The cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission has urged the government to increase funding for small businesses hit by post-Brexit red tape, after hearing evidence from firms struggling to adapt to the UK’s new trading relationship with Europe.

The cross-party UK Trade and Business commission have issued an urgent call for evidence as news emerged that agreement has been reached between the UK Government and Australia on the broad terms of a new trade deal.

Following the conclusion of today's talks between the EU and the UK on the Northern Ireland Protocol, Conservative MP Roger Gale, who tomorrow will chair a session of the UK Trade and Business Commission on the veterinary issues central to the dispute, said:

Small businesses today called for the appointment of a new dedicated minister in the Department for International Trade to help them navigate challenges following Britain's withdrawal from the EU.

David Frost has been accused of ignoring the concerns of small businesses, after his comments at the EU scrutiny committee today that "initial disruptions" to EU-UK trade have largely been overcome.

Leading City figures today warned MPs on the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission that lack of trust between the EU and UK is undermining the chances of securing better market access for the UK financial services sector.

Food exporters describe "kafkaesque" red tape hindering small businesses, with need for an "army of office workers."

First evidence session of the UK Trade and Business Commission hears that small businesses are bearing the brunt of new barriers to trade with the EU.

UK exports to the EU saw a partial recovery in February 2021 but remain well below the same month last year, the latest ONS figures have revealed.

New UK Trade and Business Commission brings together MPs and business leaders to scrutinise EU-UK agreement and new trade deals.