Business chiefs have given a cautious welcome to the draft Brexit agreement.

As politicians start to digest the 500-page document, the chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Jo James, said the need for clarity was essential.

She said: “Businesses will recognise the huge efforts made by the Prime Minister and across government to reach this milestone.

“With people’s livelihoods and the future prospects for many companies in the balance, this is not the time for snap judgments.

"Businesses will be looking carefully and deliberately at the real-world implications of this agreement over the coming days, and expect their elected representatives to do the same.

“After two and a half years of uncertainty, this may be the end of the beginning — but not yet the beginning of the end. Our firms need clarity and precision on the specific terms of trade they will face in future, many of which are still to be agreed. The avoidance of sudden or multiple changes to trading conditions is crucial to business investment and confidence.

“Our priority will be to assess the implications of these proposals, working closely with chamber business communities across the UK.”