By Lucy Caulkett
Theresa May is about to propose a transitional deal with the EU of up to two years in a speech on Friday, a cabinet source has told BBC News.
The PM is reported to be expected to make an “open and generous” offer, potentially worth 20bn euros over the two years, according to BBC insiders.
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The move is bound to accelerate Brexit talks and end the deadlock that had so far blighted the chances of any progressive talks from continuing. May has presented her planned speech to her top advisers for consideration. It is believed that the big compromise would almost guarantee access to the single market and some forms of the customs union, in the process allowing Britain to strike its own trade deals.
Meanwhile, Michael Barnier, who is Europe’s top negotiator, has been increasing pressure on the British government to reach an agreement. Barnier was in Italy to attend a meeting of a Parliamentary Committee when he stressed that there was a limited period of a year to agree the principles of an orderly withdrawal from the United Kingdom, proposing to provide certainties where Brexit presents uncertainties”.
Barnier also expressed a desire for the conditions of a short transition period, and the future relationship between the EU and the Uk to be defined. The sooner we can record real sufficient progress on the conditions of the uk withdrawal, the sooner we can begin to discuss our future partnership.
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OFFICIAL
Ms May’s planned announcement is not an official position yet, and she is not expected to say how much Britain’s cash offer to the EU will be worth, nor confirm the exact arrangements for accessing the single market in her awaited speech. There will be no compromise or flexibility on the issue of the freedom of movement which May’s team are adamant will not be shifted under any circumstances in In Britain’s transition into Brexit. Up until recently, it wasn’t thought that the British prime minister would offer any money to the European Union, especially given the strong opposition against it and the allegations of extortionate measures by the EU.
Her decision to do so now is a positive sign of progression and higher clarity from her on moving forward, but the delay in getting this far has been problematic and disappointing. Objection to the payment of any kind of large sum was so strong in the cabinet for a long time that no progress appeared to be in sight for many months.
Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, has long been a staunch opponent of the idea of giving any money into the European Union as part of any fees, but is expected to line behind other Mp’s and the prime minister in announcing that this is the direction the government will be going. Real progress is finally being made, but this might just be the first step among other critical decisions to come
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