Make or break for Britain’s Brexit deal as PM set for crucial talks with EU chief

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing December 07, 2020 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines Hopes of a Brexit trade deal with the EU are [hanging in the balance](, as Boris Johnson prepares for talks with the European Commission president that could pull the plug on negotiations just 24 days ahead of the no-deal deadline. As talks in Brussels dragged late into Sunday night, UK sources denied that a breakthrough had been made on the totemic issue of fisheries. EU sources were quoted as saying that terms were all but finalised on access for EU boats to waters within the UK’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone, phased in over a transition period of five to seven years. British concessions on fisheries would leave only two issues to resolve, in the shape of Brussels’ demands for a “level playing field” arrangement requiring the UK to observe EU rules and standards and the governance arrangements for the deal. Hospitals across the UK have [received their first deliveries of the coronavirus vaccine]( ahead of the national rollout on Tuesday. The NHS posted footage of one consignment being unloaded in Croydon, one of 50 hubs taking part in the first wave of what was described as “the biggest immunisation programme in history”. Batches of the vaccine were placed into freezers to keep the doses at -70C until they are ready for use. “This is just so exciting. It’s a momentous occasion,” said Louise Coghlan, joint chief pharmacist at the Croydon University Hospital in south London. “To know that they are here and we are much the first in the country to actually receive the vaccine and therefore the first in the world, is just amazing. I’m so proud.” Thousands of rough sleepers [could be turned away from night shelters]( this winter because of a sharp reduction in capacity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Labour has warned. Research by charity HomelessLink found that one-third of homeless organisations and local authorities expect to see a decrease in numbers of beds in what shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire warned could be the “worst winter yet” for street sleepers. She called on the government to pledge that no-one will have to spend the cold nights of winter outside. While many rough sleepers were given emergency accommodation during the spring lockdown, recent data suggest that more people are again sleeping on the streets, said Ms Debbonaire. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [Snow on ground ‘could disappear for most by end of century’]( [Rudy Giuliani tests positive for Covid]( [Barman shares pictures of wasted food and begs drinkers to only buy pints if hungry]( . Brexit: What comes next? Join The Independent for an online event at 6.30pm on 10 December, as we examine what lies ahead after the UK leaves the EU. [Book your free ticket]( . More news - [Don’t talk while eating in restaurants, warn Covid researchers]( - [‘Mystery’ skeleton found during archaeological dig in Hertfordshire]( - [Patel warned over legality of ‘repugnant’ migrant prosecutions]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.