office gave evidence to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the work of the Cabinet Office.

The House of Lords European Affairs continued to take evidence relating to its inquiry into the UK-EU reset.

 

The European Commission Work Programme 2025

Last Tuesday, the European Commission published the 2025 Work Programme. This lays out the main strategies, action plans, and legislative initiatives that will serve as the foundation for the work ahead this term. The Commission said it focuses on boosting competitiveness, enhancing security, and bolstering economic resilience.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said:  "Citizens and businesses have called for a simpler EU that delivers prosperity. This work programme is our answer. We've heard you, we're simplifying, and we will deliver. This roadmap charts our course to a more competitive, resilient, and growth-oriented Europe."

Speaking at the European Parliament Plenary session on the 2025 Work Programme, Commissioner Maros Šefčovič commented:

“We need bold action, to bolster our security, prosperity and democracy, and respond to the issues that matter the most to Europeans.

We cannot achieve this if we don't retain our economic edge. So we aim to boost the competitiveness of European businesses, and strengthen our economic resilience.

We also need a joined-up approach, which is why, alongside the Work Programme, we adopted a vision for an ambitious implementation and simplification agenda.”

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Šefčovič speaking at the European Parliament Plenary session on the 2025 Work ProgrammeEU Trade Commissioner Maros Šefčovič speaking at the European Parliament Plenary session on the 2025 Work Programme

Commissioner Šefčovič highlighted key initiatives including the Competitiveness Compass, based on the recommendations made in the Draghi report, and the Clean Industrial Deal. 

 

 Trade negotiations

On Wednesday, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, reportedly stressed the EU’s commitment to constructive dialogue in a call with his US counterparts - Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, designated U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council.

Politico reports that he will travel to Washington for meetings with all three.

The European Union is one of America’s biggest economic partners, with trade in goods and services between the two reaching over €1.5 trillion each year.

While the EU runs a trade surplus in goods with the US, the US has a surplus in services.

On Friday, the European Commission pushed back against Washington’s decision to introduce new tariffs, calling it “a step in the wrong direction.” In a statement, the Commission argued that the EU maintains some of the world’s lowest tariffs and sees no reason for the U.S. to raise tariffs on European exports.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reinforced that stance, vowing to respond if the U.S. moves forward with the tariff hike.

It has previously been reported that the Windsor framework trading arrangements could mean that Northern Ireland is required to impose EU tariffs on US goods.

Politico reports that the Prime Minister will visit President Trump in Washington DC next week. 

 

Munich Security Conference

On Friday, the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey made available the joint Op-Ed they had written for the Daily Telegraph on how to reach a strong and durable peace in Ukraine. They commented:

“We were clear we need our friends in Europe to invest more in defence and seize the opportunities of closer UK-EU cooperation.

This has already begun. Europe is united on the need to step up. We are – and we will.”

Speaking in Munich, the Foreign Secretary said European nations needed to develop enough military power to deter future Russian aggression.

The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, met on the margins of the Munich Security Conference. A joint statement was issued. “They underscored their commitment to work together to help to achieve a durable peace and a strong and prosperous Ukraine and reaffirmed the need to develop robust security guarantees to ensure the war will not begin again.” 

Today, French President Emmanuel Macron will convene European leaders in Paris to discuss Ukraine and security in Europe. Confirming his attendance, the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reportedly said Europe is at a "once-in-a-generation moment for our national security". 

The French government has confirmed leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark will attend, as well as the NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.

 

Artificial Grass Pitches

Last week the Minister for Communities was asked what advice he is giving to applicants to the Northern Ireland Football Fund (NIFF) in relation to the impact of the EU regulation preventing the sale of polymeric infill materials from 2031 on 3G and 4G football pitches during question time.

The Minister told the Chamber that his Department has issued guidance to all eligible applicants under the performance programme of the NIFF, which is also available on the Department's website. Applicants must demonstrate that investment in artificial grass pitches using rubber infill offers value for money.

Last week the Minister for Communities answered a question on the impact of a ban on polymeric infill materials for 3G and 4G football pitchesLast week the Minister for Communities answered a question on the impact of a ban on polymeric infill materials for 3G and 4G football pitches

Doug Beattie MLA thanked the Minister for his answer and remarked: “you will agree with me that we should not follow EU regulations on this matter but should get rid of microplastics. With eight out of 12 top-flight team pitches going plastic, this is becoming a real issue.” He asked the Minister if he will, working with other Departments, set up a fund to support clubs and other institutions once the regulation comes in.

The Minister stated that he could not commit to allocating additional funding at this time. He explained that the Department’s evidence suggests the EU regulation will increase costs, removing the ability to ensure pitches contain the necessary materials. While alternative options exist, they are more expensive. The Minister emphasised the importance of acknowledging the financial burden this regulation will place on those involved in various sports across Northern Ireland.

 

Tracking EU Equality Legislation

In response to written question, AQW 21461/22-27 the First Minister and deputy First Minister have clarified that The Executive Office uses the EU Legislation and Information Tracking Service (EULITS), which is updated weekly by the EU to monitor equality directives.

In addition, The Executive Office coordinates an Article 2 Interdepartmental Working Group with representatives from other Departments. This supports the updating, tracking and coordination on the relevant Directives, including the Race Equality Directive 2000/43/EC.

 

The work of the Cabinet Office

Last Tuesday the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee took evidence on the work of the Cabinet Office from Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations at the Cabinet Office. The Minister was accompanied by two officials: Darren Tierney, Director General, Propriety and Constitution Group and Hermione Gough, EU Director.

The Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations re-stated the three pillars of the UK Government’s strategic approach to an EU-UK reset:

  1. Security – Focuses on foreign policy and defence cooperation. Progress has been made through six-monthly foreign policy dialogues between the UK and EU representatives, with plans to deepen coordination further.
  1. Safety of Citizens – Enhancing law enforcement cooperation to combat serious cross-border crimes such as fraud, money laundering, counter-terrorism, and people smuggling. The UK has strengthened its National Crime Agency’s presence at Europol to support these efforts.
  1. Trade and Economic Cooperation – Aims to pragmatically reduce trade barriers while maintaining the UK's position outside the single market and customs union. Areas of focus include agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary standards, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and easing restrictions for touring artists. Energy security and emissions trading cooperation are also priorities, particularly in light of the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on energy prices.

The Minister told the Committee that the UK Government’s red lines in negotiations remain the single market, customs union, and freedom of movement. As the EU-UK summit on 19 May approaches, Minister Thomas-Symonds said it is for the EU to determine its priorities, but the UK’s stance on these key issues remains unchanged.

Minister Thomas-Symonds noted there has been a positive response to the UK government’s approach. The Prime Minister has met with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and both Council Presidents, Charles Michel and António Costa. Additionally, the Minister has met with his EU counterpart Maroš Šefčovič on multiple occasions.

Regarding trade with the EU and the United States, the Minister said:

“In respect of the European Union, we think there are significant opportunities to deepen trade. We think there are also significant opportunities to deepen trade and make the special relationship with the United States even more special, and to deepen it into the 21st century. We do not see in any sense a conflict between those two things.”

Asked about “holes” in the TCA, Minister Thomas-Symonds provided some examples of gaps in UK-EU cooperation post-Brexit, particularly in foreign policy, security, trade, and energy. 

 

 The UK-EU reset

Last Tuesday, as part of its ongoing inquiry into the UK-EU reset, the House of Lords European Affairs Committee took evidence from the following panel:

  • Sam Lowe, Partner at Flint Global
  • Professor David Collins, Professor of International Economic Law at City, University of London
  • Aslak Berg, Research Fellow at Centre for European Reform, and former trade official at EFTA, the European Commission and the Norwegian civil service

The session focused on trade relations between the UK and the EU. Professor Collins told the Committee:

“An improvement in trade relations with the EU is feasible under the existing framework of the TCA, as long as the will is there in terms of work at the committees. Non-membership in the single market or customs union is eminently sensible, and I do not see any reason why—given the nature of the economies of the UK and the EU, each needing something that the other produces, and the nature of the trade deficit that the EU has with the UK in goods at least, and the wide market that the UK offers in services—a more robust relationship cannot be achieved. Even if it cannot be, I think the existing relationship, as it is, is functioning reasonably well.”

Aslak Berg acknowledged that the red lines will shape the extent of possible improvements in UK-EU relations as they define what can be achieved. He noted that the EU consistently links obligations and privileges, meaning that by rejecting certain obligations, such as freedom of movement and customs union membership, the UK limits the scope of its trade relationship.

Regarding the three priority negotiating objectives —the SPS agreement; help for touring artists; and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications (MRPQ, Aslak Berg noted that the SPS agreement “is an area where the EU has already signalled willingness to negotiate and where there is mutual interest in a closer relationship.” For touring artists he highlighted two issues: visas and the cost of the carnets (a "Passport for goods" that permits the tax-free and duty-free temporary export and import of non-perishable goods) and paperwork.

Sam Lowe highlighted that an SPS agreement could take different forms. A model similar to the EU-New Zealand agreement would reduce paperwork but not eliminate physical inspections, meaning some barriers for food exporters would persist.

 

Other news

 

  • James Crisp, writing for the Telegraph on Wednesday, reports that the EU is suing the UK in eight different lawsuits. Five of the eight lawsuits relate to the Northern Ireland including the failure to implement EU customs rules in areas like animal health, parcels, pet travel and the communication of GB-NI trade data with Brussels.                                                                                            
  • The EU plans to block imports of certain foods to different standards in an effort to protect its farmers, echoing UK President Donald Trump’s reciprocal trade policy, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.                                                                                                              
  • After President Trump announced plans to start imposing reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners worldwide, the Atlantic Council asked its trade experts to analyse what this order means and what comes next.                                                                                                     
  • The third meeting of the Joint EU-UK Financial Regulatory Forum took place in London on Wednesday. Participants took stock of the policy priorities in both the EU and the UK to support economic growth and discussed key emerging risks to financial stability. A joint statement is available here.                                                                                                                                                                     
  • Data from UCAS shows that since Brexit, there has been an 81 per cent decrease in the number of EU students accepted in to Scottish universities.