United Kingdom: government prepared to include pledge not to weaken labour law in trade deal with EU 

In its negotiating mandate published on 27 February, Boris Johnson’s government stated that it does not want to weaken labour standards following the UK’s exit from the European Union in order to gain a competitive advantage. Any UK-EU trade agreement “should include reciprocal commitments not to weaken or reduce the level of protection afforded by labour laws and standards”, the government says in the 36-page document, which sets out its aims for the future trade deal. At the same time, however, the UK does not want to find itself tied to EU regulations. “The agreement should recognise the right of each party to set its labour priorities and adopt or modify its labour laws.” the document continues. Its suggests that the UK, which has planned to adopt a new law on employment in the near future, would like to make sure its hands are untied post-Brexit. The mandate also says the UK would like to renew its commitment, along with Europe, to respecting the principles of the International Labour Organization (ILO). More generally, the UK is pushing for a trade deal that is similar to that struck by Canada with the EU. With talks set to kick off next week, the conservative prime minister used the publication of the negotiating mandate to pile pressure on Brussels, by saying the UK is ready to walk away from discussions in June if no progress is being made.