The UK has struck a trade deal with a group of six Gulf states which it says will be worth £3.7bn to the economy.
The UK has struck a trade deal with a group of six Gulf states which it says will be worth £3.7bn to the economy.
The government said the deal with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) would remove an estimated £580m a year in tariffs from British exports to the region once fully implemented.
The government said the deal with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) would remove an estimated £580m a year in tariffs from British exports to the region once fully implemented.
It also said it would make it easier for British firms to expand and partner in the Gulf, which will support jobs.
It also said it would make it easier for British firms to expand and partner in the Gulf, which will support jobs.
Activist groups have criticised the lack of detail on human rights and labour protections in the deal. But the deal was welcomed by Chris Southworth, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK, as a "boost to business confidence".
Activist groups have criticised the lack of detail on human rights and labour protections in the deal. But the deal was welcomed by Chris Southworth, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK, as a "boost to business confidence".
The Conservatives, who began the negotiations for the deal when in government, said it was "another major Brexit opportunity" which Labour risked "throwing away" because of what it saw as Labour's pro-EU stance.
The Conservatives, who began the negotiations for the deal when in government, said it was "another major Brexit opportunity" which Labour risked "throwing away" because of what it saw as Labour's pro-EU stance.
British products that will have tariffs removed include cheddar cheese, butter and chocolate.
British products that will have tariffs removed include cheddar cheese, butter and chocolate.
The trade deal between the UK and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) is the third struck by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government, after those with India and South Korea.
The trade deal between the UK and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) is the third struck by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government, after those with India and South Korea.
It is also the first deal between a G7 country and the GCC.
It is also the first deal between a G7 country and the GCC.
The government has also reached trade agreements with the US and EU.
The government has also reached trade agreements with the US and EU.
Sir Keir said the GCC deal was a "huge win" for British workers and businesses.
Sir Keir said the GCC deal was a "huge win" for British workers and businesses.
Working people "will feel the benefits in the years ahead through higher wages and more opportunities".
Working people "will feel the benefits in the years ahead through higher wages and more opportunities".
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: "At a time of increased instability, today's announcement sends a clear signal of confidence – giving UK exporters the certainty they need to plan ahead."
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: "At a time of increased instability, today's announcement sends a clear signal of confidence – giving UK exporters the certainty they need to plan ahead."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the deal was "proof we are backing British firms to compete and win globally".
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the deal was "proof we are backing British firms to compete and win globally".
"This agreement is good for jobs, good for industry and ultimately good for consumers."
"This agreement is good for jobs, good for industry and ultimately good for consumers."
Speaking to BBC News, ICC UK's Chris Southworth said: "This is guaranteed market access, free flow of data, increased mobility.
Speaking to BBC News, ICC UK's Chris Southworth said: "This is guaranteed market access, free flow of data, increased mobility.
"This is good for growth, good for jobs, good for investment and excellent news for the UK economy."
"This is good for growth, good for jobs, good for investment and excellent news for the UK economy."
However, rights group Trade Justice Movement has said the deal "poses serious risks to human rights, labour protections, and climate action".
However, rights group Trade Justice Movement has said the deal "poses serious risks to human rights, labour protections, and climate action".
It has raised concerns about the GCC's record of restricting press freedom, using the death penalty, and being high producers of greenhouse gas emissions because of their six countries' oil industries.
It has raised concerns about the GCC's record of restricting press freedom, using the death penalty, and being high producers of greenhouse gas emissions because of their six countries' oil industries.
It said on Wednesday the deal "locks the UK into deeper commercial ties with some of the most repressive governments in the world, for economic gains so marginal they barely register".
It said on Wednesday the deal "locks the UK into deeper commercial ties with some of the most repressive governments in the world, for economic gains so marginal they barely register".
Responding to those concerns on the BBC's Today programme, Southworth said: "Trade is not the right vehicle to tackle human rights."
Responding to those concerns on the BBC's Today programme, Southworth said: "Trade is not the right vehicle to tackle human rights."
"The more we trade, the more peaceful the relationship is, the more influence you have in the longer term because we're invested in each other's economy," he added.
"The more we trade, the more peaceful the relationship is, the more influence you have in the longer term because we're invested in each other's economy," he added.
"So the way to have that conversation is not through trade, it's the wrong vehicle."
"So the way to have that conversation is not through trade, it's the wrong vehicle."
