Brexit today - as it happened: MPs debate final stage of EU Withdrawal Bill before passing to Lords

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MPs have debated the final stage of the EU Withdrawal Bill before a vote later this evening approving the passage of the legislation to the Lords.

Dozens of MPs made contributions but the most significant came from Justine Greening, the former Education Secretary, who made her first intervention since leaving the Government last week.

She warned that Brexit will “not be sustainable” if it does not work for young people, adding that future generations of MPs could seek to “improve or undo” what the current cohort implements.

“The bottom line is that looking ahead if Brexit doesn't work for young people in our country, in the end it will not be sustainable,” she said.

The debate came after Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn closed in the Commons at Prime Minister’s Questions over the dramatic collapse of the construction and services company Carillion.

The Labour leader used all six of his questions to ask about the issue, having previously called for the directors of the failed firm to give back their multi-million pound bonuses.

The company is the second biggest construction firm in the UK and employs 20,000 people across the country and managing 450 government contracts.

Top Labour figures fear Jeremy Corbyn is 'too old' to lead party into the next electionTop figures in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow team are warning in private that he is too old to lead Labour into the next election. They raise concerns that if he wins in 2022 he would be the oldest prime minister ever to assume office for the first time, but would be telling voters he will lead the country for a further five years.

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 08:29

Jeremy Corbyn calls on Carillion directors to hand back their bonusesJeremy Corbyn has called on the directors of failed construction firm Carillion to give back their multi-million pound bonuses. The company, which handled hundreds of public sector contracts, went into liquidation on Monday after racking up £1.5bn of debts and liabilities. As the firm collapsed, it emerged that, in 2016, the directors had made it harder for investors to claw back executives’ bonuses if the business encountered difficulties.

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 08:30

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New Conservative vice chairman for youth apologises for suggesting unemployed should get sterilisedA Conservative MP promoted in Theresa May's reshuffle has apologised over a blog post suggesting benefit claimants should have vasectomies. Ben Bradley, who was named as Conservative vice chairman for youth, said people on welfare should stop having children if they could not afford them, before suggesting sterilisation. The Mansfield MP, 28, was writing in support of the benefits cap and suggested it would not be long "before we're drowning in a vast sea of unemployed wasters".

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 08:30

MPs have voted against including the European Charter of Fundamental Rights in UK law after Brexit.

A Labour amendment, tabled in the name of Jeremy Corbyn, sought to retain the provisions in the Charter but was voted down by 317 votes to 299.

The EU Withdrawal Bill, which is currently in its report stage in the House of Commons, will transfer all existing EU law into UK law when Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.

Tory government votes not to keep European human rights charter in UK law

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 08:43

This evening, around 7pm, MPs will also vote on the final stages of the Brexit Bill in the Commons. It is expected to pass without struggle before heading to the Lords for the next stage.

Let's hope everyone manages to stay awake in the chamber today. 

Tory MP Desmond Swayne appears to fall asleep during Brexit debate in parliamentA Conservative MP appeared to fall asleep during a debate on Brexit while Tory grandee Ken Clarke extolled some of the virtues of the European Union. Eurosceptic Sir Desmond Swayne was caught on camera slumped against the green benches as Mr Clarke delivered a 10-minute speech mocking the Government for wanting to leave the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 08:53

The dangers of a foreign policy that doesn't know who the "white hats" are: @Dannythefink on Corbyn £ thetimes.co.uk/edition/commen…

John Rentoul17 January 2018 08:57

Bayeux Tapestry featured in #Top10 Compound Names Every Word Of Which Is Untrue independent.co.uk/voices/the-top…

John Rentoul17 January 2018 09:01

Momentum director gains control of key Labour disciplinary committee in move opponents call 'declaration of all out war'Long-standing chair of a key Labour disciplinary panel has been ousted and replaced by a director of Momentum in a move that gives allies of Jeremy Corbyn much greater control of internal party investigations.

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 09:16

Corbyn ally and union chief Len McCluskey will be on the Emma Barnett Show at 10.30am on BBC Radio 5 live. We'll bring you the best lines from the interview.

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 09:22

Ministers told to stop 'scandal' of thousands of Carillion workers being put out of work todayMinisters have been told to stop the “scandal” of thousands of Carillion's private sector workers being put out of work by the end of today. The GMB union condemned the treatment of the infrastructure giant’s staff on private sector contracts, who the Government agreed to pay for just 48 hours from its collapse on Monday. Tim Roache, the union’s general secretary, warned they were “much more vulnerable” than the workers on public sector contracts, whose jobs are safe for now.

Ashley Cowburn17 January 2018 09:35

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