what is this type of pointing

any ideas of the materials used for this pointing? im also looking to clean up the brickwork which had plaster over it originally as well as repointing, any help advise would be well appreciated.

Looks like Flush pointing in lime mortar.

Agreed - have a look at the thread "lime pointing video" and you'll see newly done flush pointing at the end.

Cleaning off bricks - try a small area first and make sure you wet the bricks down with water before you start, but brick acid will take the residues of lime plaster off, if that's what it was. This sort of stuff:-

https://www.toolstation.com/bostik-concentrated-mortar-brick-cleaner/p98902

Do wear goggles and rubber gloves, it's nasty stuff. Works though!