UK business groups plead for economy to be put first in Brexit talks

Prioritise early agreement on rights of EU and UK citizens, and transition period preserving access to single market, Theresa May told

Britain's biggest business groups have made a joint plea to the government to put the economy first in Brexit talks and to secure a transitional deal that preserves access to the European single market.

The five lobby groups, including the British Chambers of Commerce and the CBI, have also called on ministers to prioritise an early deal on guarantees for EU 27 citizens in the UK and for UK citizens in other EU countries.