Theresa May is being warned by the head of the CBI that time is running out to make progress on Brexit and remaining in a customs union with Brussels is the best option for British business. Mrs May has rejected full membership of the customs union because it would prevent the UK striking its own post-Brexit trade deals. But in a major speech in Warwick, Ms Fairbairn will say that the value of remaining in a customs union far outweighs the potential benefits of bilateral UK trade deals. CBI's director-general Carolyn Fairbairn, who is warning Theresa May that time is running out to make progress on Brexit and remaining in a customs union with Brussels is the best option for British business. "But, as the Prime Minister has already made clear, we will be leaving the single market and the customs union after EU exit day."

Source: Irish Examiner January 21, 2018 10:52 UTC