Progress made on Irish border backstop but time is of the essence - UK's May

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday that progress had been made in solving the impasse over the backstop arrangements for the Irish border that has hindered her Brexit deal but added that time was running out to secure changes.

"I've underlined the need for us to see legally binding changes to the backstop that ensure that it cannot be indefinite. That's what is required... We've agreed that work to find a solution will continue at pace," May told international broadcasters after meeting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels.

"Time is of the essence, and it's in both out interests that when the UK leaves the EU, that it does so in an orderly way. So we've made progress." (Writing by Alistair Smout, Editing by William Maclean)