Latest News
- US initiates naval blockade of Iranian ports amid escalating tensions
- Former NATO Chief Warns UK’s National Security Is ‘At Risk’ and ‘Unsafe’
- Ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles’ lost verses rediscovered in Cairo
- Tune in to Europe Today for top news at 8 am Brussels time
- Chagossians remain on Île du Coin as deal to transfer territory collapses
- European Council denies claim of UK office for strategic alignment in Brussels
- Ireland mourns mother Scarlett Faulkner who dies after brutal assault
- Palestinian minister accuses Israel of enabling settler violence against Palestinians
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
Knowledge Hub
Global Reaction to DE Elections
US initiates naval blockade of Iranian ports amid escalating tensions
10:01 am
US initiates naval blockade of Iranian ports amid escalating tensions
In a significant escalation of geopolitical tensions, the United States has initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports, responding to Iran‘s continued military assertiveness in the Strait of Hormuz. This move, announced by US officials yesterday, seeks to curb Iran’s influence and is viewed as a direct challenge to its shipping activities. Chinese authorities have described the blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible,” raising new concerns over regional stability. As nations respond, further details about the United Nations’ stance on this situation are anticipated in the coming days, particularly regarding international maritime law and security protocols. For more on global political tensions, visit global news coverage.
The blockade is likely to disrupt international markets, especially in oil, as fears of supply chain interruptions grow. Analysts predict fluctuations in global oil prices as the situation unfolds. Observers are now closely monitoring discussions within the G20 about potential sanctions and collective responses, especially from countries reliant on energy imports from the region.
Key developments across the world
US starts naval blockade of Iranian ports after deadline passes
GLOBAL SECURITY — The US has initiated a naval blockade of Iranian ports following the expiration of an ultimatum regarding military activities. This escalation raises tensions significantly in the Gulf region amid ongoing confrontations between the US and Iran.
The blockade is intended to prevent Iran from shipping arms, but the Chinese government has condemned it, labeling it “dangerous and irresponsible.” Additional concerns arise as Saudi Arabia is reportedly urging the US to reconsider its blockade strategy.
China calls U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
DIPLOMACY — China has publicly denounced the United States’ blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a precarious action. This response underscores rising tensions between major global powers in the wake of military escalations.
China’s criticism highlights the ongoing geopolitical friction surrounding Iran’s military activities and the pivotal role of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passageway for global oil shipments.
Gunman opens fire at high school in Turkey, wounding at least 16
GLOBAL SECURITY — A shooting at a high school in Turkey has resulted in at least 16 injuries, raising concerns about school safety and gun control in the country. The incident occurred in Sanliurfa and has prompted a nationwide discussion on violence in educational institutions.
This tragic event underscores the increasing occurrence of violent incidents within educational settings, drawing attention to the need for stricter regulations and preventive measures against firearm access.
Several students injured in a shooting incident inside a school in southeastern Türkiye
GLOBAL SECURITY — A school shooting in Türkiye has resulted in multiple injuries, significantly impacting the local community and raising alarm over public safety. The shooter, reportedly a student, has sparked urgent discussions about gun laws and mental health support in schools.
This incident is occurring amid a broader context of escalating violence in educational settings, prompting calls for enhanced protective measures and reform in policies governing firearms access amongst the youth.
Middle East war live: China says US blockade of Iran ports ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
INTERNATIONAL LAW — The international community is re-evaluating strategies regarding Iran as tensions escalate following the US blockade. This has prompted reactions from various nations, particularly China, emphasising the precarious nature of military actions in international waters.
This global response highlights the far-reaching implications of unilateral military strategies on diplomatic relations, with a focus on potential violations of international maritime law.
What to watch — Monitor further developments regarding US-Iran relations and international diplomatic responses to military actions in the region.
Further reading from global news sources
BBC News
Harry and Meghan mix charity and business on Australia visit
The Guardian
Harry and Meghan greeted by hushed ‘hiii’ in Melbourne hospital on first stop of Australian tour
The Guardian
US starts naval blockade of Iranian ports after deadline passes
CNN
Gunman opens fire at high school in Turkey, wounding at least 16
Financial Times
Middle East war live: China says US blockade of Iran ports ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
Former NATO Chief Warns UK’s National Security Is ‘At Risk’ and ‘Unsafe’
8:00 am
Get you up to speed: Former NATO Chief Warns UK’s National Security Is ‘At Risk’ and ‘Unsafe’
DEFENCE FUNDING CRISIS
Former Nato secretary general Lord George Robertson warns that Defence Secretary John Healey’s lack of investment is endangering Britain’s national security.
Former Nato secretary general Lord George Robertson warns that Defence Secretary John Healey’s lack of investment is endangering Britain’s national security.
DEFENCE FUNDING CRISIS
Former Nato chief Lord George Robertson has publicly criticised the Labour government for underinvestment in defence, asserting that Britain’s national security is at significant risk.
Former Nato chief Lord George Robertson has publicly criticised the Labour government for underinvestment in defence, asserting that Britain’s national security is at significant risk.
DEFENCE FUNDING
Lord George Robertson will deliver a speech today warning that Britain’s national security is at risk due to delayed defence funding decisions by the government.
Lord George Robertson will deliver a speech today warning that Britain’s national security is at risk due to delayed defence funding decisions by the government.
What we know so far
Former Nato secretary general Lord George Robertson has accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of hindering essential defence investment, stating that such actions place Britain ‘in peril.’ Robertson, who served as defence secretary during the early 2000s, has labelled the government as ‘underprepared’ for potential attacks and articulated concerns over the nation’s safety.
In comments made to the Financial Times, Lord George expressed a significant disconnection between the Prime Minister’s rhetoric on defence and actual policy implementation. He condemned the government for failing to make the necessary investments in national security, stating that ‘we are underprepared. We are underinsured. We are under attack.’
Lord George’s statements coincide with the postponement of key actions outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, amidst warnings of a £28 billion funding shortfall within the military over the next four years. He is expected to emphasise the urgency of the situation in a speech today, drawing parallels with the ongoing conflicts in Iran and urging a reassessment of the UK’s defence strategy.
In response, a government spokesperson affirmed their commitment to the Strategic Defence Review and highlighted a record increase in defence spending, stating that over £270 billion will be invested throughout the current Parliament. Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton has echoed concerns regarding the UK’s readiness, suggesting a need for an updated ‘war book’ to enhance civilian preparedness amid evolving threats.
Read in full
UK’s national security is ‘in peril’ and ‘we are not safe’, warns ex-Nato chief | News UK
Former Nato secretary general Lord George Robertson has accused Sir Keir Starmer of holding back defence investment, putting Britain ‘in peril.’
Robertson, a former Labour defence secretary and Nato chief in the early 2000s, criticised the government for being ‘underprepared’ for attack, claiming that the country is ‘not safe.’
He said the government and its approach to defence strategy has shown ‘corrosive complacency ‘ towards national security.
This is the first time Lord George, a key government adviser and the author of the Strategic Defence Review, which set out a bumping up of military spending to 3% of GDP before 2030, has criticised the Labour government publicly.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Speaking to the Financial Times, Lord George said there was a gap between the PM’s words and action on defence.
He accused the Prime Minister of not being willing ‘to make the necessary investment.’
Lord George is expected to warn in a speech today that the Iran war ‘has to be a rude wake-up call.’
‘We are underprepared. We are underinsured. We are under attack. We are not safe … Britain’s national security and safety is in peril,’ he will say during the lecture in Salisbury.
His comments come after investment in carrying out the steps in the Strategic Defence Review has been postponed, along with warnings that the military faces a £28 billion funding black hole in the next four years.
Sources claim the MoD, Treasury and Downing Street have not been able to decide how to proceed with the defence funding.
Lord George will say today: ‘There is a corrosive complacency today in Britain’s political leadership. Lip service is paid to the risks, the threats, the bright red signals of danger – but even a promised national conversation about defence can’t be started.’
A government spokesperson said: ‘We are delivering on the strategic defence review to meet the threats we face.
‘It is backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war, with a total of over £270bn being invested across this parliament.’
The warning comes after another high-ranking official raised the alarm over the UK’s preparedness.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said an updated version of the UK’s war book used in the Cold War and First World War era would mean people need to have a rethink about resilience.
The war book details essential information about what to do in a conflict, similar to Sweden’s updated war pamphlet published after increased Russian threats.
Meanwhile, Nato has been rattled after Donald Trump hinted that he might pull the US out of the military alliance.
The US president accused Nato of not being ‘there for us’ after starting the war in Iran.
What is the Strategic Defence Review?
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets out the UK’s approach to defence policy and making the Armed Forces prepared for modern threats like cyber attacks and drones.
Authored by Lord George and overseen by Defence Secretary John Healey in 2025, the strategy aims to prepare Britain for ‘warfighting readiness’ due to changing threats like cyber attacks, Russian aggression, and drones and technology.
It also increases defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and up to 3% in the coming years, alongside taking a ‘Nato first’ approach and making the entire British society more resilient to threats.
Ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles’ lost verses rediscovered in Cairo
7:00 am
Get you up to speed: Ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles’ lost verses rediscovered in Cairo
A 2,000-year-old papyrus fragment containing 30 previously unknown verses by Empedocles was found in Cairo. The document, known as papyrus P.Fouad inv. 218, was identified by Nathan Carlig from the University of Liège as part of Empedocles’ major poetic work, Physica.
A 2,000-year-old papyrus fragment containing 30 previously unknown verses by Empedocles was identified in the archives of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO), according to Nathan Carlig, a papyrologist at the University of Liège. This discovery allows for readings of Empedocles’ work without reliance on indirect sources, as stated in the book L’Empédocle du Caire, edited by Carlig, Alain Martin, and Olivier Primavesi.
Researchers believe that the publication of the newly uncovered text will open new avenues for understanding Empedocles’ ideas and help place his work more clearly within the development of Greek philosophy. Additionally, the fragment may influence ongoing studies relating to the connections between Empedocles and later thinkers, including Plato and Plutarch.
Ancient work by ‘lost’ philosopher who inspired Plato and Aristotle is uncovered in Egypt | News Tech
The papyrus containing work by Empedocles (Picture: IFAO/Cover Images)
A work by a ‘lost’ Ancient Greek philosopher has been rediscovered, written on a 2,000-year-old papyrus fragment found in Cairo.
The fragile document contains 30 previously unknown verses by Empedocles, a pre-Socratic philosopher of the 5th century BCE.
Elements of Empedocles’ philosophy are mentioned by later philosophers and writers, including Plato and Aristotle, but it was not thought that his own words had survived, until now.
The fragment was found and identified in the archives of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO). The first edition, translation and commentary of the verses have been published in the book L’Empédocle du Caire, edited by Nathan Carlig, Alain Martin and Olivier Primavesi.
Carlig, a papyrologist at the University of Liège, identified the document — known as papyrus P.Fouad inv. 218 — as part of Physica, Empedocles’ major poetic work.
‘Until now, our knowledge of Empedocles’ work relied exclusively on indirect sources such as fragmentary quotations, summaries or allusions scattered throughout the works of authors such as Plato, Aristotle or Plutarch,’ he said.
‘Papyrus P.Fouad inv. 218 allows us to read the philosopher in his original text, without the intermediary of often partial or biased sources. It is also the only known copy of the Physica, fragments of other parts of which from the same scroll are preserved in Strasbourg.’
Sign up for all of the latest stories
The parchment, which contained 30 verses, was found in Egypt (Picture: Getty Images)
The newly uncovered text focuses on theories of particle effluvia and sensory perception, particularly vision. Researchers say the material sheds fresh light on links between Empedocles and later thinkers.
Analysis suggests the fragment may have served as a direct source for a passage by Plutarch in the 2nd century, as well as influencing a dialogue by Plato and a work by Theophrastus in the 4th century BCE.
Previously unnoticed echoes have also been identified in the writings of the comic poet Aristophanes and the Roman philosopher Lucretius.
The study also suggests that Empedocles may be viewed as a precursor to atomist philosophers, including Democritus, who proposed that matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles.
Though not scientifically correct the theories displayed a remarkably advanced understanding of the principles behind theories we now adhere to today.
Like Renaissance humanists who searched European libraries for lost manuscripts, papyrologists have spent more than a century examining ancient papyri in the hope of uncovering forgotten texts.
‘It is, in a way, to borrow Peter Parsons’ words, a “second Renaissance” of ancient literature,” Carlig said.
Researchers believe the publication will open new avenues for understanding Empedocles’ ideas and help place his work more clearly within the development of Greek philosophy, as well as clarifying his relationship with earlier and later thinkers.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Tune in to Europe Today for top news at 8 am Brussels time
6:00 am
Tune in to Europe Today for top news at 8 am Brussels time
Morning Programme
EU News’ flagship morning programme, Europe Today, airs at 8 am Brussels time and summarises the day’s biggest news in 20 minutes.
EU News’ flagship morning programme, Europe Today, airs at 8 am Brussels time and summarises the day’s biggest news in 20 minutes.
Strategic Importance
Europe Today delivers critical news updates within a concise 20-minute format, underscoring its role as a rapid and efficient source of information.
Europe Today delivers critical news updates within a concise 20-minute format, underscoring its role as a rapid and efficient source of information.
Official Response
“Tune in to Europe Today for the latest updates on significant news developments,” said a spokesperson for EU News, emphasising the programme’s commitment to timely and accurate reporting.
“Tune in to Europe Today for the latest updates on significant news developments,” said a spokesperson for EU News, emphasising the programme’s commitment to timely and accurate reporting.
Key developments
Europe Today, EU News’ flagship morning programme, is broadcast at 8 am Brussels time, delivering concise updates on significant news events of the day.
The programme is designed to summarise essential information efficiently, ensuring viewers remain informed of current affairs with minimal time investment.
Europe Today: Magyar teases priorities, Trump blockades Hormuz
Tune in to Europe Today, EU News’ flagship morning programme at 8 am Brussels time. In just 20 minutes, we bring you up to speed on the biggest news of the day.
Chagossians remain on Île du Coin as deal to transfer territory collapses
4:00 am
Get you up to speed: Chagossians remain on Île du Coin as deal to transfer territory collapses
Six Chagossians are currently camping on Île du Coin, with an additional 600 individuals ready to join them following the collapse of a deal to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Misley Mandarin, the island’s first minister, reported that the government is attempting to pressure the islanders to leave by denying them essential supplies.
First Minister Misley Mandarin stated that there are “about six hundred people ready to drop everything and come to the island right now.” Meanwhile, James Tumbridge, the attorney general for the Chagossian government, has made an urgent submission to the UN human rights commissioner for intervention to protect the rights of those camping on Île du Coin.
Chagossians, led by First Minister Misley Mandarin, are determined to remain on Île du Coin despite ongoing water scarcity and threats of expulsion from officials, with about 600 more people ready to join them. The legal rights of the Chagossians have been upheld in court, allowing them to stay for the time being while ongoing legal proceedings continue in the BIOT courts.
Chagos leader vows to keep up desert island protest with deal in jeopardy | News World
Chagossians are prepared to endure water scarcity and threats of expulsion for as long as it takes (Picture: X)
Six Chagossians camping out on the remote desert islands say there are 600 more people ready to join them after the deal to hand over the territory collapsed.
Misley Mandarin, the island’s ‘first minister’, told WTX his group has ‘not won the war yet’ after the government shelved efforts to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius over Donald Trump’s opposition to it.
He claimed officials were trying to pressure the islanders to leave their homeland of their own accord by denying them vital supplies.
The indigenous Chagossians say there are hundreds more who are prepared to endure water scarcity, uncomfortable conditions, and threats of expulsion in order to resettle the island.
First Minister Misley Mandarin and his father Michel, said he wants to die on the island where he was born
Their lawyer has accused Keir Starmer and the British government of acts that amount ‘to ethnic cleansing and potentially crimes against humanity’ for trying to remove the six men.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Mandarin told WTX: ‘We’re going to stay however long it takes. This is our home now.
‘The only way Keir Starmer can remove us is by force, drag us from the beach.
‘I’ve got about six hundred people ready to drop everything and come to the island right now.’
Four British citizens, including Mandarin and his father, who was born on the Indian Ocean archipelago, landed on Île du Coin in February, before being joined by two others.
It is the first time Chagossians have lived there since they were evicted in the 1960s to make way for a military base.
The Foreign Office attempted to evict the exiled islanders, but a court ruled that they would be allowed to stay for the time being.
The Chagos Islands have been British since 1814, but last year the UK government agreed to hand over control to Mauritius and lease back the UK-US installation on Diego Garcia.
The agreement, which includes a plan to lease back the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia – the largest island in the remote Indian Ocean archipelago, has been criticised by the US president (Picture: AP)
Sir Keir has now ditched legislation to implement the plan from this year’s King’s Speech, after Trump branded the move an ‘act of great stupidity’.
Speaking from the remote island, Mandarin said his group was celebrating the news ‘with cautiousness’.
He told WTX: ‘We have not won the war yet, but some battles. We are still facing difficulties.
‘We won’t be reassured until Keir Starmer is not our prime minister, or he kills the deal completely.’
The relief on Île du Coin was cut short when officials boarded a supply boat for the island and allegedly prevented numerous essential items from being taken ashore.
Mandarin, and former Conservative MP Adam Holloway who is aiding the Chagossians, claimed authorities confiscated solar panels to make clean water, mosquito nets, and bedding.
The Chagossian leader, who says that fresh water is scarce on the island, said: ‘It was a lot of things to make our lives more comfortable on the island.
The boat heading to the Chagos Islands was allegedly intercepted (Picture: X)
Vital supplies for the island were allegedly confiscated (Picture: X)
‘They can see the deal is collapsing. I think this is a way to get their frustration out on us.
‘They want to discourage us and make our lives more difficult so we can leave by ourselves.’
A source from the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) told the Telegraph that they had agreed a voyage to the Chagos with over 130 categories of goods.
They added: ‘When the yacht tried to arrive, it became clear a number of additional items were present that had not been declared and for which there had been no attempt to notify/agree this with the BIOT administration in advance.’
Plans from the Foreign Office to expel the islanders have been halted by a successful legal challenge from the group’s lawyers.
A judge also ruled that islanders expelled in the 1960s have the right of abode on their homeland.
James Tumbridge, the attorney general for the Chagossian government, has made an urgent submission to the UN human rights commissioner asking for an intervention to safeguard the rights of those camping there.
The application mentions Sir Keir by name and accuses the government of acts that amount ‘to ethnic cleansing and potentially crimes against humanity’ for its efforts to expel the islanders.
Mandarin stood by these claims, adding: ‘We have been facing this for over sixty years now. Starmer is stopping us from coming to the island.
‘We want more Chagossians to come here and live in their ancestral home.’
His dad, Michel, in his 70s, was born on the islands and wants to die there.
Daily life on the Chagos archipelago, which is on the equator, can be challenging.
‘We have to keep ourselves busy to survive here,’ Mandarin explained.
‘We clean the beach, we collect all the single plastic water bottles.
‘We are catching water. Water is very scarce.’
There is one well on the island, which the group have to travel into the island to get to.
Mandarin says the inhabitants also spend their time fishing and have begun planting vegetables.
Chagossians were kicked out of the island to make way for a joint UK-US Diego Garcia site (Picture: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
Speaking on Sky News this morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Chagos Islands deal is not dead.
He added: ‘We’ve been clear throughout that the objective is to make sure we secure the Chagos Islands for the long term in British and American interests.
‘I think there are lots of people in the US administration who understand what we’re trying to achieve, who support that objective.
‘We’re working with the Americans to try and resolve that, because we’ve been clear that we wouldn’t act without the Americans, because this also concerns their interests as well.’
A government spokesperson said: ‘The Diego Garcia military base is crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies, and to keeping the British people safe.
‘There are ongoing legal proceedings before the BIOT courts. Various UK and international courts have found that there is no right of abode on the Archipelago.’
In relation to the allegations about confiscated goods en route to the Chagos Islands, a BIOT source said: ‘The BIOT administration worked constructively and in good faith with those resupplying Île du Coin in the week before the voyage to agree a detailed manifest of over 130 categories of goods.
‘When the yacht tried to arrive, it became clear a number of additional items were present that had not been declared and for which there had been no attempt to notify/agree this with the BIOT administration in advance.
‘The BIOT administration stands ready to discuss reasonable goods for the group unlawfully on Île du Coin, but these need to be proposed and agreed in advance for the safety and security of the territory, particularly given the group previously illegally imported a drone.’
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
European Council denies claim of UK office for strategic alignment in Brussels
3:00 am
European Council denies claim of UK office for strategic alignment in Brussels
False Claims
False information circulating on social media suggests the European Council has created a UK Office of Strategic Alignment in Brussels, which has been denied by officials.
False information circulating on social media suggests the European Council has created a UK Office of Strategic Alignment in Brussels, which has been denied by officials.
Economic Impact
Estimates indicate Brexit could reduce the UK’s potential GDP by 4% in the long run, representing a significant economic challenge relative to pre-Brexit conditions.
Estimates indicate Brexit could reduce the UK’s potential GDP by 4% in the long run, representing a significant economic challenge relative to pre-Brexit conditions.
European Council Response
“This is a typical misinformation case,” a spokesperson stated, clarifying that no UK Office of Strategic Alignment exists in Brussels.
“This is a typical misinformation case,” a spokesperson stated, clarifying that no UK Office of Strategic Alignment exists in Brussels.
Key developments
False claims regarding the establishment of a UK Office of Strategic Alignment in Brussels have emerged on social media, suggesting an imminent end to Brexit. The European Council has confirmed these claims are false.
A spokesperson for the European Council labelled the misinformation as “typical”. The Working Party on the United Kingdom, tasked with managing post-Brexit relations, also asserted that no such office exists.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated a desire for closer ties with the EU, highlighting the need for deeper economic and security cooperation in response to global volatility.
No, the EU hasn’t set up a UK harmonisation office in Brussels to help undo Brexit
False claims are spreading on social media that the European Council has established a UK Office of Strategic Alignment in Brussels to bring the country back into the EU.
One post says the office has been set up in the “main EU building” and implies that Brexit will soon be over, while another says it shows the EU wants to move on “graciously” and urges Brits not to waste the opportunity.
However, unfortunately for any Remainers or Re-joiners, this isn’t the case.
A spokesperson for the European Council described it as a “typical misinformation case”, as no such office has been set up.
They said that the Working Party on the United Kingdom, the Council body responsible for managing post-Brexit relations with the UK, had also said the claims were inaccurate.
However, it is true that the UK is trying to deepen its ties with the EU, almost 10 years after a referendum that eventually led to the country’s departure from the bloc and successive Conservative government measures to put even more distance between them.
EU News’ fact-checking team, The Cube, also reached out to the UK’s Mission to the EU, which pointed us to a speech that Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave on 1 April this year, where he outlined his government’s desire to move closer to the continent.
“It is increasingly clear that, as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union,” the UK prime minister said while outlining his country’s response to the war in Iran.
“Now, we have made progress on this front on agriculture, electricity, emissions, trading and more. But as the chancellor [Rachel Reeves] has rightly pointed out, Brexit did deep damage to our economy and the opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore.”
“So in the coming weeks, we will announce a new summit with our EU partners,” Starmer continued. “And I can tell you that at that summit, the UK will not just ratify existing commitments made at last year’s summit. We want to be more ambitious: closer economic cooperation, closer security cooperation, a partnership that recognises our shared values, our shared interest and our shared future.”
The most recent analysis from the UK’s fiscal watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), states that the long-term impact of Brexit remains a significant drag on the UK economy. It estimates that it will reduce the UK’s potential GDP by 4% in the long run (by the early 2030s) compared to what it would have been had London remained with Brussels.
The 4% is driven primarily by a decline in productivity, with trade barriers stifling competition and preventing the UK from specialising in its most efficient industries, according to the OBR.
Other figures from British think tank the Centre for European Reform put the economic loss of Brexit at around £130 billion (€149 billion), and US research organisation the National Bureau of Economic Research says that, by 2025, the UK’s departure from the EU had cut GDP by 6% to 8% since 2016.
How has the UK moved closer to Brussels so far?
The Labour government, which came into power in 2024, promised to “reset” the UK’s relationship with Europe, and it’s already taken some concrete steps to do so, including agreeing to rejoin the Erasmus+ exchange scheme.
The two sides have also launched a Security and Defence Partnership and are working on deals on sanitary and phytosanitary standards and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, among other steps.
Most recently, British newspaper The Guardian reported that UK government ministers are preparing legislation that could see the country adopt EU single market rules without a vote by parliament, if the government decides it’s in the national interest.
Research from last year by Brussels-based consultancy Frontier Economics showed that deeper alignment in goods and services could grow the UK’s GDP by between 1.7% and 2.2%.
With the next UK-EU summit scheduled for summer this year, it remains to be seen exactly how the two sides will align further, but there’s no doubt relations between the two are now deepening rather than distancing.
Local insights
Related Election News
© 2026 WTX News.