Everything you need to know about the Brexit negotiations

Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed has been the mantra of the British Government during the Brexit talks.

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has said the “vast majority” of the withdrawal agreement has been sorted out, but with the clock ticking ahead of the UK’s exit in March, a number of issues are yet to be resolved.

Here we take a look at what is outstanding:

– If most of the exit deal has been agreed, it must be plain sailing from here then?

Resolutions may have been found in more than 80% of the areas covered by the agreement but there is a major hurdle still yet to clear in the shape of Northern Ireland.

Both Brussels and the UK are opposed to anything that would create a hard border on the island of Ireland and agree that a backstop position is needed to ensure that does not happen. What they cannot agree on is how that would be achieved.

– What happens if they cannot find a solution?

The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said in August that the issue must be tackled with “urgency” and warned without a backstop “there is no agreement”.

– So, what else is left to resolve?

Well, the matter of geographical indicators for regional food products is proving a bit of a sticking point.

– Sounds a bit dry. Is it a big deal?

It is the system that gives a protected status to regional delicacies. The French and Italians will not give up protections for produce such as Champagne and Parma ham without a fight.

But the UK, with an eye on signing future trade deals outside the EU, is keen to ensure it will not be bound by too much red tape.

– Anything else?

The UK and the EU both say progress has been made on other outstanding areas, such as police and judicial co-operation after exit and data protection issues. The final details, however, have yet to be formalised.

– So, once all that is resolved Brexit is on the home straight then?

Well, there is still the tricky matter of sorting out the type of future relationship the UK and EU want to have.

Prime Minister Theresa May set out her vision in a white paper after a Cabinet meeting at her country retreat Chequers.

Mr Barnier’s response, however, has been cool. He said the proposals on the common rulebook for goods and on customs are “not acceptable as they are”.

Both sides need to agree a political declaration setting out the principles of post-Brexit relations to sit alongside the withdrawal agreement.

– When does everything need to be agreed by?

The UK says signing off the deal by the October meeting of the European Council remains the objective but Mr Barnier says he believes “we might need a few extra days” and mid-November is now seen as the final deadline.

It will then need to be ratified by the UK and European parliaments.