The steel industry, which has been classed as low priority, faces big problems, including how to deal with global tariffs

The government has divided British industries into high, medium and low priority in the Brexit negotiations, leading to complaints from businesses and ministers, who described the leaked list as “dynamite”.

Ministers have been criticised for deciding that some sectors were more closely linked to the EU and therefore required special attention during the Brexit process, potentially at the expense of others.

This is leading to fears that some industries, including steel and the business services sector, which are marked “low” priority, will not get the help that they believe is necessary. According to a government document obtained by The Times, the high priority industries include pharmaceuticals, carmaking, textiles and clothing, aerospace and air transport.

The medium-priority industries include electronics, fisheries, chemicals and furniture, and