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As it happenedended

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

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
Monday 18 December 2017 09:47 GMT
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Theresa May arrives for the European Union summit in Brussels
Theresa May arrives for the European Union summit in Brussels (Reuters)

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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.

Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 08:46
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
Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:05
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Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:28
Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:47
Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 09:56
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Ashley Cowburn18 December 2017 10:25

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