Macron-May talks - as it happened: ‘If you want access to single market, be my guest’

UK-France Summit to take place at military academy, with Brexit high on the agenda

Emmanuel Macron and Theresa May arrive at Sandringham

Emmanuel Macron has finished a joint a news conference with Theresa May telling his counterpart if Britain wants access to the single market then “be my guest”.

Asked why he wanted to exclude financial services from a future UK-EU free trade agreement, Mr Macron said: “I am here neither to punish nor to reward.

“I want to make sure that the single market is preserved because that is very much the heart of the EU.

“The choice is on the British side, not on my side. But there can be no differentiated access for the financial services.

“If you want access to the single market - including the financial services - be my guest. But it means that you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge European jurisdiction.

“Such are the rules, and we know the system already in place for Norway.”

The French President and a number of his ministers were attending the UK-France Summit at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.

The two leaders also confirmed the Bayeux Tapestry would come to Britain on loan after 950 years in France.

Key Points

Theresa May to announce UK will take more refugees from Calais

[18 January 2018 12:57 · Kristin Hugo]

The Government has announced it will bring forward plans to help protect music venues, after the "Agent of Change" campaign led by the music industry and Labour MP John Spellar.

Planning regulations will be tightened to make it harder for venues to be knocked down or converted. Industry group UK Music says 35 per cent of the UK's music venues have been lost in the last decade.

Announcing his support for the campaign, Sajid Javid, the Communities and Housing Secretary, said:

"Music venues play a vital role in our communities, bringing people together and contributing to the local economy and supporting the country’s grass roots music culture.

I have always thought it unfair that the burden is on long-standing music venues to solve noise issues when property developers choose to build nearby.

That’s why I consulted on this in February last year as part of the housing white paper. I am pleased to finally have an opportunity to right this wrong and also give more peace of mind to new residents moving into local properties."

[18 January 2018 13:57 · Kristin Hugo]

Emmanuel Macron has said France would "look kindly" on any British decision to halt Brexit.

As Rob Merrick reports, a key aide speaking on behalf of the French President said: “If tomorrow, or the day after, the United Kingdom decided to change its mind, it’s clear that we would look at this with kindness."

[18 January 2018 15:07 · Kristin Hugo]

Emmanuel Macron and Theresa May have arrived at Sandhurst. They are currently watching a military parade before heading inside for talks.

[18 January 2018 15:12 · Kristin Hugo]

We're expecting Ms May and Mr Macron to give a joint press conference at around 5.30pm UK time. Before that, the two leaders will hold private talks at Sandhurst. Several members of the cabinet, including the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, and Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, will also meet their French counterparts as part of the UK-France Summit.

[18 January 2018 15:18 · Kristin Hugo]

Just in: the first image of the Prime Minister and French President arriving at Sandhurst

[18 January 2018 15:43 · Kristin Hugo]

Jeremy Corbyn has done an interview with The Guardian in which he was asked about The Independent's report on some Labour frontbenchers believing he is too old to be prime minister.

Mr Corbyn responded by pointing out that he runs or cycles 4-5km per week, and added: “I am the age I am. It is not a secret – and I consider myself perfectly fit and able to do what I do. I’m actually younger than other leaders.”

The Labour leader also refused to rule out introducing mandatory selection for all Labour MPs.

"Look, [we] will look at democracy within the party and look at the process of selections," he said. "We should all be accountable all the time. I’m accountable to my party, I’m accountable to my constituency and I’m quite comfortable with that."

[18 January 2018 15:58 · Kristin Hugo]

Theresa May took Emmanuel Macron for lunch at the Michellin-starred Royal Oak restaurant in her Maidenhead constituency before the pair headed to Sandhurst.

The French President tweeted: "Working lunch with the British Prime Minister to face the challenges of today and prepare for tomorrow."

[18 January 2018 16:21 · Kristin Hugo]

Jeremy Corbyn has accused the Government of pursuing a "fake news agenda" on the NHS.

He was asked during a visit to Lincoln County Hospital about Tory ministers' claims that they are spending more money than ever on the health system. The Labour leader replied: "To misquote Donald Trump, that is a fake news agenda."

He continued:

"The NHS is stretched beyond belief because of its lack of resources. The Prime Minister told parliament 'we are better prepared than ever for the winter crisis'.

"Two weeks later... we see the reality of it, which is patients being treated in hospital car parks and ambulances."

"They can't go on to the next emergency because they can't get out of the car park, because they can't safely let the patient leave.

"The pressures are unbelievable. The pressures of patients on trollies in the corridor waiting for a bed. That's pressure, obviously on the patient and their families, but obviously great pressure on the staff."

[18 January 2018 17:02 · Kristin Hugo]

We're expecting a joint press conference from Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron shortly. We'll of course bring you the updates as it happens...

[18 January 2018 17:08 · Kristin Hugo]