UK and New Zealand sign free trade deal

Government claims it will boost bilateral trade by 60% but critics call its benefits economically marginal'

Britain and New Zealand have signed a free trade deal, which the UK government said would boost bilateral trade by 60% by eliminating tariffs, cutting red tape and enabling freer movement of professional workers.

Most business leaders welcomed the deal, which was agreed in principle in October and follows on the heels of a similar agreement with Australia, but the National Farmers' Union (NFU) said it would lead to unfair competition in their sector.