MPs approve Brexit deal

MPs have backed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan for the UK to leave the EU on 31 January 2020 by 358 votes to 234, a majority of 124, which now goes on to further scrutiny in Parliament. The bill would also ban an extension of the transition period –during which the UK is out of the EU but follows many of its rules – past 2020.

The PM said the country was now “one step closer to getting Brexit done” and insisted a trade deal with the EU can be in place by the end of the transition period, but critics say this timescale is unrealistic. MPs also backed the timetable for further debate on the bill over three days when they return after the Christmas recess on 7, 8 and 9 January 2020.

The changes to the previous bill includes legally prohibiting the government from extending the transition period – during which a trade deal between UK and EU will be discussed beyond 31 December 2020 and allowing more UK courts to reconsider European Court of Justice rulings that have been retained in UK law after Brexit, Requiring ministers to report annually to Parliament on disputes with the EU under the prime minister’s withdrawal agreement.