The EU has signed off its negotiating mandate for trade talks with the UK, which will now form the basis for the first round talks to begin in Brussels next week.
The bloc's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the UK's level of access to the free market would depend on the extent to which it confirms with EU rules and standards.
The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signalled he wants to be free to diverge on some areas.
Lucy Hough (HOFF) has more from Brussels:
IN: The EU's chief
OUT: SOC
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