Closing summary
Thank you following along today. This blog is now closing. Below is a roundup of some of today’s story.
Downing Street have secured a deal between the UK and EU to remove checks on food exports which it said will add £9bn to the UK economy and lower food prices. The last-minute agreement was secured early on Monday morning.
Keir Starmer has rejected claims that he has sold out fishing sector after securing a deal with the EU. He called the deal is ‘good for fishing’ and sakd the principles behind today are about bills, jobs and borders.
The TUC welcomed deal but said it should be 'just the beginning' of boosting links. Paul Nowak, general secretary of union, said: “Today’s summit represents an important first step towards securing a much-needed closer relationship with the EU. Ministers have made the right call by protecting jobs in key industries, such as steel, from being hit by carbon border taxes.”
To see the full breadth of our coverage today, scroll through the key events tab.
Rachel Reeves says she is 'listening' to winter fuel allowance concerns
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told LBC that she is “listening” to concerns over the winter fuel payment.
The change to the benefit, which was removed from about 10 million pensioners after it became means-tested, was seen as a major contributor to Labour's drubbing at the local elections earlier this month.
When asked whether she was considering raising the threshold at which pensioners become eligible for the payment, Reeves said: “We're always listening to these things”
‘Is there any real listening going on?’
— LBC (@LBC) May 19, 2025
@ShelaghFogarty gives Chancellor Rachel Reeves pushback on winter fuel cuts amid growing rumours of a U-turn on the policy. pic.twitter.com/9sKOpUEUOW
