UK and EU Pursue Closer Ties Without Restoring Free Movement

Recent policy developments have focused on strengthening UK-EU cooperation while maintaining certain Brexit-era restrictions. The UK government has outlined its approach to future agreements, emphasizing selective alignment without reversing core Brexit outcomes.

In May 2025, the UK and the European Union reached a reset agreement that addressed several areas of cooperation. The deal included arrangements for defence, fishing rights, and youth mobility, reflecting a shift toward more structured engagement between the two parties.

The fisheries component of the agreement provided EU fishing vessels with access to UK waters for a period of 12 years. Alongside this, the reset deal established a defence and security pact and introduced measures concerning agrifood trade and carbon border taxes.

According to government statements, any new agreements with the EU will not involve a return to full freedom of movement. This position maintains the post-Brexit immigration framework, distinguishing the current approach from pre-Brexit arrangements.

What the numbers show

• The fisheries agreement grants EU vessels access to UK waters for 12 years
• The reset deal was agreed in May 2025
• Starmer’s manifesto to “reset” UK-EU relations was published in 2024

The UK government has also stated that rejoining the EU customs union is not under consideration. According to official statements, such a move would risk existing trade agreements with countries including the United States and India.

Provisions in the reset deal cover a range of policy areas, including defence cooperation and trade in agricultural products. The agreement also addresses carbon border taxes, aiming to align certain regulatory standards between the UK and EU.

Starmer’s 2024 election manifesto included a commitment to “reset” relations with the EU and to “make Brexit work.” This pledge has guided the government’s approach to negotiations and ongoing policy development since that time.

While the reset deal marks a new phase in UK-EU relations, government officials have maintained that core Brexit outcomes, such as restrictions on freedom of movement and customs arrangements, will remain in place under current policy.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.