Top concern is labour shortages as 28% of manufacturers say trade with EU has increased.

Special trade arrangements will apply from 1 January whether Johnson strikes deal or not.

DUP isolated in backing plan, which could ‘destroy economy and Good Friday agreement’

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson referred for the second successive day on Thursday to "an excellent paper" endorsed by pro-Brexit members of parliament proposing alternatives to replace the so-called Irish backstop.

Companies have stopped investing in favour of holding onto cash in case it's needed after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.