MPs on 'standby' for Commons return as Brexit talks continue

Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Brussels, Belgium, for a dinner with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen where they will try to reach a breakthrough on a post-Brexit trade deal. - Credit: PA

MPs are on standby to return to Westminster from their Christmas break if an agreement can be struck in the final days of the year.

Both Boris Johnson and the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier were playing down the prospects of a breakthrough.

The prime minister said the negotiations were proving “difficult” and called on the EU to “see sense” and to bring something new to the table.

Barnier has told the European Parliament that the talks were approaching the “moment of truth” and that the path to an agreement was “very narrow”.

Both Downing Street and the European Commission said the negotiations were still “ongoing”, but that significant differences remained over fisheries and the so-called level playing field rules.

The European Parliament has been pressing for an agreement by Sunday so it can ratify any deal before the current Brexit transition period ends on December 31.

However, it is thought EU leaders could provisionally sign off on a deal if the talks go on beyond that point, with formal ratification taking place in the new year.

If the there is no deal by the December 31, the UK will leave the single market and customs union and begin trading with the EU on World Trade Organisation terms – with the imposition of tariffs potentially leading to higher prices in the shops.

Even with an agreement, there will be major changes at the border from January 1 with new customs checks, with fears of long delays if businesses are not properly prepared for the new rules.

With less than two weeks to the changeover, the Commons Brexit Committee raised a series of concerns about the UK’s “overall state of readiness”.

In a report published Saturday, they said decisions had been made “too late”, while communications with businesses had been “patchy at best”.

Committee chair Hilary Benn said the Government still could not provide business, traders and citizens with “certainty” about what would happen.

“With just seven working days until the end of the transition period, significant concerns remain,” he said.

“At this late stage, the government must be ready to implement contingency plans where necessary to mitigate the effects of any disruption.

“Failure to do so would mean the worst possible start to the new year for many people and businesses who are already experiencing the toughest of times.”