14:22

Here is where we stand after the first half of this debate.

Theresa May has comfortably seen off an attempt by the opposition to ensure that parliament gets an effective veto over her Brexit deal. By a majority of 33, MPs voted against an amendment proposed by the Labour MP Chris Leslie that would have stopped ministers striking a Brexit agreement until it had been passed by MPs and peers. Seven Conservative MPs voted with Labour. (See 6.54pm.) The government faces a tricky vote tomorrow on the rights of EU nationals living in the UK, but tonight’s vote was seen as a flashpoint and May is on course for achieving her aim of getting the article 50 bill through the Commons without it being amended.

David Jones, the Brexit minister, has clarified when the vote being offered by the government on the Brexit deal will take place. He said that the vote would cover the deal on EU withdrawal and a future trade deal with the EU, that it would happen before the deal was concluded and that it would happen before the European parliament voted on this. (See 2.38pm.) Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, welcomed this as an important concession and withdrew Labour’s official amendment on this. Other Labour and opposition MPs said Starmer was wrong to claim this amounted to a significant concession, but Starmer’s move did mean that MPs voted on the Leslie amendment, not the Jeremy Corbyn one on the same topic (the official Labour one) and this may have made it easier for some Tory MPs to rebel.

Jones confirmed that, if MPs vote against the government’s final Brexit deal, the UK will leave the EU anyway without a deal. Effectively he confirmed it will be a “take it or leave it” vote. (See 2.54pm.)

MPs are now debating amendments relating to impact assessments on Brexit. They will vote at about 9.45pm, on the Labour amendment on this and possibly on others. See 1.54pm for more details.

I am finishing for the day, but a colleague will now be taking over.