UK Government accused of forcing fishermen to ‘perform the Monty Python fish-slapping dance’ before helping them

The UK Government has been accused of forcing fishermen to "perform the Monty Python fish-slapping dance" before helping them.

Shadow Commons Leader Valerie Vaz today claimed Ministers were not going far enough with the new compensation scheme, and claimed they were making it too hard for the industry to access it.

Speaking in the Commons, the Labour MP called for the UK Government to be honest with the industry.

She said: “The Government needs to be straight with us, no more Brexit promises. They’re like the pie crust promises – easily made, easily broken.

“Our fishermen have to perform the Monty Python fish-slapping dance in the Government’s face before the Government do anything.

“So they’ve announced, by press release, the £23 million. Who is it for? How long will it take? Will it help them fill in the 400 pages that they need to fill in? We need a statement.

“Worst of all, a lorry park in Dover in a village without consultation, breaking the law again. Villagers are up in arms, it’s in Dover on agricultural land.”

This week the UK Government announced firms exporting fish and shellfish to the EU who can show they have suffered “genuine loss” due to Brexit red tape will be able to claim up to £100,000 in compensation.

Under a deal reached last month, British trade with the EU is tariff free, but fish exporters are now suffering due to a series of new document demands.

Despite this, today Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted the fishing industry will reap the benefits of Brexit “as the days and years go on."

He told MPs: “There is £23 million in addition to the £100 million to help modernise fishing fleets and recognising that any delays for the fishing industry are particularly difficult because of the short shelf life of fresh fish.

“Already we have an increase in the exclusive zone which only UK boats can fish, we will have 25 per cent quota uplift at the end of five years beginning at 15 per cent.

“This is going to be very good for rejuvenating the fishing industry and extra money is being provided to help ensure that happens.”

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