The EU is on course to hand dozens of UK-based companies a pre-Brexit tax bombshell, via a state-aid probe that could lead to bills exceeding £1bn (€1.1bn).

Customs checks at the border after the UK leaves the EU could cost £1bn (€1.1bn) a year and cause delays for goods being shipped in both directions, according to a report by Oxera, an economic consultancy.

The Netherlands has said it will adopt the proposed EU Robin Hood tax — the financial transaction tax — provided it is not imposed on pension funds.