The House of Lords debates private members' bills
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
MPs have divided to vote on the third reading of the Trade Bill. This is the last stage in the Commons, before it heads off to the Lords for consideration.
The bill establishes the groundwork for an independent trade policy after the UK leaves the EU.
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
Image source, HoCInternational Trade Secretary Liam Fox says the Trade Bill provides continuity as the UK leaves the EU, something the government is committed to.
"As an EU member, the UK participates in many trade agreements with EU countries, we want continuity in these agreements."
"To be absolutely clear," he says, "this bill is not about signing new trade agreements."
Mr Fox promises the government will not use measures in the bill to agree substantially different agreements, and states that the priority has always been "continuity first, seeking new opportunities second".
He adds that it is also vital information and data agreements are continued, which the bill will ensure, whilst also providing a "joined up UK approach" to agreements.
Analysis
BBC News Channel
Conservative Dr Phillip Lee has just told the BBC News Channel that he "couldn't support" the "obvious wrecking amendments" which were added to the Trade Bill yesterday.
He says he can see "no way out of this impasse," as the Commons cannot agree on a way forward on Brexit.
Newsnight's political editor tweets
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Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
MPs have voted to reject New Clause 18, which would have seen the government obliged to participate in a customs union if a free trade agreement had not been reached by January 2019.
Ayes: 301
Noes: 307
Majority: 6
More government amendments are agreed to.
The bill moves on to third reading.
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(There have been more defeats on Brexit legislation in the House of Lords.)
MPs vote on whether the UK should join a customs union if it cannot agree a trade deal with the EU.
Read MorePolitical correspondent for PoliticoEurope tweets
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Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
Under New Clause 18, current government policy to try to negotiate a free trade agreement would remain the same for now.
The amendment stipulates that if this is not achieved by 21 January 2019, the objective of government will become to negotiate a customs union.
This is seen as a more palatable alternative New Clause 5 - put forward by Anna Soubry, Ken Clarke and many Labour MPs - which would mandate the government to negotiate a customs union.
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
MPs have divided to vote on New Clause 18, which would require the government to negotiate a customs union in the new year if no free trade agreement is reached.
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
MPs have voted to approve remaining in the European medicines framework, by voting for New Clause 17.
Ayes: 305
Noes: 301
Majority: 4
Parliamentary correspondent, PA, tweets
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Analysis
John Pienaar
Pienaar’s Politics
BBC Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar tells BBC News that a source close to the prime minister has told him that the best hope to relieve the pressure on the government would be some sort of compromise or offer from Brussels.
He suggests the government is facing a close result on the Trade Bill or possibly a damaging defeat.
The government looks increasingly under siege, he says,and either result could call the future of the prime minister into question.
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
New Clause 17 to the Trade Bill would make it a negotiating objective for the government that the UK can continue to participate in the European medicines regulatory network partnership between the EU, EEA and the European Medicines Agency.
Its supporters say this would ensure that patients continue to have access to high-quality, effective and safe pharmaceutical and medical products.
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
The Commons has voted to reject Labour's amendment 80.
Ayes: 295
Noes: 314
Majority: 19
The Commons divides to vote on New Clause 17.
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
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Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
Image source, HoCThe chair of the International Trade Committee, Angus MacNeil, says that there is not a developed country in the world which is not in a customs union.
He says that a trade agreement with the United States would only make up around 0.2% of the loss in GDP to the UK of leaving the EU.
Trade Bill
House of Commons
Parliament
Tory MP Nicky Morgan says "Brexit is a matter of the national interest", and that the prime minister did the right thing by putting forward her proposal at Chequers.
She criticises the actions of the European Research Group (the group of Brexiteer Tories) yesterday, who she says have undermined the prime minister, and asks for the prime minister to be given the opportunity to negotiate the best option for the UK, which she says NC18 would do.