Kemi Badenoch: UK right to take time over India trade deal

During business and trade department question today, shadow international trade secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds asked the secretary of state Kemi Badenoch for a progress update on UK-India trade deal negotiations.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said: “Can the Secretary of State tell us if the free trade agreement with India will be completed by Diwali this year?”.

Ms Badenoch responded: “I have repeatedly said it is about the deal and not the date. Every single trade agreement which we negotiate is bespoke to the specific country”