Sterling continued to struggle yesterday as optimism for a Brexit deal faded. If MPs agree to attend, there will be a special sitting for Parliament on Saturday 19th of October to discuss the future of Brexit. There have only been four Saturday sittings since 1939, the last being in 1982. By the 19th, it is thought that they will know for sure whether a deal can be agreed with the EU.
Talks are still ongoing between the UK and the EU, however, the EU has said that there will need to be “fundamental changes” to the ideas put forward, in order for them to be accepted. Later today, Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay and the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, will meet.
Johnson has said that he remains “cautiously optimistic” for a Brexit deal, whilst Michel Barnier has said that the plans for the Irish backstop “had not been tested.” Johnson will meet with the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, today for ‘detailed discussions’.
GDP figures for August will be released this morning, revealing the state of the economy, along with manufacturing and industrial production figures.
