Southampton is a proud international city — a place where the world meets Britain, and for centuries, we’ve played a key role in shaping the world. So, it’s no surprise that many residents, organisations, and businesses speak to me about how the government is responding to the current escalating, turbulent international economic landscape.
This week has been particularly significant, with the announcement of new trade agreements with the US, India, and the EU — all of which are major milestones. These deals will bring real benefits to jobs and livelihoods here in our city. I’ve been pleased to work closely with Ministers within the Cabinet Office, supporting their work — particularly on the UK EU reset — to help secure the best possible deal for our country. Too many felt constrained by previous arrangements, which is why this new deal has been welcomed by so many.
So, what does it actually mean for us here in Southampton? It means a real boost to local businesses, creating more opportunities for our young people, and making travel across Europe easier for all (no more of those crazy long queues at airports!) — just to name a few of the benefits.
Southampton is home to one of the largest ports in the world. Southampton Port handles over £70 billion worth of international trade each year, and this new deal makes doing this trade easier, particularly for importing and exporting food and drink. It is why supermarkets have welcomed this deal, as it should also means groceries become cheaper too. By cutting unnecessary red tape, this will relieve pressure on businesses and help prevent the kind of lengthy lorry queues we've seen at the border in recent years. Importantly, this is a permanent agreement with no expiry date — offering long-term certainty for businesses and consumers alike.
You can fight a lot of things, but you can't fight geography, and the EU is the UK’s largest trading partner so it's right that we've done this deal to strengthen not only these ties, but Southampton's trading relationships. This is long overdue after the 21 per cent drop in exports and 7 per cent drop in imports seen since Brexit. The UK will also be able to sell various products back into the EU again, supporting these vital British industries locally and nationally.
But it’s not just our economy that will benefit. The UK and the EU have also agreed to co-operate further on a youth experience scheme – which could see young people able to work and travel freely in Europe again. The scheme, which would be capped and time-limited, would mirror existing schemes the UK has with countries such as Australia and New Zealand. This is fantastic news for our city, which is full of bright young minds and our two globally leading universities. It means even greater opportunities will be available to all. Unsurprisingly, this has been rightfully welcomed by the education sector across Southampton.
The agreement supports jobs, lowers bills and secures our borders, which are all issues that I hear on the doorstep. The Prime Minister confirmed that a new agreement with the European Union will deliver on the government’s core mission to grow the economy, back British jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
In the shadow of VE Day, we know that close alignment on security and defence is in the interests of both the UK and the EU. Now is the time for us to unite across our continent in order to guarantee the best outcome for us all. That spirit of unity and community was also felt much closer to home, as Southampton marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe. Our city played a pivotal role during the war — from building the Spitfire to supporting the D-Day landings — and we will always honour those who fought for our freedoms, both then and now.
I was honoured to take part in several VE Day celebrations and commemorations. From street parties and special concerts to tea parties and other remembrance events, it was incredibly moving to see people of all ages and backgrounds come together.
I also had the privilege of speaking with a number of veterans. One of them shared a powerful message that I believe we should all take to heart: we must take greater pride in our country, embrace the international relationships that bring us closer together, and recognise the strength that they bring.
It is always an honour to share these moments with my fellow Sotonians. I carry these experiences and conversations with me back to Westminster. If you have any questions about policy or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can email me at satvir.kaur.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 02382 546 357.
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