A Cumbrian MP said he welcomes a new trans-pacific trade deal which the UK has formally signed.

Calling it a ‘major boost’ to businesses in his Workington constituency, Mark Jenkinson welcomed the signing which happened on Sunday, July 16, in New Zealand.

The signing sees Britain as the first new member and first European nation to join the bloc – comprising Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam – since its formation in 2018.

It represents Britain’s biggest trade deal since leaving the EU, cutting tariffs for UK exporters to a group of nations which – with UK accession – will have a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of £12trillion, accounting for 15 per cent of global GDP, according to officials.

Mr Jenkinson said: “Brexit has allowed us to strike free trade agreements with countries around the world and create stronger economic ties with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

“Joining the CPTPP trade bloc is our biggest trade deal since Brexit, helping businesses here in the Workington constituency benefit from tariff-free access to some of the world’s fastest growing economies."