Rishi Sunak, the finance minister, still believes a trade agreement between the UK and the European Union could be reached in September, he said in an interview with Sky News on Friday morning.

Sunak is confident that the negotiations between the UK and the EU will be concluded successfully. A possible trade agreement should make trade between the two economies easier, fair and cheaper.

In recent months, several rounds of negotiations have taken place between representatives of both sides.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier has stated on several occasions that the negotiations are very difficult. However, both Barnier and the British chancellor of the Exchequer recently made more optimistic noises.

The next round of negotiations, number seven, is scheduled for 17 August.