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The shadow Brexit secretary has said that the deadlock in the talks with the European Union over the UK's withdrawal is "a serious failure to hit a very important deadline."

Sir Keir was talking as the European Union's Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier confirmed insufficient progress had been made for discussions on a future trade deal to begin. The Brexit secretary, David Davis, insisted considerable headway had been made.

Sir Keir told Radio 4's World at One that "it's blindingly obvious that we're not going to reach a full agreement by March 2019 and unless there's a transitional arrangement in place soon, then companies are making plans about what they will do in the event of a no deal". He added "a no deal is very bad for Britain and for the EU".

(Photo: Labour party spokesman on leaving the EU, Sir Keir Starmer Credit: Getty Images)