Boris Johnson news: More than 50 Labour MPs ‘ready to back new Brexit deal’, amid fears PM ready to cut Northern Ireland loose
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More than 50 Labour MPs could be ready to rally behind a compromise Brexit agreement allowing Boris Johnson to avoid crashing out of the EU, according to a leading member of a cross-party group.
It comes as DUP leader Arlene Foster demanded a meeting with Mr Johnson amid growing unionist fears that he will cut Northern Ireland loose in his desperation for a deal.
Tory rebel Oliver Letwin, meanwhile, has backed a second Brexit referendum, while Jeremy Corbyn vowed Labour would fight a general election with the “biggest people-powered campaign we’ve ever seen”.
Follow along with how the day in Westminster unfolded
Communities hit by the December 2015 floods are set to benefit as £62m of extra funding is announced for flood defences across England.
The government said on Tuesday that the extra cash will fund 13 projects, mainly in Yorkshire, Cumbria and the North East and including areas like the Calder Valley and Tadcaster, which both saw serious flooding in the days following Christmas 2015.
Theresa Villiers, the environment secretary, said the £62.35m pledge would help protect more than 9,000 homes and was in addition to the Government's current £2.6bn flood defence programme.
Here's more on Boris Johnson's mini reshuffle from Henry Austin:
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson will call on the party to back a new Brexit referendum to be held before any general election.
In a speech on Wednesday in London, Mr Watson will say a single-issue Brexit election may not break the deadlock in Parliament - something only a second referendum can achieve with certainty.
He will also argue that if a referendum were to follow an election, then Labour should commit "unambiguously and unequivocally" to campaign for Remain.
His latest intervention looks set to put him on course for a fresh clash with leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has made clear his priority is for an election once Parliament has closed off a no-deal Brexit.
Mr Corbyn has said while an incoming Labour government would hold a new referendum - with Remain and a "credible" option for Leave on the ballot paper - he has yet to say which he would support.
However, Mr Watson will argue it is not too late for Labour to win back Remain voters put off by confusion over the party's position on Brexit, if they were to commit clearly to campaign to stay in the EU.
"My experience on the doorstep tells me most of those who've deserted us over our Brexit policy did so with deep regret and would greatly prefer to come back; they just want us to take an unequivocal position that whatever happens we'll fight to remain, and to sound like we mean it," he will say.
"If we did it we could win, whereas if we don't I fear we won't."
Mr Watson will say that so much has changed since the original referendum in 2016 it was "no longer a valid basis" for determining Britain's future and the priority should be a new public vote before an election.
"Very difficult though it was, I and many others respected the result of the 2016 referendum for a long time," he said.
"But there eventually comes a point - and we are very far past it now, well into the fourth year since the referendum - when circumstances are so changed, when so much new information has emerged that we didn't have in 2016, when so many people feel differently to how they felt then, that you have to say, no, that years-old plebiscite is no longer a valid basis on which to take such a momentous decision about the future of the United Kingdom.
"The only proper way to proceed in such circumstances is to consult the people again."
Responding to Mr Watson's call, Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly said: "Labour's deputy leader makes clear Labour want to cancel the referendum result.
"This latest trick would mean delaying Brexit again for up to a year, handing over £250m a week to Brussels for no purpose. Labour are running scared of an election and only offer more dither and pointless delay.
"Only Boris Johnson and the Conservatives will deliver Brexit by 31 October, no ifs or buts, so we can move on and focus on the issues that matter to people - investing in the NHS, reducing violent crime and cutting the cost of living."
Labour will not be silenced in its bid to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal despite the suspension of parliament, the shadow Brexit secretary is set to warn.
Sir Keir Starmer will tell the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Brighton on Wednesday that opposition MPs "will be ready" to fight a no-deal exit when the Commons sits again in October.
On a looming general election, he will say Labour will have to "clean up the mess left by the Tories" in relation to Brexit and "draw a line" under the Government's "failed" negotiations.
"Prime Minister [Boris] Johnson now thinks that by shutting down parliament he will shut us up. Nothing could be further from the truth," Sir Keir is expected to tell delegates.
"Just as we worked throughout the summer to pass a law preventing no deal, so we will work each and every day we are shut down to enforce that law.
"Prime minister: you can hide from parliament for a few weeks, but when we return we will be ready."
Sir Keir will also warn that his party will "very soon" have to beat the Conservatives at the ballot box.
He will add: "Brexit will of course be a crucial issue at this election. We have to draw a line under the wasted years of Tory rule and failed negotiations.
"We will have to break the deadlock. And clean up the mess left by the Tories.
"A referendum is the only way to do so. And that is why Jeremy [Corbyn] was right to say at Congress yesterday that an incoming Labour government will commit to a referendum.
"And, of course, 'remain' should and will be on the ballot paper along with a credible option to leave."
International students will be able to stay in the UK for two years after graduating, to find work, under new proposals announced by the prime minister.
Boris Johnson said the changes, due to come into effect for those starting courses next year, would help those studying in Britain to begin their careers in the UK.
International students who have successfully completed a course in any subject at an institution with a track record in upholding immigration checks will be able to benefit from the measures.
They will apply to students who start courses in 2020/21 at undergraduate level or above.
Mr Johnson said: "Britain has a proud history of putting itself at the heart of international collaboration and discovery.
"Over sixty years ago, we saw the discovery of DNA in Cambridge by a team of international researchers and today we are going even further.
"Now we are bringing together experts from around the globe to work in the UK on the world's largest genetics research project, set to help us better treat life-threatening illnesses and ultimately save lives.
"Breakthroughs of this kind wouldn't be possible without being open to the brightest and the best from across the globe to study and work in the UK.
"That's why we're unveiling a new route for international students to unlock their potential and start their careers in the UK."
Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said Mr Johnson's announcement was "very positive news".
"Evidence shows that international students bring significant positive social outcomes to the UK as well as £26bn in economic contributions, but for too long the lack of post-study work opportunities in the UK has put us at a competitive disadvantage in attracting those students.
"The introduction of a two-year post-study work visa is something Universities UK has long campaigned for and we strongly welcome this policy change, which will put us back where we belong as a first choice study destination.
"Not only will a wide range of employers now have access to talented graduates from around the world, these students hold lifelong links."
However Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said Mr Johnson's plan was an "unwise" and "retrograde" step which would "likely lead to foreign graduates staying on to stack shelves, as happened before".
"Our universities are attracting a record number of overseas students so there is no need to devalue a study visa by turning it into a backdoor route for working here."
Some 86 migrants have been intercepted as they tried to cross the English Channel in small boats, the Home Office said.
Border Force officers intercepted groups of men, women and children in five separate events on Tuesday.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Crossing the Channel in a small boat is a huge risk. The criminal gangs who perpetuate this are ruthless and do not care about loss of life.
"We are working closely at all levels with the French authorities to tackle this dangerous and illegal activity. In addition, Border Force cutters are patrolling the Channel and we have already deployed equipment including drones, CCTV and night vision goggles.
"Last month, the home secretary and her French counterpart agreed to intensify joint action to tackle small boat crossings in the Channel. This includes drawing up an enhanced action plan to deploy more resources along the French coast to intercept and stop crossings."
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