The next few months are set to be rocky for the EU alliance, as member countries agree on the terms of a trade deal with the UK. The EU27 need to agree a draft mandate by February 1 in order for trade talks to commence in March, but it’s not looking an easy task as some countries will need to make concessions in order for an agreement to be reached. One EU diplomat told Politico: “At a certain point there are going to be trade-offs necessary.”

During the state opening of Parlaiment last week Boris Johnson reiterated his stance that the Brexit transition period will not be extended beyond December 31, 2020 – meaning that a trade deal has to be agreed with the EU within this time frame.

But David Tinline, a former senior adviser to WTO chief Roberto Azevêdo, has warned the Prime Minister has weakened his negotiating hand by imposing the 11-month time limit.

He told Politico: “If you’re going to set a hard time limit you’re going to reduce the level of ambition to the point where it’s been described as a ‘bare bones’ agreement.”

The trade expert also warned the Prime Minister against leaving the EU on World Trade terms if no free-trade agreement is struck with the EU by the end of December 2020.

He said: “It’s a concern because it’s a dramatic raising of barriers between the UK and its biggest trading partner.

“That’s essentially a hard Brexit.”

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8.27am update: Labour inquiry into Corbyn meltdown to be led by Ed Miliband 

Ed Miliband will head up a panel of Labour party figures to review the party’s disastrous election result.

The review, which has been set up by Labour Together, will include interviewing all 59 MPs who lost their seats during the crumbling of Labour’s “red wall” of constituencies in the North, the Midlands and Wales.

It aims to identify the true cause of the party’s worst result since 1935.

8am update: Goverment doubles number of fast-track visas for scientists following Brexit concerns 

The number of fast-track visas allowing scientists from across the globe to undertake research at universities in the UK will double following concerns Brexit will damage the industry.

Home secretary Priti Patel has announced she will immediately increase the number of accelerated visas for fellowships in science research from 62 to more than 120. 

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