Brexit deal ‘within our grasp’, says Prime Minister Theresa May
Prime Minister Theresa May said today that a Brexit deal “is within our grasp” as she addressed the nation from Downing Street.
“The British people want a good deal. That deal is in our grasp and I am determined to deliver it,” she said outside Number 10.
“The text of the declaration has been agreed between the UK and EU. I have updated the cabinet,” she said. “This is the right deal for the UK, delivering on the vote of the referendum.
“It's now up to the 27 leaders of the EU member states to examine the agreement ahead of Sunday.”
The pound rose almost one per cent to as high as $1.293 before settling at 1.286 against the dollar on news earlier today that the UK and EU have agreed a draft text governing the future relationship between Britain and the bloc.
May is set to update parliament on her progress at 3pm today but in an impromptu speech early this afternoon said she expects the EU to sign off on the deal governing the future relationship on Sunday.
Representatives of the 27 EU member states are also set to vote on the UK's withdrawal agreement on Sunday, with Spain vowing to vote against the deal unless the UK committed to separate talks over the future status of Gibraltar.
May said she was "confident" that the withdrawal agreement would pass muster, however, saying she has spoken to Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, and claiming "we’ll be able to agree a deal that delivers for the whole UK family, including Gibraltar".
News of the deal pushed consumer-facing brands on the FTSE 100 up, with Just Eat’s stock rising 3.3 per cent and Royal Mail up 2.3 per cent, while housebuilder Taylor Wimpey rose 2.3 per cent.
However, commodities traders like Fresnillo were hit by a stronger pound, with losses accelerating as they dragged the FTSE down 63 points to 6,988.