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As it happenedended

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Brexit today - as it happened: Theresa May questioned on the latest EU negotiating position in the Commons

Follow all the latest updates from Westminster here

Political Correspondent

Monday 18 December 2017 09:47 GMT

Theresa May arrives for the European Union summit in Brussels — Theresa May arrives for the European Union summit in Brussels (Reuters)

Theresa May has met her most senior ministers in Cabinet to discuss - for the first time - what kind of trade deal the UK should pursue with the EU after Brexit.

The Prime Minister also addressed the House of Commons, telling MPs she will attempt to finalise free trade deals with countries outside the bloc “where possible” - setting her on collision course with Brussels.

But she was urged by the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to "face down" Cabinet ministers who want to scrap EU regulations which limit the working week.

He asked the Prime Minister to "categorically" offer assurances over her intent to maintain the standards of the Working Time Directive during any transition period and beyond. Ms May, replying after updating MPs, reiterated the Government intends to "enhance" workers' rights.

It comes after Stefaan De Rynck, an adviser to the EU’s top Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, told an audience in London that the post-withdrawal transition period is “not a given” as he highlighted tensions between London and Brussels.

Mr De Rynck said the EU's goal was to have a fully-written withdrawal treaty ready for ratification by October next year, but stressed many issues needed to be worked out in the tight timeframe and that Britain would not be allowed to pick and choose a “buffet” option.

This liveblog is now closed but you can see all of Monday's developments below.

Brexit: Chief EU negotiator says 'no way' to bespoke trade deal for UKThe European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has said “no way” to Theresa May securing a bespoke trade deal with Brussels. Michel Barnier said the EU is not prepared to come up with a makeshift trade deal for the UK that knits together all the best bits of existing models.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 08:46

Theresa May insists she will try to sign new trade deals before Brexit transition is overTheresa May will insist on Monday that she will try to sign new free trade deals during the UK’s Brexit transition period, setting herself on a collision course with Brussels. Ms May will tell the House of Commons she will attempt to finalise the deals “where possible”, despite the EU signalling it would not be feasible under terms for the transition they are proposing.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 08:47

Tory former Cabinet minister and leading Leave campaigner Iain Duncan Smith told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "l don't buy this idea of a fixed position in the world. It's not a case of less trade, it's a case of a different type of trade, and British business will have to learn, as they do, to get by in a different world.

"And to bear in mind, we are looking to make trade arrangements which will make life easier for us with other markets. So, you have to look at these things no longer in a case of just the European Union."

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 08:50

Liam Fox has a £1m plan to appoint new trade commissionersThe IndependentLiam Fox is under fire over £1m-plus plans to appoint new “trade commissioners” around the world, on gold-plated packages normally handed to the UK’s ambassadors. The roles offer £120,000 salaries – akin to the pay for the most glittering ambassador jobs in France, Russia, Japan and at the United Nations – as well as lucrative home travel costs and private education for any children.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:05

Pensions Secretary admits there have been benefits cases 'where we got it wrong'The IndependentPensions Secretary David Gauke has admitted there have been cases dealt with under the Government’s benefits sanctions regime “where we got it wrong”. Mr Gauke was challenged about the impact of sanctions on Sunday, which cover universal credit, employment and support allowance (ESA), jobseeker's allowance (JSA) and income support. Critics blame the sanctions regime for forcing some of the poorest in society into debt and risk of homelessness.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:17

This is from the CEO of Goldman Sachs Lloyd Blankfein, who is referring to a poll published in The Independent at the weekend, giving Remain its biggest lead (10 points) since the EU referendum last year.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:28

Nicky Morgan says something is 'going badly wrong in our democracy' after a year of abuse and threatsAn ex-Conservative cabinet minister has warned that “something is going badly wrong in our democracy” following a year in which violent threats and abuse flooded political debate. Senior backbencher Nicky Morgan pointed the finger at politicians, newspapers and commentators who do not take responsibility for inciting anger. Ms Morgan, who chairs the influential Treasury Select Committee, said those who turn a blind eye to abuse are “playing with a fire which will eventually consume them as well”.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:47

Gina Miller: I'm more than happy to put my trust in the public to reconsider BrexitWednesday’s vote to give Parliament a much greater say in leaving the EU, supported by 11 rebelling Tory MPs, poses a dilemma for Theresa May. It’s not the outcome she hoped for, but it is a belated reassertion by MPs of the primacy of parliamentary democracy. Many of us have been troubled by the acute irony of Brexiteers parading their belief that withdrawal would mean a repatriation of powers to Westminster and, yet, they have steadfastly tried to muzzle parliament ever since Article 50 was triggered.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:56

Brexit: Chief EU negotiator says 'no way' to bespoke trade deal for UKThe European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has said “no way” to Theresa May securing a bespoke trade deal with Brussels. Michel Barnier said the EU is not prepared to come up with a makeshift trade deal for the UK that knits together all the best bits of existing models.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 10:14

Britons now back Remain over Leave by 10 points, new poll showsThe British public has swung behind staying in the EU by its largest margin since the referendum, with those backing Remain outstripping Leavers by ten points, a new poll has revealed. The exclusive survey for The Independent by BMG Research showed 51 per cent now back remaining in the union, while 41 per cent want Brexit.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 10:25

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