UK politics - as it happened: Jeremy Corbyn attacks Theresa May at PMQs over NHS outsourcing

All the updates from Westminster as they happened

Jeremy Corbyn attacks Theresa May over NHS staff shortages, cuts and privatisation

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed over the NHS during their weekly joust at Prime Minister's Questions.

The Labour leader demanded increased investment and a reversal of the use of private companies in the health system, claiming Tory policies mean it is "jackpot time for privateers". Ms May accused Labour of "scaremongering" about privatisation and funding cuts, and said every Conservative government has protected the NHS.

Meanwhile, the row over post-Brexit customs rules threatened to bubble over when HMRC chief Jon Thomson said the Brexiteers' preferred option could cost business £20bn.

Brussels also rejected Ms May's new plan to solve the customs row amid growing pressure from Eurosceptics over Ms May's favoured "customs partnership" proposal, which they fear could keep Britain too closely tied to the EU after Brexit.

See below for live updates

Key Points

• UK legally bound to pay £39bn Brexit 'divorce bill' before EU trade deal agreed, admits minister
• Jeremy Corbyn condemns PM for allowing 'jackpot time for privateers' on NHS
• EU will reject Theresa May's call for Northern Ireland 'backstop' to be time limited
• HMRC chief says Brexiteers' favoured customs option will cost businesses up to £20bn
• Sajid Javid tells police he understands 'how hard and horrible' their job can be due to brother's career

[23 May 2018 08:39 · Lizzy Buchan]

Welcome to The Independent's politics liveblog, where we will be bringing you all the latest developments from Westminster and Brussels throughout the day.

[23 May 2018 08:51 · Lizzy Buchan]

European Commission officials tell The Independent Ms May’s plan would be unacceptable and would go back on previous commitments made by British negotiators.

More here:

[23 May 2018 09:01 · Lizzy Buchan]

Foreign secretary Boris Johnson has been accused of backing a 'vanity project' to get a new Brexit plane - because 'he feels chartered aircraft are beneath him'.

Mr Johnson, who is in Latin America drumming up post-Brexit trade, complained the RAF Voyager jet which is shared by the Prime Minister, senior Cabinet members and the Royal Family "never seems to be available". 

Story here:

[23 May 2018 09:08 · Lizzy Buchan]

Fresh Cabinet tensions over Brexit have been exposed in a leaked letter in which Michael Gove hits out at Philip Hammond, blaming the Treasury for a defeat in the House of Lords.

The Environment Secretary accused the Treasury of "short-sightedness" which had led to an "avoidable" Lords defeat for the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill.

Story here:

[23 May 2018 09:19 · Lizzy Buchan]

Sajid Javid will tell police officers he understands how “hard and horrible” their work can be due to watching his brother’s career.

The home secretary's address to the Police Federation of England and Wales’ annual conference will be his first major public speech since taking on the role, just weeks after Amber Rudd's dramatic resignation.

My colleague Lizzie Dearden has written a preview of the speech:

[23 May 2018 09:32 · Lizzy Buchan]

Brexit ministers Robin Walker and Suella Braverman are before the Exiting the European Union Committee - and it's going well so far.

[23 May 2018 09:42 · Lizzy Buchan]

[23 May 2018 09:44 · Lizzy Buchan]

Donald Trump’s impending visit to Britain –  one which has been surrounded by controversy and is expected to draw massive protests – may be extended because he wants to play golf while in this country.

More here:

[23 May 2018 09:58 · Lizzy Buchan]

[23 May 2018 10:05 · Lizzy Buchan]