Brexit White Paper: Government publishes Theresa May's plan - as it happened
The Government sets out its plans for Brexit in a document before Parliament
Your support helps us to tell the story
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.The Government has set out Theresa May's plans for Brexit before Parliament, in a document known as a White Paper. Here are the latest updates.
- Government publishes White Paper as David Davis gives statement to the Commons
- Davis says White Paper means UK is 'definitely leaving' the EU customs union
- EU nationals in UK will only have rights protected if similar promise is made for Britons on continent
- Government wants 'practical solution' to land border between NI and Ireland
- UK to seek to continue science and research programmes with EU countries
- White Paper is based on 12 principles set out in PM's speech on Brexit last month
- Labour says it is "totally unacceptable" White Paper was only published as Davis got up to speak
- SNP says Government's actions prevent parliamentary scrutiny and show "astonishing disrespect" to MPs
- MPs ask questions on White Paper before going away to scrutinise it in detail
- Last night, Commons voted overwhelmingly to grant May power to trigger Brexit
- But a rebel Tory MP tells The Independent they will not give PM a 'blank cheque'
- Minister says May has given up on 'cherry-picking' an EU customs union deal
- Major rebellion over Brexit vote stings Labour
- Two shadow Cabinet members are forced to quit
MPs will spend Thursday poring over a Government White Paper setting out its Brexit strategy as the next battlegrounds in the debate over quitting the EU begin to emerge.
They will also be studying a vast list of amendments from MPs of all sides to legislation which paves the way for Theresa May to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties to begin Brexit.
Brexit Secretary David Davis presented the White Paper to MPs in an oral statement after 12.30pm on Thursday.
The European Union (Notification Of Withdrawal) Bill was overwhelmingly backed by a majority of 384 MPs at its second reading on Wednesday.
However the major Commons skirmishes are expected during next week's committee stage.
Hundreds of amendments have already been tabled for debate and votes between Monday and Wednesday and the objectives set out in the White Paper are sure to inspire more.
Downing Street said the White Paper would "reflect the Government's plan for Brexit as the PM set out in her speech on our negotiating objectives".
While we wait for David Davis's oral statement in the Commons, there's news this lunchtime that the Bank of England has revised upwards its growth forecasts for the next three years, defying Brexit slowdown fears.
The economic impact of triggering Article 50 and beginning the formal process of Brexit remains to be seen, and rate-setters warn soaring inflation caused by the weak pound and poor wage growth are still likely to see household incomes stall over the next two years.
Nonetheless, minutes of the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision showed policymakers voted unanimously to keep rates on hold at 0.25% as the Bank made sweeping upgrades to its growth outlook.
In its quarterly inflation report, the Bank upped its forecast for gross domestic product (GDP) to rise by 2% this year, 1.6% in 2018 and 1.7% in 2019.
The Bank, which has now raised its growth outlook twice in the last three months, said the "most significant" reason for the upgrades was the Government spending boost revealed in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement last November.
David Davis is sat in the Commons now waiting for the end of the Leader of the House's statement on Commons business over the next few months.
When he gets his turn, he will give an oral statement summarising the details of the White Paper and the document itself is expected to go live in full on the Government's website a short while later.
We'll bring you the latest on what Mr Davis says and the key details of the White Paper here over the next couple of hours.
David Davis is up now.
He gets muddled over the timing of when the vote on Brexit was and when the UK will leave, sparking amusement in the house.
The Article 50 bill is about implementing the decision of the public, Davis says.
He says the Government was "always" planning to set out its rough plans, however.
He says the 12 principles - outlined in Ms May's speech last year - are the foundation of the White Paper.
"These twelve objectives amount to one goal - a new partnership with the EU that works in our mutual interests," he says.
The White Paper "reiterates our firm view that we want the EU to succeed politically and economically", Davis says.
The UK seeks "a new strategic partnership" for when it leaves the single market. It wants trade to be "as free and frictionless as possible" in this new arrangement, Davis says.
"We cannot sign new trade deals while we are still members (of the EU), we can and are laying the ground for them," Davis says.
"Whatever the outcome of our negotiations, we seek a more outgoing UK that works for everyone," Davis says.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments