Theresa May warned not to accept plans that would leave UK a ’colony’ of Brussels

British Prime Minister Theresa May has been warned not to accept European Union plans which would leave the UK a "colony" of Brussels for two years after Brexit, as UK Chancellor Philip Hammond said a transition deal would "replicate the status quo".

Mr Hammond said the deal sought by the Government would mean that, although "technically" the UK would not be in the customs union or single market, it would effectively keep the same rules, including on trade and immigration, during an implementation period until the terms of a new deal can be put in place.