Brexit deal: Carlisle biscuit boom or Tees fishing wipeout?

Reform UK’s newest council leader has claimed the government’s trade deal with the EU will see the “wipeout” of the British fishing industry.

On Monday, the government announced a new agreement to reduce red tape in areas including food standards, passport control and defence, while in turn allowing EU fishing boats continued access to UK waters until 2038.

Durham County councillor Andrew Husband said the government had “given away quite a lot to go through the airport a little bit quicker.”

However, Labour MP Julie Minns defended the policy on fishing, as did Conservative peer Lord Kirkhope, and proclaimed the new deal as “fantastic news for biscuits” manufactured in her Carlisle constituency.