Daily Archives: March 8, 2022

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early a third of firms across Britains manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade sectors have suffered supply chain problems as the pandemic and Brexit wrought havoc, according to new figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 30% of businesses in those sectors reported global supply chain disruption in January, according to data from its regular business insights and conditions survey.

It signalled that 16% of all UK firms were hit by supply chain issues or as many as 26% when businesses with fewer than 10 employees are stripped out.

The woes have seen one in 20 UK businesses (5%) overhaul their supply chains due to the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31 2020, with some switching to UK suppliers, or EU suppliers with UK operations, and many diversifying their supply chains.

The desire to reduce offshore supply implies businesses in the UK might be looking to minimise risks from trade disruption, making their supply chains more resilient in the wake of EU exit and the coronavirus pandemic

The ONS data revealed that more than half (58%) of firms that have changed supply chains were using more UK suppliers since Brexit, although that is down from 71% earlier in the year.

British firms have been hit by a double whammy of Brexit fallout and pandemic pressures on supply chains, with sectors across most of the economy suffering staff shortages, shipping and distribution problems, and issues with the availability of a raft of materials and goods.

Omicron and lockdowns before Christmas compounded these problems, according to the ONS.

It said analysis of recent data shows that while global supply chain pressures are at historically high levels, there are signs that these may have peaked and started to moderate a little.

But there are fears that Russias invasion of Ukraine will further impact global shortages.

Hundreds of thousands of firms worldwide are believed to rely on Russian and Ukrainian suppliers, while there are worries the war will also lead to further shortages of semi-conductor chips as Ukraine supplies around 50% of rare gases critical to their production.

Global chip shortages have been hitting the new car market hard, leading to lengthy production delays and sending prices across the sector soaring.

Few sectors have emerged unscathed, however, by the worker and material shortages that have emerged since last summer as economies worldwide recovered from the pandemic.

The ONS said while there was clear evidence that both Brexit and the Covid-19 crisis have been taking their toll on supply chains, it is challenging to accurately measure to what extent business supply chains have been affected so far and, if so, whether they are likely to be permanent.

It added that the changes made to supplier bases may help with future shocks.

The desire to reduce offshore supply implies businesses in the UK might be looking to minimise risks from trade disruption, making their supply chains more resilient in the wake of EU exit and the coronavirus pandemic, according to the report.

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UK firms overhaul supply chains after Brexit and pandemic cause havoc ONS - Evening Standard

The government is considering using its new Brexit regulatory freedom to allow pesticides banned in the EU on food imported to the UK.

Brussels announced it was banning 10 pesticides on imported fruit and veg in February last year and the UK was at the time widely expected in to follow suit. But over a year later the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) says no decision has yet been made on whether Britain will follow the EU or continue to permit the chemicals on food.

All the pesticides have not been allowed for use by domestic farmers in either the UK or EU for some years, but were still allowed for imports from outside the bloc subject to maximum residue levels checked by border staff.

But last year Brussels regulation 2021/155 cut the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for all the chemicals to the lowest possible level allowed under EU law effectively banning their use on food destined for the continent.

The change was announced by the European Commission in February 2021 and took effect in September last year, but the UK has not yet decided whether to follow suit for most of the chemicals.

The chemicals in question are carbon tetrachloride, chlorothalonil, chlorpropham, ethoprophos, fenamidone, methiocarb, propiconazole and pymetrozine. Two further chemicals, dimethoate and omethoate, were also banned by the regulation and have also since been banned on food imported to the UK.

The eight chemicals that are still permitted on imports to the UK but not EU were banned for a variety of reasons: chlorothalonil, a fungicide, is considered potentially carcinogenic and is judged to be a possible groundwater contaminant.

Propiconazole, another fungicide used by American rice farmers, is considered toxic to reproduction, meaning it is classed as potentially dangerous to babies in the womb. Meanwhile chlorpropham, a chemical used to prevent potato sprouting by American farmers, is banned for domestic use in the EU and UK due to toxicity concerns.

The widespread use of the chemicals by US farmers and the foot-dragging by the UK government has raised eyebrows among campaigners, who are suspicious that the UK may be concerned banning the pesticides could jeopardise a future trade agreement with the US and other countries with lax standards.

The US rice industry described the ban on propiconazole as frustrating in April last year, while the countrys potato industry has described steps to restrict chlorpropham as disappointing.

The Defra press office declined to provide a quote for this article but confirmed that no decision had yet been taken on the eight chemicals that were as yet not banned for import to the UK. The department did not give a timescale but said decisions would be made in due course and independently of the EU.

Defra highlighted that it had taken action equivalent to the EU import ban on two of the chemicals, dimoethoate and omethoate, and said that decisions about which pesticides to permit on food were based on robust scientific assessments.

Friends of the Earth campaigner Kierra Box told The Independent: Weve known for years that these pesticides pose health risks, which is why the UK already has some restrictions in place to limit residues of these chemicals on imported food.

However, the EU has already tightened the rules, so why hasnt the UK followed suit?

Any suggestion that prospective trade deals with countries that commonly use these pesticides may have influenced delays to these reassessments would be deeply concerning.

We mustnt trade away health and environment safeguards for the sake of a few pounds or use the UKs newfound regulatory freedom to trash standards that protect people and planet, rather than raise them.

An investigation by Greenpeace's Unearthed unit published in February found that British companies had shipped more than 10,000 tonnes of banned pesticides overseas in 2020, including propiconazole.

Cars make their way along the flooded A1101 in Welney in Norfolk

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People hold placards as they take part in a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Trafalgar Square, London

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Volunteers help sort through fresh donations after more than 500 boxes of essential supplies were gathered by Parenting Network at Portsmouth Guildhall

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Commuters wait to get on a bus near Liverpool Street Station as all London Underground lines are suspended after thousands of workers began strike action in London

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Rend Platings and her husband Michael outside their home in Cambridge, which they have painted in the colours of the Ukraine flag in a show of support for friends in the country

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Players take part in the Royal Shrovetide Football Match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, which has been played in the town since the 12th century

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Donations at the Klub Orla Bialego (White Eagle Club) in Balham, south London, made by members of the public, prior to their aid convoy setting off to Ukraine in aid of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion

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People protest in front of the National Gallery in London against Russias massive military operation in Ukraine

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George in the stands during the Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, London

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People head to St Marys Cathedral to light candles after a demonstration outside the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine

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People protest against the Russian invasion on Ukraine outside Downing Street in London

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Swimmers from Hampstead Ponds cross the road in their swimming costumes outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, as they await the result of a judicial review brought by Christina Efthimiou over whether the charges for bathing at the ponds in Hampstead Heath unlawfully discriminate against disabled people

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Runners line up for the start of The Anshin Security Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle at Taunton Racecourse

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Shoes on display at the ROKER AW22 presentation at London Fashion Week, in London

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The waters of the River Severn in edge towards homes in Ironbridge, Shropshire, as more wet and windy weather is set to sweep the UK. Storm Franklin is set to strike the UK just days after Storm Eunice destroyed buildings and left 1.4 million homes without power

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Damaged caused to home of Dominic Good, in Stondon Massey, near Brentwood, Essex, after a 400-year-old oak tree in his garden was uprooted by Storm Eunice.

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Activists from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) protest against the use of feathers in clothing, ahead of London Fashion Week

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Waves crashing on the seafront at Blackpool before Storm Dudley hits the north of England

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Hailey Duff, left, Vicky Wright, centre and Jennifer Dodds in action for Great Britsin during their womens curling round robin match against Japan at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Team GB sealed a 10-4 victory

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Members of the Household Cavalry walk past Wellington Arch and a large inflatable heart, on Valentine's Day in London

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People in costume attend the Whitby Steampunk Weekend in Yorkshire

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People in Parliament Square, London, take part in the People's Assembly nationwide protest about cost of living crisis

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Romney sheep graze the grass around the dormant vines at Nyetimber's Manor Vineyard at West Chiltington in West Sussex. The herd from a local farm form part of Nyetimber's sustainability program and are utilised for vineyard maintenance, keeping the grass low, reducing the risk of frost, maintaining grass leys on the estate and saving the cost of fuel for mowing

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Alice Wyllie looks at projections featuring details of some of the illustration plates during the press view for Audubon's Birds of America exhibition at the National Museum Of Scotland, Edinburgh

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New arrival Upendi and mother Cheka in the bonobo enclosure at Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire

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Workers move a crate containing Season's Greetings by street artist Banksy from a retail unit at Ty'r Orsaf, Port Talbot, prior to its journey to a temporary storage unit at an undisclosed location

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Dog walkers enjoy the early morning sunrise at Tynemouth Beach in North Tyneside, on the north east coast of England

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A Leicester City invades the pitch as Nottingham Forest celebrate scoring their sides third goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at the City Ground, Nottingham

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Stadium staff remove a flare from the pitch during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at Selhurst Park

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"The Nuba Survival" is a five-metre-tall statue of two skeletons locked in an embrace in Checkendon, Oxfordshire. The statue was created by local artist John Buckley

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Kew horticulturists attending to the Rising sun display at the Kew Orchid Festival: Costa Rica, at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, west London

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Protesters campaign against corruption in London

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Lorries queue for the Port of Dover in Kent, as the Dover TAP is enforced due to the high volume of lorries waiting to cross the Channel

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Nelson Beaumont-Laurencia applies finishing touches to a sculpture of a tiger, commissioned byManchester Business Improvement District to celebrate the Chinese New Year, is unveiled in St Anns Square

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A house on Overhill terrace in Gateshead, lost its roof on 29 January after strong winds from Storm Malik battered northern parts of the UK

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A newly painted bicycle sign is seen on the middle of the road at Westminster Bridge, as the new Highway Code rules start today together with giving pedestrians priority at junctions

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School children take part in a rally in support of British Sign Language becoming a recognised language in the UK, outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, as the British Sign Language Private Members Bill, introduced by Rosie Cooper MP, reaches its second reading in the House

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A rare six-week-old southern white rhino calf called Zawadi, explores her paddock for the first time at Africa Alive! in Lowestoft

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson jogs with his dog Dilyn, in London

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A member of staff looks at Francis Bacons work Second Version of Triptych 1944 on display in the Francis Bacon: Man and Beast exhibition at the the Royal Academy of Arts in London

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Rowers (front to back) Charlotte Irving, Kat Cordiner and Abby Johnston, on their way to shatter the world record for rowing across the Atlantic

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A grey seal pup on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as the pupping season draws to a close at one of the UKs most important sites for the mammals

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UK considers using Brexit freedom to allow pesticides banned in EU on food - The Independent

Brexit: Fishing industry was 'sacrificed' by government says Deas

In the past six months the relationship between the UK and France has been fraught with tension as both sides try to agree on post-Brexit fishing rights.Since the beginning of last year, EU member state boats need a licence to fish in UK and Jersey waters, while UK boats need a licence to fish in EU waters.Licences are granted to boats that can prove they have fished in a particular area between February 2017 and January 2020, but some vessels have found this more difficult to prove than others.

In October lastyear, dozens of French boats were denied a licence and since then tensions have escalated, with France having made various threats as to what would happen if more licences were not issued.

French fishermen even took action into their own hands in November, by blocking British boats access to French ports and blocking trucks at the Eurotunnel freight terminal.

In the Brexit deal both sides agreed to an adjustment period, where 25 percent of EU fishing rights in UK waters would be transferred to the UK over five years.

The amount of fish the EUisallowed to catch in UK waters will be reduced by 15 percent in the first year, and by 2.5 percent each subsequent year, with an end date of June 30 2026.

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Dr Bull, who is Deputy Leader of Reform UK, previously known as the Brexit Party, insisted that this six year timeline was too long and claimed former UK Prime Minister Theresa May had merely complied with the EUs demands.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: Theresea May was the wrong Prime Minister, and what she did was she agreed to the timeline set by the European Union.

It was a trap from the word go.

When asked to reflect on the current Governments handling of fishing since Brexit, Dr Bull facetious said: Yes weve reduced the licences by three boats or something. Its pathetic.

According to the BBC, it is estimated that the UK will have access to an extra145millionof fishing quota every year by 2026.

In 2019 British vessels caught850millionworth of fish inside UK waters.

Dr Bull, who campaigned and voted for the UK to leave the European Union, was deeply critical of a number of other elements of the agreed Brexit deal.

He labelled the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has disrupted trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as ridiculous and catastrophic.

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The UK and EU agreed that inspections and documents checks for goods delivered between Northern Ireland and Great Britain would not take place along the Irish border.

This led to criticism that a trade border had essentially been created in the Irish Sea.

Dr Bull said: Weve ended up in this ridiculous situation where the United Kingdom has been carved up.

Could you imagine taking a bit of Spain off? It would be untenable. A bit of France?

Taking Northern Ireland out of the United Kingdom and putting an artificial border in the Irish Sea, I think is catastrophic.

The whole point about not creating a hard border on the island or Ireland, yes I get that, and the Good Friday Agreement I get all of that.

But essentially this Prime Minister has threatened the integrity of the United KIngdom and I think thats unforgivable.

Dr Bull was scathing of Boris Johnson and his Government for not taking advantage of the extraordinary Brexit vote.

He also raged at what he said were broken tax promises and insisted that the cost of living crisis must be addressed as a priority.

Dr Bull said: I think the current Government has just doubled down on where the European Union is.

Were now a high tax, high regulation, low growth economy and you can see that with the fact weve got inflation rising, national insurance coming in, our tax bills coming up This isnt what people voted for.

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Brexit fishing row as agreed adjustment period with EU 'trap': Pathetic!' - Express

The outbreak of war in Ukraine has put an end to the public rhetoric over the mechanism created by the Brexit withdrawal agreement.But behind the scenes today, UK officials will make a renewed push for change.

The Protocol effectively places a border down the Irish Sea, with goods travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland required to undergo customs checks.

Unionists argue the checks are devastating the UK's internal market by creating frictions to trade from one part of the union to another.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and her EU counterpart Maro efovi had been meeting weekly in a bid to find a compromise over the way the Protocol was operated.

However, they have not met since Russia's invasion of its neighbour.

READ MORE:'We are watching' EU warns over financial regulatory reform

Both figureheads have found all their time dedicated to the crisis, as well as wanting to present a united front to Putin's aggression.

Despite the absence of the two politicians, talks will continue as negotiators meet in a body known as the Specialised Committee.

Prior to the breakout of war, Britain had been threatening to trigger Article 16 of the Protocol to legally suspend customs checks, unless the EU agreed to its demands for a wider renegotiation of the mechanism.

Brussels warned such an action would lead to a trade war between Britain and the continent.

It is unclear if the UK is still ready to take such action, with no public threats made since Russia launched its insurgence of Ukraine.

Ministers are under pressure not to let the war become an excuse for a failure to progress in talks.

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Speaking at a Conservative event in Belfast last week, Tory MP Steve Baker described the protocol as "unfinished business".

"Any suggestion that Putin has vetoed action to restore our constitutional settlement is outrageous," he said.

"Brexiteers, rightly, would be shamed into silence if we attempted this ludicrous argument in reverse.

"Violence doesnt have a veto.

"Neither Putins in Ukraine nor any closer to home.

"It has been reprehensible how many supporters of the Northern Ireland Protocol have prayed in aid violence, and threats of it, to support their cause. Thats not how we do things.

"I am confident that the EU is not going to start a trade war with us, let alone try and force Dublin to erect additional border infrastructure it doesnt want.

"Liz Truss must act now to keep promises made to Northern Irish and Conservative MPs."

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Crunch Brexit showdown TODAY as UK to clash with EU and demand urgent changes - Express

The taunt came after Lord Frost announced the publication of an article stating the West must learn from lessons of the past when it comes to Russia. With Russian President Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine, and the international response to the crisis delivering mixed replies, Lord Frost suggests unity is key in defeating Putin.

Writing in The Telegraph, Lord Frost said: In the last fortnight, the lofty intellectual edifice of Western diplomacy and Western illusions about the world has suffered a similar catastrophe.

Sober handling and great statesmanship are now needed.

We are right to work closely with the EU and our Nato allies. We should keep sending defensive weapons, keep up the sanctions squeeze, and make the life of Russias elites as painful as possible but also be open to off-ramps and work to find ways to defuse the crisis.

Lord Frost ended by saying: The lesson we must take is the world is dangerous.

There are people who want to harm us. We must not pretend the world is something it is not and we must act accordingly.

However, Lord Adonis hit back.

Answering directly to Lord Frosts promotion of his article on Twitter, Lord Adonis simply said: The big lesson is how wrong you were on Brexit.

Several other sources have blamed Brexit for a host of issues, yet whilst the world calls for unity in the face of Moscow, remainer Lord Adonis has raised the issue once again.

A recent Tweet by Mr Adonis read: Even most Tory leaders now realise Ukraine shows Brexit to have been not merely an error but a catastrophe.

READ MORE:Lord Adonis upset over Brexiteers supporting Ukraines plea to join EU

With the Government currently on its fifth Brexit Minister in six years, the debate is still ongoing as to the success of leaving the European Union.

Yet, Britain still plays a fundamental part in the actions being taken against Russia when partnering with the EU.

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Earlier this week, the British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss played a pivotal role in talks with EU, NATO and G7 officials in Brussels.

This too received an array of comments as many asked why the EU had invited British officials into EU meetings.

Lord Frost has yet to reply to Lord Adonis tweet.

Read this article:

'How wrong you were on Brexit' Adonis looks to spark bitter war of words with Frost attack - Express

After the UK left the EU Britons access to Spain changed in various ways, both for expats and those visiting the country. Since the Brexit transition period came to an end just over two years ago, UK travellers have only been permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days at a time during any 180-day period. For longer stays, UK nationals require a visa or a residence permit issued by the host country.

Not only have travellers to Spain been affected by the new restrictions, but also those who own property in the coastal state.

Non-resident UK nationals with property which they use themselves are now required to pay the IRNR tax.

The Spanish name for the tax is the Impuesto de la renta de no residentes, declaracin ordinaria.

This Spain-specific tax is charged at 24 percent for non-EU nationals and 19 percent for citizens from the bloc.

British councillor Bill Anderson, who moved to Spain nearly 20 years ago, told Express.co.uk that Spains restrictions on Britons post-Brexit may mean that British buyers will look elsewhere in Europe to snap up their dream home in the sun.

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Mr Anderson, a councillor for Spains PP party in Mijas on the Costa del Sol, suggested Cyprus and Malta could be more attractive to prospective real estate investors.

He said: People are saying, If Ive got all these restrictions why buy in Spain.

Portugal is giving tax breaks Ill buy in Cyprus, Ill buy in Malta.

I think from that perspective there are going to be those in the future that may not invest in Spain.

The councillor said he expected Britons, who have been expats in Spain for years, to remain in the country despite Brexit.

What we will see without a doubt is a change in the kind of profile of Brits that come to Spain in the future and buy in Spain in the future.

Those who own property in Spain to rent out are also facing post-Brexit implications, now required to pay the EUs non-resident income tax rate of 24 percent on their earnings from letting out their homes.

This is an increase on the 19 percent rate Britons were charged across the EU before Brexit.

British owners of property in Spain can no longer offset costs, such as cleaning and maintenance.

Mr Anderson added: I think the profile of people that can now come and live in Spain has changed dramatically.

Because were subject to the same rules as any third nation.

I know a number of families over the last few years who have gone back theyve worked very hard to try and earn a living down here.

Especially on the Costa del Sol, where people think paying you 1,000 is a good salary, when it costs you 800 to rent an apartment.

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British expats tipped for Spanish exodus over Brexit red-tape: 'All these restrictions!' - Express

The Real Britain host questioned whether British production needed to be bolstered in the wake of supply chain disruptions from China during the pandemic and a potential energy crisis as a result of the Ukraine invasion. This comes as Brexiteers face more frustration as the triggering of Article 16 may be delayed due to the fraught situation in Europe.

Mr Grimes tweeted: We found out during the pandemic that were much too reliant upon Chinese supply chains.

Were now finding out that were much too dependent on others for our energy needs and even our food supply.

Is it time that we look to bolster Britains supply of such things?

He followed this tweet with another suggestion on the social media platform about how Britain could create its own energy.

However the close connections between the UK markets and European ones mean that any price increase over there could still affect us significantly.

European natural gas analyst Leon Izbicki from Energy Aspects told Reuters: The price move today is not based on fundamental changes to the European gas balances.

The main driver behind the sharp rise in the TTF (Title Transfer Facility) is a perceived increase in the risk of European sanctions targeting Russian energy exports.

The Title Transfer Facility is a Dutch virtual trading point for natural gas.

See more here:

Boris told to free Brexit Britain from shackles of China and Russia - Too reliant - Express

Irish businesses are seeking to reduce their dependency on the UK market amid concerns about the imposition of further Brexit-related checks or red-tape measures, according to Grant Thornton Irelands latest international business report.

The survey of 62 mid-size Irish businesses found that over a quarter (27 per cent) were endeavouring to reduce their exports to the UK while 21 per cent were trying to reduce their reliance on UK suppliers.

Since the UKs departure from the EU, imports from Britain into the Republic have slumped while there has been a pick-up in North-South trade, suggesting some firms here are using the North as a workaround.

Trade bodies are, however, warning that further post-Brexit border controls due to come into force in June could cause long delays at UK ports, further hampering trade.

With many Irish businesses reducing their exports to the UK, Ireland is looking towards the US, where it has identified the greatest market opportunity for the coming 12 months, highlighting a shift in priority from last year, where Irish businesses identified the UK as having the greatest market opportunity, Grant Thorntons report said.

Despite the additional challenges posed by Brexit, Irish businesses still identify the UK as the main territory for revenue growth over the coming year, which indicated that despite the red tape and additional paperwork associated with Brexit, the UK will still remain a key market for Irish businesses, the report.

Amid the current surge in inflation, almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of Irish businesses surveyed said they expected to increase selling prices over the coming 12 months.

While the results of the International Business Report reflect a consistent trend of concern for Irish businesses five years after the British referendum to leave the EU, many Irish businesses have employed additional resources to deal with the realities of Brexit, Jarlath OKeefe, head of indirect taxes at Grant Thornton Ireland, said.

Irish businesses are looking to explore alternative markets within the EU, United States and China as they look to decrease dependency on the UK market, he said.

While it is a challenging time for Irish businesses amid rising inflation, labour market shortages and Brexit bureaucracy, it is promising to see that 85 per cent of businesses are optimistic for the coming 12 months and are channelling resources into exploring alternative non-domestic markets for business growth, he said.

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Irish businesses seek to reduce dependency on UK ahead of more Brexit red tape - The Irish Times

Boris Johnson has been urged to get tough on Emmanuel Macron after the latter announced he was standing for re-election as French President. Mr Macron looks likely to win the election in April with recent polls putting him well ahead in the presidential race. English media personality Christine Hamilton told GB News that Britain had to accept Mr Macron will win the election and prepare to "get tough" on the French leader over Brexit tensions.

GB News host Mark Dolan asked whether "we can really face another four or five years of Macron".

Ms Hamilton responded: "It is going to happen but we just need to grab the Brexit dividend and ignore all the threats from Macron.

"We have started on that after we appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg as minister for Brexit opportunities, finally getting us out of Europe properly.

"We need to call their bluff. We just did a deal with New Zealand. We don't need French cheese, we don't need French wine."

She called President Macron's ambition of an EU army "another one of his vanity projects"

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She also described him as "an egomaniac with a Napoleon complex".

Ms Hamilton continued: "We need to get tough. So far we have done absolutely nothing. We have allowed ourselves to be walked over by Macron, it seems.

Mark Dolan said that President Macron "is an arch-Remainer who will do anything to punish us for Brexit," adding "I think he wants us back in".

Ms Hamilton replied: "I'm perfectly certain he does, anyone would want us back in the club, but all this Government has got to do is go for that Brexit dividends.

"No wonder we are afraid of Macron. Too many people in the political class in this country agree with him, that we should crawl back and say we made a terrible mistake."

Despite Ms Hamilton's demands, it appears as if the Russian invasion into Ukraine could provide space for cooperation between the two sides, rather than hostility.

Joo Vale de Almeida, the European Unions ambassador to Britain, said: "In the two years I have been here, I dont think I have seen such intensity and quality in our relationship as I have in the last two weeks."

He said that Liz Trusss recent attendance to Brussels to discuss the Russian-Ukraine conflict was very meaningful and symbolic".

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said that the attendance showed that Britain was working very closely with European partners.

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'Stop getting walked over' Boris urged to 'get tough' with Macron after French election - Express

Date Published: 08/03/2022

This arrangement lasted successfully for decades, with Gibraltar sending 30,000 tons of rubbish to the Los Barrios landfill every year. But since the beginning of 2022 piles of trash have had to be stored on the Rock because the UKs exit from the European Union has meant the waste could not be brought across the border.

The Government of Gibraltar has been forced to use crushing machinery to compact the waste in order to make more space and to try and prevent it falling in the sea and causing an environmental disaster.

However, this solution has been provisional, as has the authorisation of the Spanish Ministry of the Environment, necessary for the transfer of the 6,000 tons of MSW, which was already beginning to be packed last week.

Now, though, the Government of Spain has given the green light to permits for the transport and disposal of garbage in the Southern Europe Environmental Complex once again, and Gibraltar will have to make up for the backlog and clear over two months worth of trash.

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Mounds Of Trash Stranded On Gibraltar Because Of Brexit - Murcia Today