Business

A National Farmers Union representative said UK farmers need support from supermarket chains because of changes made to agricultural policies after Brexit.

A new parliamentary report warned the “blind optimism” shown by Tory ministers could force many small and tenant farmers in England out of business - but environment secretary George Eustice insists UK farmers are better off since Brexit.

"Companies are already having trouble with the system,” one reporter said.

Despite not seeming keen to cut VAT as per the Leave campaign promise, he took the opportunity to say this week that leaving the EU means the UK can now set its own VAT rates.

“You could interpret this as the UK having less reach in future," a finance expert has said.

New post-Brexit rules due to come into force from January 1 could also cause delays to shipments as the amount of paperwork required increases.

"We can post to anywhere in Europe with no customs," the Northern Irish bussinessman has said.

"No wonder the Aussie trade minister was so fulsome in his praise for Liz Truss. The Aussies can't believe their luck in negotiating the fastest trade deal in history," one person said.

The South West and North West regions have the highest number of pubs at 5,739 and 5,361 respectively, according to the Government figures.