Warning of cross-Channel permits for only 2,088 businesses from January without a trade deal – a huge fall from 8,348.

For some weeks the British government has been planning a “shock and awe” campaign to warn British businesses that they have less than six months to prepare for Brexit; but the EU has beaten them to it.

Several Northern Ireland firms seeking special permits to trade across EU borders after Brexit have been told their applications were unsuccessful.

NORTHERN Ireland will be issued with just 60 haulage permits to operate on the EU continent in the event of a no-deal Brexit, a freight body has warned.