Keir Starmer told closer EU trade ties ‘strategic necessity’ for UK firms

The British Chambers of Commerce said the UK’s existing trade and cooperation agreement was failing to help firms grow their sales in the EU. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Keir Starmer’s government has been told a closer EU trade deal is a “strategic necessity” for companies in Britain as growing numbers of exporters find it tougher to do business under the UK’s post-Brexit agreement.

Calling on Labour to accelerate its reset with Brussels, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the UK’s existing trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) was failing to help them grow their sales in the EU.