Ministers have proposed further changes to Theresa May’s critical piece of Brexit legislation in a bid to ward off further defeats at the hands of Tory rebels.

Among the proposals are those they say will limit their scope to use so-called “Henry VIII” powers that would allow them to change laws without full parliamentary scrutiny after the UK leaves.

It comes after the Government suffered an embarrassing defeat when rebels led by former attorney general Dominic Grieve voted with Labour to force Ms May to give Parliament a greater say over the final deal she agrees with the EU.

Brexit Minister Steve Baker insisted on Tuesday that the new changes being proposed, consisting of a series of amendments to the EU (withdrawal) Bill, were not a climbdown.

He said: “This is a landmark piece of legislation which is paving the way for our smooth departure from the EU. That’s why our consistent approach to the Bill has been to listen and work with MPs who’ve made constructive suggestions to improve it.

“In bringing forward these amendments today, we’re showing the seriousness with which we take Parliament’s views. We’re looking forward to hearing the debate on these, and further amendments tabled by others, next week.”

Mr Grieve had an appointment at Downing Street on Tuesday to discuss the changes with senior members of the Government.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

The Bill will see all EU legislation affecting the UK, transferred on to British statute books on the day of Brexit, and will then grant ministers sweeping powers to alter it without full scrutiny in order to “tidy up” loose ends or anomalies.

But MPs across the House of Commons have raised concerns that unless the powers are restricted to a greater degree than initially proposed, ministers may use them to make deeper changes without having to properly consult Parliament.

Changes being proposed would include limits on ministers’ powers to use the “Henry VIII” powers – in particular by providing an “exhaustive list” of situations in which this power can be used.

Tory rebellion leads to defeat of Government over Brexit amendment

An extension of three months after the date of Brexit will be granted for people wishing to launch court cases over alleged breaches of the general principles of EU law.

Meanwhile, a further proposal states that devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have to consult with the UK Government, rather than seeking its consent, before using “correcting powers” to amend EU rules as they are transferred to domestic law.