Ambassadors from 27 European Union (EU) Member States today unanimously approved the EU-UK post-Brexit trade deal. The deal is likely to become law on 1st January, as the UK Parliament is expected to approve it on Wednesday.

Under EU rules, it can take effect provisionally, though the European Parliament will vote on it in January. The deal sets the framework for trade once the UK leaves the EU single market and customs union in four days’ time.

Spokesman for the German Presidency of EU Sebastian Fischer said, the deal, which ended nine months of negotiations, will be approved by all 27 EU Governments in writing on Tuesday. The deal ends nearly 50 years of UK membership of the bloc, covering a vast array of policies besides those governing common trade rules.