Yesterday a report emerged that the Prime Minister had tentatively struck a deal with Brussels to give UK banks access to European markets as long as British regulation remained broadly equivalent to the EU’s.

That was quashed by Downing Street. No 10 sources said no deal had been agreed, although the government added in a statement that it continued “to make good progress reaching new arrangements for financial services”.

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MPs have warned cracks are beginning to appear at HM Revenue & Customs as tax officials struggle with a huge workload.

From preparing for Brexit to tackling an increase in fraud, HMRC faces mounting pressures, according to a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.

Staff and resources have been diverted to deal with customs and border demands which has left HMRC facing choices about its other work, the MPs said.