The pound has started today choppy against the euro, after Michel Barnier told the media that Brexit trade talks had so far been ‘disappointing’. The UK government, for its part, said that there had only been ‘limited progress’. Stumbling blocks remain on a number of key issues, including justice, fisheries and access to the single market. So far, the UK government has said that it will not contemplate an extension beyond 31st December this year, meaning investors could be a facing a no-trade-deal end to the transition period.
Disappointing retail figures on Friday also helped to put pressure on the pound, with yearly sales showing a 5.8% drop, lower than forecasted.
