Brexit

Transport companies have also warned that EU member Ireland could see import volumes shrink in the event of new customs procedures for goods routed through Britain.

Failure to secure a deal in time for the end of the transition period on December 31 would see Britain revert to World Trade Organization rules, with tariffs and quotas, from January 1.

The EU fears Britain slashing its regulations, which could allow its companies to undercut European firms.

Johnson has insisted Britain will "prosper mightily" whatever the outcome of the talks, but he will face severe political and economic fallout if he cannot seal a deal.

Finance minister Rishi Sunak told Sky News that Britain was facing an "economic emergency" because of the pandemic.

London has been resisting signing up to the EU's vision of a post-Brexit "level playing field", with trade penalties if either side diverges from agreed standards.

It comes despite Britain's economy suffering a historic downturn this year due to the coronavirus crisis.

The PM intends to address the country during his confinement, Downing Street said.

The BBC quoted a senior source in Johnson's Downing Street office as saying the divisive top aide would leave his job by Christmas.

Biden and top Democrats have warned that Johnson can forget about a UK-US trade deal if Brexit scuppers the hard-won peace brokered by the US.

Lexicographers said they picked the word because it had become synonymous with the experience of populations across the world.

Without a deal, Britain would leave the EU single market and customs union on January 1.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will speak on the state-of-play of the "EU-UK negotiations".

HOPS Labour Solutions said that from 30,000 applications they received from local Britons, only 4% actually took up the jobs

The deal covers sectors from food to textiles and tech and largely replicates the existing EU-Japan arrangement.

London abruptly froze the talks on Friday after EU leaders said it was up to Britain, not the EU, to make concessions on state subsidies, etc.

If no deal is found and implemented before December 31, Britain will end up trading with the EU on bare bones WTO regulations.

Investors are also keeping tabs on post-Brexit trade talks, with Britain welcoming signals that the European Union was ready to intensify them.

David Frost held a "constructive discussion" with his EU counterpart Michel Barnier, with the bloc confirming it is willing to hold ramped-up talks this week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there was no point in holding any more talks without a dramatic softening of the EU's position.

Britain left the European Union on January 31, but Barnier and Frost have been locked in months of inconclusive talks on a follow-on trade arrangement.

The British side has accused Brussels of trying to force concessions by running down the clock.

Arriving in Luxembourg before meeting Barnier, European ministers warned that talks were reaching a critical stage.

It will replace key elements of an existing partnership agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.

In combatting the renewed outbreak, Johnson has been accused by some of his own lawmakers of governing by diktat.

One of the first direct consequences of Brexit, the move by UK lenders to shut expat services is said to affect tens of thousands of people across Europe.

Commentators argue that a combination of taxation, inflation, spending cuts, and even economic growth could help balance the books for Sunak.

Despite expressions of disquiet even from some members of the ruling Conservatives, the House of Commons passed the bill by 340 votes to 256.

Chief negotiators Michel Barnier and the UK's David Frost met last week.

Trump, a fervent supporter of Brexit and Johnson and a frequent critic of the EU, has said that he wants to get a US-UK trade deal done quickly.