Google confirms plans to move UK users’ accounts outside EU jurisdiction

Google is planning to move its British users' accounts out of the control of European Union privacy regulators, placing them under US jurisdiction instead, the company confirmed late on Wednesday (19 February).

UK sets out steep barriers for EU migrants from 2021

EU nationals without a well-paid job offer and sufficient qualifications will be unable to work in the UK in the future, according to a tough new ‘points-based’ immigration system that will come into force when it leaves the EU's Single Market at the end of 2020.

Brussels bristles at ‘dishonest’ UK government tweet

The EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Wednesday (19 February) expressed irritation at a combative tweet from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office claiming that Brussels is shifting objectives in upcoming trade talks.

Johnson’s touch of Frost spoils for Brexit battle

Boris Johnson’s government is anxious to make sure that EU leaders understand that the days of compromise under Theresa May are over. On Monday night (17 February), his EU adviser David Frost delivered that message without fear or favour.

Frost: The whole point of Brexit is to break free from EU rules

Britain will develop its own system for regulating state aid and controlling subsidies after its post-Brexit transition period is over, London's negotiator for the long-term relationship with the European Union said on Monday (17 February).

Gibraltar encouraged by Spanish ‘pragmatism’ on post-Brexit ties

Gibraltar is encouraged by Spain's "pragmatism" on its key demand that their mutual border remain fully open after the Brexit transition period expires at the end of 2020, its deputy chief minister said on Monday (17 February).

UK post-Brexit rules to ‘turn off tap’ of low-skilled foreign labor

Britain will “turn off the tap” of foreign, low-skilled labor and require all skilled workers wishing to come to the country to have a job offer and meet salary and language requirements as it sets post-Brexit rules from next year.

In Munich, Macron presents EU reform as answer to ‘weakening West’

French President Emmanuel Macron bemoaned a "weakening of the West" on Saturday (15 February) and called for more German involvement, while the US Secretary of State attempted to assuage European anxiety about declining transatlantic relation.

Johnson asserts power but loses chancellor in brutal reshuffle

Six cabinet ministers resigned or were sacked from Boris Johnson's government in a surprisingly brutal ministerial reshuffle on Thursday (13 February) as the maverick prime minister asserted his dominance in the post-Brexit United Kingdom

MEPs to greenlight UK trade talks, von der Leyen baffled by ‘Australia’ comparison

EU lawmakers are expected to greenlight on Wednesday (12 February) EU plans to open talks on a post-Brexit partnership with the UK but warned that it will come with strings attached.

Ireland’s political earthquake

Sinn Féin made only one mistake: had it run multiple candidates in its strongest constituencies, it could have become the largest party in the Irish parliament by a long lead, writes Dick Roche.

UK plans to create 10 free ports to jolt post-Brexit economy

Britain plans to announce the location of up to 10 post-Brexit freeports by the end this year so they can begin operating in 2021, the government said on Sunday (9 February).

Brexit may create greater support for EU policies in the Council

Without the UK, the EU can expect smoother legislative procedures in most Council configurations and policy areas, especially in justice and home affairs, institutional and budgetary matters as well as foreign policy. The voting weight of Britons will be particularly...

France to Britain: No fish for finance deal

The European Union must not give the UK concessions on access to EU financial markets in exchange for rights to fish in British waters, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday (6 February).

Northern Irish police find truck bomb timed for Brexit

Northern Irish police said Thursday (6 February) they had found a bomb attached to a truck which was intended to go off as the UK left the European Union.

UK press freedom worries European journalist organisations, NGOs, politicians

Media freedom watchdogs, journalists associations and politicians have cried foul at the worsening media policies in the UK, following the banning of certain journalists from a press briefing by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and plans to decriminalise failure to pay BBC licence fees.

Brexit, homelessness dominate in Irish election

Ireland goes to the polls on Saturday (8 February), with Prime Minister Leo Varadkar touting his successful handling of Brexit, but facing pressure over housing and healthcare.

Paris aims to become Europe’s top financial hub in post-Brexit world

London is currently Europe's leading financial centre but the French authorities dream of seeing Paris in the lead. However, it remains to be seen if the City will lose access to European markets after the UK-EU negotiations this year. EURACTIV's partner EUROEFE reports.

Eurostar launches direct Dutch link, targets short-haul flights

Cross-Channel rail link Eurostar will operate a return London-Amsterdam service from April, the company announced on Tuesday (4 February), as it aims to up its game against short-haul plane travel. Eurostar has operated a one-way service to Amsterdam from the...

Trade MEP chief says national parliaments not needed for post-Brexit ratification

The chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee voiced hope on Tuesday (4 February) that an agreement with the UK could be achieved by November and said national parliaments would not be needed to ratify the deal as it would be an EU-only association agreement.

Gibraltar faces hard border if no special deal by 1 January

Gibraltar’s border with Spain will be reintroduced on 1 January 2021 unless an additional deal is reached between the UK and the European Commission and approved by Spain.

The Brief – Europe should listen to the Brits – they’re always right

For the remaining 27 members, the post-Brexit period which starts this week should open a serious discussion about the European Union’s purpose and future direction. Failure to move forward could well mean slow disintegration for the European project.

Gulf exposed on EU-UK trade talks as Johnson rejects EU pre-conditions

Boris Johnson nudged the United Kingdom towards a hard Brexit on Monday, insisting that the UK would not commit to maintaining EU standards on state aid and labour standards in order to strike a new trade deal with Brussels. But he also said London would not seek to "undermine EU standards" or "engage in dumping".

MPs call for an Anglo-German post-Brexit ‘friendship treaty’

A British MP and his German counterpart have called for a post-Brexit “treaty of friendship” between the two countries, as concerns grow in Berlin that relations could turn increasingly hostile over the coming months.