DRINKERS in Northern Ireland will get cheaper pints thanks to the new Brexit deal, Rishi Sunak declared today.
The PM said the so-called Windsor Framework will wrestle back powers to Westminster – including alcohol reforms.
Unveiling the agreement, he triumphed: "We've amended legal text of the protocol to ensure we can make critical VAT and excise changes for the whole of the UK.
"For example on alcohol duty, meaning our reforms to cut the cost of a pint in the pub will now apply in Northern Ireland."
Until now Northern Ireland was forced to follow certain EU rules rather than those set at Westminster.
It meant the booze duty freeze until August to reduce the price of a pint would not have applied in the province.
The new Brexit deal also:
- Reduces trade checks on goods passing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
- Gives Northern Ireland politicians a veto on EU rules under a "Stormont Brake"
- Means British food like sausages will be available on Northern Ireland shelves
At a joint-press conference in Windsor with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Sunak hailed a "decisive breakthrough".
He said the deal negotiated with Brussels would finally ensure smooth trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
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The PM said: "I'm pleased to report that we have now made a decisive breakthrough.
"Together we have changed the original protocol and are today announcing the new Windsor framework.
"Today's agreement delivers smooth-flowing trade within the whole United Kingdom, protects Northern Ireland's place in our union and safeguards sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland."
Q&A: SO WHY DID IT ALL DRAG ON?
Q) What is the Northern Ireland protocol?
A) It is a deal with the EU to avoid a hard border on the Irish mainland.
The EU insists goods which could enter its single market in the Republic of Ireland comply with its rules.
The protocol allowed some checks to take place on goods travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Q) What's the problem?
A) The protocol created a border in the Irish Sea, splitting off NI from the rest of the UK.
Sometimes the checks are so onerous businesses on the mainland refuse to sell goods in NI, leading to shortages.
Q) How is PM Rishi Sunak proposing to fix this?
A) The EU will agree to a new system of red and green lanes. Goods from GB destined for NI only would be subject to minimal checks.
There will also be a Stormont lock to give elected politicians in NI a say over which EU rules they follow.
Q) Will this end the row?
A) Unlikely. Anything requiring NI to still follow EU rules on product standards will be unacceptable to many.
Ms von Der Leyen added: "We are about to deliver on an important commitment we made to each other a few months ago.
"We knew we needed to listen to each other's concerns very carefully. Above all, we had to listen to the concerns of the people of Northern Ireland.
"This new framework will allow us to begin a new chapter. It provides for long lasting solutions that both of us are confident will work for all people and businesses in Northern Ireland."
The EU and Britain have been striving to secure a new arrangement before the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement in April to smooth trade problems over the border and get the government in Stormont back up and running.
Following hundreds of hours of negotiations, Brussels agreed to a new system of red and green lanes for goods crossing from Britain into the province.
Products destined for NI only will be subject to minimal checks in the green lane, while those heading to the Republic will go through customs checks in the red lane.
Meanwhile, VAT and excise charges in the province will now be set exclusively by Westminster.
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In turn, pints in Northern Ireland will become cheaper.
There will also be a "Stormont break" to give elected politicians in NI a say over which EU trade rules they follow.
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