Brexit news – live: EU says Boris Johnson's plans to rip up agreement risk peace on Ireland and will lead to no-deal, as Labour warns PM playing 'dangerous game'
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The EU has warned Boris Johnson that plans to rip-up the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement will risk peace in Ireland and lead to a no-deal outcome from trade talks.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, told the UK government that the agreement, which was ratified by the UK last year, was “an obligation under international law”.
It came as Labour said the prime minister was “playing a dangerous game in Northern Ireland” and risking the UK’s international standing.
Here are the day’s events as they happened:
Government has no plan to reach its own climate target, experts warn
In non-Brexit news - The government has no plan to reach its own “net zero” climate target which was written into law last year, experts have warned.
The Institute for Government think-tank said the legal and political commitment had not yet translated into serious policy changes, with time running out.
Boris Johnson previously said he was committed to the target, first set out by Theresa May last year, of helping the UK to reach carbon neutral emissions by 2050.
Our policy correspondent, Jon Stone, has the full story below:
Government has no plan to reach its own climate target, experts warn
Ministers accused of lack of leadership following 2050 net zero commitment
Hancock insists there will be no shortages of drugs due to Brexit
Health secretary Matt Hancock has insisted there will not be shortages of drugs or medical equipment due to Brexit amid fears of a no-deal exit from the EU.
When asked on LBC if the health of the nation could be “detrimentally affected” by how the UK leaves the EU, Mr Hancock said: “We already have a deal, the question is whether we can land a long-term future trade agreement.”
He added that he was convinced people would still be able to get the drugs and medical equipment they need when the transition period ends this year.
Unsurprisingly, there is at least one person who is happy with the idea of tearing up the Withdrawal Agreement - Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage…
Barnier to seek clarification on UK plans for Withdrawal Agreement
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said he will seek clarification about the UK's plans for Brexit talks following reports that ministers were looking to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Mr Barnier told French radio that honouring the agreement was “a pre-condition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected.”
He added: “It is a difficult negotiation because the British would like the best of both worlds and to export their products to a market of 450 million consumers on their terms.
“We would like the conditions to be fair."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has sought to draw attention to A-level results fiasco again this morning, calling for documents on the debacle to be handed to the Education Select Committee:
Rail operators restore 90 per cent of services as workers encouraged to return to offices
Train operators in England, Scotland and Wales have begun resuming more services today, as schools reopen and the government encourages workers to return to offices.
Extra carriages will be added to some peak services, particularly those for schools, as trains can only safely carry about half of their usual capacity due to social distancing rules.
Jacqueline Starr, CEO of the Rail Delivery Group, said operators “want people to feel confident taking the train.”
Our reporter, Joanna Whitehead, has the full story below:
Labour accuses government of ‘failure’ on net zero carbon target
Labour has said a report on the government's approach to achieving the net zero carbon target has laid bare ministers’ “failure” on climate change.
An Institute for Government report published on Monday found there was no plan for ministers to reach carbon neutral emissions by 2050.
“This report lays bare the government’s failure to put the country on a path to net zero emissions,” Matthew Pennycook, Labour’s shadow climate change minister, said.
“If ministers were determined to end the UK’s contribution to global heating by mid-century they would have a clear roadmap to achieve that goal, it would be pursued relentlessly from the centre, the institutional architecture would be put in place to coordinate and drive progress across all departments, and emissions reduction would be woven throughout government policy.”
Mr Pennycook added: “Until this government gives emissions reduction the status it requires and acts accordingly, the UK is destined to remain off track for the net zero target, legislated for just over a year ago.”
EU warns plan to tear up agreement risks 'peace' in Ireland and will result in no-deal
The EU has hit back at reported plans to rip up key parts of the Brexit agreement, warning it is a “prerequisite” for avoiding a no-deal outcome.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said the agreement, which was ratified by the UK last year, was “an obligation under international law”.
She added that the Northern Ireland protocol was “essential to protect peace and stability on the island and integrity of the single market”.
Our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick, has the full story below:
EU warns Boris Johnson’s plan to tear up Brexit deal risks ‘peace’ in Ireland
Prime minister told to stick to agreement, to ‘protect peace and stability on the island and integrity of the single market’
The EU Commission president’s comments on the Brexit trade talks can be found in full below:
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