Brexit news – live: No 10 says trade talks ‘are over’, as Boris Johnson tells businesses to prepare for no deal

Boris Johnson has put the UK on course for a no-deal Brexit on 31 December, having announced that he is ready to walk away from trade talks with the EU and force an “Australian-style” outcome unless Brussels changed course.

“Unless there is a fundamental change of approach, we’re going to go for the Australia solution,” Mr Johnson. His remarks were followed by a statement from his official spokesperson: “Trade talks are over. The EU effectively ended them by saying they do not want to change their negotiating position.”

It comes as German chancellor Angela Merkel said both sides would have to make concessions. French president Emmanuel Macron said the UK needed a deal more than the EU, and denied fishing rights was the main stumbling block. “We’re stumbling over everything. Everything,” he said.