london britain european union strike divorce deal friday pave way talk trade ease pressure prime minister theresa may boost hop orderly brexit british business group broadly welcome progress urge swift progress toward formal transition agreement would preserve exist trade relations new deal strike british chamber commerce director general adam marshall businesses breathe sigh relief sufficient progress achieve noise political brinksmanship recent days news breakthrough negotiations warmly welcome company business particularly cheer mutual commitment transition period support business confidence trade want detail confirm swiftly new year business swift start trade talk crucial upcoming investment growth decisions company across uk want absolute clarity long-term deal seek want government work closely business experts ensure detail right confederation british industry deputy director general josh hardie today announcement lift spirit run-up christmas sufficient progress present businesses spend months wait time focus true prize new relationship deal start 40 years economic integration two things top list first final step eu citizens work uk citizens abroad must unequivocal welcome whatever final deal second christmas right dependent negotiations next transition concrete assurances build confidence help firm across uk europe pause contingency plan thecityuk financial service trade body ceo miles celic agreement principle uk eu move beyond phase one positive encourage step financial relate professional service industry critical issue must progress sand timer run leave late damage do uk eu european competitiveness ultimately weaken functionality likely leave europe international financial center give dominance service british eu economies essential free trade agreement cover goods service base mutual recognition regulatory cooperation best interest uk eu27 global stability also vital exist service contract grandfathered post-brexit eef manufacturers association chief executive stephen phipson one step forward complex long process need pin transition arrangements place march 2019 ensure business usual company long take final deal reach get point many businesses need prepare every eventuality many employers relieve eu employees certainty go forward government must clarify right eu citizens christmas concern future federation small businesses national chairman mike cherry uk millions small businesses please hear finally appear brexit talk move onto second stage focus must shift uk future trade relationship eu include early next year guarantee cliff-edge moment brexit day instead orderly time-limited transition period small firm one set rule change final deal must barriers trade possible factbox british business organizations react brexit talk progress