As it happenedended

Brexit news: Jeremy Corbyn urges Theresa May to rule out 'devastating' no-deal as EU rejects her plan B

Catch up on the day's events from Westminster

Ashley Cowburn

Political Correspondent

,Lizzy Buchan

Wednesday 23 January 2019 13:07 EST

Comments

Brexit: What will happen in 2019?

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Theresa May has repeatedly refused to rule out a no-deal Brexit ahead of a critical vote next week, as MPs ramp up the pressure on the prime minister to change course.

Jeremy Corbyn has urged the prime minister to take a “devastating” no-deal exit off the table during a tense prime minister’s questions clash, where Ms May accused the Labour leader of being prepared to "meet Hamas, Hezbollah and the IRA" but declining to meet her to discuss Brexit.

It comes as a prominent Conservative MP condemned Liam Fox, after he suggested those backing a move to extend Article 50 were motivated by “having no Brexit at all”.

Hitting back at the international trade secretary, Anna Soubry said Dr Fox’s comments were “not true” while another Tory MP said he "has never been very good at detail".

See below how we covered this story live

No-deal Brexit could force Kent schools into ‘lockdown’ due to air pollution from lorriesSchools in Kent have been warned that air pollution could be so bad from traffic congestion after a no-deal Brexit that they could be forced to go into “lockdown”.Advice to schools, issued by Kent County Council, outlines what headteachers should do to prepare for Britain leaving the European Union without a formal agreement at the end of March. The guidance suggests that a no-deal Brexit could bring severe traffic congestion to the major roads in the county, resulting in potential teacher shortages, disruption to exams and school lockdowns.Disruption could last for several months in Kent, the country council document warns. And if the traffic becomes very heavy, schools could be forced to close amid staff shortages.

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 13:41

This is from my colleague Lizzy Buchan, who is currently at Jacob Rees-Mogg's speech in Westminster. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Brexiteer MP has been discussing the prime minister's Brexit deal.

Unfortunately for Theresa May, he says: "As long as the backstop is there, I will not vote for this deal."

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 13:55

Jet2 boss warns Brexit could make flights more expensiveJet2 boss Steve Heapy has warned that flights to Europe may become more expensive after Brexit, and that a no-deal scenario would prove “extremely damaging” for the UK and EU.The chief executive of Jet2 and Jet2holidays added that travel could become more heavily regulated for operators after the UK leaves the European Union.“The worst thing that could happen is that we’re not able to fly to Europe,” he told PA. “I think the chance of that happening is extremely low.“I think we’ll end up with something in the middle whereby we’re able to fly into Europe, but I think it might be more expensive and there might be more restrictions.”

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 14:23

↵

Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Theresa May to suspend parliament if MPs block no-deal BrexitJacob Rees-Mogg has urged Theresa May to suspend parliament if attempts to thwart a no-deal Brexit are successful.The hardline Brexiteer suggested Ms May could “prorogue” parliament if a backbench bill tabled by Labour’s Yvette Cooper and Tory Nick Boles to block a disorderly Brexit is backed by MPs.Mr Rees-Mogg also dismissed speculation that his Eurosceptic cabal of Tory backbenchers were softening their stance towards the prime minister’s deal, insisting: "As long as the backstop is there, I won’t vote for this deal."He told a meeting of the Bruges Group of Tory Eurosceptics that effort by backbenchers to drive parliamentary business were a "constitutional outrage".

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 14:53

MPs vote to raise student tuition fees to £11k for two-year degreesTuition fees for some degrees could rise to more than £11,000 per year after MPs passed legislation allowing universities to charge more for shorter, more intensive courses. As a result students in England could be offered “accelerated” two-year courses from September, which the government says will save them 20 per cent on tuition fees compared to traditional three-year degrees.This would allow universities to charge £11,100 a year, compared with the £9.250 a year paid for three year courses.

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 15:46

↵

More than 50 tower-block owners refusing to remove Grenfell-style cladding, Theresa May admitsMore than 50 tower-block owners are still refusing to remove dangerous Grenfell-style cladding, Theresa May has admitted – seven months after the government vowed to act.The prime minister was accused of overseeing a “stench of complacency”, putting lives in jeopardy, 19 months after the catastrophic fire in the London high-rise that claimed 72 lives.Last June, Ms May first threatened to force private owners of blocks to pay up for the work and her then-local government minister vowed that a solution would be “put in place swiftly”.

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 16:06

Brexit secretary Steve Barclay is currently being quizzed by the Lords' European Union select committee. He says he does not "see no deal as the land of milk and honey - it very much holds risks".

"I've been very clear of the risks," he adds.

Rejecting accusations the government is "running down the clock' in the negotiations, Barclay says if the UK is unable to secure a deal, then the default scenario is a no-deal Brexit - which will also require legislation.

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 16:22

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 16:24

Dutch government says over 250 companies in talks about relocating to Netherlands because of BrexitOver 250 companies are in touch with the Dutch government about moving to the Netherlands because of Brexit, officials have said.The trade and investment arm of the country’s government has been soliciting moves from companies worried about access to the EU market, with Britain set to leave the single market and customs union.A number of high-profile companies have already announced decision to cross the North Sea, most recently Japanese electronics giant Sony specifically citing Brexit. Last year Panasonic also announced it was moving to Amsterdam.

Ashley Cowburn23 January 2019 17:05

The government has pulled a proposal to bring in extra Friday sittings for the Commons to debate backbench legislation.

It comes amid speculation that the Commons will have to sit on extra days to ensure legislation is in place to deal with Brexit.

MPs have campaigned for extra Friday sittings to debate what are known as private members' bills, as the current parliamentary session is two years rather than one year.

The 13 Friday sittings guaranteed for a parliamentary session have already been held for 2017-19.

Veteran Conservative backbencher Sir Christopher Chope had tabled an amendment which would prevent the Commons from considering backbench motions on any other days, potentially blocking fellow Tory Dominic Grieve's plan for a series of debates.

Lizzy Buchan23 January 2019 17:25

OlderNewer

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies