16:31

Northern Ireland businesses have vowed to take their fight for a Brexit mitigation package to the House of Lords any beyond.

And they have dared the government to “prove it” after the Northern Ireland minister Robin Walker told MPs that “this deal is a good deal for both businesses and individuals in Northern Ireland.”

An amendment proposing cash compensation for the extra disruption they will face post-Brexit because of checks on goods crossing the Irish sea was comprehensively defeated by 75 voters in the Commons, as was a proposal for an annual review of the new arrangements if the impact of Brexit is adverse.

“The fight will go on in the House of Lords, at Committees and with the EU. We are determined to protect NI families and the affordability and choice they enjoy,” the business groups said in a statement. The 12 business groups backing the amendment include the Ulster Farmers Union and the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland.

So far there have been four votes on amendments to the EU (withdrawal agreement) bill in the Commons this afternoon. The government has won them all very easily.

