House of Commons
Parliament

Foreign Office questions gets under way - and Conservative Ranil Jayawardena begins today's session with a question about using the overseas aid budget to help protect endangered species.

Foreign Office Minister Harriett Baldwin responds that ministers regularly meet their counterparts in the Department for International Development to discuss the issue.

She says the government recently announced funding for international rangers to help stop poaching during the prime minister's recent trip to Africa.

Select Committee
Parliament

Mark Carney says he is willing to stay on as governor of the Bank of England if it will help the government "smooth" the Brexit transition.

Speaking to the Treasury Committee, he says he was happy to do whatever he could "to promote a smooth Brexit and an effective transition at the Bank".

Mr Carney is due to step down from the role in June 2019, but has said an announcement about his future will be made soon.

The Treasury Committee is questioning Mr Carney at the moment - you can watch the session using the tab at the top of this page.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs return to the Commons today after summer recess, kicking off with questions to the Foreign Secretary and his ministerial team. It’s the first time Jeremy Hunt has taken questions from MPs since he replaced Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary in July.

That's followed by two urgent questions from the Opposition front bench. The first comes from shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, requesting a statement from the government on the Windrush scandal.

Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon will then ask the government about plans for HM Prison Birmingham, which was taken back under government control from G4S last month.

After that, there'll be a statement from Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab giving an update on negotiations with the EU and 'no-deal' contingency planning. The government's Chequers plan has been met with rising criticism, so no doubt MPs from across the House will want to respond to the statement.

From there Labour MP Ruth Smeeth will present her Ceramics (Country of Origin Marking) Bill as a ten minute rule motion, followed by today's main legislative focus - the second reading of the Civil Liability Bill.

The Commons sits from 2.30pm today - and first item on the agenda is questions to the Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and his team of ministers.

There's bound to be plenty more on the agenda, particularly urgent questions and statements. We'll be covering the day's events here, so join us then.

Select Committee
Parliament

The permanent secretary is asked if there is the possibility of private litigation or judicial review against the government because of late or inadequate notification around Brexit and its impact upon commercial operations.

Mr Rycroft does not reveal if this is a scenario the government has planned for.

The chair then brings the sessions to a close.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative MP Jeremy Lefroy asks about foreign and trade relations. He says the UK will be a "third country" to the 27 other members of the EU as well as the EEA countries.

Mr Rycroft says it is "absolutely identified" as an issue and the Foreign Office will take the lead. He says this work has increased and the government are not waiting until Brexit.

He adds it is a "very big challenge".

Mr Lefroy asks how many new missions around the globe will be opened where the European Commission currently acts on our behalf.

The permanent secretary says "it is a concern across government" and adds he will write to the committee with numbers.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Labour MP Stephen Timms asks about the fiscal impact of no deal with the EU after Brexit. He says the chancellor has written to the Treasury Committee about estimates that borrowing be £80bn a year higher by 2033/34.

Philip Rycroft says the analysis does not reflect the Chequers proposal and the deal that will "hopefully" be done.

He adds it was work in progress.

Mr Timms replies that the chancellor has said that higher barriers will damage the EU and public finances.

Mr Rycroft says that reflects the chancellor's view. Neither he nor anyone else can have a "complete picture" at this stage as negotiations have not concluded.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns asks if the department is ready for Brexit and if the permanent secretary is aware of any conversations to extend the transition period.

Philip Rycroft says that they are and he is "unaware" of any such discussions.

Labour's Seema Malhotra asks about the estimated "thousand plus" pieces of secondary legislation that must be in place before Brexit.

The permanent secretary says there is "a very big body of work" to do to make sure the statute book is "competent" at the point of exit.

He agrees it is a body of work for Parliament and says that around 800 pieces of legislation will be have to be passed before February. He says this is "possible to achieve".

Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the House of Commons, has told the BBC she backs the Chequers Plan for Brexit.

The proposals constitute the UK's preferred way of future relationships with the European Union, but are not the final Brexit deal.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mrs Leadsom, who was part of the Vote Leave campaign, said Chequers sticks "to the red lines I voted for".

The MP for South Northamptonshire also said that although she would like the UK "to be leaving the EU in such a way that we are completely untethered to it" she added that "I am also a pragmatist".

She described the Chequers Plan as "the only serious one on the table" and suggested that the European Commission look at it as such.

Select Committee
Parliament

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The SNP's Peter Grant asks if the governments of devolved institutions have had input into technical notices.

Philip Rycroft says the "brief answer is yes" and government is "consulting very closely" with the devolved institutions.

He adds there is a huge amount of work to ensure Brexit "works for all parts of the UK".

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Labour MP Pat McFadden asks why no technical notices have been issued concerning Northern Ireland and its EU land border.

Mr Rycroft replies that there are 25 in the public domain and more will follow. It is a decision for ministers when they release them.

Mr McFadden says technical notices advise businesses trading across the border to take advice from the Irish government. He asks would it not be better to rely on advice from the UK government.

The permanent secretary says "clearly" there will need to be more advice issued to make a success of a no deal outcome.

Image source, HoC

Conservative MP Peter Bone asks how likely it is no deal is reached.

Philip Rycroft says that the government expects to reach a good deal in the autumn but no government would not plan for the possibility.

Mr Bone asks when decisions have to be made about contingency plans.

The permanent secretary for the DexEU says technical notices have been issued to the public and more will follow. The department are giving advice to ministers as to what will be needed to be done when.

He adds that Mr Bone is right to point out there "are not many months" left between now and March.

How could a no-deal Brexit affect me? Three industry experts give their assessment.

Select Committee
Parliament

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The chair of the committee continues his questioning and asks if the government is using non-disclosure agreements with suppliers.

Mr Rycroft says there is a "confidentiality" requirement because of commercial and negotiation sensitivities. He confirms they exist.

The permanent secretary is then asked about UK citizens living in the EU and possible problems with their pensions.

He replied that UK citizens abroad are "central to planning" and why a deal is important. He says planning is ongoing to ensure they are looked after in "unlikely" event of a no deal scenario, including healthcare and pensions.

He adds it will be a decision for ministers when they give reassurances.

Select Committee
Parliament

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This morning's session is expected to focus on the role of the Brexit department in the negotiations, and preparations for a no-deal Brexit.

Yesterday, the committee travelled to Brussels for a meeting with the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

It comes after Mr Barnier expressed objections to Theresa May's Brexit blueprint in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung over the weekend.

Mr Barnier said Mrs May's plans "would be the end of the single market and the European project".

Read more.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Committee chair and Labour MP Hilary Benn asks Philip Rycroft about plans for possible delays on the M20 in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit.

The Brexit official replies that the department co-ordinates the activity of around 300 "work streams" across government.

He adds the responsibility for the motorway planning rests with the Department of Transport, but says there are plans for "all possible scenarios"

The Labour MP asks if reports that the government is planning to use "Portaloos" on the motorway for use during delays are true.

Mr Rycroft reiterates that individual departments have responsibility, but there are "plans for all possible scenarios", including for "the flow of traffic across the border".

Hello and welcome to our coverage from Westminster as MPs and peers return from their summer recess.

Business in both chambers kicks off at 2.30pm - but first this morning, we will be turning our attention to the Brexit select committee.

MPs on the committee will soon be questioning Philip Rycroft, permanent secretary at the Brexit department.

It comes after EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier last weekend said he was "strongly" opposed to key parts of Theresa May's Chequers plan for Brexit.