skynewspolitics--2020-12-03--UK promises to cut emissions by more than two thirds by 2030

The government has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than two thirds ( 68 % ) of what they were in 1990 by 2030 .
The announcement is what 's known as an NDC - or nationally determined contribution - and is a key factor in efforts to tackle climate change .
Under the Paris climate change agreement of 2015 , all countries are obliged to update their commitments to cut emissions and deliver NDCs by the end of 2020 .
The UK is the first major economy to announce its NDC and is hoping its promise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to 68 % will encourage other countries to follow suit .
The emissions are measured against the level they were in 1990 .
But it 's an ambitious pledge , given current figures show the UK has only reduced its emissions by 45 % since 1990 .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said : `` We are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030 faster than any major economy .
But this is a global effort . ''
The government is making the pledge a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marking a year to the landmark COP26 climate conference , which has been delayed until November 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The UK 's emissions promise is in line with what the Committee on Climate Change , which independently advises the government , says is necessary to meet the legally-binding target of the UK reaching net zero by 2050 .
Richard Black , director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit , said : `` Britain is out ahead of most of the other big nations , it 's committed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it 's more than the US is likely to be able to do , and certainly more than the likes of Australia have done .
`` It 's roughly on track for getting to the legally-binding net zero target and the hope clearly is that it will encourage other countries to come forward .
`` There are a number of big countries that have n't put forward this kind of commitment , for example India , and Russia is another . ''
But Professor Saleemul Huq , director of the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking to Sky News from Bangladesh , said current promises are n't ambitious enough to save countries like his from catastrophic climate change .
He said : `` We are at the end of receiving those climate impacts , so they [ the UK government ] may like to pat themselves on the back - and we have to acknowledge they 've done a bit .
`` It 's not that they are n't doing anything , but they are simply not doing enough .
And the enough is what matters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts of the climate on the most vulnerable countries and communities and they 're not going to be able to do that , so from our perspective it is n't enough .
`` It seems they do n't have any announcements on supporting vulnerable countries for adaptation and we would have expected that to be included and speaks to the lack of credibility to the COP26 presidency .
`` I think the 68 % reduction is a move in the right direction .
However , from the perspective of the most vulnerable countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't keep warming to 1.5 degrees . ''
Labour 's shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said the party welcomed the `` important strengthening '' of the 2030 target , but said it was the `` minimum we should aim for '' .
`` Our goal should be to go further and faster , cutting the significant majority of emissions in this decisive decade , which is the right way to lead in creating the climate jobs of the future and keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees , '' he said .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is clear there is now a yawning gap between the government 's aspirations and its policies to deliver them .
`` The government did n't have the policies to meet their previous target and the chasm will be even greater now . ''
International attention will now turn to countries like the US , China and other major economies to speed up their promises to reduce emissions in the run up to the COP .

The government has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than two thirds (68%) of what they were in 1990 by 2030.
The announcement is known as an NDC - or nationally determined contribution - and is a key factor in efforts to tackle climate change.
Under the Paris climate change agreement of 2015, all countries are obliged to update their commitments to cut emissions and deliver NDCs by the end of 2020.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:26 Do the PM's green plans stack up?
The UK is the first major economy to announce its NDC and is hoping its promise to effectively increase the emissions reduction from 53% to 68% will encourage other countries to follow suit.
The emissions are measured against the level they were in 1990.
But it's an ambitious pledge, given current figures show the UK has only reduced its emissions by 45% since 1990.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030 faster than any major economy. But this is a global effort."
The government is making the pledge a week before hosting a virtual climate ambition event marking a year to the landmark COP26 climate conference, which has been delayed until November 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK's emissions promise is in line with what the Committee on Climate Change, which independently advises the government, says is necessary to meet the legally binding target of the UK reaching net zero by 2050.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:19 Govt to ban new diesel cars by 2030
Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: "Britain is out ahead of most of the other big nations, it's committed more than the EU is likely to do, and it's more than the US is likely to be able to do, and certainly more than the likes of Australia have done.
"It's roughly on track for getting to the legally binding net zero target and the hope clearly is that it will encourage other countries to come forward.
"There are a number of big countries that haven't put forward this kind of commitment, for example India, and Russia is another."
But Professor Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, speaking to Sky News from Bangladesh, said current promises aren't ambitious enough to save countries like his from catastrophic climate change.
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He said: "We are at the end of receiving those climate impacts, so they [the UK government] may like to pat themselves on the back - and we have to acknowledge they've done a bit.
"It's not that they aren't doing anything, but they are simply not doing enough. And the enough is what matters.
"It's whether they can affect the impacts of the climate on the most vulnerable countries and communities and they're not going to be able to do that, so from our perspective it isn't enough.
"It seems they don't have any announcements on supporting vulnerable countries for adaptation and we would have expected that to be included and speaks to the lack of credibility to the COP26 presidency.
"I think the 68% reduction is a move in the right direction. However, from the perspective of the most vulnerable countries it isn't enough because it won't keep warming to 1.5 degrees."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:47 COP26 conference pushed back
Labour's shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said the party welcomed the "important strengthening" of the 2030 target, but said it was the "minimum we should aim for".
"Our goal should be to go further and faster, cutting the significant majority of emissions in this decisive decade, which is the right way to lead in creating the climate jobs of the future and keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees," he said.
"As we move to this higher target, it is clear there is now a yawning gap between the government's aspirations and its policies to deliver them.
"The government didn't have the policies to meet their previous target and the chasm will be even greater now."
International attention will now turn to countries like the US, China and other major economies to speed up their promises to reduce emissions in the run up to the COP.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-03--New 'business traveller' exemption from quarantine announced

No countries have been added to or removed from the UK 's list of travel corridors , but a new `` business traveller '' exemption from quarantine has been announced .
From 4am on Saturday , people in a number of categories will no longer have to self-isolate upon returning to England , even if they are travelling from a country not on the travel corridors list .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the move will allow `` more travel to support the economy and jobs '' and full guidance will be issued soon .
The exemptions will be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including trips that create or preserve at least 50 UK jobs .
People will only be exempt when carrying out specific business activity and will only be allowed to meet with others as required by that , the Department for Transport ( DfT ) said .
The department said more information will be released once the new rules have come into effect .
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker According to the DfT , sectors such as the media and elite sport were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , high-talent individuals who rely on international connections '' .
It added : `` PHE [ Public Health England ] do not anticipate these changes will raise the risk of domestic transmission , due to the protocols being put in place around these exemptions , however all exemptions will remain under review . ''
Paul Charles , chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency , said the announcement was a `` welcome first step in dismantling the quarantine system and showing that Britain is open for business again '' .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to take advantage of it , '' he said .
But Labour 's shadow transport secretary said the announcement showed it was `` one rule for some and another rule for everyone else '' .
`` If this government was serious about supporting the economy and jobs it would bring forward a proper package of financial support for businesses and the self-employed and a comprehensive plan for airport testing , '' he said .
`` Instead we have Tory ministers announcing loopholes for those they consider 'high-value ' . ''
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK from destinations not thought to be at low risk of COVID-19 have to self-isolate for 14 days .
From 15 December , travellers arriving in England will be able to end their quarantine period after five days if they test negative for the virus .
Passengers will have to pay for the tests themselves , and will need to book with one of the private providers on the government 's list .
They will cost between £65 and £120 .

No countries have been added to or removed from the UK's list of travel corridors, but a new "business traveller" exemption from quarantine has been announced.
From 4am on Saturday, people in a number of categories will no longer have to self-isolate upon returning to England, even if they are travelling from a country not on the travel corridors list.
Live COVID updates as UK prepares for vaccine rollout
Image: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the exemptions will be 'subject to specific criteria being met'
They are:
"High value" business travellers
Certain performing arts professionals
TV production staff
Journalists
Recently signed elite sportspeople
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the move will allow "more travel to support the economy and jobs" and full guidance will be issued soon.
The exemptions will be "subject to specific criteria being met", including trips that create or preserve at least 50 UK jobs.
People will only be exempt when carrying out specific business activity and will only be allowed to meet with others as required by that, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.
The department said more information will be released once the new rules have come into effect.
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According to the DfT, sectors such as the media and elite sport were also included as they "require specific, high-talent individuals who rely on international connections".
It added: "PHE [Public Health England] do not anticipate these changes will raise the risk of domestic transmission, due to the protocols being put in place around these exemptions, however all exemptions will remain under review."
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said the announcement was a "welcome first step in dismantling the quarantine system and showing that Britain is open for business again".
"There will be some big businesses that are able to take advantage of it," he said.
But Labour's shadow transport secretary said the announcement showed it was "one rule for some and another rule for everyone else".
"If this government was serious about supporting the economy and jobs it would bring forward a proper package of financial support for businesses and the self-employed and a comprehensive plan for airport testing," he said.
"Instead we have Tory ministers announcing loopholes for those they consider 'high-value'."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:38 Will passengers welcome quarantine change?
At the moment, nearly all people arriving back in the UK from destinations not thought to be at low risk of COVID-19 have to self-isolate for 14 days.
From 15 December, travellers arriving in England will be able to end their quarantine period after five days if they test negative for the virus.
Passengers will have to pay for the tests themselves, and will need to book with one of the private providers on the government's list.
They will cost between £65 and £120.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-04--'Important day' for post-Brexit trade deal talks as Barnier cancels EU meeting

Talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU are at a `` critical phase '' as they go down to the wire in London .
Brussels ' chief negotiator Michel Barnier did not head back home on Friday morning as some expected , and a briefing he was meant to hold for EU diplomats was cancelled .
He was tight-lipped as he headed back in for a fresh day of discussions , only telling reporters it was an `` important day '' .
That signals a deal is still possible , after Sky News was told that Thursday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's deputy spokesman admitted that `` time is in very short supply '' and `` we 're at a very difficult point in the talks '' .
Conversations have dragged on late into the evening several times this week , with sandwiches and takeaways seen being delivered .
With less than a month to go until the moment where the UK will either fall into a no-deal trading relationship with the EU or enter a new relationship , the pressure is on .
The UK left the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a `` transition period '' for the rest of the year and has followed many of the same rules and held on to the benefits of membership apart from political representation .
That was designed to limit disruption , so citizens and businesses only had to prepare for one change on 1 January 2021 .
But both sides said they wanted these negotiations over by mid-October and constant talk of a pressing deadline has seen discussions pushed closer to the cliff edge .
Charles Michel , head of the European Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 December - when EU leaders are due to gather for a summit - when asked by a journalist if that was the latest point a deal could be struck by .
`` It 's unfortunate that it took longer than planned but we 're still currently negotiating and Michel Barnier is leading the negotiations , so we 'll see over the next few days what the next steps are , '' he said in a briefing on Friday .
Alok Sharma , the business secretary , said earlier that `` we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is fair to say that we are in a difficult phase , there are some tricky issues still to be resolved , '' he admitted .
The issue preoccupying negotiators this week is believed to have been the EU 's demand for what is known as a `` level playing field '' .
This concerns the issue of state subsidies and standards which could seriously affect competition once the transition ends .
Mr Barnier was due to brief 27 national envoys to Brussels on Friday by video conference .
But a spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed the meeting would not go ahead `` due to the ongoing intensive negotiations in London '' .
He added : `` Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned ! ''

Talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU are expected to continue into the night, with the bloc's chief negotiator staying in London.
Michel Barnier did not head home on Friday morning as some expected, and a briefing he was meant to hold for EU diplomats was cancelled.
Negotiations are said to be at a "critical phase", and are likely to resume later tonight, with Mr Barnier understood to be staying in London for now.
Image: Multiple deadlines for a deal have come and gone
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Friday afternoon he expected talks to continue over the weekend, adding he "fervently" hoped there would be a deal.
"Some countries are putting pressure... seeking additional information," he said.
"We have appointed a negotiating team. We have got to allow them the space to conclude these talks, and hopefully achieve an agreement."
Number 10 and the European Commission declined to confirm whether talks are likely to continue into the weekend.
It comes after Sky News was told that Thursday's talks "did not go well", following several nights this week when negotiations dragged on late into the evening.
The pressure is on, with less than a month to go until the moment when the UK will either fall into a no-deal trading relationship with the EU or enter a new relationship.
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Image: The UK's new relationship with the EU will start on 1 January 2021
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 - but is in a "transition period" for the rest of the year and has followed many of the same rules and held on to the benefits of membership apart from political representation.
That was designed to limit disruption, meaning citizens and businesses only had to prepare for one change on 1 January 2021.
But both sides said they wanted these negotiations over by mid-October and constant talk of a pressing deadline has seen discussions pushed closer to the cliff edge.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deputy spokesman has admitted that "time is in very short supply" and "we're at a very difficult point in the talks".
Image: The UK is continuing to follow most EU rules under the transition period
Charles Michel, head of the European Council, did not even set a deadline of 10 December - when EU leaders are due to gather for a summit - when asked by a journalist if that was the latest point a deal could be struck by.
"It's unfortunate that it took longer than planned but we're still currently negotiating and Michel Barnier is leading the negotiations, so we'll see over the next few days what the next steps are," he said in a briefing on Friday.
The issue preoccupying negotiators this week is believed to have been the EU's demand for what is known as a "level playing field".
This concerns the issue of state subsidies and standards which could seriously affect competition once the transition ends.
Mr Barnier was due to brief 27 national envoys to Brussels on Friday by video conference, but the group's spokesman, Sebastian Fischer, confirmed the meeting would not go ahead "due to the ongoing intensive negotiations in London".
He added: "Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned!"


skynewspolitics--2020-12-03--UK promises to cut emissions by more than two-thirds by 2030

The government has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than two thirds ( 68 % ) of what they were in 1990 by 2030 .
The announcement is known as an NDC - or nationally determined contribution - and is a key factor in efforts to tackle climate change .
Under the Paris climate change agreement of 2015 , all countries are obliged to update their commitments to cut emissions and deliver NDCs by the end of 2020 .
The UK is the first major economy to announce its NDC and is hoping its promise to effectively increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 68 % will encourage other countries to follow suit .
The emissions are measured against the level they were in 1990 .
But it 's an ambitious pledge , given current figures show the UK has only reduced its emissions by 45 % since 1990 .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said : `` We are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030 faster than any major economy .
But this is a global effort . ''
The government is making the pledge a week before hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to the landmark COP26 climate conference , which has been delayed until November 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The UK 's emissions promise is in line with what the Committee on Climate Change , which independently advises the government , says is necessary to meet the legally binding target of the UK reaching net zero by 2050 .
Richard Black , director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit , said : `` Britain is out ahead of most of the other big nations , it 's committed more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it 's more than the US is likely to be able to do , and certainly more than the likes of Australia have done .
`` It 's roughly on track for getting to the legally binding net zero target and the hope clearly is that it will encourage other countries to come forward .
`` There are a number of big countries that have n't put forward this kind of commitment , for example India , and Russia is another . ''
But Professor Saleemul Huq , director of the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking to Sky News from Bangladesh , said current promises are n't ambitious enough to save countries like his from catastrophic climate change .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said : `` We are at the end of receiving those climate impacts , so they [ the UK government ] may like to pat themselves on the back - and we have to acknowledge they 've done a bit .
`` It 's not that they are n't doing anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough .
And the enough is what matters .
`` It 's whether they can affect the impacts of the climate on the most vulnerable countries and communities and they 're not going to be able to do that , so from our perspective it is n't enough .
`` It seems they do n't have any announcements on supporting vulnerable countries for adaptation and we would have expected that to be included and speaks to the lack of credibility to the COP26 presidency .
`` I think the 68 % reduction is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , from the perspective of the most vulnerable countries it is n't enough because it wo n't keep warming to 1.5 degrees . ''
Labour 's shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said the party welcomed the `` important strengthening '' of the 2030 target , but said it was the `` minimum we should aim for '' .
`` Our goal should be to go further and faster , cutting the significant majority of emissions in this decisive decade , which is the right way to lead in creating the climate jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below 1.5 degrees , '' he said .
`` As we move to this higher target , it is clear there is now a yawning gap between the government 's aspirations and its policies to deliver them .
`` The government did n't have the policies to meet their previous target and the chasm will be even greater now . ''
International attention will now turn to countries like the US , China and other major economies to speed up their promises to reduce emissions in the run up to the COP .


skynewspolitics--2020-12-04--Boris Johnson to hold crisis talks with EC chief to break Brexit deadlock

Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are to hold emergency talks as negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal go down to the wire .
With time for an agreement rapidly running out , the two sides ' chief negotiators announced on Friday they were putting the talks on `` pause '' to allow political leaders to take stock .
In a joint statement following the latest round of negotiations in London , the UK 's Lord Frost and the EU 's Michel Barnier said the conditions for an agreement had still not been met .
Lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ der Leyen and Mr Johnson would `` discuss the state of play '' on Saturday afternoon .
It comes after a week of intense negotiations in London , with late night sessions fuelled by deliveries of sandwiches and pizza .
Lord Frost and Mr Barnier blamed the break-down in the talks on `` significant divergences on level playing field , governance , and fisheries '' .
The level playing field refers to state subsidies and standards : the EU fears that Britain could become a low-regulation economic rival , cutting standards and heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wants to `` take back control '' from Brussels and set its own economic policies .
The fishing industry is another obstacle - a small part of the European economy at large , but very important to nations such as France .
The EU wants to continue to fish in British waters , but Britain wants to control access and quotas .
Sky 's deputy political editor Sam Coates said that the pause in talks was `` no doubt a very significant moment '' - but `` not unexpected '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday in the negotiating room and ( on Friday ) they did n't get markedly worse , but on the issues we 've talked about for the last 12 months , there is n't the gap being closed , '' he said .
Coates said it was possible that the call between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen could produce `` a bit of a breakthrough '' , but `` while it is possible both sides could agree there are no more talks necessary , I 'm told that is the least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 27-nation bloc at the end of January and has spent most of the year in a transition period , with rules on trade , travel and business unchanged .
But a trade deal needs to be approved by politicians in Britain and the EU before the end of the year to take effect on 1 January .
Without it , both sides would have to grapple with tariffs and trade barriers that would bring huge disruption .
European Council President Charles Michel said : `` We will see what will happen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of December is the end of December and we know that after 31 December we have 1 January , and we know that we need to have clarity as soon as possible . ''

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator is on his way to Brussels to give an update on the paused negotiations ahead of an emergency phone call between Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
On his way into London's St Pancras station, Michel Barnier told reporters: "We keep calm," adding: "If there is still a way... we will see."
One EU official has said that no emergency summit of EU leaders is planned at this stage, Reuters news agency is reporting.
The negotiations on a potential trade deal have gone down to the wire.
With time for an agreement rapidly running out, the two sides' chief negotiators announced last night that they were putting the talks on "pause" to allow political leaders to take stock.
In a joint statement following the latest round of negotiations in London, the UK's Lord Frost and the EU's Michel Barnier said the conditions for an agreement had still not been met.
Lord Frost and Mr Barnier said Ms von der Leyen and Mr Johnson would "discuss the state of play" this afternoon.
Image: Britain's chief Brexit negotiator David Frost released a joint statement with his EU counterpart
It comes after a week of intense negotiations in London, with late night sessions fuelled by deliveries of sandwiches and pizza.
Lord Frost and Mr Barnier blamed the breakdown in the talks on "significant divergences on level playing field, governance, and fisheries".
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The level playing field refers to state subsidies and standards: the EU fears that Britain could become a low-regulation economic rival, cutting standards and heavily subsidising its industries.
Britain, meanwhile, wants to "take back control" from Brussels and set its own economic policies.
The fishing industry is another obstacle - a small part of the European economy at large, but very important to nations such as France.
The EU wants to continue to fish in British waters, but Britain wants to control access and quotas.
Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates said that the pause in talks was "no doubt a very significant moment" - but "not unexpected".
"Things didn't go terribly well on Thursday in the negotiating room and (on Friday) they didn't get markedly worse, but on the issues we've talked about for the last 12 months, there isn't the gap being closed," he said.
Coates said it was possible that the call between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen could produce "a bit of a breakthrough", but "while it is possible both sides could agree there are no more talks necessary, I'm told that is the least likely outcome".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Brexit border delays: Why do they matter?
Britain formally left the 27-nation bloc at the end of January and has spent most of the year in a transition period, with rules on trade, travel and business unchanged.
But a trade deal needs to be approved by politicians in Britain and the EU before the end of the year to take effect on 1 January.
Without it, both sides would have to grapple with tariffs and trade barriers that would bring huge disruption.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:30 Will Brexit cause a rift with Joe Biden's US team?
European Council President Charles Michel said: "We will see what will happen in the next days.
"But the end of December is the end of December and we know that after 31 December we have 1 January, and we know that we need to have clarity as soon as possible."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-04--Brexit has reached its endgame - and one very important phone call could be make or break

The phone call between Boris Johnson and the European Commission president could unlock the negotiation - or end it .
Brexit has reached its endgame - and one very important phone call could be make or break Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson will hold what could be a decisive phone call on Saturday Saturday could be the most important day in Brexit since the UK 's formal exit from the EU at the end of January .
Significant gaps remain between the two sides in the negotiation over a post-Brexit trade deal .
Talks between the EU 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterpart David Frost have reached the end of the road .
There is now a `` pause '' and the entire process is being passed up to the two principals , Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , to discuss in a telephone call on Saturday afternoon .
This could unlock the negotiation .
It could also end it .
It is impossible to say which outcome it will be .
For days , the EU and the UK sides have been saying that the talks would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ms von der Leyen , so in one sense the announcement should not be a surprise .
The EU is also more than aware of the need for Britain to have a choreographed win against them in the event of a deal .
Intriguingly , 36 hours ago , before the current impasse , both sides had been saying there were visible paths through some of the most intractable issues .
That does n't mean Friday 's dispute is n't serious and tensions real .
The current turmoil seems to have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU suddenly returned to an old demand to stay aligned to some EU rules after 1 January , even if they change - a demand which would breach a key red line for the UK .
Some insiders in the UK government suggested on Friday that they are extremely pessimistic .
Brexit was never going to end with a whimper .
Mr Johnson himself was always going to have to play a major part in the drama .
In either direction , there was always going to be turbulence .
That endgame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to go to decide the outcome .

The phone call between Boris Johnson and the European Commission president could unlock the negotiation - or end it.
Brexit has reached its endgame - and one very important phone call could be make or break
Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson will hold what could be a decisive phone call on Saturday
Saturday could be the most important day in Brexit since the UK's formal exit from the EU at the end of January.
Significant gaps remain between the two sides in the negotiation over a post-Brexit trade deal.
Talks between the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost have reached the end of the road.
Image: EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Britain's David Frost (below) said there were still 'significant divergences'
There is now a "pause" and the entire process is being passed up to the two principals, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss in a telephone call this afternoon.
This could unlock the negotiation. It could also end it.
It is impossible to say which outcome it will be.
For days, the EU and the UK sides have been saying that the talks would always end in calls between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen, so in one sense the announcement should not be a surprise.
The EU is also more than aware of the need for Britain to have a choreographed win against them in the event of a deal.
Intriguingly, 36 hours ago, before the current impasse, both sides had been saying there were visible paths through some of the most intractable issues.
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That doesn't mean Friday's dispute isn't serious and tensions real.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Brexit border delays: Why do they matter?
The current turmoil seems to have come after the UK suggested that on Thursday the EU suddenly returned to an old demand to stay aligned to some EU rules after 1 January, even if they change - a demand which would breach a key red line for the UK.
Some insiders in the UK government suggested on Friday that they are extremely pessimistic.
Brexit was never going to end with a whimper.
Mr Johnson himself was always going to have to play a major part in the drama. In either direction, there was always going to be turbulence.
That endgame process has now begun, with just days to go to decide the outcome.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-04--Liverpool mayor arrested on suspicion of bribery, Sky News understands

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has been arrested in connection with an investigation into building and planning developments in the city , Sky News understands .
He is one of five men arrested on suspicion of alleged offences including conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation .
None have been charged or named by Merseyside Police , with the force releasing the following details : • A 72-year-old man , from Aigburth , arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation • A 62-year-old man , from Old Swan , arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation • A 33-year-old man , from West Derby , arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation • A 25-year-old man , from , Ormskirk , arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation Sky News understands the 62-year-old is Mr Anderson , the city 's directly-elected Labour mayor .
It is also understood that he has been administratively suspended from the party .
Merseyside Police said detectives made the arrests on Friday as `` part of an ongoing investigation '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to police stations across Merseyside where they will be questioned by detectives , '' added a statement from the force .
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said : `` Liverpool City Council is co-operating with Merseyside Police in relation to its ongoing investigation .
We do not comment on matters relating to individuals . ''
Mr Anderson has been at the forefront of Liverpool 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , with the government having held the city up as an example of how areas can emerge from the toughest level of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 before November 's lockdown , but is now in Tier 2 after the stricter measures and the rollout of mass testing helped numbers get back under control .

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has been released on conditional bail after being arrested in connection with an investigation into building and planning developments in the city, Sky News understands.
He is one of five men who were held on suspicion of alleged offences including conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
None have been charged or named by Merseyside Police, and all have now been released pending further inquiries. The force released the following details:
A 72-year-old man, from Aigburth, arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation
A 62-year-old man, from Old Swan, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation
A 46-year-old man, from Ainsdale, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation
A 33-year-old man, from West Derby, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation
A 25-year-old man, from, Ormskirk, arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation
Sky News understands the 62-year-old is Mr Anderson, the city's directly-elected Labour mayor.
It is also understood that he has been administratively suspended from the party.
Merseyside Police said detectives made the arrests on Friday as "part of an ongoing investigation".
Sky News' North of England correspondent Tom Parmenter said: "The police investigation is understood to have been running for more than a year and a total of 11 people have now been arrested as part of the fraud inquiry.
"Detectives have not revealed which property deals are being examined but they are all within the city of Liverpool."
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "Liverpool City Council is co-operating with Merseyside Police in relation to its ongoing investigation. We do not comment on matters relating to individuals."
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Mr Anderson has been at the forefront of Liverpool's response to the coronavirus pandemic, with the government having held the city up as an example of how areas can emerge from the toughest level of its tiered restrictions.
Liverpool was in Tier 3 before November's lockdown, but is now in Tier 2 after the stricter measures and the rollout of mass testing helped numbers get back under control.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-04--Tories' support slipping among new backers over PM's coronavirus handling - report

Boris Johnson 's handling of coronavirus has lost the Conservatives significant numbers of new supporters , a major new poll has found .
The prime minister has been fighting to solidify the gains he made at last year 's general election , particularly across the so-called `` red wall '' of traditional Labour heartlands .
But a new report has found that 42 % of those who voted Tory in the 2019 election - but did not back the party in 2017 - no longer intend to do so .
That is much higher than the 18 % of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last two elections but have since defected .
The survey from June found that among 2019 Conservative voters , only 53 % said the government was handling the COVID-19 pandemic well or very well , while 24 % judged it had been bad or very bad .
`` When a quarter of a governing party 's recent voters think it is managing poorly on the most important issue facing the country , it is clear that these evaluations are not purely an expression of past political affiliation , '' said the British Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It found that Tory voters were not defecting because of a libertarian anti-lockdown agenda , despite the emergence of some of those voices on the right - including from Nigel Farage 's new Reform Party .
`` Conservative defectors who criticise the government 's handling of the crisis tend to actually be rather more in favour of the government using extensive measures to tackle the virus , not less , '' the report concluded .
It added that Tory backbenchers need not necessarily be so worried about losing voters over the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tiers .
`` Our analysis suggests that voters are far less concerned with the principle and far more disgruntled at what is perceived to be a rather poor execution , '' the report said .
Whether those voters worked in the public sector or received emergency financial support through things like the furlough scheme had `` no significant association '' with defection rates , as well .
`` Competence reputations , once damaged , are very difficult to recover , '' the report said .
`` The Conservatives will hope that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healed once the coronavirus crisis is over . ''
At the time the survey was done , over 30,000 people in the UK had already died with coronavirus - a figure that has since more doubled .
The analysis does hold out some hope for the Conservatives , according to its authors , which is that those who have defected have switched to undecided - instead of either Labour or the Liberal Democrats .
Ben Bradley , a Tory MP who flipped the Mansfield constituency blue for the first time in 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' concerns , but the next election is still far off .
`` Clearly it 's incredibly difficult to keep people happy in a global pandemic , '' he said .
`` None of us are happy are we , really ?
`` No government in the world has been perfect , it 's not possible .
`` In the long term though we 'll be judged on how we recover from this over the coming years , and whether those red wall seats feel any better off at the end of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of the agenda , and 2024 is a long way away . ''
And Damien Moore , another northern Conservative who took his seat from the Lib Dems in 2017 , told Sky News : `` We need to be seen to be delivering with the levelling up agenda .
People will need to see and feel that it is worth voting for us . ''

Boris Johnson's handling of coronavirus has lost the Conservatives significant numbers of new supporters, a major new poll has found.
The prime minister has been fighting to solidify the gains he made at last year's general election, particularly across the so-called "red wall" of traditional Labour heartlands.
But a new report has found that 42% of those who voted Tory in the 2019 election - but did not back the party in 2017 - no longer intend to do so.
Image: Tory defectors are largely undecided instead of flooding back to Labour or the Lib Dems
That is much higher than the 18% of people who voted for them at both the last two elections but have since defected.
The survey from June found that among 2019 Conservative voters, only 53% said the government was handling the COVID-19 pandemic well or very well, while 24% judged it had been bad or very bad.
"When a quarter of a governing party's recent voters think it is managing poorly on the most important issue facing the country, it is clear that these evaluations are not purely an expression of past political affiliation," said the British Election Study, which is behind the research.
Image: The 2019 Tory voters were largely not anti-lockdown
It found that Tory voters were not defecting because of a libertarian anti-lockdown agenda, despite the emergence of some of those voices on the right - including from Nigel Farage's new Reform Party.
"Conservative defectors who criticise the government's handling of the crisis tend to actually be rather more in favour of the government using extensive measures to tackle the virus, not less," the report concluded.
Image: The PM won an 80-seat majority at the last election
It added that Tory backbenchers need not necessarily be so worried about losing voters over the idea of restrictive measures under the regional system of tiers.
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"Our analysis suggests that voters are far less concerned with the principle and far more disgruntled at what is perceived to be a rather poor execution," the report said.
Whether those voters worked in the public sector or received emergency financial support through things like the furlough scheme had "no significant association" with defection rates, as well.
Image: Only 53% of 2019 Tory voters said the government's coronavirus handling was good or very good
"Competence reputations, once damaged, are very difficult to recover," the report said.
"The Conservatives will hope that the damage done to the party will be healed once the coronavirus crisis is over."
At the time the survey was done, over 30,000 people in the UK had already died with coronavirus - a figure that has since more doubled.
The analysis does hold out some hope for the Conservatives, according to its authors, which is that those who have defected have switched to undecided - instead of either Labour or the Liberal Democrats.
Ben Bradley, a Tory MP who flipped the Mansfield constituency blue for the first time in 2017, told Sky News he could understand voters' concerns, but the next election is still far off.
Image: Mr Bradley said it was 'difficult to keep people happy' during a pandemic
"Clearly it's incredibly difficult to keep people happy in a global pandemic," he said.
"None of us are happy are we, really?
"No government in the world has been perfect, it's not possible.
"In the long term though we'll be judged on how we recover from this over the coming years, and whether those red wall seats feel any better off at the end of it.
"I'm confident that's top of the agenda, and 2024 is a long way away."
And Damien Moore, another northern Conservative who took his seat from the Lib Dems in 2017, told Sky News: "We need to be seen to be delivering with the levelling up agenda. People will need to see and feel that it is worth voting for us."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-04--'We will see': Barnier sets off to brief EC chief ahead of emergency Brexit talks with PM

The EU 's chief Brexit negotiator is on his way to Brussels to give an update on the paused negotiations ahead of an emergency phone call between Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen .
On his way into London 's St Pancras station , Michel Barnier told reporters : `` We keep calm , '' adding : `` If there is still a way ... we will see . ''
One EU official has said that no emergency summit of EU leaders is planned at this stage , Reuters news agency is reporting .
The negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to the wire .
With time for an agreement rapidly running out , the two sides ' chief negotiators announced last night that they were putting the talks on `` pause '' to allow political leaders to take stock .
In a joint statement following the latest round of negotiations in London , the UK 's Lord Frost and the EU 's Michel Barnier said the conditions for an agreement had still not been met .
Lord Frost and Mr Barnier said Ms von der Leyen and Mr Johnson would `` discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It comes after a week of intense negotiations in London , with late night sessions fuelled by deliveries of sandwiches and pizza .
Lord Frost and Mr Barnier blamed the breakdown in the talks on `` significant divergences on level playing field , governance , and fisheries '' .
The level playing field refers to state subsidies and standards : the EU fears that Britain could become a low-regulation economic rival , cutting standards and heavily subsidising its industries .
Britain , meanwhile , wants to `` take back control '' from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The fishing industry is another obstacle - a small part of the European economy at large , but very important to nations such as France .
The EU wants to continue to fish in British waters , but Britain wants to control access and quotas .
Sky 's deputy political editor Sam Coates said that the pause in talks was `` no doubt a very significant moment '' - but `` not unexpected '' .
`` Things did n't go terribly well on Thursday in the negotiating room and ( on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but on the issues we 've talked about for the last 12 months , there is n't the gap being closed , '' he said .
Coates said it was possible that the call between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen could produce `` a bit of a breakthrough '' , but `` while it is possible both sides could agree there are no more talks necessary , I 'm told that is the least likely outcome '' .
Britain formally left the 27-nation bloc at the end of January and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a transition period , with rules on trade , travel and business unchanged .
But a trade deal needs to be approved by politicians in Britain and the EU before the end of the year to take effect on 1 January .
Without it , both sides would have to grapple with tariffs and trade barriers that would bring huge disruption .
European Council President Charles Michel said : `` We will see what will happen in the next days .
`` But the end of December is the end of December and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have 1 January , and we know that we need to have clarity as soon as possible . ''


skynewspolitics--2020-12-05--Post-Brexit talks deadlock: What are the obstacles?

Crisis talks are to be held by Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in a last-ditch bid to break the impasse on securing a post-Brexit trade deal .
They have been called in to try and get an agreement over the line after the negotiating teams failed to resolve `` significant divergences '' between the two sides .
It follows months of stop-start discussions , which have barely moved on the three thorniest issues - fisheries , ensuring economic fair play and resolving future disputes .
The politically charged issue of fishing is of great symbolic significance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK and France .
EU countries want their boats to be able to keep fishing in British waters after the end of the transition period on 31 December .
But the UK argues as an independent coastal state it should be able to prioritise its own boats and control access and quotas .
France , which is seen by many on the UK side as the EU nation most resistant to compromise , has threatened to veto any deal .
Serious issues remain over the so-called level playing field to ensure businesses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage over those on the other side .
In return for continuing access to the single market , the EU is seeking a high degree of alignment by the UK with its standards on workers rights , the environment and particularly state aid for businesses .
Brussels wants to safeguard against the UK becoming a low-regulation economic rival on the bloc 's doorstep .
The British deny they want to undercut the EU , but argue the whole point of Brexit was about `` taking back control '' and being free to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbs on its freedom to set future economic policies .
The two sides remain at loggerheads over the mechanisms for enforcing any agreement and resolving future disputes .
The UK has insisted as an independent sovereign nation it can not accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice .

There is still no breakthrough on a post-Brexit trade deal and negotiators have been instructed to continue with talks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have said that although deadlines have been repeatedly missed, they believe it is "responsible" to go the "extra mile".
After months of stop-start talks during which 98% of the substance of a trade deal is said to have been agreed, there remains differences on the three thorniest issues - fisheries, ensuring economic fair play, and resolving future disputes.
Image: Fishing is one of the issues leaders are yet to agree on
Fishing
The politically-charged issue of fishing is of great symbolic significance to maritime nations, such as the UK and France.
EU countries want their boats to be able to keep fishing in British waters after the end of the transition period on 31 December.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Brexit border delays: Why do they matter?
But the UK argues as an independent coastal state it should be able to prioritise its own boats and control access and quotas.
However, most fish caught by UK fishermen are sold in Europe, and Britain needs to maintain access to EU markets to be able to do that.
France, which is seen by many on the UK side as the EU nation most resistant to compromise, has threatened to veto any deal.
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Various EU and independent commentators have said that, because fishing accounts for such a small proportion of the UK economy, they see little reason why it should remain a stumbling block if the political will for a deal is there.
Image: Moves to ensure a level playing field for business are also a sticking point
Fair competition guarantees
Serious issues remain over the so-called level playing field to ensure businesses on one side do not gain an unfair advantage over those on the other side.
In return for continuing access to the single market, the EU is seeking a high degree of future alignment by the UK with its standards on workers rights, the environment and particularly state aid for businesses.
Brussels wants to safeguard against the UK becoming a low-regulation economic rival on the bloc's doorstep.
The British deny they want to undercut the EU, but argue the whole point of Brexit was about "taking back control" and being free to set its own standards, and so has resisted curbs on its freedom to set future economic policies.
Mr Johnson said: "Our friends in the EU are currently insisting that if they pass a new law in the future with which we in this country do not comply or don't follow suit, then they want the automatic right to punish us and to retaliate."
The issue has left many independent commentators struggling to understand why a deal cannot be struck as many have pointed out the UK has no desire to undercut the EU, and in many cases, has tougher standards than the bloc.
Again, observers have said that if the political will is in place, conditions could exist for a deal to be struck.
Image: The UK says it cannot accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice
Settling disputes
The two sides remain at loggerheads over the mechanisms for enforcing any agreement and resolving future disputes.
The UK has insisted as an independent sovereign nation it cannot accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-05--Brexit trade talks stuck on three critical issues, say UK and EU leaders

Negotiations over a post-Brexit trade deal are stuck on three critical issues and `` further effort '' is needed to break the deadlock , UK and European Union leaders have said .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement following an hour-long discussion on Saturday .
They said that while `` progress has been achieved in many areas ... significant differences remain on three critical issues : level playing field , governance and fisheries '' .
The level playing field refers to state subsidies and standards : the EU fears that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cutting standards and heavily subsidising its industries .
In the statement , Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen said : `` Both sides underlined that no agreement is feasible if these issues are not resolved .
`` Whilst recognising the seriousness of these differences , we agreed that a further effort should be undertaken by our negotiating teams to assess whether they can be resolved .
`` We are therefore instructing our chief negotiators to reconvene tomorrow in Brussels .
`` We will speak again on Monday evening . ''
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief Brexit negotiator , Michel Barnier , said : `` We will see if there is a way forward .
Work continues tomorrow . ''
The negotiations on a potential trade deal between the UK and EU have gone down to the wire , with time for an agreement rapidly running out .
It comes after a week of intense negotiations in London , with late night sessions fuelled by deliveries of sandwiches and pizza .
Britain wants to `` take back control '' from Brussels and set its own economic policies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small part of the European economy at large , but very important to nations such as France .
The EU wants to continue to fish in British waters , but the UK wants to control access and quotas .
What is unclear from the joint statement from Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen is whether either - or both - of the two leaders was prepared to shift ground during the call in a way that would enable their negotiators to bridge the gaps .
In the run up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of seeking to introduce `` new elements '' into the negotiations at the 11th hour .
The British side was angered by reported demands by Brussels that EU fishermen should continue to enjoy the same access to UK waters for another 10 years .
There was concern that Mr Barnier was coming under pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron at the head of a group of countries which feared he was giving too much ground to the UK .
Ireland 's Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he welcomed news that negotiators would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` An agreement is in everyone 's best interests , '' he tweeted .
`` Every effort should be made to reach a deal . ''
Analysis : A deal remains favourite - but it 's not certain On the face of it , this is like putting a cup more petrol in an empty fuel tank .
The car might trundle on for a mile or two , but it wo n't get you home .
Brexit talks have been stuck for months now over the familiar themes of fishing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the level playing field .
For day after day , negotiators have wrestled with how to find an agreement - and have consistently failed .
So how will a few more days help ?
If it was just down to the pressure of time , that would have worked by now .
What 's required now is for new instructions from above - and in the case of the EU , that means giving more wriggle room to chief negotiator Michel Barnier .
The problem is that some countries - including France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complained that they think he 's giving away too much to the UK .
Would they really be happy to let him make further concessions ?
The same challenge faces Boris Johnson and Lord Frost ( the UK 's chief Brexit negotiator ) - how to strike a deal that looks sufficiently hard-won to satisfy Brexiteers , but is also palatable to the EU .
It will take compromise , and at pace .
Proper diplomatic high-wire stuff and , among senior sources I speak to , there is no consensus about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , but perhaps because that 's how negotiations often work - crisis , anger , broken deadlines and then agreement at the last minute .
The choreography , they insist , is part of the process .
But there has never been a deal quite like this one .
On Monday , the Internal Market Bill , which is utterly hated by the EU , is back in the House of Commons .
The European Council meets on Thursday .
And the French have already said they would be prepared to veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The truth is that , right now , nobody knows what 's going to happen .
A deal remains favourite , perhaps because no-deal is seen as so economically damaging .
But it 's not certain .

Negotiations over a post-Brexit trade deal are stuck on three critical issues and "further effort" is needed to break the deadlock, UK and European Union leaders have said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement following an hour-long discussion on Saturday.
They said that while "progress has been achieved in many areas... significant differences remain on three critical issues: level playing field, governance and fisheries".
Image: Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen spoke in an hour-long phone call on Saturday
The level playing field refers to state subsidies and standards: the EU fears that Britain could become a low-regulation economic rival, cutting standards and heavily subsidising its industries.
In the statement, Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen said: "Both sides underlined that no agreement is feasible if these issues are not resolved.
"Whilst recognising the seriousness of these differences, we agreed that a further effort should be undertaken by our negotiating teams to assess whether they can be resolved.
"We are therefore instructing our chief negotiators to reconvene tomorrow in Brussels.
"We will speak again on Monday evening."
Following the joint statement, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said: "We will see if there is a way forward. Work continues tomorrow."
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Image: Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement on Saturday
The negotiations on a potential trade deal between the UK and EU have gone down to the wire, with time for an agreement rapidly running out.
It comes after a week of intense negotiations in London, with late night sessions fuelled by deliveries of sandwiches and pizza.
Britain wants to "take back control" from Brussels and set its own economic policies.
The fishing industry is another obstacle - a small part of the European economy at large, but very important to nations such as France.
The EU wants to continue to fish in British waters, but the UK wants to control access and quotas.
What is unclear from the joint statement from Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen is whether either - or both - of the two leaders was prepared to shift ground during the call in a way that would enable their negotiators to bridge the gaps.
In the run up to the call, the UK accused the EU side of seeking to introduce "new elements" into the negotiations at the 11th hour.
The British side was angered by reported demands by Brussels that EU fishermen should continue to enjoy the same access to UK waters for another 10 years.
There was concern that Mr Barnier was coming under pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron at the head of a group of countries which feared he was giving too much ground to the UK.
Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he welcomed news that negotiators would resume their discussions in Brussels on Sunday.
"An agreement is in everyone's best interests," he tweeted.
"Every effort should be made to reach a deal."
Analysis: A deal remains favourite - but it's not certain
By Adam Parsons, Sky News Europe correspondent
On the face of it, this is like putting a cup more petrol in an empty fuel tank. The car might trundle on for a mile or two, but it won't get you home.
Brexit talks have been stuck for months now over the familiar themes of fishing, governance and competition rules, known as the level playing field.
For day after day, negotiators have wrestled with how to find an agreement - and have consistently failed. So how will a few more days help?
If it was just down to the pressure of time, that would have worked by now.
What's required now is for new instructions from above - and in the case of the EU, that means giving more wriggle room to chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
The problem is that some countries - including France, the Netherlands and Belgium - have already complained that they think he's giving away too much to the UK. Would they really be happy to let him make further concessions?
The same challenge faces Boris Johnson and Lord Frost (the UK's chief Brexit negotiator) - how to strike a deal that looks sufficiently hard-won to satisfy Brexiteers, but is also palatable to the EU.
It will take compromise, and at pace. Proper diplomatic high-wire stuff and, among senior sources I speak to, there is no consensus about what will happen.
Most still expect a deal, but perhaps because that's how negotiations often work - crisis, anger, broken deadlines and then agreement at the last minute. The choreography, they insist, is part of the process.
But there has never been a deal quite like this one.
On Monday, the Internal Market Bill, which is utterly hated by the EU, is back in the House of Commons.
The European Council meets on Thursday. And the French have already said they would be prepared to veto a Brexit deal if they hate it.
The truth is that, right now, nobody knows what's going to happen. A deal remains favourite, perhaps because no-deal is seen as so economically damaging. But it's not certain.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-05--What's at stake if no Brexit trade deal is reached in talks

Talks between the EU and UK have paused after both sides said there were `` significant differences '' on key issues .
Negotiators hoped that a conversation between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen would provide the political impetus to unlock the deadlock .
But with gaps still existing between both sides , what is at stake if no deal is reached ?
Sky News explains .
Free trade between the EU and UK ends on 1 January and without a deal the UK would trade on World Trade Organisation ( WTO ) terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU , and other countries the UK has no trade deal with , would be subject to tariffs and checks at the border , which means some products could become more expensive .
Under WTO rules medicines are not subject to tariffs - but there could still be delays .
The government has warned of long queues if freight drivers do not complete paperwork in advance , even if a deal is struck , and a lorry park is being built in Kent to help with any disruption .
Goods entering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for six months under a phased-in approach , but requirements will ramp up until July 2021 .
The Northern Ireland protocol , set out in the Withdrawal Agreement , means that even if there is no deal Northern Ireland would remain aligned with some of the EU 's customs rules and standards to avoid goods being checked along the Irish border .
However , the Internal Markets Bill could give ministers the power to override EU customs law .
The government says it is simply trying to clarify the terms of the protocol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on aviation , flights between the UK and EU could be grounded - but both sides have indicated flights would be allowed to continue in the event of no deal .
British airlines , however , would no longer be under the supervision of the EU Aviation Safety Agency .
Anyone driving to Europe in their own car might need extra paperwork like a green card or an international driving permit .
The licences that hauliers need for work in Europe would no longer be valid and they would be reliant on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference of Ministers of Transport .
The existing pet passport scheme will end on 1 January and owners will need to apply in a new process that can take four months .
Those travelling to the EU will not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days out of any 180-day period in the EU .
However a visa may be needed for longer stays or to work or study .
Fishing represents less than 0.1 % of the UK 's economy , but control over UK waters has become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries like France , Belgium , the Netherlands and Denmark .
Without a deal , the UK could stop EU access to UK fishing waters and have full control over its fishing quotas .
However , UK fish heading for the EU market - which makes up the majority of our fish exports - would be subject to tariffs .
Without a deal mobile operators will be able to implement roaming charges after the transition period .
However , bilateral deals between EU and UK operators could prevent roaming charges .
Legislation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected against charges of more than £45 a month without knowing .
The issue of state aid goes to the core of the level playing field debate about fair competition .
In a no-deal scenario , the UK government would be able to intervene to support businesses without being bound by EU state aid competition rules .
Under the Withdrawal Agreement , Northern Ireland would still have to stay aligned to EU rules .
However , the Internal Markets Bill - which is back in the House of Commons on Monday - could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state aid in Northern Ireland .
The UK would still have to follow the looser WTO agreement on subsidies and countervailing measures on goods .

The deadline for a breakthrough on the Brexit tradedeal between the EU and UK has been extended until Sunday, but "significant differences" remain on key issues.
Negotiators had hoped that the Brussels dinner shared by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would have provided the political impetus to unlock the deadlock.
But with gaps still existing between both sides, what is at stake if no deal is reached? Sky News explains.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 EU: Still 'significant differences' over Brexit
Tariffs and customs checks
Free trade between the EU and UK ends on 1 January and without a deal the UK would trade on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms.
Imports and exports to and from the EU, and other countries the UK has no trade deal with, would be subject to tariffs and checks at the border, which means some products could become more expensive.
WTO tariffs vary depending on the product, with some such as agricultural and food products having tariffs as high as 80% while others, such as cars and car parts, are at around 7%.
Under WTO rules medicines are not subject to tariffs - but there could still be delays.
The government has warned of long queues if freight drivers do not complete paperwork in advance, even if a deal is struck, and a lorry park is being built in Kent to help with any disruption.
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Goods entering the UK will not face full customs checks for six months under a phased-in approach, but requirements will ramp up until July 2021.
Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Protocol, set out in the Withdrawal Agreement, means that even if there is no deal Northern Ireland would remain aligned with some of the EU's customs rules and standards to avoid goods being checked along the Irish border but would remain in the UK customs territory.
Image: The government has warned of long queues if freight drivers do not complete paperwork in advance
The UK government had put forward legislation - the Internal Market Bill - which could have given ministers the power to override EU customs law.
The government said it was simply trying to clarify the terms of the protocol to avoid disruption and provide some "necessary additional flexibilities".
But after the move provoked a torrent of criticism - and saw Brussels launch legal action - both sides reached an agreement in principle on the Northern Ireland Protocol earlier this week.
The UK will drop the parts of the IMB that could have seen the UK break international law.
The agreement includes Brussels officials being permitted at border checks in Northern Ireland, but there will be no "mini-embassy" EU embassy there.
Unfettered access to Great Britain for Northern Ireland businesses would be guaranteed, the British government said.
And it promised to give Northern Ireland supermarkets a three month grace period to adjust to new trading arrangements and avoid food supply delays, whether there is a deal or not.
Image: Even if there is no deal, Northern Ireland would remain aligned with some of the EU's customs rules and standards
Travel - Aviation
Without any agreement on aviation, flights between the UK and EU could be grounded - but both sides have indicated flights would be allowed to continue in the event of no deal.
British airlines, however, would no longer be under the supervision of the EU Aviation Safety Agency, but the EU has proposed a six month mini deal to allow smooth flight connectivity.
Travel - Roads
Anyone driving to Europe in their own car might need extra paperwork like a green card or an international driving permit.
The licences that hauliers need for work in Europe would no longer be valid and they would be reliant on a limited number of permits from the European Conference of Ministers of Transport.
The EU has proposed a six month deal to allow road freight and road passenger transport to continue working smoothly if a deal has not been hammered out by 1 January.
Travel - Pets
The existing pet passport scheme will end on 1 January and owners will need to apply in a new process that can take four months.
Image: The existing pet passport scheme will end on 1 January
Owners have been told to contact their vets at least four months before leaving to make sure they adhere to any new rules that are agreed.
Travel - Visas
Those travelling to the EU will not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days out of any 180-day period in the EU.
However, a visa may be needed for longer stays or to work or study.
Fishing
Fishing represents less than 0.1% of the UK's economy, but control over UK waters has become a symbolic issue for Boris Johnson and EU countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Image: Fishing represents less than 0.1% of the UK's economy, but it is one of the key issues in the talks
Without a deal, the UK could stop EU access to UK fishing waters and have full control over its fishing quotas.
However, UK fish heading for the EU market - which makes up the majority of our fish exports - would be subject to tariffs.
In the event of no deal, the EU is proposing a year-long legal framework for "continued reciprocal access by EU and UK vessels to each other's waters" in 2021.
The bloc said such a framework could end earlier than 31 December next year, should a new fisheries agreement with the UK be concluded prior to that date.
Mobile roaming charges
Without a deal mobile operators will be able to implement roaming charges after the transition period.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:12 Sky News correspondents discuss Brexit impasse
However, bilateral deals between EU and UK operators could prevent roaming charges.
Legislation has been passed to make sure people are protected against charges of more than £45 a month without knowing.
State aid
The issue of state aid goes to the core of the level playing field debate about fair competition.
In a no-deal scenario, the UK government would be able to intervene to support businesses without being bound by EU state aid competition rules.
Under the Withdrawal Agreement, Northern Ireland would still have to stay aligned to EU rules.
The UK would still have to follow the looser WTO agreement on subsidies and countervailing measures on goods.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-05--Keir Starmer forced to self-isolate again after staff member tests positive

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been forced back into self-isolation after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus .
A spokesperson for Sir Keir said : `` This afternoon , Keir Starmer was advised to self-isolate after a member of his private office staff tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` Keir is well and not showing any symptoms .
He will now be working from home . ''
He is expected to remain in isolation until 16 December after coming into contact with the employee on Tuesday , the spokesperson added .
Mr Starmer went into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children showed symptoms .
The child 's test came back negative and he was able to return to normal duties .
The Labour leader 's wife , Victoria , works for an NHS hospital that allows any member of staff or relative to get a COVID-19 test done if they show symptoms .
But government guidelines advise people who come into contact with anyone who tests positive to remain indoors for 14 days - even if they test negative themselves .
It is not clear when Sir Keir was last tested for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to isolate for a second time last month after having a meeting with an MP who later tested positive .
Mr Johnson was forced to take part in Prime Minister 's Questions virtually after spending around 35 minutes with Lee Anderson on 12 November .
Like Sir Keir , he did not show any symptoms , but said he was `` following the rules '' and remained `` as fit as a butcher 's dog '' during his quarantine at Number 10 .

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been forced back into self-isolation after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus.
A spokesperson for Sir Keir said: "This afternoon, Keir Starmer was advised to self-isolate after a member of his private office staff tested positive for the coronavirus.
"Keir is well and not showing any symptoms. He will now be working from home."
He is expected to remain in isolation until 16 December after coming into contact with the employee on Tuesday, the spokesperson added.
Mr Starmer went into self-isolation in September after one of his children showed symptoms. The child's test came back negative and he was able to return to normal duties.
Image: The Labour leader is pictured at Prime Minister's Questions
The Labour leader's wife, Victoria, works for an NHS hospital that allows any member of staff or relative to get a COVID-19 test done if they show symptoms.
But government guidelines advise people who come into contact with anyone who tests positive to remain indoors for 14 days - even if they test negative themselves. It is not clear when Sir Keir was last tested for the virus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to isolate for a second time last month after having a meeting with an MP who later tested positive.
Mr Johnson was forced to take part in Prime Minister's Questions virtually after spending around 35 minutes with Lee Anderson on 12 November.
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Like Sir Keir, he did not show any symptoms, but said he was "following the rules" and remained "as fit as a butcher's dog" during his quarantine at Number 10.


skynewspolitics--2020-12-06--Brexit: Talks in 'difficult position' but UK will keep negotiating 'until no point doing so'

Post-Brexit trade talks are in `` a very difficult position '' but the UK is ready to keep negotiating `` until there is no point doing so any further '' , Environment Secretary George Eustice has told Sky News .
Speaking to Sophy Ridge On Sunday , the cabinet minister said progress was being made but the EU had then `` added a whole load of additional demands '' which created problems and was a `` setback '' .
Negotiators are returning to the table in a `` final throw of the dice '' to strike a deal , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an `` economic war '' with Europe and the US if one can not be reached and a shadow minister describes no deal as `` catastrophic '' .
Mr Eustice said the UK is prepared to make some agreements on the so-called level playing field , but argued the EU must treat the UK as a sovereign power .
Arriving in Brussels today , the UK 's chief negotiator David Frost said : `` We will be looking forward to meeting our European colleagues later on this afternoon , '' and he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to get a deal . ''
On fishing , a key sticking point , Mr Eustice accused the EU of making `` ludicrous '' demands over future fishing rights .
While the UK was prepared to offer a multi-annual deal of up to three years , the EU was insisting on access to British waters `` in perpetuity '' .
He said : `` The EU have suggested a very modest increase that they would tolerate the UK having of the fish in its own waters , but given that we only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own waters now that simply would n't be possible .
`` There is also the more important principle that you would not be able to give any guarantees for the long-term , otherwise you are effectively guaranteed access in perpetuity to our waters which is just not right under international law .
`` We would be the only country in the entire world that could agree that , so such a suggestion really is quite ludicrous and not consistent with international law . ''
Pressed over whether the talks have in fact been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` we will find out in the next day or two whether it is an exercise the EU 's engaged in '' and `` whether this is a choreographed thing on their part '' .
He said : `` It is in a very difficult position - there is no point denying that .
`` There was some hope early last week , some progress was being made , and at one point it looked like there might be a breakthrough but then the European Union added a whole load of additional demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We will continue to work on these negotiations until there is no point doing so any further but there is no point denying that what happened late last week was a setback . ''
With time running out before the Brexit transition period ends at the end of the month , Britain 's chief negotiator Lord Frost is reconvening talks with his EU counterpart Michel Barnier in Brussels to try to resolve `` significant differences '' .
It follows an hour-long call on Saturday between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they agreed on a final push to get an agreement .
Labour former prime minister Gordon Brown warned of `` huge international implications '' of failing to reach an agreement with the EU .
He told Sky News : `` We would be in an economic war with Europe that would cost us very dearly .
Food , drugs and everything else we 'd find it difficult to get it into the country without tariffs and holdups .
`` But we would also be in an economic war with America , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treaty with America .
`` Boris Johnson is going to end up as the most isolated prime minister in peacetime history with no friends around the world , because he has simply chosen a path of confrontation when everybody knows it is Britain 's economic interest - maybe not in the Brexiteers ' ideological interest - to get a deal and get a deal now . ''
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the UK `` absolutely '' needs a deal with the EU , although he refused to be drawn on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to rule out the opposition abstaining .
He told Ridge : `` Clearly we need to see what has been agreed .
I think that 's a sensible , responsible position to take .
`` But let 's very much hope there is a deal because there seems to be two paths before us at the moment - a path of leaving the transition period without a deal and leaving with a deal , and we do know how catastrophic the no-deal outcome would be . ''

Post-Brexit trade talks are in "a very difficult position" but the UK is ready to keep negotiating "until there is no point doing so any further", Environment Secretary George Eustice has told Sky News.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge On Sunday, the cabinet minister said progress was being made but the EU had then "added a whole load of additional demands" which created problems and was a "setback".
Negotiators are returning to the table in a "final throw of the dice" to strike a deal, as former prime minister Gordon Brown warned of an "economic war" with Europe and the US if one cannot be reached and a shadow minister describes no deal as "catastrophic".
Mr Eustice said the UK is prepared to make some agreements on the so-called level playing field, but argued the EU must treat the UK as a sovereign power.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 EU: Still 'significant differences' over Brexit
Image: Lord Frost (right) arriving in Brussels to restart the talks
Arriving in Brussels today, the UK's chief negotiator David Frost said: "We will be looking forward to meeting our European colleagues later on this afternoon," and he added: "We will be working very hard to get a deal."
On fishing, a key sticking point, Mr Eustice accused the EU of making "ludicrous" demands over future fishing rights.
While the UK was prepared to offer a multi-annual deal of up to three years, the EU was insisting on access to British waters "in perpetuity".
He said: "The EU have suggested a very modest increase that they would tolerate the UK having of the fish in its own waters, but given that we only have half of the fish in our own waters now that simply wouldn't be possible.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:55 Government advert on how to socially distance
"There is also the more important principle that you would not be able to give any guarantees for the long-term, otherwise you are effectively guaranteed access in perpetuity to our waters which is just not right under international law.
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"We would be the only country in the entire world that could agree that, so such a suggestion really is quite ludicrous and not consistent with international law."
Pressed over whether the talks have in fact been a "charade", he said "we will find out in the next day or two whether it is an exercise the EU's engaged in" and "whether this is a choreographed thing on their part".
He said: "It is in a very difficult position - there is no point denying that.
"There was some hope early last week, some progress was being made, and at one point it looked like there might be a breakthrough but then the European Union added a whole load of additional demands after that which caused some problems.
"We will continue to work on these negotiations until there is no point doing so any further but there is no point denying that what happened late last week was a setback."
Mr Eustice also said Brexit will not disrupt efforts to bring the vaccine into the country.
He said: "A huge amount of work has gone on to maintain the flow of goods on the border in the event of there being a no deal Brexit.
"We've also got contingency plans in place including a government procured ferry that's on standby, and of course an option to use air freight too."
Irish premier Micheal Martin has told RTE he is not "overly optimistic" about a breakthrough in the Brexit talks, saying he is "50-50" on a deal being reached.
The Taoiseach described the talks as on a "knife-edge".
With time running out before the Brexit transition period ends at the end of the month, Lord Frost is reconvening talks with his EU counterpart Michel Barnier in Brussels to try to resolve "significant differences".
It follows an hour-long call on Saturday between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in which they agreed on a final push to get an agreement.
Labour former prime minister Gordon Brown warned of "huge international implications" of failing to reach an agreement with the EU.
He told Sky News: "We would be in an economic war with Europe that would cost us very dearly. Food, drugs and everything else we'd find it difficult to get it into the country without tariffs and holdups.
"But we would also be in an economic war with America, because there would be no chance of trade treaty with America.
"Boris Johnson is going to end up as the most isolated prime minister in peacetime history with no friends around the world, because he has simply chosen a path of confrontation when everybody knows it is Britain's economic interest - maybe not in the Brexiteers' ideological interest - to get a deal and get a deal now."
Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the UK "absolutely" needs a deal with the EU, although he refused to be drawn on how Labour would vote on any agreement and refused to rule out the opposition abstaining.
He told Ridge: "Clearly we need to see what has been agreed. I think that's a sensible, responsible position to take.
"But let's very much hope there is a deal because there seems to be two paths before us at the moment - a path of leaving the transition period without a deal and leaving with a deal, and we do know how catastrophic the no-deal outcome would be."
Former permanent secretary at the now disbanded Brexit department Philip Rycroft said the talks were always "going to go to the wire", but warned time was running out.
He said: "I am surprised, however, that we are going into this very last phase of the negotiations with the differences between the two sides apparently still very large."
Mr Rycroft argued the main stumbling block was the level playing field "because it's about points of principle".
He added: "From the UK side its about sovereignty, the ability to set our own rules. For the EU it's about protecting the integrity of the single market. If the UK wants privileged access to that market without tariffs or quotas then the EU is very insistent we take some obligations by maintaining standards.
"That's what will make or break this negotiation at the end of the day."


skynewspolitics--2020-12-06--Brown says regions need more power - but predicts voters would reject Scottish independence

Gordon Brown has expressed confidence that voters would reject Scottish independence in a second referendum - but said more powers should be given to regions and devolved nations .
Speaking to Sky News , the former prime minister said centralised government is failing the UK and that Boris Johnson is `` out of touch '' .
He acknowledged preserving the Union would be a `` hard battle '' but added : `` I think if there was a referendum we 'd win it and Scotland would stay in the United Kingdom . ''
Voters in Scotland rejected independence in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 44 % .
But more than a dozen consecutive polls have found a majority of voters are now in favour of independence .
Mr Brown told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that victory a second time round would not come easily .
He said : `` People are frustrated and they 're fed up .
Not just in Scotland , but in the regions of England and in Wales .
`` I see a sense growing right across the whole of the United Kingdom that people feel , in regions and the nations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're not being consulted , that Westminster and Whitehall is out of touch . ''
Mr Brown , who was PM from 2007 to 2010 , called for a rethink of the UK 's political settlement after the COVID crisis , with greater powers for regions in England and the devolved nations .
`` The centre will have to admit that it can not do everything itself and that centralisation is not working in the way that it could , '' Mr Brown said .
Listing Scotland and Wales alongside regional leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all saying they need more power to be able to make decisions closer to home .
`` And there 's something quite wrong about the British constitution now , that we have a multi-national state , we have regions with a great deal of different needs and different traditions and different cultures and different desires , but this government has not found a way of co-operating with them , a way of consulting them , of working with them .
`` And there seems to be no formal mechanisms in place by which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually talk to the prime minister or talk to the leading cabinet ministers . ''
He went on to speak about differences in approach to the coronavirus crisis , saying : `` The British way of governing has got to change if we 're going to meet the needs and aspirations of people in all parts of the country . ''
And he added : `` You can talk to every mayor ... they do not feel that they are let in to the discussions that matter to their own areas . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sturgeon has said that while her `` energies are focused on '' dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic , she has not ruled out launching her push for independence in a referendum next year .
Ms Sturgeon has said she wants the vote to be in the early part of the next Scottish parliamentary term , following elections to Holyrood in spring 2021 .
If the Scottish National Party wins a majority , senior figures claim it will give them the mandate to demand Boris Johnson grant MSPs the power to call a referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will refuse to do so , leading to unanswered questions about what the SNP would do next .
Mr Brown said the ambition of the SNP to potentially have a referendum within a year of the next Holyrood elections is `` quite unrealistic '' .
`` I do n't think people want a referendum now , '' he told Ridge , adding : `` I do n't think you should have a referendum at this stage when we 're dealing with a pandemic . ''
Asked about reported comments from Mr Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , Mr Brown responded : `` He 's completely out of touch . ''
`` I think Boris Johnson has got to do something to show that he cares about Scotland , '' he added .
`` But he 's also got to do it for Wales and he 's also got to do it for the regions of England , where quite frankly some of his statements have gone down badly .
`` As a prime minister , and I found this , you 've got to spend time bringing people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , the prime minister , that 's got to try to unite the country . ''
And Mr Brown warned the PM that a no-deal Brexit would spark an `` economic war '' with the EU and US , leaving Mr Johnson as the `` most isolated prime minister in peacetime history '' .

Gordon Brown has expressed confidence that voters would reject Scottish independence in a second referendum - but said more powers should be given to regions and devolved nations.
Speaking to Sky News, the former prime minister said centralised government is failing the UK and that Boris Johnson is "out of touch".
He acknowledged preserving the Union would be a "hard battle" but added: "I think if there was a referendum we'd win it and Scotland would stay in the United Kingdom."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:57 Is the Union in trouble?
Voters in Scotland rejected independence in a 2014 vote, by 55% to 44%.
But more than a dozen consecutive polls have found a majority of voters are now in favour of independence.
Mr Brown told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that victory a second time round would not come easily.
He said: "People are frustrated and they're fed up. Not just in Scotland, but in the regions of England and in Wales.
"I see a sense growing right across the whole of the United Kingdom that people feel, in regions and the nations, they're not being listened to, they're not being consulted, that Westminster and Whitehall is out of touch."
Mr Brown, who was PM from 2007 to 2010, called for a rethink of the UK's political settlement after the COVID crisis, with greater powers for regions in England and the devolved nations.
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Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"The centre will have to admit that it cannot do everything itself and that centralisation is not working in the way that it could," Mr Brown said.
Listing Scotland and Wales alongside regional leaders, he said: "They're all saying they need more power to be able to make decisions closer to home.
"And there's something quite wrong about the British constitution now, that we have a multi-national state, we have regions with a great deal of different needs and different traditions and different cultures and different desires, but this government has not found a way of co-operating with them, a way of consulting them, of working with them.
"And there seems to be no formal mechanisms in place by which the mayors or the first ministers can actually talk to the prime minister or talk to the leading cabinet ministers."
He went on to speak about differences in approach to the coronavirus crisis, saying: "The British way of governing has got to change if we're going to meet the needs and aspirations of people in all parts of the country."
And he added: "You can talk to every mayor... they do not feel that they are let in to the discussions that matter to their own areas."
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that while her "energies are focused on" dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, she has not ruled out launching her push for independence in a referendum next year.
Ms Sturgeon has said she wants the vote to be in the early part of the next Scottish parliamentary term, following elections to Holyrood in spring 2021.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 'We want indyref2 soon in next parliament'
If the Scottish National Party wins a majority, senior figures claim it will give them the mandate to demand Boris Johnson grant MSPs the power to call a referendum.
But the prime minister has said he will refuse to do so, leading to unanswered questions about what the SNP would do next.
Mr Brown said the ambition of the SNP to potentially have a referendum within a year of the next Holyrood elections is "quite unrealistic".
"I don't think people want a referendum now," he told Ridge, adding: "I don't think you should have a referendum at this stage when we're dealing with a pandemic."
Asked about reported comments from Mr Johnson that devolution had been a "disaster", Mr Brown responded: "He's completely out of touch."
"I think Boris Johnson has got to do something to show that he cares about Scotland," he added.
"But he's also got to do it for Wales and he's also got to do it for the regions of England, where quite frankly some of his statements have gone down badly.
"As a prime minister, and I found this, you've got to spend time bringing people together. In the end it's you, the prime minister, that's got to try to unite the country."
And Mr Brown warned the PM that a no-deal Brexit would spark an "economic war" with the EU and US, leaving Mr Johnson as the "most isolated prime minister in peacetime history".