Politics LIVE: ‘Pay to play!’ EU punishes British taxpayers for €150bn defence deal as Emmanuel Macron plunders fishing waters
WATCH NOW: Mark Francois predicts ‘major surrender’ to EU in ‘smokescreen’ post-Brexit deal
GB News
The European Union plans to punish British taxpayers by slapping them with a tough fee if UK officials want to have a say in a €150billion defence deal, ministers have been told.
As European leaders gather in London for a summit on May 19, the latest defence and security agreement - seen as making Britons 'pay to play' - is expected to take centre stage.
It will follow a humiliating blow to Sir Keir Starmer's negotiating skills after he allowed French President Emmanuel Macron better fishing rights for Europe in UK waters.
The British fishing community has recently voiced concerns that the PM would be in for another Brexit betrayal by using the fishermen as a "bargaining chip to be tossed overboard" to win favour with the bloc to boost negotiations in other policy areas.
Originally, the deal was that Starmer would hand over access to British waters for at least three years, British businesses - such as BAE Systems - will be allowed to bid and sign contracts for arms projects from Security Action For Europe (Safe) EU weapons fund.
But now it has been revealed that increased Parisian pressure has meant that the agreement will not grant an automatic right to bid on contracts for British companies.
"It will involve a ‘pay to play’ component and other terms and conditions," a European diplomat told The Times.
"Some countries want the UK in the game and others, the French are not enthusiastic."
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Mayoral candidate heads to poll with pooch
GETTY
Reform UK mayoral candidate Luke Campbell has cast his vote, bringing his dog, Lexi, along for the jaunt to the polling station in Hull.
Britain basks in toasty temperatures in what could be the hottest local election day EVER
PA/Met Office
Britain is set to bask in toasty temperatures in what could be the hottest local election day ever.
The Met Office has forecast that parts of the country could warm up to highs of 30 degrees today as voters cast their ballot.
PICTURED: Voting in full swing across nation
REUTERS
Voting underway in first parliamentary by-election since General Election
REUTERS
Voting is underway in the first parliamentary by-election since Labour's landslide win in the General Election last July.
One resident was pictured on her way to cast her vote in the Runcorn & Helsby constituency on Thursday morning.
The seat was up for grabs after ex MP Mike Amesbury resigned.
Kemi Badenoch urges voters to back Tories
X
Kemi Badenoch has taken to X to urge her followers to vote Conservative.
She wrote: "Polls are now open!
"Vote Conservative to protect the local services you rely on.
"Polls are open until 10pm. Don't forget your photo ID!"
Civil servants 'mislay' THOUSANDS of phones and laptops in just 12 months
Civil servants have lost or "mislaid" more than 3,000 official phones and laptops in the past 10 months.
The shocking figure equates to around losing 10 devices each day, The Telegraph calculated, fuelling concerns over potential security breaches.
The Ministry of Justice lost close to 1,000 devices, followed by the Ministry of Defence and then the Home Office.
Furry friend joins voter as owner heads to the polls
A woman and her dog leave a polling station in Rickmansworth, south west Hertfordshire
REUTERS
RECAP: Areas with councillor seats up for grabs
PA
Millions of voters head to the polls today to determine the fate of 23 local authorities, six mayoralties and the first parliamentary by-election since Labour won the last General Election.
Those casting their ballots today are:
- Lancashire
- Derbyshire
- Staffordshire
- Leicestershire
- Shropshire
- Warwickshire
- Worcestershire
- Gloucestershire
- Devon
- Cornwall
- Wiltshire
- Oxfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Hertfordshire
- Kent
- West Northamptonshire
- North Northamptonshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Lincolnshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Doncaster
- County Durham
- Northumberland
More than 11,000 small boat migrants have now crossed the Channel since the start of this year
The latest grim milestone comes just three days after the numbers crossing in 2025 passed 10,000
PAMore than 11,000 small boat migrants have now crossed the Channel since the start of the year.
The latest grim milestone comes just three days after the numbers crossing in 2025 passed 10,000.
It follows the arrival of another 300 migrants on Wednesday, who made the illegal journey from France.
More than 1,300 have crossed the Channel since Sunday.
Ed Davey takes to social media to tell voters to back Lib Dems
X
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has told voters to head to polls to back the Liberal Democrats.
Taking to X, he wrote: "If you've got elections today, vote Liberal Democrat.
"Vote for local champions who'll listen, stand up for your community, and get things done."
Local Elections 2025: What ID do I need to bring?
Polls are open from 7am until 10pm
GETTY
Here's a quick run through of what those heading to the polls need to make sure they have before they can cast their vote today.
All registered voters with a valid form of photo ID are eligible to vote.
More than 20 forms of ID are accepted, including:
- Passports
- Driving licences
- Older or Disabled Person's bus passes
- Oyster 60+ cards
- Armed Forces Veteran Cards (from May 1)
Nigel Farage tells voters to back Reform UK at the polls today
X
Keir Starmer urges Britons to vote Labour as polls open across swathes of England
X
EXCLUSIVE: Keir Starmer sparks fears of Brexit betrayal as deadline on EU deal looms: 'Do NOT sell us out'
Sir Keir Starmer has sparked fears of yet another Brexit betrayal as MSPs quiver at the possibility that the PM could buckle to EU pressure over British waters, Facts4EU and GB News can reveal.
While the deadline for UK-EU fisheries edges ever closer, the Scottish Parliament has erupted in a fiery debate as politicians demand that Labour will not capitulate to the economic bloc at an upcoming summit in May.
Earlier today, Holyrood politicians urged the SNP to axe support for the EU Common Fishes Policy in a bid to block Starmer from flirting with the possibility of selling out the British fishing community in a desperate attempt to win favour with his European colleagues.
Local Elections 2025: Polls are open
Polls opened at 7am this morning
PA
Voters across England are heading to the polls today as swathes of the nation begin to elect hundreds of councillors and six mayors.
A grand total of 1,641 councillors are due to be elected today across 23 local authorities in England in a huge test for each major political party since last year's General Election.
A parliamentary by-election is also being held in the constituency of Runcorn & Helsby after ex MP Mike Amesbury resigned.
The majority of the local seats up for grabs today were last election back in May 2021 when the Tories received a spike in popularity under Boris Johnson's leadership.
As a result, the Conservative Party is defending control over 19 of the 23 local authorities today.
You may like
