Chuka Umunna MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, commenting on the agreement of a WTO trade deal, said:

“Here in the UK we need to help more businesses, particularly smaller firms, export. Ministers came to office promising an export-led recovery but this has not materialised. The UK’s trade balance is getting worse and government schemes on export finance have failed to help firms.

“Following the delays and disappointingly slow progress we have seen in recent years with the Doha trade talks, this breakthrough with a new trade deal is welcome. This agreement has the potential to help Britain boost its exports which have remained sluggish under the Tory-led government, as well as helping developing economies by removing trade barriers and increasing global trade.”