'Progress on deal' ahead of May-Juncker Brexit talks

Theresa May is set to meet key EU figures for talks on Brexit which could determine whether the UK is able to move on to negotiations about trade.

The understands the two sides have now reached broad agreement over the UK "divorce bill" and citizens' rights.

But Irish ministers said there was no breakthrough on the outstanding issue of the border with Northern Ireland.

No 10 said "plenty of discussions" lay ahead as it seeks EU leaders' backing to start trade talks in ten days time.

As the Brexit process enters a crunch phase, the prime minister will meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council. 

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Mr Tusk represents the leaders of the other 27 EU members, who all need to agree for there to be a move to the next phase of talks.

The UK voted for Brexit last year and is due to leave in March 2019, but negotiations have been deadlocked over three so-called separation issues.