What does the Brexit withdrawal deal say?

CITIZENS’ RIGHTS

The agreement protects the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and the rights of UK nationals at the end of the transition period following the UK’S withdrawal from the bloc.

They provide for individuals and their family members to continue to live, work or study as they do now, while maintaining their rights to healthcare, pensions and other social security benefits. SEPARATION ISSUES

Theagreementseekstoensure a smooth winding down of the existing arrangements between the EU and the UK.

They range from police and judicial co-operation and data and information sharing to the protection of intellectual property rights and the UK’S withdrawal from Euratom, which regulates the nuclear industry and safeguards the transport of nuclear materials.

TRANSITION PERIOD

The agreement provides for a period of transition intended to avoid a cliff-edge break and allow businesses to prepare for the new arrangements.

During the transition, which will run initially until the end of 2020, EU law will continue to apply in the UK and the UK will continue to participate in the customs union and the single market.

There is a one-off option for the UK to seek an extension of the transition.

FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT

The agreement establishes the mechanism by which the UK’S divorce settlement, estimated at £39 billion, is calculated.

It covers budget commitments made while the UK was a member state and ensures no other member state will be required to pay more as a result of the UK’S withdrawal.

GOVERNANCE

The agreement establishes the institutional mechanisms needed to implement and enforce its provisions.

They include the creation of a joint committee to deal with disputes between the two sides, with an option for either side to refer an issue to binding arbitration.

NORTHERN IRELAND BACKSTOP

The backstop is intended to prevent the return of a hard border with the Republic of Ireland if there is no agreement in place on the future relationship.

It would create a single EUUK customs territory with the UK continuing to follow EU tariffs and customs rules, avoiding the need for checks between the EU and UK, including between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

In addition, Northern Ireland would be required to remain aligned with some EU single market rules, including legislation on goods, agricultural production, veterinary controls and state aid rules.

The agreement makes clear the arrangement is meant to be temporary, but sets no final end date..

UK SOVEREIGN BASE AREAS IN CYPRUS

The agreement protects the rights of Cypriots who live and work in the sovereign base areas following the UK’S withdrawal.

GIBRALTAR

The agreement provides for close co-operation between the UK and Spain in relation to Gibraltar and the implementation of the provisions on citizens’ rights.

0 Protesters unfurl a banner in the middle of Westminster Bridge yesterday in response to the Brexit

It’s time for Nicola Sturgeon to press the button on Indyref2, even though it’s not going to take place any time soon.

The reason it won’t be immediately is the Section 30 order required to hold one will be refused by Theresa May – if she’s still in office – or by another Prime Minister. But it’s still time tactically and politically to do so.

The British state is melting down, with neither the Prime Minister nor the UK government looking remotely strong or stable and the alternatives equally depressing. The supposed certainties of remaining in the Union that persuaded many back in 2014 have been blown asunder.

EU membership, economic security and even the respect agenda have been shown to be tenuous, if not non-existent. Far from providing the most powerful devolved Par

Indy future is there to be won amid Brexit chaos, so it’s time for Sturgeon to press the button on a second vote

liament, Holyrood is being marginalised and stripped of authority.

Moreover, a no-deal Brexit is looming, with all the economic and social catastrophe that it would bring. The supposed United Kingdom is visibly diminished in the eyes of the world and is being taken over by Little Englanders who care nothing about Northern Ireland, let alone Scotland, as they pursue their delusions of a restored Empire.

It’s time for the Scots to have the opportunity to reject that.

The risks of independence are now more than overshadowed by the dangers of staying in the UK.

The polls may not have shifted greatly, but the ground under Scots’ feet most certainly has and the opportunity to win independence has never been greater.

From EU nationals to big business, circumstances have