Labour figures urge MPs not to vote for ‘rotten’ deal as RAF to fly signed agreement to UK

Ministers poised to delay return of secondary schools

Brexit briefing: How long until the end of the transition period?

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing revolt over his decision to back Boris Johnson’s trade deal with the EU in a Commons vote this week, with Labour figures including John McDonnell urging MPs not to back what they say is a “rotten” deal.

The Labour leader says he will call on his MPs to support the "thin" post-Brexit free trade agreement, despite misgivings that it would fail to protect many key economic sectors. He argued that ending the Brexit transition period without a deal would be even worse for the economy.

It comes as Downing Street revealed the deal will be signed in Brussels by EU chiefs tomorrow before being flown by an RAF plane to London for Boris Johnson to sign.

Meanwhile, ministers are poised to bow to pressure to delay the return of English secondary school pupils to allow more time for mass testing.

See below for how our live coverage unfolded.

• Caroline Lucas: Why I’m voting against the Brexit deal with the EU
• Brexit deal: Labour’s civil war over Europe is just getting started
• What is Brexit and why is it still happening?
• Here’s what Brexit will mean for your wages, benefits and taxes
• Can I still move to France, Germany or other EU countries after Brexit?

[29 December 2020 17:32 · Jane Dalton]

MPs prepare to vote on Brexit deal

MPs will have their Christmas recess interrupted tomorrow so they can debate and vote on the Brexit trade Bill. 

The prime minister is due to open the debate around 9.30am

In most cases, members will vote online after discussing Boris Johnson’s EU Future Relationship Bill. Ashley Cowburn has the details:

[29 December 2020 18:02 · Jane Dalton]

Labour’s civil war over Europe is just getting started

The Tory split over Europe may show signs of healing but the opposition’s European dilemma has returned with a vengeance, writes Sean O’Grady. In case you missed it yesterday:

[29 December 2020 18:19 · Jane Dalton]

Labour rebellion against Starmer grows

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing backlash over his decision to back Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade deal, as a series of Labour figures including John McDonnell urged MPs not to vote for the “rotten” agreement.

Ashley Cowburn reports on how the former shadow chancellor is among opponents warning: “We are witnessing an act of vandalism against our livelihoods.”

[29 December 2020 18:44 · Jane Dalton]

Brexit brings new rule on sending parcels to EU

Britons are facing new rules over the sending of parcels to the EU in the light of Brexit, the Post Office has said.

Any parcel containing gifts or goods that is being sent from England, Scotland or Wales to an EU country from Tuesday should have a customs declaration form attached to it.

Despite the customs label coming into effect on 1 January, the Post Office is advising anyone who sends a parcel from Tuesday to attach the document to help avoid delays.

The sending of mail to Europe was resumed today after a brief suspension.

[29 December 2020 19:11 · Jane Dalton]

‘Hard Brexit will harm Northern Ireland’

An Ulster MP says he will vote against the Brexit deal tomorrow because he is “not prepared to give legitimacy or acquiescence to a hard Brexit which damages Northern Ireland”.

[29 December 2020 19:35 · Jane Dalton]

Deal ‘reaffirms sovereignty of UK’

A senior backbench Brexiteer has given his support to Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal.

Conservative Sir William Cash, chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, said the agreement "reaffirms the sovereignty of the United Kingdom".

[29 December 2020 19:55 · Jane Dalton]

Tougher Covid-19 restrictions to be unveiled

Tougher Covid-19 restrictions are due to be unveiled tomorrow, possibly including a new so-called tier 5 in the worst-hit areas of London and the south.

Boris Johnson will hear the advice of his medical and scientific experts at a crunch meeting this evening, amid growing alarm over the rapid spread of the new, more infectious Covid variant, writes Rob Merrick:

[29 December 2020 20:21 · Jane Dalton]

Secondary schools return to be delayed as ministers thrash out new plan

Ministers are poised to bow to pressure to delay the return of English secondary school pupils to allow more time for mass testing.

The new plan, expected to be confirmed tomorrow, would mean only vulnerable pupils and children of key workers in classrooms next Monday, far fewer than the government hoped, writes Rob Merrick: 

[29 December 2020 20:40 · Jane Dalton]

Labour MP to abstain

Labour's Nadia Whittome has indicated that she will abstain in the vote on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.

The Nottingham East MP said she would not vote for a deal that "fails to protect jobs, workers' rights, migrants, the environment, our NHS, and my generation's future".

On Twitter, Ms Whittome wrote: "While I understand and respect colleagues who reach a different conclusion, I cannot vote for Johnson's damaging deal. While I campaigned to remain, I accept that Brexit is happening.

“However, I will not vote for a deal that fails to protect jobs, workers' rights, migrants, the environment, our NHS and my generation's future. No Deal would be a disaster - but an abstention doesn't enable it.”