Jeremy Hunt admits Boris Johnson's Brexit deal led to damaging trade barriers

The Chancellor, who yesterday unveiled an autumn statement which experts say will inflict years of suffering on millions of Britons, said that it would "take time" to remove barriers affecting trade with the EU

The Office for Budget Responsibility said Brexit had a "significant negative impact" on business relations between UK and EU businesses (

Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Jeremy Hunt has admitted that Boris Johnson's Brexit deal has caused damaging trade barriers with the EU.

The Chancellor, who yesterday unveiled a fall statement that experts say will inflict years of suffering on millions of Britons, said it would 'take time' to remove these barriers.

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In the meantime, he stressed that immigration will be "very important" for the economy.

His comments came after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said Brexit was having a "significant negative impact" on trade volumes and business relationships between UK and EU businesses.

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Asked whether reintegration into the single market would boost growth, the Chancellor told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think having unfettered trade with our neighbors and countries from all over the world is very beneficial for growth.

"I am convinced that in the years to come we will find that outside the single market we are able to remove the vast majority of trade barriers that exist between us and the EU. This will take time. time."

Jeremy Hunt said it would take "time" to remove barriers to trade with the EU (

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JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT/UNPIXS)

Pressing on the single market, he said: "I don't think that's the right way to drive growth because it would be against what people were voting for when the...