While Parliament went into open rebellion yesterday, business groups like the FTA have welcomed the new Brexit agreement. The FTA said that it would allow continued frictionless movement of goods and maintain the integrity of the supply chains into the UK.

While a number of Ministers have resigned and key Tories have filed letters calling for PM May’s resignation, FTA chief executive David Wells said: “The draft text seems to have recognised the vital importance of preserving the frictionless movement of goods and the availability of EU workers while a new permanent trade deal is negotiated. If so, we believe it is crucial that MPs understand how important these outcomes are to economy and the economic security and welfare of the country”.

According to the FTA, remaining in the Customs Union will maintain seamless transport of goods and services between the UK and the EU until a new trade agreement can be negotiated, while the protection of citizen’s rights, both in the UK and the EU, will safeguard the logistics workforce.

“A transition period, which FTA has been lobbying for, will enable Britain’s businesses to prepare for a seamless transition to new trading arrangements, without concerns over a cliff edge which could be disastrous for the supply chain.

“Today’s news is a decisive step in the right direction, and FTA calls on parliament to respect these crucial economic factors in deciding how it votes, to avoid a disorderly departure from the EU which could cause untold problems for manufacturers, retailers and exporters and protect the ability for Britain to keep trading,” it said.