UK should not go for Brexit deal ‘at any price’ – Chancellor

The UK should not be going for a Brexit deal “at any price”, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said.

With the transition period due to end on December 31, a deal is yet to be struck between UK and EU negotiators.

However, Mr Sunak insisted that he has confidence in the British economy “in a l l circumstances”.

Meanwhile, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen indicated on Saturday t h at there had been “better progress” towards reaching an agreement.

Mr Sunak told the BBC’s Andrew Marr: “I think we’re making progress in the talks and I remain hopeful that we can reach resolution.

“I think we’re being entirely reasonable with our requests and have been consistent and transparent through this process about what ’s important to us.

“But we will prosper any eventuality.”

He continued: “In the short-term specifically, in and most immediately, it would be preferable to have a deal because it would ease things in the short-term.

“I think the most important impact on our economy next year is not going to be from that, it’s because of coronavirus.”

He added: “We should not be going for a deal at any price, that would be the wrong thing to do, and I think there are things that are important to us in these negotiations, and we’ve been entirely, as I said, reasonable, c on s i s t en t an d transparent.”

The chancellor also said that the UK wants the “same treatment” as other countries in their dealings with the EU.

He said: “We just want pretty much the same treatment as most other countries that do trade deals with the EU get.

“So, hopefully we can find a constructive place but I’m very confident about the Br it ish e conomy in a l l circumstances when I think longer term.”