Brexit: draft divorce agreement proves divisive but does provide clarity for business

On 14 November a draft agreement spanning some 585 pages for the UK’s exit from the EU was unveiled in London and Brussels. The UK employers’ body, the CBI, welcomed the agreement. PM Theresa May had an uphill struggle in finally securing cabinet approval for the draft text, however the agreement’s passage through parliament is unlikely to be simple and political fallout is already underway. 
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, stated, “After 20 months of debate, this agreement by Cabinet is progress. If passed, it moves the UK one step away from the nightmare precipice of no deal and the harm it would cause to communities across the country,” as she welcomed the achievement of a first document that will seal the UK’s exit from the EU. Parliament has to approve the draft text by the end of December and this promises to be no mean feat, given the amount of opposition the PM is f

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
Belgium: toward an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian federal government approved a draft bill introducing an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child. This entitlement would be added to existing...
Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...
Belgium: Government Proposes Annualised Working Time
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft bill introducing annualised working time, allowing hours to be averaged over a full year rather than on a weekly...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
2
Germany: Berlin steps up efforts to cut “bureaucracy” in the workplace
The news. On 15 July 2026, the German federal government adopted a package of measures aimed at “reducing bureaucracy” in the workplace. The package primarily targets labour law...