April 5 2017 brexit news
Here are some key Brexit news stories from April 5, 2017:
- Theresa May triggers Article 50: The UK formally triggered Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, starting the two-year countdown to Brexit. The move was announced by Prime Minister Theresa May in a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk.
- EU leaders respond to Article 50 trigger: EU leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, responded to the UK's Article 50 trigger, with many expressing disappointment and regret at the UK's decision to leave the EU.
- Brexit negotiations to begin in June: The European Commission announced that Brexit negotiations would begin on June 19, with the first round of talks focusing on the UK's withdrawal agreement and the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.
- UK and EU agree on citizens' rights: The UK and EU agreed on a joint report on citizens' rights, which outlined the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU after Brexit.
- Brexit bill passes first hurdle in UK Parliament: The EU (Withdrawal) Bill, which aims to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and transfer EU laws into UK law, passed its first hurdle in the UK Parliament, with a majority of 326 to 290 in favor of the bill.
- Scotland's Brexit bill blocked by UK government: The UK government blocked a Scottish Parliament bill aimed at giving Holyrood more powers over Brexit, citing concerns over the bill's compatibility with UK law.
- Brexit could lead to food shortages, warns UK food industry: The UK food industry warned that Brexit could lead to food shortages and price increases, as the country's supply chain relies heavily on EU imports.
- UK and EU agree on financial settlement: The UK and EU agreed on a joint report on the financial settlement, which outlined the UK's financial obligations to the EU after Brexit.
These were some of the key Brexit news stories from April 5, 2017.