1/6 The future relationship negotiations with the EU appear to be in difficulty. It’s all very well the two sides trading warnings with each other, but that isn’t going to get us a deal.

2/6 One of the sticking points is that the EU wants to know what kind of state aid and competition policy rules the UK intends to follow in the future. To date, however, the UK Government has not set these out.

3/6 And yet in the Political Declaration signed last year the UK Government agreed that the “the future relationship must ensure open and fair competition, encompassing robust commitments to ensure a level playing field”…

4/6 … and in the Government’s own statement this year on The Future Relationship with the EU, it said: “the Agreement should commit the parties to maintain effective competition laws, covering merger control, anticompetitive agreements and abuse of dominance…”

5/6 Given these clear statements and the fact that time is running out, why is it so difficult for ministers now to set out what they have already committed to in writing?

6/6 Meanwhile, if you need a reminder of what a ‘no agreement’ outcome would mean for the UK economy and businesses, then have a look at these:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmexeu/2560/2560.pdf

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8636/CBP-8636.pdf

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/no-deal-brexit-uk-preparations