More than 75% of Labour, Lib Dem and Green voters think PM should open talks on joining EU customs union – as it happened

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, used an interview with the Observer published at the weekend to suggest that he favours joining a customs union with the EU. This is something that Keir Starmer has ruled out.But Labour supporters back Streeting on this. According to YouGov polling for the Times, 80% of people who voted Labour at the last general election say a future leader should open negotiations on joining a customs union with the EU.The polling also found that around 70% of people who voted Labour, Lib Dem or Green at the last election said that a future leader should open talks on rejoining the EU

Rachel Reeves sets early March date for spring statement as OBR prepares forecast

Rachel Reeves has set a date of 3 March for an early spring statement, as Labour attempts to draw a line under a year of tax speculation that business leaders blamed for damaging Britain’s economy.Announcing a date to prioritise “stability and certainty”, the Treasury said the chancellor had asked the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare forecasts for the economy and public finances.Reeves has come under fire over the buildup to this year’s autumn budget after months of leaks, briefings and tax speculation contributed to a downturn in consumer spending and businesses freezing their investment plans.Britain’s economy unexpectedly shrank in October, while the Bank of England forecasts that growth is on track to flatline in the fourth quarter. Business groups have also warned of a sharp fall in private sector activity at the turn of the year, with companies putting their spending decisions and hiring plans on hold

Britain’s economy has been damaged by Brexit. But what should ministers do about it?

Almost a decade on from the Brexit vote, the verdict is clear. Britain’s immediate doomsday economic scenario might not have come to pass. But after years of political paralysis – and with the eventual introduction of tougher trade barriers in 2020 – trade, investment and growth in living standards have all suffered.Just as it was on the morning after the 2016 referendum, the big fight is about what the government should do in response.At the weekend, Wes Streeting became the latest frontbench Labour politician to call for a deeper trading relationship with the EU

Streeting urges closer trading ties with Europe to grow UK economy

A deeper trading relationship with the EU would be the best way of growing Britain’s economy, which has an “uncomfortable” level of tax, Wes Streeting has said.The health secretary said it would not be possible for any partnership with the EU to “return to freedom of movement”, but his comments appeared to leave the door open to the idea of a customs union.His remarks on the EU appear to go further than the government’s position, which has ruled out a customs union as it seeks deeper trading relations with Brussels. Some in the cabinet would like No 10 to go further in its ambitions in order to improve the UK economy.Streeting spoke out about the EU, the economy and his own ambitions in a wide-ranging interview with the Observer, while stressing that he was not after Keir Starmer’s job

Starmer will ‘absolutely’ still be prime minister by next Christmas, says Labour chair – as it happened

Anna Turley said that Keir Starmer will “absolutely” be the prime minister next Christmas, when asked by Trevor Phillips, amid continued speculation that Labour figures are manoeuvring to replace him.Turley told Sky News:Of course. Absolutely. As I said, people will really start to see and feel the change in their pockets. Keirs got a very clear vision for making sure that people can really deal with the cost of living, that public services will get back on their feet

UK failure to seal EU tax exemption hands industry mountain of paperwork

UK manufacturers are to be hit with mountains of Brexit-style paperwork in January on £7bn worth of exports to the EU after the government failed to secure an expected exemption from new green taxes.The UK had hoped to secure a carve-out by Christmas on the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), but EU commissioners have confirmed this is not going to happen.UK Steel says the exemption is unlikely to be in place before Easter, resulting in detailed paperwork for exporters in a repeat of Brexit when they were hit with paperwork on customs and standards of their goods.The documentation requires exporters to provide a detailed paper trail of carbon emissions generated during the manufacturing process.It will apply to scores of products made with steel and aluminium, including washing machines and car parts, under plans Brussels announced on Wednesday