UK tipped to strike ‘piecemeal’ EU trade deal

Brexit uncertainty will likely continue to weigh on the British economy but “the handbrake” on growth may come off if the UK strikes some sort of interim trade deal this year, a leading London consultancy has forecast.

Capital Economics said the risk of Britain reverting to World Trade Organisation rules which a no-deal outcome at the end of 2020 entails remains a live issue, but some sort of “piecemeal deal” is likely nonetheless.