British holidaymakers will soon enjoy faster travel to Europe after the Prime Minister secured a new agreement with the European Union.
The deal will allow UK travellers to use more eGates across Europe, “ending the dreaded queues at border control,” the UK Government pledged.
Bringing furry friends abroad will also be easier, as “pet passports” are introduced for UK cats and dogs.
This eliminates the need for animal health certificates when travelling to Europe.
A new deal agreed by Starmer will be ‘good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders’
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‘That’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation’
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The UK will also enter talks about accessing EU facial images data for the first time, on top of the existing arrangements for DNA, fingerprint, and vehicle registration data.
This aims to bolster the Government’s ability to catch “dangerous criminals” and “ensure they face justice quickly”.
These travel updates come as Keir Starmer secures a new agreement with the European Union following six months of “extensive negotiations”.
The deal is part of his core mission to grow the economy, support British jobs, and increase people’s disposable income, the UK Government explained.
Starmer described the agreement as “good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders”.
This marks the third “major deal” struck by the Government in weeks, following the US and India.
Other benefits of the agreement include a simpler process for food and drink imports and exports, meaning less “red tape” for businesses; increased trade with the EU; improved energy security; and the protection of British steel exports from new EU rules.
The UK Government shared that some routine checks on animal and plant products will be removed completely, allowing goods to “flow freely”, including between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Use of more eGates across Europe aims to ‘end the dreaded queues at border control’GETTY IMAGESBritons were told: “Ultimately this could lower food prices and increase choice on supermarket shelves – meaning more money in people’s pockets.”
Speaking about the UK’s latest agreement with the EU, Starmer stated: “It’s time to look forward.
“To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people.
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Travelling with pets will be made easier with the introduction of ‘pet passports’
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“We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home.
“So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation.
“Building the relationships we choose, with the partners we choose, and closing deals in the national interest. Because that is what independent, sovereign nations do.”
Minister for European Union Relations and lead Government negotiator, Nick Thomas-Symonds, added: “Today is a historic day, marking the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK.
“Since the start of these negotiations, we have worked for a deal to make the British people safer, more secure and more prosperous. Our new UK-EU Strategic Partnership achieves all three objectives. It delivers on jobs, bills and borders.
“Today is a day of delivery. Britain is back on the world stage with a Government in the service of working people.”
