Businesses welcomed a “breakthrough” Brexit transition deal struck yesterday after Theresa May made concessions over the rights of EU citizens.
Under the agreement, announced by David Davis and his European Union counterpart Michel Barnier, the UK will be able to sign trade agreements during a 21-month transition starting on March 29, 2019.
However, Britain will be forced to give full rights to EU citizens moving to the country during that time, and the two sides still need to reach an agreement on Northern Ireland.
The prime minister had promised in February to “battle the EU” over its demand to extend long-term residency rights to citizens arriving during the transition period.
Conservative Brexiteers described yesterday’s deal as a complete climbdown but said they could accept it
