Business news - live: Mark Carney issues fresh warning over no-deal Brexit impact, as Royal Mail workers vote to strike

Mark Carney said the worst-case Brexit scenario was now 'less severe': Parliament TV

Mark Carney warned MPs that a no-deal Brexit will likely result in job losses and business closures. The Bank of England governor’s comments came as UK unemployment rose unexpectedly in the latest quarter as the jobs market showed signs of a slowdown amid prolonged economic uncertainty.

However, the pound jumped to a four-month high against the dollar after the EU’s chief negotiator said that it was still possible this week, despite it becoming “more difficult to reach an agreement”.

Sterling rose as Michel Barnier told reporters in Luxembourg: “Even if an agreement will be difficult – more and more difficult, to be frank – it is still possible this week.”

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