British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she hopes to have a future customs relationship with the European Union in place by the end of 2020
Ahead of a meeting of UK ministers later this week a report said officials had drafted a new option for how to handle customs with the European Union in the wake of Brexit which would mean a "backstop" arrangement for the border between the north and south of Ireland would not be required.
"I am very clear that we should be doing everything that we can to ensure that at the end of December 2020 we are able to see our future customs relationship in place such that that backstop is not necessary," May told the UK Parliament.
May also reiterated that keeping Britain in the European Economic Area after Brexit was not an option being considered by the government.
The Prime Minister was asked in parliament about reports that the government was considering legal re-entry into a form of European unity, such as the EEA.
But she said: "The EEA is not right because the EEA - and particularly in the form that the European Commission has proposed it - would not deliver on the vote of the referendum and the vote of the British people."
Opposition MP Chuka Umunna raised concerns over the border issue between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic in the event of no deal being struck between the UK and the EU.
He said: "Clause 10 of the EU Withdrawal Act very clearly makes it unlawful for ministers to do anything which would lead to any form of physical customs border on the island of Ireland.
"The solicitor general has confirmed that to exit with no deal and trade under WTO rules would necessitate such a border. She has said no deal would be better than a bad deal, but no deal would actually be unlawful under this act?"
Mrs May replied: "His interpretation is not correct. It will of course in a no-deal situation be up to the UK to determine what it does in relation to the border in Northern Ireland."
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