Downing Street has said the UK will never accept rule-taking from Brussels, as the EU’s demands for a level playing field were rejected.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “The EU has respected the autonomy of other countries around the world in trade deals - we just want the same.”

No 10 also rejected the EU’s suggestion that Britain’s proximity to its shores made it a different case, as other countries such as Canada and the US had signed free trade agreements with each other.

It comes after the UK's negotiating mandate for trade talks with the EU was approved by the Cabinet's XS committee.

The EU published its own mandate and said it was "ready" to begin negotiations next week.

Michel Barnier warned that there would be "complex demanding, difficult negotiations" ahead.

He said that the future partnership would need to be underwritten by "solid guarantees to ensure fair competition and high standards".