Advisory groups help Brexit talks

A number of new advisory groups have been set up to support the UK’S postB rex it trade talks, it has been announced.

The UK’S Department for International Trade has set up 11 groups covering a range of areas, such as investment, life sciences and financial services, to help advise on negotiations. Advice given by organ is ations and stakeholders comprising the groups will then be used to help inform the UK Government’ s negotiating position.

Officials have meanwhile played down reports that former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott will become joint president of Britain’ s relaunched Board of Trade.

No decisions about the Board of Trade have yet been made, Whitehall officials said.

The launch of the advisor y groups comes as ministers seek to step up talks with countries including Japan, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Negotiators hop e that the advice will help them to secure new market access on products such as ceramics, cars, steel and beef, as well as agreeing cutting-edge digital trade rules.