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Brexit news: EU chief ‘vows to ignore Boris Johnson’s deadline’, pushing talks beyond Brussels summit

Boris Johnson has set mid-October deadline for Brexit deal (AFP via Getty Images)
Boris Johnson has set mid-October deadline for Brexit deal (AFP via Getty Images)

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier holds “intensified” Brexit talks with UK counterpart David Frost in London today. Mr Barnier has reportedly told EU leaders to ignore Boris Johnson’s mid-October deadline for an agreement before the European Council summit.

Elsewhere, chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new, local furlough scheme today which will subsidise the wages of workers in pubs and restaurants forced to close under coronavirus restrictions.

With pubs and restaurants in northern England expected to be closed next week, it will cover two-thirds of affected workers’ wages. It comes as figures show the economy grew by only 2.1 per cent in August – far below what was expected and a dramatic slow down in the recovery.