UK politics - as it happened: Senior Tories tell Theresa May to listen to business as Jaguar Land Rover issues Brexit warning
Follow for updates from Westminster, as they happened
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.Theresa May is facing pressure to heed warnings from business leaders on Brexit ahead of a crunch cabinet meeting where she will try to unite her warning ministers on EU exit terms.
More than 40 Tory MPs have written to the prime minister, urging her dismiss any potential Brexit deal "without our trading, enterprising and innovative businesses and their employees at its heart".
It comes as car giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) said a hard Brexit would hit its profits by £1.2bn, and insisted that it needs "greater certainty" to continue to invest and support more than 40,000 British jobs.
The warning follows similar statements from Airbus and BMW, and a wider sense of discomfort among among firms after Boris Johnson reportedly declared "f*** business".
Owen Paterson, a former Conservative minister, also told the Today programme that firms would be "better off" if the UK leaves the customs union as they will "have access to cheaper parts and components all around the world and European suppliers will be forced to compete".
See below for live updates
Angela Merkel has warned Theresa May of the time pressures to secure a Brexit deal, as the two leaders meet in Berlin for discussions.
Ms May has flown to the German capital in a bid to secure last-minute support for her new “third way” customs plan for Brexit, ahead of the publication of the new policy later this month.
More here:
Furious reaction from Brexiteers on the suggestion that US trade deals could be rules out, despite denials from Downing Street.
On non-Brexit related news, the palace of Westminster is going to be lit up in blue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the NHS.
The campaign by North Cumbria NHS Trust, and championed by justice minister Rory Stewart, will see parts of parliament bathed in blue light at 9.20pm on Thursday.
Mr Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border, said: “It is appropriate that, on the anniversary of one of our country’s proudest legislative achievements, both houses of parliament have approved this visual display of the NHS’ importance and our collective commitment to its preservation.
"With both the birthday and the recent announcement of the increase in the NHS’ budget there is a great deal to celebrate.
"I would like to pay a huge tribute to the North Cumbria NHS Trust for their wonderful idea, and to Mr John Bercow, Lord Fowler and all of the staff at the palace of Westminster who have made this possible. I am very much looking forward to seeing the illumination."
Another Brexiteer piles in. Andrea Jenkyns recently resigned from a junior ministerial position so she could campaign on Brexit, rather than be bound by the government's stance.
That's it for The Independent's politics liveblog for the day. Thanks for following!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments