Michel Barnier has warned he “cannot guarantee” there will be a Brexit trade accord as Brussels saw Wednesday as its deadline to seal an agreement and sterling fell on no-deal fears.
The EU’s chief negotiator told the bloc’s national ambassadors and MEPs that important sticking points remained ahead of UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s stocktaking call with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at 4pm on Monday.
In closed-door meetings on Monday morning, Mr Barnier said that about 10 hours of talks with his UK counterpart David Frost and his team on Sunday had failed to yield breakthroughs on the main outstanding issues of fishing rights in UK waters and fair competition rules for business.
He dismissed claims that a deal on fisheries was at hand, despite negotiators working until midnight, and insisted that talks remained difficult. He told MEPs that the talks were in their final days, with Wednesday the effective deadline, according to one participant at the meeting.
“The outcome is still uncertain, it can still go both ways,” said one diplomat following Mr Barnier’s briefings. “The EU is ready to go the extra mile to agree on a fair, sustainable and balanced deal . . . It is for the UK to choose between such a positive outcome or a no-deal outcome.”
Sterling lost more than 1 per cent against both the euro and dollar on Monday, on track for its worst one-day performance since September, amid news that the talks remained on a “knife-edge”.
Negotiations resumed on Monday, with time critically short to get a deal in time for the end of Britain’s post-Brexit transition period on December 31. EU leaders meet in Brussels for a planned summit on Thursday.
In parallel with the negotiations, UK Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove arrived in Brussels to discuss the implementation of last year’s divorce treaty with the EU, including its arrangements for avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Increasing the strain on this week’s talks is Mr Johnson’s decision to press ahead with two contentious pieces of legislation that violate the terms of the EU withdrawal agreement. British MPs are expected on Monday to reinstate treaty-breaking clauses in the government’s internal market bill, while on Wednesday the House of Commons will hold its second reading of the taxation bill that also violates the withdrawal deal.
The UK government argues the new laws are necessary to safeguard intra-UK trade in case future-relationship negotiations fail with Brussels. But EU chiefs, such as European Council president Charles Michel, have warned that ratification of any future-relationship agreement will be impossible unless the UK scraps the controversial clauses.
Mr Barnier suggested to MEPs that he believed the offending provisions would be dropped if there were a trade deal.
On the question of fisheries the UK is resisting EU demands for countries such as France and Belgium to retain their historic fishing rights in the area six to 12 nautical miles off the British coast. The two sides are also still negotiating over the length of a multi-year transition period during which access for EU fishing boats to UK waters would be safeguarded.
EU diplomats said that a new complication had arisen because of British demands relating to the ownership of UK-registered fishing vessels.
Mr Barnier told MEPs that the UK was still resisting Brussels’ demands that European companies be able to challenge the British government before UK courts if London broke its commitments to a “level playing field” for EU and UK companies.
The EU is continuing to ask for clear guarantees from Britain that the treaty’s restrictions on the use of state aid can be enforced, including by making sure illegal subsidies are reimbursed. Mr Barnier said this was a problem for sectors such as energy and aviation.
Brussels also wants the right to take unilateral action to restrict UK access to the EU market in response to level playing field violations.
COVID ID cards won't be a "ticket" to a football match or the pub, a minister has said.
Foreign Office minister James Cleverly has said today the rollout of cards showing whether Brits have had the vaccine won't be used as immunity passport.
50 UK hubs have been delivered with batches of the Pfizer vaccineCredit: AFP
James Cleverly said the ID cards won't be used as "tickets" to football matches or the pub
The card will be handed to every Brit to get the JabCredit: PA:Press Association
Mr Cleverly told TalkRadio this morning it will not be the Government's policy for the ID cards to be seen as a "ticket" to a football match or a restaurants.
And he added: "We will make sure the private sector understand that fully."
Mr Cleverly repeatedly refused to label the new the new ID cards w as "passports" which would give people the freedom to return to their normal lives, and won't be used to let people into the pub.
He said the vaccine rollout would "unlock" people's lives and the economy.
He stressed the most important thing was getting the vaccine rolled out to as many people as possible, as fast as possible.
"I think everyone would agree, the most important thing is to ensure we can use the vaccination program to protect the most vulnerable, protect our key workers and get back to normal.
"For us the priority is making sure this program will allow us to get back to normality."
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested last week passports would be used to let people into private venues.
He told the BBC: "I think you'll probably find that restaurants and bars and cinemas and other venues, sports venues, will probably also use that system.
But today he clarified, telling Spectator TV that "there will not be an immunity passport".
He said: "We are not looking at immunity passports at all."
“The absolute focus is to make sure we vaccinate the nine categories that the joint committee has stipulated.
"The sooner we do that, the sooner we can get back to normal life.”
The vaccine minister said he "misspoke" when he said they could be used as passports.
The roll out of the Pfizer vaccine will begin tomorrow, with the elderly and most vulnerable to be given a jab first.
Information on the credit card-sized ID items will include the type of vaccine, its batch number and date it was administered.
A bolded-up message reminds patients to note the date of their crucial follow-up dose.
The details plus the patient’s personal information will then be registered on an NHS database.
Ministers have stressed the vaccine will not be mandatory.
Former minister and Tory MP David Jones told the MailOnline the cards should not be used to stop people going back to normal life, and Boris Johnson should legislate if venues try to use them as "passports".
He said: "It should be an entirely free decision (to carry a card). I think people should be vaccinated but I don’t think they should be influenced by whether they can get into a restaurant or get into a theatre.
"That is the danger of having things like this. People may well be told, well you can’t come in unless you produce your card. I don’t think that is right."
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove last week slapped down suggestions there would any kind of "immunity passport" to allow people to go back to normal once they have had the coronavirus vaccine.
It is possible some airlines will not let people who have not been vaccinated on board.
Mr Cleverly said this morning it some countries already required people to be vaccinated for disease such as yellow fever upon entry.
As many as 20 countries around the world required proof of a yellow fever vaccination before travellers are allowed to visit.
Australian national airline Qantas has already said people must have been vaccinated to fly.
The first of 50 UK hubs received the vaccine yesterday as an NHS boss declared it was “the beginning of the end” of coronavirus.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam warned last week people will not immediately be allowed to go back to normal once they have been vaccinated.
The majority of the population will need to have had the jab in order for life to be "unlocked" properly, and this could stretch out into the Spring.
The UK is expecting to receive up to four million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the end of the month, according to health bosses.
June Raine, boss of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), urged everyone to get their jab — proved to be 95 per cent effective — and to ignore wild conspiracy theories.
She said the vaccine will allow the country to finally “turn the corner” — after a devastating year that has seen more than 61,000 Covid-related deaths.
A batch of the vaccine being unloaded at Croydon University Hospital
A pharmacy technician from Croydon Health Services takes delivery of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccinations to be delivered to the areaCredit: PA:Press Association
Staff spent all weekend preparing for tomorrow’s launchCredit: PA:Press Association
The streets were crammed with Christmas shoppers outside Harrods on SundayCredit: 2020 � Elliott Franks
In all the Government has secured 40million doses — enough for 20million people.
It must be stored at -70C before being defrosted. Extra time is then needed to prepare it for injection.
There are also limits on the number of times it can be moved.
Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said only hospitals currently have the infrastructure to store it.
But she told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday that NHS trusts are working with the MHRA to get them distributed more closely to care homes for those residents.
Yesterday, health centres urged Brits not to contact them following a surge of inquiries about when they might be eligible.
South London GP Dr Rosemary Leonard, a regular on BBC Breakfast, tweeted: “Please, don’t call your surgery asking for a Covid vaccine.
Shoppers on London's Oxford Street braved the cold for the first weekend of shopping since the latest restrictions were liftedCredit: DANIEL JONES IMAGES
Britain's 350million Covid vaccine doses
THE government has ordered 350million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, with some ready to roll out by December 1.
This includes 40million doses of the promising Pfizer shot, which was revealed to be 90 per cent effect last week.
These are the other vaccines which the government has pre-ordered:
Oxford/AstraZeneca: 100million doses A weakened virus that causes colds in chimpanzees, it has been shown to generate a strong immune response against Covid-19.
It has been genetically changed so that it is impossible for it to grow in humans, making it safe for children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions.
Currently in phase-3 trials in the UK, USA, South Africa, Japan, Brazil and Kenya, more than 50,000 test patients have been given the vaccine. Early reviews have shown it to be safe.
A company in Australia has already started making millions of vials in the expectation that trials will be successful.
Novavax: 60million doses
Contains purified piece of the virus that causes Covid-19. When it is administered, the body recognises it as “foreign” and mounts a protective immune response.
It has been shown to generate more antibodies than in patients recovering from severe Covid-19 infections.
Currently in phase-3 clinical trials in the UK and USA.
GSK/Sanofi: 60million doses
Uses the same protein as one of Sanofi’s seasonal flu vaccines coupled with a booster.
In phase-1 clinical trials but early results have been positive.
Valneva: 60million doses An inactivated whole virus vaccine designed to prompt the body into creating high levels of Covid-19 antibodies.
The government has invested in Valneva’s manufacturing facility in Livingston, Scotland, to create a major UK vaccine factory.
Currently in pre-trial research, with trials due to start in December.
Pfizer/BioNTech: 40million doses
Prevents Covid-19 infection by targeting the virus’s “spike protein”, effectively disabling it before it can cause any damage.
Tested on 40,000 patients, it is currently in phase-3 trials, but the first interim analysis has shown it is 90 per cent effective.
Janssen: 30million doses
Uses a modified common cold virus to act like a Trojan horse that can deploy the Covid-19 virus’s “spike protein” to human cells, causing the body to generate antibodies.
Phase-3 trials among 60,000 patients were recently halted temporarily after an unexplained illness in one volunteer. Trials have since resumed.
= 350million doses in total
“We have not got them in stock yet and don’t know when they are going to arrive. When we do, we will call the most vulnerable patients as soon as we can.”
Her words were echoed by the NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group and a health centre in Bildeston, Suffolk.
They pleaded: “Please be patient. We will promote details when we have them.”
Michel Barnier has warned he “cannot guarantee” there will be a Brexit trade accord as Brussels eyed Wednesday as its deadline to seal an agreement and sterling fell on fears that no deal would be struck.
The EU’s chief negotiator, told the bloc’s national ambassadors and MEPs that key sticking points remained ahead of Boris Johnson’s stocktaking call with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Monday evening.
In closed door meetings on Monday morning, Mr Barnier said that around 10 hours of talks with his UK counterpart David Frost and his team on Sunday had failed to yield breakthroughs on the main outstanding issues of fishing rights in UK waters and fair competition rules for business.
He dismissed claims that a deal on fisheries was at hand, despite negotiators working until midnight, and insisted that talks remained difficult. He told MEPs that the talks were now in their final days, with Wednesday the effective deadline, according to one participant at the meeting.
“The outcome is still uncertain, it can still go both ways,” said one diplomat following Mr Barnier’s briefings. “The EU is ready to go the extra mile to agree on a fair, sustainable and balanced deal . . . It is for the UK to choose between such a positive outcome or a no deal outcome.”
Sterling lost more than 1 per cent against both the euro and dollar on Monday, on track for its worst one-day performance since September, on news that the talks remained on a “knife-edge”.
Negotiations resumed on Monday, with time now critically short to get a deal in time for the end of Britain’s post-Brexit transition period on December 31. EU leaders meet in Brussels for a planned summit on Thursday.
In parallel to the negotiations, UK Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove arrived in Brussels to discuss the implementation of last year’s divorce treaty with the EU, including its arrangements for avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Increasing the strain on this week’s talks is Mr Johnson’s decision to press ahead with two contentious pieces of legislation that violate the terms of the EU withdrawal agreement. British MPs are expected on Monday to reinstate treaty-breaking clauses in the government’s internal market bill, while on Wednesday the House of Commons will hold its second reading of the taxation bill that also violates the withdrawal deal.
The UK government argues the new laws are necessary to safeguard intra-UK trade in case future-relationship negotiations fail with Brussels. But EU chiefs, such as European Council president Charles Michel, have warned that ratification of any future-relationship agreement will be impossible unless the UK scraps the controversial clauses.
Mr Barnier suggested to MEPs that he believed the offending provisions would be dropped if there were a trade deal.
Outstanding issues include disagreements on fisheries, with the UK resisting EU demands for countries such as France and Belgium to retain their historic fishing rights in the area six to 12 nautical miles off the British coast. The two sides are also still negotiating over the length of a multiyear transition period during which access for EU fishing boats to UK waters would be safeguarded.
EU diplomats said that a new complication had arisen because of British demands relating to the ownership of UK registered fishing vessels.
Mr Barnier told MEPs that the UK is still resisting Brussels’ demands that European companies be able to challenge the British government before UK courts if London breaks its commitments to a “level playing field” for EU and UK companies.
The EU is continuing to ask for clear guarantees from Britain that the treaty’s restrictions on the use of state aid can be enforced, including by making sure illegal subsidies are reimbursed. Mr Barnier said this was a problem for sectors such as energy and aviation.
Brussels also wants the right to take unilateral action to restrict UK access to the EU market in response to level playing field violations.
COVID-19 vaccines could be airlifted to the UK next year if Brexit trade talks collapse and cause delays at Channel crossings.
The government is hoping to receive millions of doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by the end of the year, with the first vaccinations due to begin this week.
However, the NHS doesn't expect to vaccinate the majority of people until next year.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is produced in Belgium before being transported to the UK and distributed among hospitals.
Image:The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is produced in Belgium
The Road Haulage Association has warned a failure to agree an EU-UK trade deal by the end of this month, when the Brexit transition period ends, could see "significant disruption" up to 12 months.
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But Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told Sky News the government had plans to "absolutely ensure" the continued supply of coronavirus vaccines, even in the event of a no-deal outcome.
He told Kay Burley: "We've got extensive plans in place to ensure the protection of that vaccine supply.
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"As you can imagine, that is the absolute priority product and we are committed to make sure that we will get that vaccine supply to the UK.
"We have looked at use of non-commercial flights, we've got border arrangements in place."
Mr Cleverly did not set out the details of the government's border plans, but said that "everyone understands the significance of vaccines".
He added: "These are people's lives at stake.
"I have no doubt that the EU will help us to facilitate their travel, we've got our own independent transportation plans to ensure that vaccine supply."
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Batches of COVID vaccine arrive at hospital
Asked whether he was fully confident the EU would assist the UK in supplying COVID vaccines, even if trade talks ended acrimoniously, Mr Cleverly said: "I don't have that degree of cynicism towards the EU."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are due to speak on Monday evening, when they will assess whether a trade deal is still salvageable after months of deadlocked negotiations.
Without a trade deal being agreed by the end of this month, the EU and UK are likely to have to trade on World Trade Organisation rules with tariffs imposed in both directions.
The government will push ahead with Brexit legislation that could break international law - despite fears that it could upset the EU at a critical time for trade talks.
Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told Sky News the government's Internal Market Bill would return to the House of Commons today.
Time is running out to secure a post-Brexit trade deal, with Thursday's summit of EU leaders seen as a deadline for an agreement to be reached.
This weekend saw further talks on a possible deal, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday.
Image:There is less than a month until the end of the Brexit transition period
Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen are due to talk again on Monday evening, to assess whether a trade agreement can still be reached.
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However the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, was said to have told the bloc's national ambassadors on Monday morning that he was "rather downbeat" about the prospects of a deal.
One EU diplomat said: "EU-UK negotiations have entered the endgame, time is running out quickly.
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"Despite intensive negotiations until late last night, the gaps on level playing field, governance and fisheries are still not bridged.
"The outcome is still uncertain, it can still go both ways. The EU is ready to go the extra mile to agree on a fair, sustainable and balanced deal for citizens in the EU and UK.
"It is for the UK to choose between such a positive outcome or a no deal outcome."
Meanwhile, an EU source told Sky News they were "not expecting anything substantial yet" although they predicted "some more drama" and said trade talks were "moving in the right direction on fishing".
On Sunday night, a UK government source had said there was "no breakthrough" on fisheries, which has been among the most intractable issues during the trade negotiations.
The Internal Market Bill, which has been condemned by critics both in Westminster and abroad, seeks to allow ministers to override the Withdrawal Agreement - the UK's divorce deal with the EU that was agreed last year.
The government has admitted the legislation could see the UK breach international law, but argue it is needed to protect the integrity of the UK and the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.
However, in a sign progress could yet be made on Irish border issues, it was announced senior cabinet minister Michael Gove would meet with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on Monday.
A UK government spokesman said the pair would meet to "discuss issues related to their work as co-chairs of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee".
"The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee oversees UK and EU implementation, application and interpretation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.
"The work of the Joint Committee is separate from the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations."
Mr Sefcovic posted on Twitter that the two sides would be "working hard" to make sure post-Brexit arrangements for the Irish border were "fully operational" on 1 January, after the end of the Brexit transition period.
It has been speculated that a successful meeting between Mr Gove and Mr Sefcovic, as well as the conclusion of a UK-EU post-Brexit trade agreement, could see the UK government later drop the most contentious parts of the Internal Market Bill.
The pound fell by more than two cents against the US dollar on Monday to just over $1.32 as investors grew more anxious about the possibility of no deal.
It was a sharp reverse from market optimism over the talks last week which saw sterling climb above $1.35 for the first time this year.
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'Significant differences remain'
Last month, the House of Lords removed the most controversial parts of the Internal Market Bill from the proposed legislation.
But Mr Cleverly told Kay Burley those clauses would be reintroduced to the bill when it returns to the Commons today, with MPs set to vote on the legislation this evening.
"It contains clauses that we may need to rely on and, if we do need to rely on them, better that they're there," he said.
"It's an insurance policy, like all insurance policies you'd prefer not to have to use it. But you would kick yourself if you need it and it isn't there."
Asked whether it was worth risking the EU's anger by reintroducing the controversial legislation, Mr Cleverly replied: "Not having that in place would weaken our position and actually give an advantage to the EU negotiators.
"And, in a negotiation like this, it is really key that both parties negotiate hard - I'm sure the EU negotiators are negotiating hard, but so is David Frost (the UK's chief negotiator) and our negotiating team.
"We do it in a spirit of positivity, but we do want to get a deal that works for the UK, an agreement that works for the UK."
Patients are set to be handed a Covid-19 vaccination ID card proving they have received the jab.
Up to four million doses of the Pfizer BioNTech coronavirus vaccine are expected to be administered by the end of December, after pharmacy technicians in Croydon took the first shipment of the jab over the weekend.
A mass vaccination scheme treating over 80s, care home workers and high-risk NHS staff will begin tomorrow.
Michael Gove has denied the Government has any plans to create a 'vaccine passport,' but the NHS has created a card for people to keep a record if they have received the jab, warning them in bold: 'Make sure you keep this record card in your purse or wallet'
Images have now been shared of a card patients will receive to prove they have received the jab - which has proved to be effective in 95 per cent of cases and offers up to six months of immunity.
The card contains space to detail the name of the vaccine, its batch number and the date that it was injected.
There is space for a second date, as Pfizer's jab requires two vaccinations.
It's not yet clear if the cards are mandatory or part of an immunity passport, which has been toted as a solution to help support the hospitality industry as it reopens.
Michael Gove dismissed the notion, telling Sky News: 'That's not being planned. I certainly am not planning to introduce any vaccine passports and I don't know anyone else in government who is.'
Up to 4million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine are expected to be administered by the end of December
High-risk NHS staff, along with over 80s and care home workers, will be the first to receive the jab when the vaccine programme begins tomorrow
UK Health minister Nadhim Zahawi said its restaurants and bars could ask for some proof of vaccination.
He told the BBC: 'I think you'll probably find that restaurants and bars and cinemas and other venues, sports venues, will probably also use that system.'
Fears that people would miss out in the first wave of immunisation because of short supplies were raised last week after the Government announced just 800,000 doses of the Pfizer jab had been sent to the UK.
But NHS bosses looked to quash concerns yesterday, with Saffron Cordery, the deputy CEO of NHS Providers, assuring the public that the country was expecting 'up to four million doses' by the end of December.
She told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday: 'We know that the first batch of 800,000 is making its way to the country now. We know that many of the 50 hospital hubs up and down the country have already received their allocation and more is expected today, so we know that that consignment is here.
'We are expecting in the low millions, so up to four million doses, to be with us by the end of December. So that consignment and that distribution is really well on the way now.'
Official figures released yesterday also revealed a further 231 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19 - a 7.4 per cent rise on the 215 deaths reported last Sunday
Britain recorded a further 17,272 coronavirus yesterday - marking a 42 per cent rise on last Sunday's total
A graphic shows where the 50 NHS hubs, special jab centres and GP clinics offering the vaccine next week are located
Masked pharmacy technicians Croydon University Hospital in Croydon, London took delivery of the first shipment of the breakthrough Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 jab over the weekend.
They had to overcome a complex and difficult logistical challenge when receiving the vaccine, which needs to be stored at –70C before being thawed out and can only be moved four times before being used.
Croydon health officials praised the delivery of the long-anticipated vaccine, which is typically delivered by an injection in the shoulder, calling it 'a pivotal moment for the country'.
The days of snowball fights and sledging could be over for much of the UK by the end of the century, analysis by the Met Office has suggested.
Research has found that most of England's south might not see temperatures at or below freezing by the 2040s, due to climate change.
By 2080, only very high ground and parts of northern Scotland will see freezing temperatures if the trend continues.
The Met Office said each year will vary and some will be colder or warmer than the trend.
The findings are based on projections assuming global emissions continue to increase but the Met Office said that, while this scenario may not be the most likely outcome, it is credible.
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Even if emissions are reduced, average temperatures are still likely to increase and lead to hotter, drier summers.
Senior Met Office scientist Dr Lizzie Kendon told BBC Panorama: "We're saying by the end of the century much of the lying snow will have disappeared entirely except over the highest ground.
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"The over-arching picture is warmer, wetter winters; hotter, drier summers.
"But within that, we get this shift towards more extreme events, so more frequent and intense extremes, so heavier rainfall when it occurs.
"It's a big change... in the course of our lifetime. It's just a wake-up call really as to what we're talking about here."
Dr Kendon said temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) for two days in a row will be 16 times more frequent by the end of the century, compared to the average between 1981 and 2000.
