While taking Pakistan to task for money laundering is important, it is equally important to question the complicity of the country the money is being funnelled into — the UK and Northern Ireland.

The UK is a grand hub for dirty money — a&nbsp;playground for financial fraudsters. However, Britain's denial about this fact is like Russia's denial that it poisons spies.

No one believes a word of it because the world's most notorious tax fugitives are hiding in Britain such as Indian billionaires, absconding Pakistani politicians, corrupt Arab sheikhs, African despots,&nbsp;Russian oligarchs and many more.&nbsp;All kind of runaway rich men and women have found refuge in the UK.

The second reason is the inaction of the British financial regulator — the Financial Control Authority (FCA). According to corruption watch, this body has brought zero prosecutions over money laundering since 2017. This year, this body took its inaction one step further by discontinuing seven out of 14 of its criminal investigations into possible breaches of the UK's money laundering act in 2020, which means it shut half of its cases.

The third reason is the presence of offshore tax havens like the British Virgin Islands,&nbsp;Cayman Islands,&nbsp;Gibraltar, Jersey and&nbsp;Guernsey. These are places where the looted money is routed to; they allow fraudsters to avoid paying billions in tax on their profits.

In fact, Britain is the world's greatest enabler of corporate tax avoidance.&nbsp;According to the corporate tax haven index, Britain's offshore havens account for over a third of the world's corporate tax avoidance at $395 billion which is&nbsp;four times more than any country in the world.

The fourth reason is the UK's property market. It is a prime target for money laundering. London's most expensive homes have become a prime location to hide dirty cash.

Thousands of homes are sitting empty. The most recent government figures show that more than 278,000 homes are sitting empty across England, Scotland and Wales. At least 22,000 of these homes are in London and they have been left empty for years.

The value of these houses is estimated to be £12.2 billion, which is&nbsp;close to $16 billion. Scores of these empty houses have been purchased by financial fraudsters.

A report by the British government categorically mentions that criminals from Pakistan&nbsp;"continue to purchase high value assets such as real estate to launder illicit funds".

There are over 500 properties that have been identified as being bought with suspicious wealth and a combined value of £5 billion pounds, which is nearly $6&nbsp;billion dollars, and&nbsp;this is just a fraction of the real value of dirty money hidden in the UK's property market.

While taking Pakistan to task for money laundering is important, it is equally important to question the complicity of the country the money is being funnelled into — the UK and Northern Ireland.

While taking Pakistan to task for money laundering is important, it is equally important to question the complicity of the country the money is being funnelled into — the UK and Northern Ireland. The UK is a grand hub for dirty money — a playground for financial fraudsters. However, Britain's denial about this fact is like Russia's denial that it poisons spies. No one believes a word of it because the world's most notorious tax fugitives are hiding in Britain such as Indian billionaires, absconding Pakistani politicians, corrupt Arab sheikhs, African despots, Russian oligarchs and many more. All kind of runaway rich men and women have found refuge in the UK. The second reason is the inaction of the British financial regulator — the Financial Control Authority (FCA). According to corruption watch, this body has brought zero prosecutions over money laundering since 2017. This year, this body took its inaction one step further by discontinuing seven out of 14 of its criminal investigations into possible breaches of the UK's money laundering act in 2020, which means it shut half of its cases. The third reason is the presence of offshore tax havens like the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Jersey and Guernsey. These are places where the looted money is routed to; they allow fraudsters to avoid paying billions in tax on their profits. In fact, Britain is the world's greatest enabler of corporate tax avoidance. According to the corporate tax haven index, Britain's offshore havens account for over a third of the world's corporate tax avoidance at $395 billion which is four times more than any country in the world. The fourth reason is the UK's property market. It is a prime target for money laundering. London's most expensive homes have become a prime location to hide dirty cash. Thousands of homes are sitting empty. The most recent government figures show that more than 278,000 homes are sitting empty across England, Scotland and Wales. At least 22,000 of these homes are in London and they have been left empty for years. The value of these houses is estimated to be £12.2 billion, which is close to $16 billion. Scores of these empty houses have been purchased by financial fraudsters. A report by the British government categorically mentions that criminals from Pakistan "continue to purchase high value assets such as real estate to launder illicit funds". There are over 500 properties that have been identified as being bought with suspicious wealth and a combined value of £5 billion pounds, which is nearly $6 billion dollars, and this is just a fraction of the real value of dirty money hidden in the UK's property market.

Pak's dirty money trail: How UK has become a refuge for defaulters

Britain and the European Union struck a trade deal Thursday, setting the terms of their commercial relations after Britain completes its hard-fought split from the European Union on Dec. 31.

British lawmakers had haggled for years over the divorce, known as Brexit. Britain formally left the European Union on Jan. 31, closing the book on nearly half a century of close ties with Europe, but it continued to follow the bloc’s rules during a transition period intended to give the two sides time to negotiate the trade deal struck this week.

Here are the basic terms of that deal.

It saves Britain from crashing out of the EU

British companies have long been able to move goods to and from the European Union without paying taxes or tariffs. Had the two sides failed to reach a deal before the Dec. 31 deadline, tariffs would have been imposed, raising the price on cars considerably and making it much more difficult for British farmers to sell meat, for example, to the European market.

A no-deal separation also looked likely to create gridlock at British ports and strand trucks on either side of the border.

The new agreement means that Britain avoids onerous tariffs or quotas on goods. But problems at the border could still emerge, with checks increasing and traders having to complete new customs declarations.

And commercial relations face more restrictions. The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that gross domestic product in Britain could be 4% lower cumulatively over the next 15 years than it would have been had Britain remained in the European Union. Without a deal, that drop was projected to be even larger.

The agreement was not entirely a surprise. To some commentators, a no-deal Brexit had always looked more like useful leverage for political purposes than a probable outcome of negotiations.

Both sides compromised on fish, a major sticking point

The number of people employed in Britain’s fishing industry has fallen in recent decades, and the British government cast its split from the European Union as a chance to revive the industry by cutting European companies’ access to British waters. Britain originally sought an 80% reduction in the share of fish that European Union boats would be allowed to catch in British waters.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain made significant concessions on that point: The European Union’s fishing quota in British waters will be cut by 25%. But Brussels also compromised: That quota reduction will come into effect over 5 1/2 years, roughly half as long as the European Union originally wanted.

British workers, unhappy not to have exclusive access to fish in British waters, may complain about the deal. But analysts have said that British boats would not have the capacity to catch everything that once went to European boats, even if they had the opportunity to do so.

A no-deal scenario would also have forced tariffs on British fishing companies, making it more difficult for them to sell what they caught to the European Union at competitive prices.

Pro-Brexit lawmakers got many of their wishes

Citizens of European Union member states can look for jobs elsewhere in the bloc, work there without needing special permits and stay after they have left their jobs. But the trade deal ends the free movement of people between Britain and the continent. And it also ended Britain’s involvement in the popular Erasmus student exchange program, which since 1987 saw hundreds of thousands of people each year traveling abroad for study, work experience and apprenticeships.

As both a single market and a customs union, the European Union also agreed to adopt the same rules and regulations so that goods, services and capital can move freely across borders of countries within the bloc. And it agreed to apply the same taxes on goods from outside the bloc, meaning that they can be shipped within the European Union without facing additional tariffs.

But Britain will now leave both the single market and the customs union and can pursue trade deals with other countries. Those points were among the demands made by the most aggressive anti-Europe lawmakers in Britain.

But the European Union won assurances, too

In return for allowing British companies to avoid tariffs, the European Union wanted to ensure that those companies would not gain unfair advantages over their European rivals. The bloc’s leaders worried that Britain would give its own companies a leg up through additional state aid or by lowering environmental or labor standards.

Britain did not want the European Union to be able to automatically impose sanctions if it decided to depart from European rules. So the two sides worked to devise a mechanism by which either could raise a complaint if it had evidence that one had changed regulations in a way that put the other’s businesses at a disadvantage.

As a last resort, if Britain and the European Union could not find common ground in such a scenario, tariffs could be imposed to ensure that one side did not have too big of an advantage.

The British economy faces enormous hurdles

The trade deal was primarily concerned with goods crossing borders. But the British economy is enormously reliant on its services sector, and the deal did not immediately make it easier for British companies to sell financial and other services to its European neighbors.

Once the transition period ends Dec. 31, traders in London will leave the European Union’s single market for financial services.

Both have said they each wanted to be able to evaluate in the future whether the other side’s financial services regulations were equally stringent, and whether they could continue to easily buy and sell services across borders.

But that system will not be as straightforward for banks and traders as the current one.

Britain and the European Union struck a trade deal Thursday, setting the terms of their commercial relations after Britain completes its hard-fought split from the European Union on Dec.

Britain and the European Union struck a trade deal Thursday, setting the terms of their commercial relations after Britain completes its hard-fought split from the European Union on Dec. 31. British lawmakers had haggled for years over the divorce, known as Brexit. Britain formally left the European Union on Jan. 31, closing the book on nearly half a century of close ties with Europe, but it continued to follow the bloc’s rules during a transition period intended to give the two sides time to negotiate the trade deal struck this week. Here are the basic terms of that deal. It saves Britain from crashing out of the EU British companies have long been able to move goods to and from the European Union without paying taxes or tariffs. Had the two sides failed to reach a deal before the Dec. 31 deadline, tariffs would have been imposed, raising the price on cars considerably and making it much more difficult for British farmers to sell meat, for example, to the European market. A no-deal separation also looked likely to create gridlock at British ports and strand trucks on either side of the border. The new agreement means that Britain avoids onerous tariffs or quotas on goods. But problems at the border could still emerge, with checks increasing and traders having to complete new customs declarations. And commercial relations face more restrictions. The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that gross domestic product in Britain could be 4% lower cumulatively over the next 15 years than it would have been had Britain remained in the European Union. Without a deal, that drop was projected to be even larger. The agreement was not entirely a surprise. To some commentators, a no-deal Brexit had always looked more like useful leverage for political purposes than a probable outcome of negotiations. Both sides compromised on fish, a major sticking point The number of people employed in Britain’s fishing industry has fallen in recent decades, and the British government cast its split from the European Union as a chance to revive the industry by cutting European companies’ access to British waters. Britain originally sought an 80% reduction in the share of fish that European Union boats would be allowed to catch in British waters. Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain made significant concessions on that point: The European Union’s fishing quota in British waters will be cut by 25%. But Brussels also compromised: That quota reduction will come into effect over 5 1/2 years, roughly half as long as the European Union originally wanted. British workers, unhappy not to have exclusive access to fish in British waters, may complain about the deal. But analysts have said that British boats would not have the capacity to catch everything that once went to European boats, even if they had the opportunity to do so. A no-deal scenario would also have forced tariffs on British fishing companies, making it more difficult for them to sell what they caught to the European Union at competitive prices. Pro-Brexit lawmakers got many of their wishes Citizens of European Union member states can look for jobs elsewhere in the bloc, work there without needing special permits and stay after they have left their jobs. But the trade deal ends the free movement of people between Britain and the continent. And it also ended Britain’s involvement in the popular Erasmus student exchange program, which since 1987 saw hundreds of thousands of people each year traveling abroad for study, work experience and apprenticeships. As both a single market and a customs union, the European Union also agreed to adopt the same rules and regulations so that goods, services and capital can move freely across borders of countries within the bloc. And it agreed to apply the same taxes on goods from outside the bloc, meaning that they can be shipped within the European Union without facing additional tariffs. But Britain will now leave both the single market and the customs union and can pursue trade deals with other countries. Those points were among the demands made by the most aggressive anti-Europe lawmakers in Britain. But the European Union won assurances, too In return for allowing British companies to avoid tariffs, the European Union wanted to ensure that those companies would not gain unfair advantages over their European rivals. The bloc’s leaders worried that Britain would give its own companies a leg up through additional state aid or by lowering environmental or labor standards. Britain did not want the European Union to be able to automatically impose sanctions if it decided to depart from European rules. So the two sides worked to devise a mechanism by which either could raise a complaint if it had evidence that one had changed regulations in a way that put the other’s businesses at a disadvantage. As a last resort, if Britain and the European Union could not find common ground in such a scenario, tariffs could be imposed to ensure that one side did not have too big of an advantage. The British economy faces enormous hurdles The trade deal was primarily concerned with goods crossing borders. But the British economy is enormously reliant on its services sector, and the deal did not immediately make it easier for British companies to sell financial and other services to its European neighbors. Once the transition period ends Dec. 31, traders in London will leave the European Union’s single market for financial services. Both have said they each wanted to be able to evaluate in the future whether the other side’s financial services regulations were equally stringent, and whether they could continue to easily buy and sell services across borders. But that system will not be as straightforward for banks and traders as the current one.

5 takeaways from the post-Brexit trade deal

At the weekend, countries began to block travel from the island as concerns rose around a new strain of the COVID-19 virus.

Lufthansa has flown 80 tonnes of food supplies into UK

The restrictions, which applied with immediate effect, were introduced following the discovery of two cases of the virus strain in Britain.

UK announces South Africa travel restrictions over new Covid strain

You can now buy a bottle of air from the UK! A British firm is selling the 'smell of home' to homesick expats. The bottles join a long list of antiviral, immunity booster products that have hit the shelves recently. All high on promise, low on scientific-backing. WION's Palki Sharma Upadhyay brings you food for thought.

Gravitas: Profiteering from your fear

Britain has detected a new variant of the coronavirus in contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa, UK Health Minister Matt Hancock said on Wednesday (December 23), while the country is battling to curb a highly infectious mutated strain of the virus that is spreading fast.

UK detects new coronavirus variant from S. Africa while dealing with highly infectious strain

As the United Kingdom&nbsp;grappled&nbsp;with the spread of new variant of coronvirus, the official records showed that 36,804 new Covid-19 cases were detected on December 22. It is not yet fully clear as to how many of these were caused by the new variant of coronavirus. 222,199 new coronavirus cases have been detected in the UK in last 7 days.

691 deaths were recorded on December 22. These were among the patients who were found positive in 28 days before that. 3,400 people have lost lives in 7 days leading to December 22.

According to UK scientists, the new coronavirus variant named 'VUI 202012/01' includes mutation in the 'spike' protein that may be the cause of easy spread of the virus among people.

As of 13 December, 1108 cases were caused by the new coronavirus according to Public Health England (PHE).

There is no concrete indication that the new coronavirus targets children as well. However, concerns are being raised.

The UK has found itself in a tough situation just as it becomes due to leave common European market in just about a week. Travel and transport restrictions from UK to other countries, notably those in the European Union (EU) are bound to make the effects of fresh trade barriers for EU-UK trade worse.&nbsp;

As the United Kingdom grappled with the spread of new variant of coronvirus, the official records showed that 36,804 new Covid-19 cases were detected on December 22.

As the United Kingdom grappled with the spread of new variant of coronvirus, the official records showed that 36,804 new Covid-19 cases were detected on December 22. It is not yet fully clear as to how many of these were caused by the new variant of coronavirus. 222,199 new coronavirus cases have been detected in the UK in last 7 days. 691 deaths were recorded on December 22. These were among the patients who were found positive in 28 days before that. 3,400 people have lost lives in 7 days leading to December 22. According to UK scientists, the new coronavirus variant named 'VUI 202012/01' includes mutation in the 'spike' protein that may be the cause of easy spread of the virus among people. As of 13 December, 1108 cases were caused by the new coronavirus according to Public Health England (PHE). There is no concrete indication that the new coronavirus targets children as well. However, concerns are being raised. The UK has found itself in a tough situation just as it becomes due to leave common European market in just about a week. Travel and transport restrictions from UK to other countries, notably those in the European Union (EU) are bound to make the effects of fresh trade barriers for EU-UK trade worse.

UK coronavirus update: More than 30 thousand new cases

Immediately after the UK announced that it was dealing with an “out of control” strain of the COVID-19 virus, countries across the world started suspending flights from the nation.

India: Flights from UK stand suspended from 23rd Dec till further orders; Here are the guidelines

Production fell year-on-year by 1.4% last month to 106,243 vehicles but the comparison was flattered by a weak November 2019.

UK car output slightly down by 1.4% for November: SMMT

Hong Kong's prominent activist and founding member of pro-democracy party is currently in London. The 27-year-old activist relocated to London in the wake of China's new national security law.

Hong Kong activist seeks asylum in U.K., China warns U.K. against granting asylum

For air passengers, the nightmare is back in the span of a few months as governments globally take steps to restrict travel after the emergence of a new coronavirus strain.

Here are the nations that have temporarily banned flights from UK

Small shops, local markets, restaurants and catering firms that source from wholesalers, who supply 40% of the fruit and vegetables we eat, are likely to be affected within days.

Britain rushes to supermarkets amid supply shortage fear

A new strain of the Wuhan virus has forced more than 20 countries to block travel from the United Kingdom. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how a mutated version of the virus is spelling disaster.

Gravitas: The 'Mutant' Wuhan Virus is spreading

A fresh round of restrictions has forced millions within the United Kingdom to cancel their Christmas plans. With neighbours imposing travel bans, The UK now finds itself cut off from Europe. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why the UK is being called the 'sick man of Europe'.

Gravitas: Christmas is cancelled in the United Kingdom

Several European countries such as Belgium and Germany are imposing travel bans on all the incoming flights from the UK and South Africa to make sure the new variant does not get transmitted to their countries.

Scientific experts on new Coronavirus strain in Europe

The government has already announced a ban on flight arrivals from the UK starting midnight of Tuesday (December 22) till midnight of December 31.

Five passengers who arrived at Delhi airport from UK test positive for Covid-19

British business confidence recorded its biggest monthly improvement in more than four years this month, reflecting optimism that COVID-19 vaccines will lead to economic recovery in 2021, a Lloyds Bank survey showed on Monday.

UK business morale jumps by most in over 4 years - Lloyds

Passengers at London's Heathrow Airport navigated cancelled flights and confusion as the UK was on Monday (December 21) shut off from much of Europe after its closest allies cut transport ties due to fears about a new strain of the coronavirus.

WION Dispatch: UK government issues advisory, 'do not travel' unless essential

Fearing a trade deal between Britain and the European Union might be elusive, Snag Tights, a Scottish newcomer in the hosiery business, set up a hub in Europe this year to avoid potential tariffs, bringing 30 jobs to the Dutch town of Venlo.

Dutch town attracts Scottish tights maker amid Brexit doubt

The British government on December 19 alerted the World Health Organisation about a new variant of the coronavirus that the Prime Minister said maybe “up to 70 per cent” more transmissible than earlier strains.

UK: New coronavirus strains spread exponentially

India on Monday announced a suspension of all flights originating from the United Kingdom to the country until the end of the year, amid growing global concerns over a highly infectious new strain of the coronavirus.

India suspends all flight from the UK as concerns grow over new virus strain

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday said that it was in close contact with the United Kingdom after a new strain of COVID-19 was found in the country.

"They'll (UK officials) continue to share info &amp; results of their analysis &amp; ongoing studies. We'll update Member States &amp; public as we learn more about the characteristics of this virus variant &amp; any implications", WHO said in a tweet.

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The new strain which was found in the UK recently is 70 per cent more infectious, but is not expected to be more deadly.&nbsp;

Scientists claim that the vaccines should still be effective, a sentiment shared by UK PM Johnson on Saturday as well.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/a-new-coronavirus-strain-is-spreading-more-quickly-351032" hreflang="en">A new coronavirus strain is spreading more quickly</a>

In an alarming development, England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said on Saturday that a new strain of coronavirus is spreading more quickly and urgent work was underway to confirm that it doesn't cause higher mortality rate.

“As announced on Monday, the UK has identified a new variant of Covid-19 through Public Health England’s genomic surveillance,” Whitty said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/after-uk-south-africa-identifies-new-strain-of-coronavirus-amid-second-wave-351049" hreflang="en">After UK, South Africa identifies new strain of coronavirus amid second wave</a>

“As a result of the rapid spread of the new variant, preliminary modelling data and rapidly rising incidence rates in the South East, the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) now consider that the new strain can spread more quickly,” he said

Johnson said on Friday he hoped England would not need to go into a third lockdown after Christmas and has so far resisted calls to change plans to ease restrictions for five days over the festive period, allowing three separate households to meet indoors.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday said that it was in close contact with the United Kingdom after a new strain of COVID-19 was found in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday said that it was in close contact with the United Kingdom after a new strain of COVID-19 was found in the country. "They'll (UK officials) continue to share info & results of their analysis & ongoing studies. We'll update Member States & public as we learn more about the characteristics of this virus variant & any implications", WHO said in a tweet. The new strain which was found in the UK recently is 70 per cent more infectious, but is not expected to be more deadly. Scientists claim that the vaccines should still be effective, a sentiment shared by UK PM Johnson on Saturday as well. Also read: A new coronavirus strain is spreading more quickly In an alarming development, England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said on Saturday that a new strain of coronavirus is spreading more quickly and urgent work was underway to confirm that it doesn't cause higher mortality rate. “As announced on Monday, the UK has identified a new variant of Covid-19 through Public Health England’s genomic surveillance,” Whitty said in a statement. Also read: After UK, South Africa identifies new strain of coronavirus amid second wave “As a result of the rapid spread of the new variant, preliminary modelling data and rapidly rising incidence rates in the South East, the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) now consider that the new strain can spread more quickly,” he said Johnson said on Friday he hoped England would not need to go into a third lockdown after Christmas and has so far resisted calls to change plans to ease restrictions for five days over the festive period, allowing three separate households to meet indoors. (With inputs from Reuters)

WHO in close contact with UK authorities to understand new mutation of COVID-19

Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed an effective lockdown on over 16 million people in England and reversed plans to ease curbs over Christmas, saying Britain was dealing with a new coronavirus strain up to 70% more transmissible than the original.

UK PM Johnson reverses Christmas plans for millions

Brexit trade deal talks are going on still between the European Union (EU) and the UK but the discussions appear to have reached a deadlock on Sunday. The talks are threatened by failure as both sides have dug their heels on the issue of access to UK's rich fishing waters. Britain is set to leave the EU in two weeks and failure to reach a post-Brexit trade deal could result in cross-channel tariffs and further disputes in future.

The European Parliament had fixed Sunday as the last moment it could accept a text of any accord if MEPs are to ratify it before Britain leaves the EU single market. But its unclear to what extent the new deadline would be followed considering the deadlock in negotiations.

"We're continuing to try every possible path to an agreement, but without a substantial shift from the (European) Commission we will be leaving on WTO terms on 31 December," a British government source said. 
But a European diplomat had told AFP that Brussels had made its best offer and it was down now to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- now distracted by a worsening coronavirus crisis at home -- to decide whether he wants a deal.&nbsp;

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"It could well continue over Christmas, now the UK is still making up its mind whether it is willing to pay the price for unprecedented access to the internal market," he said&nbsp;

"The EU has been clear this weekend that it is willing to compromise on fish. But it will bail at putting EU fishermen structurally out of business. The narrow path to a deal has now become a single goat track, about to peter out."

The tough talk came as the negotiators scramble to secure a pact before December 31. No deal would risk chaos at EU and UK borders, where a pre-deadline rush of freight trucks has already caused long tailbacks.

Britain intends to assume control over its waters on January 1, but is ready to allow continued access to EU fishing fleets for a transitional period under new terms.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-northern-ireland-changes-when-brexit-transition-ends-351172">How Northern Ireland changes when Brexit transition ends</a>

UK negotiator David Frost wants Britain to take back more than half the fish currently assigned under the EU quota system, under a three-year agreement.

The European side insists the UK can not have tariff-free access to the EU single market as a whole unless it agrees to take back only a quarter of the fish quota -- and that the transitional period would last seven years.

The issue is highly charged for both Britain and EU members with northern fishing fleets like France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, and diplomatic sources admit the whole trade package could collapse. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

"We cannot accept a deal that doesn't leave us in control of our own laws or waters," the UK government source said, arguing that the EU was "continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence".

EU fishermen fear losing any access to the rich UK fishing waters will threaten their livelihoods.&nbsp;

"We are in the throes of being sold down the river," the European Fisheries Alliance said in a statement, urging EU negotiator Michel Barnier to stick by them.

(With AFP inputs)

Brexit trade deal talks are going on still between the European Union (EU) and the UK but the discussions appear to have reached a deadlock on Sunday. The talks are threatened by failure as both sides have dug their heels on the issue of access to UK's rich fishing waters.

Brexit trade deal talks are going on still between the European Union (EU) and the UK but the discussions appear to have reached a deadlock on Sunday. The talks are threatened by failure as both sides have dug their heels on the issue of access to UK's rich fishing waters. Britain is set to leave the EU in two weeks and failure to reach a post-Brexit trade deal could result in cross-channel tariffs and further disputes in future. The European Parliament had fixed Sunday as the last moment it could accept a text of any accord if MEPs are to ratify it before Britain leaves the EU single market. But its unclear to what extent the new deadline would be followed considering the deadlock in negotiations. "We're continuing to try every possible path to an agreement, but without a substantial shift from the (European) Commission we will be leaving on WTO terms on 31 December," a British government source said. But a European diplomat had told AFP that Brussels had made its best offer and it was down now to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- now distracted by a worsening coronavirus crisis at home -- to decide whether he wants a deal. × "It could well continue over Christmas, now the UK is still making up its mind whether it is willing to pay the price for unprecedented access to the internal market," he said "The EU has been clear this weekend that it is willing to compromise on fish. But it will bail at putting EU fishermen structurally out of business. The narrow path to a deal has now become a single goat track, about to peter out." The tough talk came as the negotiators scramble to secure a pact before December 31. No deal would risk chaos at EU and UK borders, where a pre-deadline rush of freight trucks has already caused long tailbacks. Britain intends to assume control over its waters on January 1, but is ready to allow continued access to EU fishing fleets for a transitional period under new terms. Also Read | How Northern Ireland changes when Brexit transition ends UK negotiator David Frost wants Britain to take back more than half the fish currently assigned under the EU quota system, under a three-year agreement. The European side insists the UK can not have tariff-free access to the EU single market as a whole unless it agrees to take back only a quarter of the fish quota -- and that the transitional period would last seven years. The issue is highly charged for both Britain and EU members with northern fishing fleets like France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, and diplomatic sources admit the whole trade package could collapse. "We cannot accept a deal that doesn't leave us in control of our own laws or waters," the UK government source said, arguing that the EU was "continuing to make demands that are incompatible with our independence". EU fishermen fear losing any access to the rich UK fishing waters will threaten their livelihoods. "We are in the throes of being sold down the river," the European Fisheries Alliance said in a statement, urging EU negotiator Michel Barnier to stick by them. (With AFP inputs)

EU-UK Brexit trade deal talks threatened by failure over fish

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