Continuing talks between the government and Labour aimed at breaking the impasse in Parliament over Brexit have been described by shadow chancellor John McDonnell as “positive” and “constructive”.

He said yesterday a timetable was being worked out for more meetings over the next seven to 10 days.

Meanwhile, chancellor Philip Hammond has played down the possibility that the UK could use the delay to Brexit to hold a second referendum and stressed that he still expects Britain to leave the European Union.

Today we focus on the need to take an honest approach to the trade-offs required in our lead article from Professor Nicolas Forsans  of Essex Business School at the University of Essex.