Barnier says detail is next step

The EU’S chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier described Theresa’ May’s speech as “constructive”, but insisted that Mrs May’s comments “must now be translated into a precise negotiating position” in order to make meaningful progress in talks which reopen in Brussels on Monday.

Mr Barnier stressed that any transition period must be subject to existing EU rules, which include free movement of people. And he said he wanted to discuss the “concrete implications” of Mrs May’s promises on money, which he cautioned may not cover all the UK’S liabilities.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to a two-year transition based on current EU terms, but said the country was still in the dark about what the UK’S final Brexit deal would be.

“Fifteen months after the EU referendum the government is still no clearer about what our long term relationship with the EU will look like,” Mr Corbyn said.

“The only advance seems to be that the Prime Minister has listened to Labour and faced up to the reality that Britain needs a transition on the same basic terms to provide stability for businesses and workers.”

Speaking ahead of a meeting with Theresa May’s deputy on Monday, the Scottish Government’s Brexit minister Michael Russell said UK ministers had to commit to staying in the EU single market permanently.

“While the Prime Minister’s speech was short on detail, her acceptance of a transition period within the Single Market, with freedom of movement, shows that the UK government has changed its position. But having moved this far, the Prime Minister should now go further and, as we have called for, commit to a long-term future in the Single Market and Customs Union, not just as a transition arrangement.”