Philip Hammond wants 'rapid' EU response to PM's transition deal offer

Chancellor says proposal is a ‘wasting asset’ for business and suggests EU should break out of its current negotiations structure

Philip Hammond has called for a “rapid response” from the EU27 to the prime minister’s offer of a transition deal, describing it as a “wasting asset” which will be less valuable to businesses the longer it takes to agree.

The chancellor underlined the “need for speed” in agreeing the outlines of a deal, expected to cover around two years, which is aimed at giving businesses and the government time to adjust to the post-Brexit world. And he warned that a no-deal outcome was still possible, raising the possibility that the talks could end in a “bad-tempered breakdown”.

Continue reading...

from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2y9G86S