Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns.
The news on Christmas Eve of a deal being agreed between the EU and the UK was most welcome and I am pleased this deal passed through Parliament into law with overwhelming support from Parliament.
The agreement ensures tariff and quota free access to European markets and brings an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice over UK law. It ensures areas such as scientific research can continue and a replacement scheme for the European Health Insurance Card programme.
On fishing, following a transition period, the UK will become a fully-fledged independent coastal state once again. EU access to fishing in UK waters will be subject to annual negotiations. I am especially pleased that the Government has announced a £100 million scheme for fishing communities across the UK to bring our fleets up to scratch and take advantage the opportunities the deal brings. I will be banging the drum for fishing communities here in South Devon to receive their fair share of this funding.
I asked a question in this regard of the Prime Minister during the debate on the deal which you can find via the link below:
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-12-30/debates/9E132CEF-83CA-40BA-B8B4-A7127A968B68/details#contribution-DC7ECB6B-B408-4000-B5C4-6DE51819D932
A non-negotiated outcome would have caused significant disruption; the likes of which we have seen at ports on both sides of the Channel in recent weeks. The agreement removes the prospect of barriers to trade and guarantees the ability of UK hauliers to travel freely in the EU, and customs simplification.
I believe this deal represents a successful outcome of the negotiations, recovering British sovereignty and delivering continuity in important areas such as trade. This outcome sets a positive tone for the next chapter of UK-EU relations built on friendship and cooperation. We may have left the EU, but we have not left Europe.
I am excited and optimistic for our shared future which allows the UK and EU to work together as partners on the issues that affect us all, such as climate change.