New Brexit deal will ‘cut the cost of a pint’ in Northern Ireland thanks to Westminster booze reforms, Rishi Sunak says

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 changes to alcohol duty to reduce the price of a pint would not apply in the province.

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.

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.”