MPs criticise ‘top-down’ approach to UK-US trade talks

Fears grow in UK that any proposals could downgrade workers' rights despite assurances on both sides

Britain's trade talks with the US are moving ahead with only minimal" input from workers, small businesses and thinktanks, according to MPs who accused the UK trade secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, of shielding her department from outside scrutiny.

Conservative and Labour MPs on the trade select committee also said scrutiny of a deal struck with Australia and New Zealand was in danger of being rushed through" parliament before they could make an assessment of its impact on imports and exports to and from the Commonwealth countries.