Brexit talks between Labour and Conservatives have stalled, in part because the Tories are unwilling to reject the option of slashing workers' rights and environmental protections in order to secure a US trade deal post-Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

The Labour leader told the Guardian newspaper on Tuesday that the government "doesn't appear to be shifting its red lines" because parts of the Tory party "actually wants to turn this country into a deregulated, low-tax society which will do a deal with Trump".

Labour's plan for Brexit is for the UK to join a Customs Union with the EU, while also committing to a "dynamic relationship" with the trading bloc that would see the UK match labour and environmental standards set by the EU. The opposition hopes the approach would minimise trade barriers and avoid the risk of UK environmental rules being weakened over time relative to the EU.

"We've put those cases very robustly to the government and there's no agreement as yet," Corbyn said.  

The government has repeatedly pledged to deliver a "Green Brexit" where "world-leading" environmental standards are maintained in the UK. But Ministers have also signalled their intention to pursue a trade deal with the US that campaigners fear would result in a watering down of standards. Green groups have also warned that the government's current plans include loopholes that could allow for weaker environmental policies and enforcement in the future.

Ministers and shadow ministers are expected to meet all this week to try and broker an agreement between the two parties over the UK's long-term plan for Brexit, that could see Prime Minister Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement finally pass through the House of Commons. Corbyn said "long, technical discussions" were underway this week ahead of the Easter break, in particular over environmental regulations.

The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms under which the UK would leave the EU and enter a two-year transition period, during which time the UK would seek define its long-term future relationship with the EU and other nations.

But there is little agreement within parties - let alone across party lines - of what the long-term post-Brexit future should be. A faction of Conservative MPs believe the UK should morph to become a low tax economy with minimal red tape, while seeking to strike as many trade deals with third parties such as the US. Others think the UK should maintain its high regulatory standards and comprehensive tax system in order to retain a close relationship with its biggest trading partner, the EU - a view largely endorsed by the Labour leadership.

The EU has made it repeatedly clear that any future trade agreement with the UK is conditional on Britain adhering to the trading bloc's legislation and policies on environment and climate change, among other areas. 

Meanwhile, the UK government has itself promised to uphold green protections after Brexit, as part of its manifesto pledge to leave the environment in a better condition for the next generation.