May shuffles UK Brexit team for next phase of talks

(Bloomberg) UK Prime Minister Theresa May has shuffled her team of top Brexit negotiators in preparation for talks entering a new phase.

Oliver Robbins has left his post as the leading official in charge of the Brexit Department to focus full time on the negotiations as May’s EU adviser working from the Cabinet office, according to a statement released by the Department for Exiting the European Union in London.

Robbins will focus on his leading role in the negotiations with Brussels, which have stalled in recent weeks as the two sides argue over the divorce settlement, what the UK will have to pay upon withdrawl from the EU. Philip Rycroft will replace Robbins as permanent secretary -- the most senior civil service post.

May is hoping to use a major speech in Florence on Friday to break the deadlock, amid speculation she will offer to continue paying into the EU budget during a transitional phase after the UK formally leaves the EU, expected in March 2019.

Both sides had hoped to move on to discussing the future trading arrangement between Britain and the EU in October, but this will depend on making sufficient progress on the exit terms first.