LONDON (Reuters) - Chancellor Philip Hammond rejected a call from a leading employers group to keep Britain in a customs union with the European Union after Brexit, saying it was not needed to keep trade running smoothly.
Earlier on Tuesday, Confederation of British Industry President Paul Dreschler said staying in a customs union was currently the only option for Britain to avoid transport delays and administrative burdens for firms, as well as a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Theresa May has previously rejected keeping Britain in a customs union with the EU. Brexit supporters have opposed the option because it would prevent Britain from striking trade deals with countries around the world.
(Writing by William Schomberg; editing by John Stonestreet)
