Brexit

The UK’s economy stagnated in the fourth quarter of last year, according to new figures from the ONS. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Bloomberg UK economy stagnated in fourth quarter, amid turmoil over Brexit

Figures from ONS show GDP was unchanged from the third quarter, while the annual growth rate was also unrevised at 1.1%

European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and the British prime minister’s Europe adviser David Frost in Brussels on March 2nd. Photograph: Oliver Hoslet/Reuters EU sets out proposals for close UK ties after Brexit talks
A coronavirus warning notice at the European Council, in Brussels, Belgium. Photograph: Stephanie Lecocq/EPA EU-UK talks on Brexit process postponed due to coronavirus

Macrete Ireland director Richard Hogg: ‘It is difficult to prepare for something when we don’t know what it will look like.’ ‘We may have to look at relocating some of our operation to the EU’
Michel Barnier, Brexit chief negotiator for the European Union. Photograph: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Bloomberg Brexit: Next week’s London talks called off due to coronavirus
Michael Gove arriving at the Cabinet Office in London. The British cabinet minister said an EU-UK joint committee would determine how the Northern Ireland protocol should work. Photograph: Luke Dray/Getty Brexit: Michael Gove declines to confirm Irish Sea checks on goods
Chancellor of the British exchequer Rishi Sunak: As UK gets set for a coronavirus epidemic and stock markets fall, his first budget has more than Brexit to contend with. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe UK’s hardline Brexit stance starts to sour relations with business
Philip Rutnam and Home Secretary Priti Patel. Photograph: PA What is the Conservative Party’s problem with civil servants?
An attendee holds a mug during a news conference unveiling coronavirus emergency plans inside Number 10 Downing Street in London. Photograph: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg Are the Brexiteers now weaponising coronavirus?
EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan said the talks on a post-Brexit trade deal were the first time the EU was negotiating with a country that wanted to diverge from the bloc. Photograph: Reuters Phil Hogan concerned at decreasing focus on Brexit in Ireland
Paul O’Sullivan, managing director of IrelandsEye knitwear: ‘Why any country would want to leave a trading block the size of the EU is beyond me.’ Photograph: Lensmen Photographic Agency ‘I believe a sensible trade deal will be worked out . . . at the last minute’
Michel Barnier: “An agreement is possible, even if difficult,” he said in Brussels. Photograph: Francois Walschaerts/AFP via Getty Images EU and Britain say deal looks difficult after first round of talks

EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan: “We hope that this grandstanding is over and we get down to the real business because we have only nine or 10 months to do the job.” Photograph: Naoise Culhane UK’s pursuit of hard Brexit may be ‘opening skirmishes’ in talks – Hogan
Former EU officials at Trinity College Dublin David O’Sullivan, Romano Prodi, Catherine Day and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: EU contributions a small price to pay for “enormous intangible benefits”. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw State contribution to EU ‘a steal’ for what it gets back, says Varadkar
‘The robust expansion in service activity is being driven by strong growth in new business,’ said AIB chief economist Oliver Mangan. Photograph: iStock Services sector continues rebound after Brexit worries of 2019
David O’Sullivan’s last official posting was as EU ambassador to the US from 2014-2019. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill EU and UK could agree ‘device’ to extend talks, says ex-official
Chief Brexit negotiators Michel Barnier (right) with David Frost at the start of post-Brexit trade talks. Photograph: AP Brexit negotiating teams convene for round one of trade talks
Arlene Foster (above with Michelle O’Neill): ‘Although political differences exist, the Executive are working together to ensure the best possible outcome for people living here.’ Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Northern Ireland Executive/AFP via Getty Images Foster and O’Neill seek urgent meeting with Gove on post-Brexit trading terms
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EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan said the talks on a post-Brexit trade deal were the first time the EU was negotiating with a country that wanted to diverge from the bloc. Photograph: Reuters Phil Hogan concerned at decreasing focus on Brexit in Ireland
Michel Barnier: “An agreement is possible, even if difficult,” he said in Brussels. Photograph: Francois Walschaerts/AFP via Getty Images EU and Britain say deal looks difficult after first round of talks
EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan: “We hope that this grandstanding is over and we get down to the real business because we have only nine or 10 months to do the job.” Photograph: Naoise Culhane UK’s pursuit of hard Brexit may be ‘opening skirmishes’ in talks – Hogan
Former EU officials at Trinity College Dublin David O’Sullivan, Romano Prodi, Catherine Day and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: EU contributions a small price to pay for “enormous intangible benefits”. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw State contribution to EU ‘a steal’ for what it gets back, says Varadkar
‘The robust expansion in service activity is being driven by strong growth in new business,’ said AIB chief economist Oliver Mangan. Photograph: iStock Services sector continues rebound after Brexit worries of 2019
David O’Sullivan’s last official posting was as EU ambassador to the US from 2014-2019. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill EU and UK could agree ‘device’ to extend talks, says ex-official
Chief Brexit negotiators Michel Barnier (right) with David Frost at the start of post-Brexit trade talks. Photograph: AP Brexit negotiating teams convene for round one of trade talks
Arlene Foster (above with Michelle O’Neill): ‘Although political differences exist, the Executive are working together to ensure the best possible outcome for people living here.’ Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Northern Ireland Executive/AFP via Getty Images Foster and O’Neill seek urgent meeting with Gove on post-Brexit trading terms
Fishing could be the biggest obstacle to a deal in the upcoming trade talks. Fishing: Why it is the first flashpoint issue in EU-UK trade talks
Pascal Lamy said the trade talks were more “a process” than a negotiation. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw UK breaching Brexit deal would be ‘big break of trust’ – former WTO head
Darren Bradley, co-owner of Nonna’s Wood Fired Pizzas in Derry, holding one of the bags of flour from Naples used in the restaurant. Photograph: Trevor McBride Award-winning Derry restaurant fears Brexit talks failure will hurt business
Dublin Port: under World Trade Organisation rules and tariffs, meat exports to the UK would be taxed at close to 50 per cent and dairy products at over 30 per cent. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Brexit negotiations kick off in Brussels
British prime minister Boris Johnson: The document rejects the EU’s call for an overarching agreement to cover trade, security, foreign policy and other issues. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images UK says it could abandon Brexit trade talks in June
Boris Johnson agreed to negotiate a level playing field for fair competition in the political declaration that accompanied the withdrawal agreement. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images UK to reject EU’s ‘level-playing field’ demand in negotiating paper
Chris Patten delivered a lecture in Dublin in honour of the late businessman and statesman Peter Sutherland. File photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Chris Patten ‘amazed’ UK sees common rules with EU as ‘impossible’
A spokesman for Boris Johnson said ‘we and the EU signed the withdrawal agreement last month and we have said we’ll comply with our obligations’. Brexit: UK-EU tensions mount ahead of divorce talks
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier gives a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday. Photograph: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Bloomberg EU issues ultimatum to London ahead of Brexit talks
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who has received a mandate from the member states for the next stage of talks with the UK. Photograph: Patrick Seeger/EPA EU and British positions harden ahead of Brexit talks
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns he is prepared to walk away from the table and impose new costs on UK business, rather than accept a deal that impinged on British sovereignty. Photograph: Toby Melville UK lays down red line for Brexit trade talks
Chris Patten: ‘Stopping more people coming in seasonally to pick potatoes isn’t a very sophisticated way of dealing with labour market problems.’ Photograph: Aidan Crawley/The Irish Times UK’s immigration plan geared ‘to catch headlines’
British prime minister Boris Johnson (left) speaks during his first Cabinet meeting flanked by his new chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak. Photograph: Matt Dunham/PA Pool/Getty Johnson orders Brexit team to ‘get around’ Northern checks protocol
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said his party would ask the UK government to reduce the salary threshold for skilled migrant workers who wanted to come to Northern Ireland. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Grave concern in North over London’s new immigration rules
According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, the median salary as of December 2019 was £27,434. Photograph: Getty Images North’s business leaders say immigration plan will make labour shortages worse
UK home secretary Priti Patel. Photograph: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg UK immigration rules ‘spell disaster’ for care and hospitality sectors
Jeffrey Donaldson: key ask would be “that we get some form of regional variation on the salary threshold to recognise the high dependence of Northern Ireland on the agri-food sector”. File photograph: Pacemaker DUP pleads with UK to reduce salary threshold for migrant workers coming to North
CBI NI director Angela McGowan said firms in the North wanted to see a system that was “both open and controlled, values people’s contribution beyond their salary and works for all parts of the UK”. UK ‘not listening’ to North’s businesses on immigration policies
Section of a frieze of the ancient Elgin Marbles (Parthenon Marbles) from the Acropolis in Athens, which were acquired for the British Government in 1816 by Lord Elgin. Photograph: iStock Greece says Parthenon marbles return not linked to Brexit talks
The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier: ‘It is a sovereign decision of the EU, it is a sovereign decision of the UK to co-operate . . .’ Photograph: Patrick Seeger/EPA Michel Barnier rejects UK’s call for Canada-style trade deal
British consumers face higher prices and reduced availability of goods if the government fails to agree pragmatic solutions with the European Union, the retail industry’s lobby group warned on Monday. UK shoppers face higher prices without post-Brexit trade deal , warns BRC
French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is pictured at the Munich Security Conferenceon Sunday. Photograph: Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images. EU and UK will ‘rip each other apart’ in Brexit talks
Newly appointed Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis: “I’ve got tough boots to fill.” Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA New Northern Secretary commits to legacy aspects of deal
Growth in the euro zone ‘turned out better than expected in the third quarter but disappointed at the end of the year’. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Irish economy in good stead as no-deal Brexit fears recede – commission
Former UK prime minister John Major at the European Financial Forum in Dublin on Wednesday. Photograph Nick Bradshaw UK needs ‘miracle’ to secure EU trade deal by end of 2020, says John Major
Giovanni Palmiero was told that he needed the presence of his mother and father when he made his application for the EU settlement scheme at an advice centre in Islington, London. Photograph: iStock Italian man (101) asked by UK Home Office to have parents confirm identity
Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen says there has been a reduction of more than 20 per cent in the number of people from the Republic visiting major tourist attractions like the Giant’s Causeway and Titanic Belfast. Photograph: Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images Brexit hits tourism numbers in Northern Ireland
The House of Lords EU committee heard that implementing Brexit’s Irish “protocol” was hampered by a “real lack of a very detailed guide as to what all this means”. Photograph: Getty Images No clarity in Brexit deal on how Irish Sea border will work, UK peers told
Simon Fraser says Europe has more experience negotiating trade deals than the UK. Irish reunification now on the table, former Foreign Office head says
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Photograph: Jean-Francois Badias/AP Von der Leyen ‘surprised’ at UK suggestion of Australia-style EU relationship
British prime minister Boris Johnson attends an awards ceremony held at the Banqueting House, London. Photograph: David Parry/PA Wire Northern Ireland-Scotland bridge being considered by British officials
Sterling was around €1.17 on Tuesday, and failed to recover fully from its previous day’s drubbing British pound the worst-performing major currency since the UK left the EU
A fishing trawler in the North Sea, off the coast of North Shields, in England. UK waters are critical fishing grounds for Irish trawlers. Photograph: William Edwards/AFP Irish fishing industry backs EU tying fishing rights to trade deal
Boris Johnson giving a speech at the Old Naval College in Greenwich on Monday. “In one field after another, Britain is far ahead,” he said. Photograph: Frank Augstein/Getty Images Johnson calls for Canada-style EU deal with no binding rules
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier published the European Commission’s Brexit negotiating mandate on Monday. Photograph: Bloomberg Barnier warns UK it will not be ‘business as usual’ after Brexit trade deal
Boris Johnson will tell the European Union he is prepared to accept border checks in a no-deal like scenario. Photograph: Paul Ellis/PA Wire. Johnson to tell EU he will accept border checks in case of no free-trade deal
Pro-Brexit supporters celebrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Friday. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA Brexit: Boris Johnson hails ‘new era’ as UK leaves EU after 47 years
DUP leader Arlene Foster remained steadfastly confident there would be no united Ireland. Photograph: Jonathan Porter/PressEye Arlene Foster welcomes Brexit but expresses concern on North’s status
Protesters from the campaign group Border Communities Against Brexit take part in a demonstration in Carrickarnon on the Irish border ahead of the UK’s departure from EU. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire. Pro-EU protests on Border as Brexit supporters cheer escape from federal ‘prison’
A poster near the Border in Newry, Co Down. Photograph: EPA/Aidan Crawley Sammy Wilson says UK will ‘break free from the EU prison’
Rita Duffy’s photomontage The Raft Project can be seen on the side of the Long Room Hub building at Trinity College Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw The art work that sums up the ‘complete and absolute apocalyptic confusion’ of Brexit
Even with CAP payments, farm income levels in the North “fell by 26 per cent in real terms” from £386m in 2018 to £290m in 2019, according to the North’s Department of Agriculture. Photograph: iStock Northern farmers ask Johnson for £300m to replace CAP payments
Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said ‘we are likely to see a minimalist trade deal in goods, which will do serious harm to the Irish economy’. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins. Howlin says Ireland now ‘vulnerable to the capricious politics of Boris Johnson’
Irish film Herself, developed from an idea by its lead actor and co-writer Clare Dunne and supported by Screen Ireland. Screen Ireland hopes for happy ending despite Brexit sadness
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to the media during a visit to Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Photograph: David Young/PA Wire Brexit should take priority over Irish unity - Corbyn
Britain’s PM Boris Johnson at Downing Street, London. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images Boris Johnson to promise to bring Britain together after Brexit
President Michael D Higgins warned that the EU must become ‘a key global actor of influence, and indeed of action’ in wider global crises or ‘it will continue to lose relevance, be perceived as weak’. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Higgins: New ‘European conversation’ on EU needed after Brexit
Billy Kelleher (pictured) told Tony Connelly his tweet was “a result of sadness over Brexit coming to pass”, Mr Connelly said. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons RTÉ’s Tony Connelly accepts apology from Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher
The bank estimated Britain’s economy would be able to grow at only an average rate of 1.1 per cent over the next three years without sparking damaging inflationary pressure. Photograph: Bloomberg Bank of England says prospects for UK economy lowest since second World War
Britain’s Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage holds a union flag during a European Parliament plenary session in Brussels on Wednesday. Photograph: John Thys/AFP MEPs overwhelmingly endorse Brexit deal giving UK go-ahead to leave EU
Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson says he will be mindful of the feelings of those who regret Brexit. Photograph: Jessica Taylor /AFP via Getty Images Boris Johnson promises to mark Brexit in ‘respectful way’
Even a free-trade agreement would result in the Irish economy being 3.2-3.9 per cent smaller. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien ‘Considerable disruption’ to trade looms even with post-Brexit accord
Phil Cone of Academy Crests in Cork. One way or another, he says, their product will be 12 per cent dearer after Brexit if there is no zero-tariff trade deal covering clothing. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision Brexit threatens UK-Ireland supply chains and business friendships
The British government is urging businesses to take action to be ready for a new trading environment by the end of the transition period on December 31st, 2020. Photograph: Hollie Adams/PA Wire Brexit delivering ‘significant’ boost to law firms in North
EU chief negotiator on Brexit Michel Barnier at Government Buildings in Dublin on Monday: ‘A new clock is ticking.’ Photograph: Tom Honan for The Irish Times Brexit: Michel Barnier says EU ‘will not turn its back’ on North
Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson: has not ruled out trading fishing rights for concessions in other areas post-Brexit. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas British PM rejects Varadkar suggestion more time needed
Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and European Commission chief Negotiator on Brexit Michel Barnier at Government Buildings in Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan EU will keep a seat free for UK if Brexit ‘does not work out’, says Varadkar
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meets European Commission Chief Negotiator on Brexit Michel Barnier at Government Buildings in Dublin on Monday. Photograph: Tom Honan. Varadkar blames British ignorance of Ireland for Brexit impasse
Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw Negotiating trade deal in 10 months will be difficult – McEntee
Despite Boris Johnson’s claim there would be ‘no forms, no checks, no barriers of any kind’ under his Brexit deal, companies are bracing themselves for having to fill out complex forms. Photograph: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg NI businesses fear burden of post-Brexit red tape on goods transport
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen (left) and President of the European Council, Charles Michel sign the agreement in Brussels, Belgium.Photograph: European Commission/PA Wire Brexit: European presidents sign withdrawal agreement
Tánaiste Simon Coveney briefs Irish journalists in Brussels on Monday, after a meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Photograph: John Thys/AFP via Getty Images Johnson suffers parliament defeat as Coveney outlines trade priorities
A Stormont official watches proceedings in the Northern Ireland Assembly Chamber on a television in the Great Hall at Stormont Buildings. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire NI Assembly votes to reject Brexit withdrawal deal
A report found nine out of 10 EU citizens in the UK would prefer a card over digital evidence of their rights. File photograph: Will Olivier/EPA Brexit: EU citizens want physical card to prove right to stay in UK
Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid says there will be an impact on business one way or the other, some will benefit, some won’t. Photograph: Peter Summers/Getty Images Britain’s chancellor says ‘no alignment’ with EU after Brexit
Big Ben: campaigners want its bell to chime for the first time since restoration work began in 2017 to mark Britain’s departure from the EU on January 31st. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA Fundraising drive under way to make Big Ben bong for Brexit
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has sent a letter to Tánaiste Simon Coveney concerning the rights of Irish/EU citizens in Northern Ireland. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons / The Irish Times Fianna Fáil MEP says he cannot vote for Brexit deal
Tourists enjoy an excursion around Dublin offered by Viking Splash Tours. File photograph: Getty British holidaymakers assured of no travel controls after Brexit
Tánaiste Simon Coveney on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. EU will not be rushed into trade deal ‘just because Britain passes law’, says Coveney
East Coast Bakehouse managing director Michael Carey: “The cash burn has ended, thankfully.” Photograph: Eric Luke East Coast Bakehouse seeks to raise another €5m in equity and debt
British prime minister Boris Johnson said the Stormont deal would restore ‘public confidence in stable devolved government’. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Boris Johnson says restoration of Stormont ‘a great step forwards’
Brexit Party MEP Claire Fox said: ‘I think that the status quo [at Stormont], as it was, and the political status quo, as it was, was not good enough.’ File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Brexit has ‘breathed new life’ into North’s politics, says MEP
Stephen Barclay, the UK’s Brexit secretary: “We will restore trust in this House and in our democracy. Once Brexit is delivered on 31st January, we can turn our eyes towards our other national priorities.” Photograph: EPA Johnson’s withdrawal agreement secures firm backing of House of Commons
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images EU's Barnier says it will take more than a year to agree full deal with UK
Boris Johnson greets EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen ahead of a meeting in Downing Street. Photograph: PA Johnson signals ‘no alignment’ with European Court of Justice
Sinn Féin said that ‘Westminster has never acted in Ireland’s interests and never will’. North’s MPs fail in bid to alter British government Brexit law
British Irish Chamber of Commerce director general John McGrane: he launched a framework document which makes key recommendations on how trade in services between the EU and UK could be preserved post-Brexit. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill Services sector described as ‘forgotten child’ of the Brexit process
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen delivering a speech at the London School of Economics on Wednesday. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images EU chief warns UK there ‘can be no compromise’ on single market
Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer Sajid Javid leaves after a cabinet meeting on Downing Street on Tuesday. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters No new money earmarked for North in UK’s first post-Brexit budget
UK prime minister Boris Johnson pledged in his general election manifesto promise to ‘get Brexit done’ by January 31st Up to 85% of Irish firms likely to be impacted by Brexit
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is set to met UK prime minister Boris Johnson along with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Downing Street on Wednesday. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Johnson to meet Von der Leyen and Barnier in Downing Street
Shoppers walk along Donegall Place in Belfast. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg Northern Ireland MPs unite in seeking changes to Brexit bill
Northern Ireland chamber of commerce president John Healy claims the lack of an executive at Stormont together with Brexit may further damage the local economy. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Brexit detail is key to NI commerce, business leader warns
Phil Hogan: “Dublin, London and Brussels need to be inclusive and careful in addressing the sensitivities of all stakeholders in Northern Ireland.” Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Phil Hogan: 'A no-deal Brexit would pour salt into the wounds'
European commissioner for trade Phil Hogan, at the Merrion Hotel, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times Johnson will abandon pledge on Brexit transition period - Hogan
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, earlier this month. Photograph: Patrick Seeger/EPA Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit timetable questioned by EU Commission president