Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
- Introduction: Pound rises in early trading
- Politics Live: Boris Johnson poised to announce UK and EU have reached agreement
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business.
A UK-EU free trade deal has long been high on investors’ wish list this Christmas (along with successful vaccine rollouts and a return to normal, happier times).
Hopes of a Brexit deal in time for Christmas sent the pound higher this morning, and the gradual re-opening of the UK-France border is also providing support.
European markets to head higher this morning as they prepare for the UK and the EU to unveil a long-awaited Brexit deal #Brexit #indices #Commodities #forex Via @CityIndex https://t.co/ajZbabjt5M
A post-Brexit trade and security treaty with the European Union is within “touching distance”, Downing Street said on Wednesday night as Boris Johnson prepared to unveil his hard-fought Christmas Eve deal.
The prime minister is expected to announce the terms of the agreement following a final call with the European commission president Ursula von der Leyen – but the two sides battled deep into the night to gain a last-minute advantage.
Related: Brexit trade and security deal with EU within ‘touching distance’, says No 10
#brexit work will continue throughout the night. Grabbing some sleep is recommended to all brexit-watchers at this point. It will hopefully be an early start tomorrow morning…
Understand there were four calls between PM and EU chief Von Der Leyen yday to get Brexit deal over the line. One final one in about half an hour expected to sign and seal after late night wrangles over individual fish species (am not making this up)
Morning! After negotiators worked through the night, the timings are slipping of expected press conferences following a call between the PM and the European Commission chief .. #Brexit
Morning – I hope you are asleep, especially as it’s Christmas Eve. If you are awake, expect PM a to talk to EU chief at about 7am UK time now with a press conference to follow at about 8
Related: Brexit deal: Boris Johnson poised to announce UK and EU have reached agreement – live