The NHS Confederation said leaving with no trade deal in eight days time risked the health of patients as case rates continue to soar. The warning came as a negotiated Brexit deal looks increasingly unlikely and Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the new variant of coronavirus as being “out of control”. Health leaders say the NHS faces having to make significant adjustments in a short timespan as new rules, guidance and information will be introduced from January 1 without a deal. But EU sources claimed that Brussels had rejected the UK’s latest proposal on fishing, one of the key remaining obstacles. The UK is thought to have made a new “last-ditch” proposal which included a proposal for a five-year transition.

Source: Daily Mirror December 23, 2020 00:01 UTC