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Ursula von der Leyen, alongside other EU27 MEPs have named Brexit as one of the three main challenges facing the EU over the next 6-12 months. She made the comments at a European Parliament debate this morning and said she believes the matter of Britain's withdrawal from the bloc is "anywhere near done". It comes after her scepticism that 11 months is enough time to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal and has urged Boris Johnson to consider extending the transition period beyond December 31.

The EU chief said last week it would be "impossible" to reach a comprehensive trade deal by the end of 2020. She said if the deadline was not extended it was not a case of "all or nothing", but of priorities. But the Prime Minister remains defiant and insists a Brexit extension will not be agreed. Mr Johnson has told Ms von der Leyen he "wanted a positive new UK and EU partnership, based on friendly co-operation, our shared history, interests and values", as well as a "broad free trade agreement covering goods and services, and cooperation in other areas". FOLLOW EXPRESS.CO.UK FOR LIVE UPDATES:

The EU have warned they can only offer a 'limited' trade deal

8.30pm update: EU to ban green and blue tattoos amid bizarre wave of new policies Brussels wants to ban green and blue tattoos in a new law that has been discussed on the same day it was revealed the bloc are also gunning to scrap chargers being sold with new mobile phones. German online publication OE24 reports the EU is seeking to ban tattoos that have green and blue in them because the colours are no longer permitted as hair dye according to the Cosmetics Ordinance. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is seeking the ban immediately on the basis that tattoo colours are also considered cosmetics. The ECHA said it is still “disputed” as to whether or not black contours should be allowed. READ MORE: Brussels madness: EU to ban green and blue tattoos amid bizarre wave of new policies 7.00pm update: Motorway closed for 15 nights to remove no deal Brexit barriers The M20 motorway in Kent will be closed at night for more than two weeks to remove barriers installed in the event of a no deal Brexit. The closure will begin at 8pm on Tuesday night until 6am on Wednesday morning, between junctions seven and nine. The stretch of motorway will be closed overnight for the next 15 nights. 6.20pm update: Education secretary ‘open’ to student erasmus scheme after Brexit Education secretary Gavin Williamson said the UK is "open" to participating in the Erasmus student exchange programme after Brexit but would also develop alternative arrangements should they be needed. He told MPs: "As we prepare to forge a new place on the international stage, we want our young people to have the opportunity to study abroad through exchange programmes. "The United Kingdom is open to participation in the next Erasmus+ programme and this will be a question for future negotiations with the European Union. "We do truly understand the value that such exchange programmes bring all students right across the United Kingdom, but to ensure we're able to continue to offer that we'll also develop our own alternative arrangements should they be needed." 5.50pm update: Remainers SCRAP business demands as Brexit reality finally hits home Business bosses are abandoning their demands for Boris Johnson to scoop a frictionless trade deal and customs union with the EU post-Brexit and instead opting for a more “pragmatic” approach after being forced into a new reality thanks to the Prime Minister’s stonking election victory. Remainer business leaders have hailed Mr Johnson’s major ballot victory, which has given them a new faith in the democratic process of Brexit, and the notion that Britain will continue to flourish after the January 31 deadline. The Confederation of British Industry is scaling back its lobbying plans to push for reframed goals, the Daily Telegraph reports. Rain Newton Smith, the leading business group’s chief economist, said: “We have to look at the reality of where we are now. “We used to talk about frictionless trade - that is not the world we’re in. “We are not going to be a member of the single market and we are going to have a different system of immigration. “As a service-oriented economy, being open to talent from around the world is a key part of that. “But it is partly around short-term business travellers. We are moving away from a world of free movement of people, there is a big conversation to be had over free movement of workers.” 5.30pm update Barnier warns EU to ‘remain vigilant’ Michel Barnier has warned the European Union to “remain vigilant” over the protection of the rights of EU citizens living in the UK. The European Commission's Head of Task Force wrote on Twitter: “President @vonderleyen in @Europarl_EN: ‘There can be no watering down, backsliding, no half-measures.’ “We will continue to protect the rights of our citizens - we will remain vigilant. “Each & every one of the 4.5 million EU and UK citizens must be properly informed & supported.”

Boris Johnson appeared on the BBC for his first TV interview since the general election

2.36pm update: Von der Leyen’s work mobile phone wiped ahead of German ministry of defence investigation Ursula von der Leyen has come under fire after it emerged that two mobile phones used while she was German defence minister had been wiped clean of all data. The European Commission President has been criticised for the move, as an investigative committee of the German parliament looks into a contracting scandal that occurred under Ms von der Leyen’s premiership as minister of defence. They had wanted to examine the phones as part of their probe into how lucrative contracts from the defence ministry were awarded to outside consultants without proper oversight and who authorised those deals. Investigators sent an extensive report to the Bundestag, the German federal Parliament, on Monday stating that it is unable to use text messages by the former minister to clarify decision-making processes, as the phones had been wiped. 2.21pm update: Varadkar plans to put Brexit at the centre of his election campaign Irish premier Leo Varadkar announced a snap general election today, to be held on February 8 and it has emerged he plans to put Brexit at the centre of his campaign. He looks set to highlight his success so far on Brexit, where a hard border between EU member Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland was avoided 1.47pm update: Ursula von der Leyen says Croatia will 'show leadership to keep the unity' ahead of Brexit trade talks Ursula von der Leyen has said that as holders of the EU rotating presidency during the next six months, Croatia "will show leadership to keep the unity" of the EU27 during the next stage of Brexit talks. 1.03pm update: EU warns Britain against 'veiled discrimination' after Brexit The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned the UK not to discriminate against EU citizens seeking permanent residency in Britain. He called on the UK government to set up an independent monitoring authority. Mr Barnier told the European Parliament: "We must now work towards proper implementation of these rights and we won't be accepting any half measures or any form of disguised or veiled discrimination. "I will continue to insist on the particular importance of the UK putting in place a strong, independent monitoring authority ... that must be able to act rapidly and fairly when faced with complaints from EU citizens and their families." 12.28pm update: Michel Barnier issues chilling warning to Boris Michel Barnier has warned the UK must fulfil all the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement in relation to Northern Ireland. He said that means checks and controls on goods entering the island of Ireland. 12.06pm update: House Speaker says it will cost £50k a bong for Big Ben to chime on Brexit day Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said the cost of Big Ben bonging would cost between £320,000 to £500,000. He said: "It is important to weigh up the costs...You are talking about £50,000 a bong...the only people who will hear it will be those who live near/visiting Westminster”

Boris Johnson has said a comprehensive trade deal with the EU is 'enormously likely'

11.12am update: Croatian MEP says period to negotiate trade deal 'very short' Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, whose country holds the rotating council presidency, told MEPs: "The transition period of 11 months is extremely short and it will take a lot of goodwill and a lot of work to bring these negotiations to an end in that period." 10.41am update: Von der Leyen warns Boris he 'cannot have his cake and eat it' European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has warned the Prime Minister he "cannot have his cake and eat it". She said: "'It’s the choice of the UK how far they want to align or diverge. "This is decisive for how good the access to the Single Market will be or not. "In short it’s the old proverb, you cannot have the cake and eat it at the same time." 10.35am update: Brexit branded one of the 3 main challenges facing in the EU by MEPs Speaking at a European Parliament debate this morning, MEPs are naming Brexit as one of the three main challenges facing the EU over the next 6-12 months. The EU27 MEPs are concerned that the matter is far from done. 10.06am update: Total moves finance department back to Paris due to Brexit costs French energy firm Total will move its finance department from London back to Paris due to Brexit and to reduce costs, the firms Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne said this morning. The firm relocated the department to London in 2013. Mr Pouyanne told a Euronext conference: "“We have just decided to bring it back to Paris. There is Brexit at play... and then there is a question of costs." 9:28am update: Nigel Farage exposes Verhofstadt's last ditch attempt to block Brexit Nigel Farage has revealed that Belgium MEP Guy Verhofstadt has been planning ways for the EU Parliament to "block" Boris Johnson's Brexit Bill, and therefore stop the UK from leaving the EU. The Brexit Party leader told Sky: “The 29th of this month, there’ll be a big debate in Brussels, and there’ll be a vote after that. “There’s some talk from Mr Verhofstadt that maybe the Parliament could block us leaving on the current terms that have been agreed. “It isn’t going to happen. “What I’ve found here in the last 2 days is a general acceptance that the UK is leaving.”

Ursula von der Leyen has warned Brexit is far from over

8.53am update: Lobby groups asked to return no deal Brexit cash The Government is trying to claw back some of the £10million paid to trade organisation to prepare for a no deal Brexit last October, the Financial Times report. The Treasury handed out vast sums of cash to lobby groups, randing from tens to hunders of thousands each. But some of the group used up all the money as part of its no deal preparations, with a Freedom of Information request revealing 131 groups used the money to stage events and raise no deal awareness with its members. 8.17am update: Boris says Government is 'looking into' chiming Big Ben on Brexit Day The Prime Minister said the current obstacle preventing Big Ben from chiming is the huge cost involved. He told the BBC: "The bongs cost £500,000, we’re working up a plan so people can bung a bob for Big Ben. "Because Big Ben is being refurbished they have taken the clapper. So we need to restore the clapper in order to bong Big Ben on Brexit night, that is expensive. "We are looking at whether we can fund it." 8.15am update: Trade deal is about 'building a great new partnership' with friends around the world Boris Johnson said the upcoming trade talks are a chance to "build a great new parternship with friends and partners around the world", and highlighted that talks will not just be held between the UK and the EU. He said the UK will be "leading the cause of global free trade". 8.13am update: Boris says comprehensive trade deal is 'enormously likely' Speaking to the BBC on the likelihood of agreeing a comprehensive trade deal with the EU, the Prime Minister said: "I think it is very likely indeed. The key think is that we are coming out of the EU on January 31, the end of this month." He then went on to say the chances of striking a trade deal was "enormously likely, epically likely". He said: "Obviously you always have to budget for a complete failure of judgement but i am very very very confident that we will get a trade deal."

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