Opinion

Some progress on Brexit but border remains a sticking point

David Davis looked especially pleased to be able to announce progress on the transition arrangements with the EU yesterday but amid the backslapping there was no disguising the glaring lack of agreement on the border.

The reality is that movement has been painfully slow on all aspects of the Brexit negotiations and anything that has been achieved has not necessarily fallen in the UK's favour.

Theresa May knows this and will also be aware of businesses getting jittery about the lack of certainty on future plans.

So she will be particularly relieved to be able to trumpet something positive about the exit talks and, in fairness, there are details in the transition agreement which are a move in the right direction.

Mr Davis and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said businesses would continue to enjoy unfettered access to the single market and the customs union until the end of 2020.

This will give businesses more time to put plans in place for life after Britain leaves the EU but it is not as long as some would like.

There are also concerns in Scotland over the impact on the local fishing industry with Nicola Sturgeon accusing the Conservatives of a 'massive sellout'.

But once again it is the critical issue of the Irish border that has thus far proved resistant to agreement.

In the EU's draft agreement, a backstop solution which would see Northern Ireland effectively remaining within the customs union if no other solution is found has been assented to in principle.

We know that Mrs May and the DUP are opposed to any deal that would seen Northern Ireland treated differently from the rest of the UK but we are no clearer as to what the final agreement will be in relation to the border.

So, some progress in Brussels but the border remains a major sticking point with the onus on the British government to come up with a workable solution.