UK confident of Brexit trade deal as EU 'changing tone'

Michael Gove during his visit to the Ulster Carpets factory in Co. Armagh. Picture: Press Eye/PA

Britain's top minister overseeing Brexit talks said today he was confident a free trade deal would be clinched with the European Union as there had been a distinct change of tone from the bloc in recent weeks allowing progress to be made.

The United Kingdom left the EU on January 31 but the main terms of its membership remain in place - including being in the EU customs union and single market - during a transition period until the end of this year, during which time both sides hope to negotiate a new free-trade accord.