Prime Minister Theresa May told the cabinet that she will ask the EU to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement.

She said that legal changes to the agreement are needed. Mrs May will have informal contact with the EU today

The DUP's Brexit spokesperson, Sammy Wilson, says there is much the party is "happy with" about an amendment which aims to replace the backstop.

The amendment, proposed by Conservative MP Graham Brady, calls for Parliament to require the backstop to be replaced with "alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border" but would otherwise support the prime minister's deal.

But Mr Wilson added that he wanted confirmation from the prime minister that "alternative arrangements" meant that "the legally binding backstop arrangements will be removed and will no longer apply and that she will seek alternatives to them".

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Shadow chancellor John McDonnell asks if a "responsible chancellor" would "stand up to the prime minister to insist she rules out a no-deal".

Mr Hammond says "we are absolutely determined" to avoid a no-deal. He states that either the deal is agreed, or no deal happens, which he describes as "a betrayal of our economic future".

Mr McDonnell says the Bank of England has warned that the UK could face an economic crisis worse than that in 2008. He asks if there has "ever been a chancellor so weak?"

Mr Hammond says that John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn need to "get off their backside" and "solve this problem in the national interest" by speaking to Theresa May in Downing Street.

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Image source, HoC

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Peter Dowd calls for Chancellor Philip Hammond to "come clean" and admit that a hard Brexit would cause more debt, more borrowing, would increase the deficit and put the country in decline.

Philip Hammond says if the UK leaves the EU without a deal "then, yes, it will lead to increased deficit and an increased debt", noting this is why the government is pushing towards a deal.

"This is why I don't get why members of that side of the House [Labour MPs] don't get behind this solution," he concludes.

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Image source, HoC

At Treasury questions, Labour MP Stephen Timms expresses concern about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on food supplies, medical supplies and congestion at the borders.

He calls for the government to take no-deal off the table.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride says the best way to avoid no-deal is to support the prime minister's deal.

He notes that the government is continuing to plan for all Brexit scenarios, including no-deal.

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Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond announces that the Spring statement - or the mini-Budget -will take place on Wednesday 13 March.

He says this is not a fiscal event, but if the economic or fiscal outlook "changes materially", that is an option.

Labour has confirmed it will back an amendment tabled by one of its backbench MPs which aims to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

MP Yvette Cooper tabled an amendment which attempts to rule out the UK leaving the EU without a formal deal by allowing parliament time to pass a new law.

The bill to bring in the new law would require Theresa May to seek to postpone Brexit day (currently 29 March) until 31 December, if MPs do not approve her deal by 26 February.

Theresa May's top team met this morning - with the Brexit amendments obviously high on the agenda.

In a tweet, external, the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg says it "was clear that cabinet see getting Brady amendment through, or close to it, as the route through".

She adds that there "wasn't much discussion of how explicit the PM will be at the despatch box later" and her next steps obviously depend on the result tonight.

Sir Graham Brady's amendment is calling for the backstop to be replaced with "alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border" - but would otherwise support the prime minister's deal.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

The Labour party says it will not yet confirm its position on an amendment put forward by one of their backbench MPs, which aims to avoid a no-deal Brexit.

Labour MP Yvette Cooper has tabled an amendment which attempts to rule out the UK leaving the EU without a formal deal by allowing parliament time to pass a new law.

However, the party said it would wait to see which amendments were selected by the Speaker before announcing a position.

The chief spokesman for the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, says the EU is waiting to see what happens in Britain's Parliament today.

"This is not a Brussels day, this is a London day," he said. "We have the vote tonight and then we will take it from there.

"There is nothing new on the table so don't look to Brussels on this, look to London."

But he added that European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was "permanently available and in permanent contact" if Theresa May wanted to get in touch.

The BBC's Newsnight programme has been hitch-hiking around the country talking about Brexit...

According to the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg, the Malthouse plan was discussed at cabinet this morning.

The plan - which has reportedly been backed by Remainers and Brexiteers in the Conservative party - would extend the end of the transition period by around a year. It's nicknamed the Malthouse Compromise after Kit Malthouse, the MP who got people working together.

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Today's proceedings in the Commons begins with Treasury questions.

The Chancellor Philip Hammond is on the front bench ready to respond.

Two weeks ago, Theresa May suffered the heaviest defeat in the history of parliament when MPs voted to reject her Brexit by 432 votes to 202.

However, the prime minister's fortunes could turn tonight.

The BBC's Brussels correspondent says the reaction to Sir Graham Brady's amendment is mixed.

Sir Graham's amendment is calling for the backstop to be replaced with "alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border" - but would otherwise support the prime minister's deal.

Meanwhile, Europe editor Katya Adler says EU leaders believe the Brexit debate still has a way to run in parliament and they want to see which way the wind is blowing.

And the EU may wait until the last minute to make concessions over the Brexit deal on the table, she said.

And ITV's political editor Robert Peston says EU leaders have responded to reports of a back up plan which has been drawn up by MPs including former remainer Nicky Morgan and Brexiteer Steve Baker. The plan would reportedly extend the transition period to allow more time to reach a free trade deal.

Image source, Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

DUP leader Arlene Foster has confirmed her party are supporting the Malthouse Compromise and urged the prime minister to follow suit.

The alternative plan, created by rival factions of the Conservative party, would extend the transition period - during which the UK would continue to follow EU rules and pay into its budget - from the end of 2020 to December 2021, to allow more time to reach a free trade deal.

"We believe it can unify a number of strands in the Brexit debate including the views of Remainers and Leavers," Ms Foster said.

"It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union which would split the United Kingdom or keep the entire United Kingdom in the customs union and single market."

She added: "If the prime minister is seeking to find a united front, both between elements in her own party and the DUP, in the negotiations which she will enter with the European Union, then this is a proposition which she should not turn her back on."

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MPs will begin their day in Parliament shortly, with Commons business starting at 11.30am with Treasury questions.

After that, the government is giving a ministerial statement on HMRC Estate transformation and Labour MP Tracy Brabin will present her Smoking Prohibition (National Health Service Premises) Bill as a ten minute rule motion, external.

Once that's completed, Prime Minister Theresa May will open the day's main Brexit debate, with votes expected to be from around 7pm onwards.

Former foreign secretary and Brexiteer Boris Johnson says he would "gladly support" Sir Graham Brady's amendment - as long as Mrs May says she will push for changes to the backstop.

Sir Graham wants to see the Irish backstop replaced by what he calls "alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border", but would otherwise support the prime minister's deal.

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