A government source said, “We recognize the impact the coronavirus has had on British businesses, and as we regain control of our laws and borders at the end of this year, we will take a pragmatic and flexible to help businesses adapt to changes and opportunities to exit the single market and the customs union. ”
Gove will have the second joint committee agreed as part of the withdrawal agreement with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic on Friday.
British sources said that unless the two sides agree on another such meeting before the end of July, this will be the last opportunity to request an extension of the transitional period.
Boris Johnson has repeatedly insisted that he will not ask for a delay, despite companies and critics warning of the dangers of leaving without a trade agreement in place.
A virtual summit between the Prime Minister and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to try to break the deadlock in trade negotiations is scheduled for Monday.
Bargaining teams also agreed to an “intensified schedule” for July with possible face-to-face discussions if public health guidelines allow for it during the coronavirus pandemic.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Parliament, David-Maria Sassoli, will also participate in the political talks.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The United Kingdom and the EU have agreed to a stepped-up schedule for FTA negotiations in July.
“This new process will involve a mix of formal bargaining cycles and small group meetings in London and Brussels, assuming public health directives allow it.”
The pace of talks will be stepped up so that negotiators will meet in each of the five weeks between June 29 and July 27, the number 10 said.
The UK’s 14-day quarantine period for new arrivals should not hamper talks in their current form, with rules providing for an exemption for official visitors such as negotiations.
The new details came after the fourth round of negotiations failed to break through last week.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier deplored that there had been “no significant progress” as he accused the UK of “backtracking” on the agreed political declaration.
His Downing Street counterpart, David Frost, said they should “intensify and speed up” the process if there was to be a chance of reaching an agreement.
The two sides also said that the remote meetings had reached their limit and that face-to-face meetings would be necessary to progress.
