UK urges ‘intensive talks’ to follow EU proposals for Northern Ireland protocol

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic who has promised the measures will be “very far-reaching” and address issues over the movement of agri-food goods and medicines across the Irish Sea (Brian Lawless/PA)

The UK Government has said it is “ready to work hard” to safeguard peace in Northern Ireland, after the European Union announced proposals to cut red tape in trade across the Irish Sea.

EU Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic unveiled on Wednesday a series of measures that would slash regulatory checks and dramatically cut customs processes on the movement of goods between Britain and the island of Ireland.