British government begins 'serious work' on UK staying in EU customs union: Report

British officials have begun "serious work" on the UK staying in a permanent EU customs union as a way to rescue the Brexit deal, the Independent newspaper reported on Friday.

Preparations for the customs union are underway at a high level with some Cabinet ministers pushing Prime Minister Theresa Mayto accept that she would have to drop her opposition to a customs union to get Labour parliament members to back her deal, the Independent said, citing a "well-placed Whitehall source."

“There is serious work going on about a customs union. We need to be prepared, so we are ready if the politics moves in that direction," the newspaper quoted the source as saying.

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Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn wants Britain to be in a permanent customs union with the EU after Brexit, something May has opposed so far, saying it would hinder Britain's ability to pursue independent trade deals around the world.