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Chubb European Group, which employs around 51,000 people worldwide, announced it redomiciled its businesses from London to France from January 1, 2019. The move, which was approved by regulators in July 2018, came less than two weeks before Parliament prepares to vote on Theresa May’s Brexit withdrawal deal. David Furby, Regional President, Chubb European Group, said: “We're pleased that the redomicile of Chubb European Group's businesses to France has been completed as planned."

Both Chubb European Group SE and ACE Europe Life SE now operate under the supervision of the French regulator ACPR. But both entities will continue to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. Meanwhile, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has resisted calls from within his party to back a second referendum, instead calling for a general election and promising to strike his own Brexit deal with Brussels. But a study of more than 1,000 Labour members found that 72 percent want Mr Corbyn to throw his weight behind a so-called People's Vote.

Blow for Theresa May as insurers Chubb shift to Emmanuel Macron's France ahead of Brexit

Almost a quarter of Labour members put Mr Corbyn's failure to back a second referendum down to a belief that he supports Brexit. Professor Tim Bale, of Queen Mary University London, said: "Our survey of Labour's grassroots clearly shows that Corbyn's apparent willingness to see the UK leave the EU - a stance he has recently reiterated - is seriously at odds with what the overwhelming majority of Labour's members want, and it doesn't reflect the views of most Labour voters either." Labour Brexiteer Kate Hoey has added fuel to the fire by insisting Mr Corbyn should trust his instincts and back a no-deal Brexit. Writing in the Telegraph, she said: “Jeremy Corbyn should take the lead by calling for the UK to leave the entanglements of the Brussels bureaucracy by discarding Mrs May’s Withdrawal Agreement and opting instead for what is sometimes referred to as a ‘no deal Brexit’, in other words life within the simpler and more accommodating framework of the World Trade Organisation.” SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES

Brexit Secetary Steven Barclay warns no-deal planning is being ramped up

22.55pm update: Brexit Secretary warns Britain is stepping up plans for no deal Ministers are to ramp up preparations for a no-deal Brexit ahead of the crunch Commons vote on Theresa May's EU withdrawal plan, Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay reveals. Writing exclusively for the Daily Express, he said the government will launch a publicity campaign to warn the public to prepare for a no deal. Mr Barclay wrote: “We are preparing for all scenarios. “As 2019 begins, we will accelerate our no deal planning further."

Ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis calls for May to delay Brexit vote again

10.22pm update: David Davis urges May to delay Brexit vote AGAIN David Davis is calling on Theresa May to delay the “meaningful vote” on her Brexit deal for a second time. Government whips failed over Christmas to persuade enough MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement before it goes to the Commons in the week beginning January 14, The Telegraph reports. But the former Brexit secretary, who resigned after Mrs May's Chequers deal in July, insisted a deal will be struck “at the eleventh hour” as Brussels fears missing out the £39bn “divorce payment” from Britain. Writing in The Telegraph, he said: “The Withdrawal Agreement does not respect the referendum result. “That is why the meaningful vote had to be delayed and one wonders if even the January vote will go ahead. “We know that the EU is worried about the loss of the £39 billion ‘divorce’ payment if there is no deal....so this is the moment to be hard-nosed about these issues. “The more we prepare to leave the EU without a deal, the more likely a good deal becomes.”

Bluefin tuna ban should remain in place after Brexit, say marine-life experts

9.44pm update: Bluefin tuna fishing ban should remain post-Brexit, report finds Fishing bluefin tuna off the coast of Britain should still be banned after Brexit, a new report found. Bluefin tuna in UK waters almost died off in the 1990s due to overfishing, but the study found a recent increase in numbers is due to warmer seas. The EU has a bluefin tuna fishing quota of 16,000 tonnes, around 98 per cent of which is for Spain and France. The UK currently has no quota, making it illegal to catch bluefish tuna. After Brexit the government can apply for a quota, with anglers calling it 'a once in a generation opportunity'. But a report from British marine biologist Dr Richard Kirby said: “Before we further exploit bluefin tuna either commercially or recreationally for sportfishing, we should consider whether it would be better to protect them by making the UK's seas a safe space for one of the ocean's most endangered top fish.” Bluefin tuna are one of the largest and fastest fish in the sea, weighing up to 900kg and swimming at speeds of up to 43mph.

Ken Clarke suggests Remainers could force second Brexit referendum

9.22pm update: Clarke hints at triggering second Brexit referendum Brexit should be delayed to “buy more time” and Remainers could force a second referendum, according to Ken Clarke. The former Health Secretary also condemned ex-Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to hold the 2016 EU referendum. But Mr Clarke, 78, hinted “hardcore Remainers” could derail Brexit by triggering a second referendum. The veteran Tory told Politico: “If a Brexiteer majority still wishes to persist in leaving, once we have made some progress and it’s obvious we’re getting there, you can invoke Article 50 again and leave fairly rapidly. “To me, that seems the only rational way in which we can precede. But common sense has gone out of the window. "Some of my normal political allies, hardcore Remainers like me ... seem to believe they can oppose it, cause a chaotic crisis, and that will cause another referendum, which might reverse the result.”

David Cameron reportedly lost Commons access after forgetting to renew rights

9.02pm update: David Cameron loses Parliament access rights David Cameron lost his access rights to the House of Commons after allegedly not renewing his pass, it is reported. The former Prime Minister who called the 2016 Brexit referendum was one of 400 ex-politicians who had privileged access to the Parliamentary estate. But he does not appear on the most recent roster released by Commons authorities, according to MailOnline. He is expeced to apply for rights once more this year. In November, Mr Cameron was rumoured to be planning a return to frontline politics after resigning the morning after Britain voted to leave the EU in June 2016.

Labour MP Chi Onwurah (left) attacks May over no-deal Brexit "blackmail"

8.35pm update: MP accuses May of “blackmail” on Commons Brexit vote An MP has accused Theresa May of trying to “blackmail” MPs to vote for her Brexit deal. Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central, branded a no-deal option “economic sabotage”. And she accused the Prime Minister of deliberately running down the clock before Britain leaves the EU to force MPs to back her Withdrawal Agreement in the Commons. Writing in The Guardian, she said: “Explicitly keeping the option of a no-deal on the table is an act of supreme economic sabotage. It is also delusional. "The Prime Minister has long preferred the support of hard right Brexiteers over more reasonable voices within her party. "Now she is seeking the votes she needs by threatening these same Brexiteers with something they actually want – a no-deal Brexit. “Her attempt at blackmail is both stupid and venal."

British holidaymakers to Canary Islands like Tenerife may not need to pay VAT post-Brexit

8.18pm update: Canary Islands to drop VAT for Brits post Brexit? British tourists in the Canary Islands in 2019 may not have to pay local ’VAT' after Brexit. Spanish business chiefs at the eight islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, could label the islands 'an outermost region’ to avoid UK holidaymakers paying the tax. There is currently a seven per cent tax on some products and services such as restaurant and bar bills under the Canary Indirect General Tax. But President Fernando Clavijo told Spanish press the government could remove the levy for British tourists ir order to to boost visitors.

Theresa May to launch talks with EU leaders ahead of parliament Brexit deal vote

7.18pm May to launch last-ditch Brexit charm offensive with EU leaders Theresa May will mount a round of Brexit talks with EU leaders this week as she presses for concessions from Brussels ahead of parliament's vote on her Withdrawal Agreement. The Prime Minister is expected to meet German chancellor Angela Merkel, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte and European Council president Donald Tusk, according to the Financial Times. She hopes to secure legally binding assurances that the Northern Ireland backstop plan to avoid a hard Irish border will be time-limited. But the EU has insisted it will not budge over the issue.

Ex-chancellor George Osborne slams no-deal Brexit spending

6.18pm update: Osborne blasts May’s no-deal spending George Osborne fears Theresa May risks “destroying” the Conservative Party’s credibility on spending over her no-deal Brexit plans. The ex-chancellor believes inquiries into government spending could find hundreds of millions of pounds had been “wasted”. He also urged Mrs May to rule out a no-deal Brexit with fewer then 90 days until Britain leaves the EU. Civil servants could have “panicked and overpaid” as the government looks to lessen the blow of a no-deal. Mr Osborne was replying to an letter from a reader to the Evening Standard, where he is now editor. Mr Osborne wrote: “Not only is it all a tragic misuse of taxpayers' hard-earned money, it also risks destroying the reputation the Tories have built up since 2010 for spending public money wisely,. “Remember, this is not like contingency planning for some unpredictable natural disaster. "The prime minister could rule out the madness of a no-deal Brexit tomorrow. And parliament could vote to prevent it this month."

DUP's Nigel Dodds pushes for changes to Withdrawal Agreement

6.00pm update: DUP’s Dodds seeks changes to Withdrawal Agreement The DUP’s deputy leader Nigel Dodds held Brexit talks in Downing Street as the party demands changes to the Withdrawal Agreement. Northern Ireland’s largest political party has said its 10 MPs will vote against Theresa May’s Brexit deal in the Commons this month. The DUP believes a backstop to ensure no hard border with the Republic would leave Northern Ireland tied to EU rules and treated differently from the rest of the UK. Mr Dodds held crunch talks with the Chief Whip's Office on Wednesday as he seeks amendments to the deal, set to go to the Commons for a meaningful vote in the week beginning January 14. A DUP spokesman said: "The DUP has been consistent in these negotiations. "The Withdrawal Agreement would undermine the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom. "The Prime Minister has committed to secure changes. We will be holding her to her word. “We want to work with the Government in the coming days to ensure the United Kingdom leaves the EU with a good deal."

SNP urges government to avoid no-deal Brexit after Ramsgate ferry contract "farce"

5.45pm SNP attacks government’s ferry “farce” The SNP has taken aim at the government’s awarding of a £14 million shipping contract to a firm with no shipping experience. Seaborne Freight hopes to run ferries from Ramsgate form late March, using two ships at first and four by the end of summer. The government awarded the contract as it ramps up plans to cope with a no-deal Brexit. But SNP Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins said the ferry "farce" was another reason for the Government to rule out a no-deal Brexit. He said: "This farce sums up the Tories handling of Brexit - next we'll have a minister promising their new magic beans can solve our food supply issues. "This waste of time and money would be avoidable if the UK Government did the sensible thing and took a no-deal Brexit off the table."

Irish passport office hires 70 more staff for applications from UK

5.22pm update: Irish passport offices hires more staff to handle post-Brexit referendum applications An Irish passport office is hiring 70 more staff to handle a deluge of applications from British citizens with Irish parents or grandparents. Applications for Irish passports from UK citizens have more doubled since the 2016 Brexit referendum as Britons rush to secure EU citizenship through their relatives. The Republic of Ireland’s Department for Foreign Affairs is hiring the extra staff for its Cork passport office to cope with the workload. A spokesman said: “The number of applications from Northern Ireland and Great Britain has increased in the last few years. "The increase in demand is driven by a number of factors including a general increase in the number of Irish residents travelling abroad and a growing population as well as the decision by the UK to leave the EU."

3.40pm update: Farmers demand post-Brexit standards' regulator Britain’s long-term food security is at risk after Brexit unless the government sets up an independent regulator, campaigners have warned. Farmers and landowners must meet minimum standards on water, soil, wildlife and animal welfare, according to the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN). It comes as the Agriculture Bill to set out farming policy once Britain leaves the EU goes through parliament. The NFFN wants the bill amended to include minimum standards in key areas and an independent regulator to set up standards. Environment Secretary Michael Gove is speaking this week at the Oxford Farming Conference and the Oxford Real Farming Conference on the future of agriculture after Brexit. Martin Lines, NFFN chairman, said: "It is the Secretary of State's duty to establish an independent regulator before it's too late. "We can only guarantee long term food security by protecting and managing the natural assets which enable food production. "If the Government does not amend the Bill to include minimum standards - and put a stop to the environmental degradation caused by intensive farming - British farmers will be in danger of losing their livelihoods."

Labour Brexiteer Kate Hoey has urged Jeremy Corbyn to stick to his guns

2.33pm update: Verhofstadt praises Khan for “powerful” New Year’s Eve message Guy Verhofstadt has praised London’s European Union-themed New Year’s Eve celebrations that sparked fury amongst Brexiteers. As clocks struck midnight in Britain’s capital and the skyline was lit up with a flurry of fireworks, the London Eye was transformed into a 443-ft yellow and blue EU flag. And as the skies above the Thames were illuminated the words “London is open” were said in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian and Spanish. With three months to go until Britain finally quits the Brussels project, Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, claimed it was to promote “that whatever the outcome of Brexit - London is open”. Mr Verhofstadt, an influential MEP and the EU Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator, was quick to praise the firework display. Writing on Twitter, he said: “A powerful message. “London will always be a European city!” Mr Verhofstadt, also a former Belgian prime minister, signed off the gloating online post with a "wink". Brexiteers were furious with the display, accusing Mr Khan of “politicising” London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, which saw more than 100,000 revellers line the streets.

The London Eye took on the colours of the EU flag during the New Year's Eve fireworks display

12.22pm update: Corbyn says destroying May’s Brexit deal remains his priority Jeremy Corbyn said his priority is to vote down Theresa May’s Brexit deal and secure a new deal with the European Union despite a new survey showing an overwhelming majority of Labour party members want him to back a second referendum. Mr Corbyn insisted Labour’s Brexit policy was “sequential” and suggested no decision could be made about backing a second referendum until parliament voted down the deal on offer. MPs are expected to hold the delayed vote on the deal in the second week of January. The Labour leader called on Mrs May to go go back to Brussels to find a deal Labour could support once her version was voted down. He said: “What we will do is vote against having no deal, we’ll vote against Theresa May’s deal; at that point she should go back to Brussels and say this is not acceptable to Britain and renegotiate a customs union, form a customs union with the European Union to secure trade.” 11.26am update: Tusk and Juncker clash over Romania’s EU role Donald Tusk took a swipe at Jean-Claude Juncker’s bitter take on Romania’s ability to lead the European Union, wishing the eastern European country “all the best” on the first day of its EU presidency. Bucharest has taken over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council for the first time since it became a member of the EU in 2007. And the President of the European Council expressed his faith in Romania, despite being one of the EU state members that worries the most the bloc with its internal quarrels and new legislation regarding corruption. Mr Tusk wrote on Twitter: “Happy New Year! I wish Romania all the best with your first EU presidency.” It comes just days after Mr Juncker, the President of the European Council, said he didn’t believe Bucharest had “fully understood” what its new role entails. Speaking to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, he said: "I believe that the government in Bucharest has not yet fully understood what it means to preside over EU countries. 10.31am update: ECB takes over struggling Italian bank The European Central Bank has appointed three temporary administrators to take charge of Italy's Carige bank in a bid to save the struggling lender after it failed to raise capital. Genoa-based Carige last month failed to win shareholder backing for a £362 million share issue, part of a rescue plan financed by Italian lenders to shield the industry from the risk of another banking collapse. An ECB spokesman said: “The ECB appointed Fabio Innocenzi, Pietro Modiano and Raffaele Lener as temporary administrators tasked with safeguarding the stability of Carige.” The decision came after the majority of Carige's board members, including Chairman Modiano and CEO Innocenzi, resigned over the failed cash call approval. 10.02am update: Hunt insists UK can “get everything” from Brexit deal Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has claimed MPs could get "absolutely everything we want" from Theresa May's Brexit deal. He said: ”We have a clear opportunity to leave the EU on 29th March. "It has the vast majority of things that people wanted, not absolutely everything. "The question is, can we turn this into something that gives us absolutely everything we wanted, and I believe we can. "There will be some tough negotiations to follow in the years ahead but I think getting this clearer language on the backstop will help to get it through Parliament."

Jeremy Hunt

9.54am update: UK firms stockpiling amid growing fears of no-deal Brexit British manufacturers are stockpiling goods at near record rates in preparation for a no-deal Brexit. The Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) showed a reading of 54.2 last month, higher than the 53.6 recorded in November, and a six-month high. A figure above 50 indicates growth and economists were expecting a reading of 52.5. IHS said: ”Manufacturers linked increases in both domestic and overseas demand to clients purchasing to build up safety stocks to mitigate potential Brexit disruption.” Businesses importing goods from the EU will face severe disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which is looking ever more likely. The survey showed that uncertainty over the impact of Brexit influenced manufacturers' purchasing activity, stock levels and business confidence in December.

9.22am update: DUP issues warning over breakup of UK The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has warned Theresa May it “will not co-operate" in the breakup of the UK ahead of crunch vote for Brexit deal. DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson told the Prime Minister: “You will not get our co-operation because we will not co-operate in the breakup of the United Kingdom, the annexation of Northern Ireland to the EU, and the damage it will do to our economy by cutting us off from our biggest market in GB, stopping us taking apart any UK-wide trade deals and forcing us to accept rules which may damage our economy from Brussels.” Speaking to Express.co.uk on the sidelines of a Leave Means Leave rally, Mr Wilson also said Mrs May’s Brexit deal gives the EU the ability to “punish us even further” after leaving the Brussels bloc. The staunch Brexiteer insisted the British people feel disrespected by the EU, adding: “I think people in Britain genuinely feel that the EU has stuck two fingers up to the British electorate.” 8.59am update: Eurozone celebrates single currency’s 20th anniversary The Eurozone’s 20th anniversary celebrations have received a frosty reception from critics and experts after Jean-Claude Juncker and his Brussels team hailed the single currency bloc’s creation. The EU’s most senior officials celebrated the euro as a bastion of “stability and prosperity” across the bloc as the European Central Bank continues to operate as a powerhouse of monetary policy. Mr Juncker, the European Commission president, and the last top-rank EU official still serving after signing the Maastricht treaty that created the basis for a single currency, during his time as prime minister of Luxembourg. But the 2008 financial crisis, which left severely damaged the euro, and the Greek debt crisis of 2010 has left a sour taste in the mouth of some experts, many of whom believe the faltering currency will one day completely collapse.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling

8.33am update: Grayling defends ferry service contract Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has defended awarding a contract for ferry services in the event of a no-deal Brexit to a company that has never run a Channel service. The controversial £13.8m deal with Seaborne Freight is part of a £107.7m package aimed at minimising disruption in the Channel if Britain leaves the EU without a trade deal in March. Mr Grayling said: "It's a new start-up business, Government is supporting new business and there is nothing wrong with that. "We have looked very carefully at this business and have put in place a tight contract that makes sure they can deliver for us. "This has been looked at very carefully by a team of civil servants who have done due diligence. "We believe they are on track to run services from April, yes." 8am update: Hunt hails Britain's friendship with EU neighbours Britain's close friendship with Europe gives it a key international advantage of its global rivals, according to Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Mr Hunt is visiting Singapore after praising the Asian economy as a possible example for post-Brexit Britain to follow. The Foreign Secretary said the UK's history and geography give it the chance to be an "invisible chain" linking democracies across the world. And he will highlight the "friendship" with Europe as one of the UK's key international advantages. In a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, Mr Hunt said: "In a world where it is rarely possible for one country to achieve its ambitions alone, we have some of the best connections of any country - whether through the Commonwealth, our alliance with the United States and our friendship with our neighbours in Europe. "Those connections mean that, in this part of the world, Britain is amongst only a handful of European countries with an embassy or high commission in every member of the Association of South-East Asian nations (Asean). "Those connections are why Britain's post-Brexit role should be to act as an invisible chain linking together the democracies of the world, those countries which share our values and support our belief in free trade, the rule of law and open societies."

Jeremy Hunt and Theresa May