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| Merkel hopeful of Brexit deal after May's plea - politics live | Merkel hopeful of Brexit deal after May's plea - politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 8.58am BST | |
| 08:58 | |
| Iain Duncan Smith, the former work and pensions secretary defends the Universal Credit rollout. Opponents have attacked it for pushing people into debt, among other things. | |
| The way it was set to roll out is unique because, in the past when tax credit was rolled out, it was rolled out cross the country at one go. Nearly a million people got not money. And, since then, it’s been open to fraud and abuse. Some people say over £20bn has been lost through fraud and tax credits. | |
| People still arrive in my surgery and many surgeries having huge debts at the end of the year because of tax credits. | |
| All of this goes with Universal Credit. But the problem is that when they moved tax credits over... many of these people - 60% coming on to Universal Credit - carry debts and arrears already, directly as a result of those arrangement which are failing. | |
| 8.52am BST | |
| 08:52 | |
| Iain Duncan Smith opens his Today programme interview by objecting to the connotations of the phrase ‘no deal’, saying it suggests a position with no trade rules. Instead, it is a case of “what deal”, he says, and World Trade Organisation rules, which would be used if no deal was reached, is a position with trade rules. But he clarifies: it is not a position he would want necessarily to see. | |
| 8.39am BST | |
| 08:39 | |
| The Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said Theresa May told Europe’s leaders she will not accept a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. He commended her address at the summit and said her language on the issue had strengthened. | |
| She specifically referenced the unique situation for both Ireland and Northern Ireland, which I think was very positive. She strengthened her language in relation to the border. She said the UK would not accept a physical border on the island of Ireland - again very positive language. | |
| But Varadkar repeated his call for more detail on the border question. | |
| 8.31am BST | |
| 08:31 | |
| The Leave-supporting former cabinet member, Iain Duncan Smith, is also due to give an interview to the same programme in about 15 minutes - check back for updates on that. | |
| 8.25am BST | |
| 08:25 | |
| Referring to Labour’s electoral chances, Mandelson closes by saying the party is in a strong position. But he warns Jeremy Corbyn of the dangers of playing only to his base, saying he will win a significantly larger majority at the next general election if he appeals also to more “centrist” voters as well. | |
| 8.23am BST | 8.23am BST |
| 08:23 | 08:23 |
| Asked if he backs a second referendum, Mandelson says he’s “not going that far this morning” and backs parliamentary sign-off on the Brexit deal. That, he says, is because he wants to “listen to the public”. | Asked if he backs a second referendum, Mandelson says he’s “not going that far this morning” and backs parliamentary sign-off on the Brexit deal. That, he says, is because he wants to “listen to the public”. |
| Mandelson suggests some facets of Brexit are only just coming to light now and talk of reversing course needs to wait. If, in time, the public takes a different view, then Labour should take a different view, he says. | Mandelson suggests some facets of Brexit are only just coming to light now and talk of reversing course needs to wait. If, in time, the public takes a different view, then Labour should take a different view, he says. |
| 8.20am BST | 8.20am BST |
| 08:20 | 08:20 |
| Mandelson rejects the suggestion that Labour’s position is no clearer, saying the party wants to remain in the single market and customs union during a transition period. That, he says, would secure economic continuity. | Mandelson rejects the suggestion that Labour’s position is no clearer, saying the party wants to remain in the single market and customs union during a transition period. That, he says, would secure economic continuity. |
| But he acknowledges Labour wants to keep its options open beyond that to see what it could achieve from talks, should it be given the chance to hold them. | But he acknowledges Labour wants to keep its options open beyond that to see what it could achieve from talks, should it be given the chance to hold them. |
| 8.18am BST | 8.18am BST |
| 08:18 | 08:18 |
| Mandelson suggests the UK government’s threats to walk away without a deal -like Leave campaign’s claims that one would be easy to achieve - are “ridiculous”. | Mandelson suggests the UK government’s threats to walk away without a deal -like Leave campaign’s claims that one would be easy to achieve - are “ridiculous”. |
| He further suggests the EU27 don’t know who within the cabinet they are negotiating with because it is split between a hard and soft Brexit. | He further suggests the EU27 don’t know who within the cabinet they are negotiating with because it is split between a hard and soft Brexit. |
| 8.15am BST | 8.15am BST |
| 08:15 | 08:15 |
| The former Labour cabinet minister, Peter Mandelson, is giving an interview to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on the Brexit negotiations. | The former Labour cabinet minister, Peter Mandelson, is giving an interview to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on the Brexit negotiations. |
| He starts by saying no deal would be “disastrous for the county”. | He starts by saying no deal would be “disastrous for the county”. |
| 8.13am BST | 8.13am BST |
| 08:13 | 08:13 |
| The European Commission’s president, Jean-Claude Juncker, said he was not expecting a “miracle” at today’s talks of the kind that would clear the way for an immediate start of trade talks. | The European Commission’s president, Jean-Claude Juncker, said he was not expecting a “miracle” at today’s talks of the kind that would clear the way for an immediate start of trade talks. |
| The EU27 leaders will consider the progress made in Brexit talks so far, Juncker said, adding: “I don’t think that there will be a miracle.” | The EU27 leaders will consider the progress made in Brexit talks so far, Juncker said, adding: “I don’t think that there will be a miracle.” |
| Responding to May’s speech, he said: “We have some details but we don’t have all the details we need. But work is going on.” | Responding to May’s speech, he said: “We have some details but we don’t have all the details we need. But work is going on.” |
| 8.11am BST | 8.11am BST |
| 08:11 | 08:11 |
| Daniel Boffey | Daniel Boffey |
| The Lithuanian president, Dalia Grybauskaitė, said both sides needed to stop “positioning” in the media, and start properly negotiating. She said: | The Lithuanian president, Dalia Grybauskaitė, said both sides needed to stop “positioning” in the media, and start properly negotiating. She said: |
| It was not expected to have a success at this European council. We hope we will be able, and she will be able to have success in December. | It was not expected to have a success at this European council. We hope we will be able, and she will be able to have success in December. |
| [We need] from words to real deeds. And probably we all – not only the UK, us also – it is time go for real negotiations and and not just negotiating in the the media by rhetoric. | [We need] from words to real deeds. And probably we all – not only the UK, us also – it is time go for real negotiations and and not just negotiating in the the media by rhetoric. |
| Usually, the first stage of a negotiation starts in the media. We try to position ourselves make nice rhetoric, to show up. Enter thoughts for internal politics, either in Britain or Europe | Usually, the first stage of a negotiation starts in the media. We try to position ourselves make nice rhetoric, to show up. Enter thoughts for internal politics, either in Britain or Europe |
| It is time to go straight to the table. | It is time to go straight to the table. |
| Asked if she agreed with Muscat that the speech was May’s best effort so far, she said: “If we talk about rhetorical abilities, maybe. But, in negotiations, you need concrete negotiation abilities. Not only rhetoric.” | Asked if she agreed with Muscat that the speech was May’s best effort so far, she said: “If we talk about rhetorical abilities, maybe. But, in negotiations, you need concrete negotiation abilities. Not only rhetoric.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.13am BST | at 8.13am BST |
| 8.10am BST | 8.10am BST |
| 08:10 | 08:10 |
| Daniel Boffey | Daniel Boffey |
| The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is having an unexpected bilateral with the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, in the margins of the European council meeting in Brussels. | The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is having an unexpected bilateral with the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, in the margins of the European council meeting in Brussels. |
| Arriving at the summit, the Maltese prime minister, Joseph Muscat, described Theresa May’s speech the previous evening as her “best performance yet”. However, he said her appeal hadn’t “changed anything”. | Arriving at the summit, the Maltese prime minister, Joseph Muscat, described Theresa May’s speech the previous evening as her “best performance yet”. However, he said her appeal hadn’t “changed anything”. |
| I think it was quite a constructive speech that she delivered. She made her case in a very eloquent manner but I think it hasn’t really changed anything from before that. I think today’s assessment will be a fair assessment. It will be one where we show we want to be constructive about what we want next in Brexit. I don’t think it will contain the language that we have made sufficient progress. | I think it was quite a constructive speech that she delivered. She made her case in a very eloquent manner but I think it hasn’t really changed anything from before that. I think today’s assessment will be a fair assessment. It will be one where we show we want to be constructive about what we want next in Brexit. I don’t think it will contain the language that we have made sufficient progress. |
| To be honest, I think it was her best performance yet in the sense that it conveyed a warm candid and sincere appeal that she wants progress to be made that she has moved her position. I think that was appreciated. | To be honest, I think it was her best performance yet in the sense that it conveyed a warm candid and sincere appeal that she wants progress to be made that she has moved her position. I think that was appreciated. |
| Obviously, there are the problems that we all know. And I think the wording of today’s statement will show there is willingness on the EU side to move forward. | Obviously, there are the problems that we all know. And I think the wording of today’s statement will show there is willingness on the EU side to move forward. |
| The Austrian chancellor, Christian Kern, said: | The Austrian chancellor, Christian Kern, said: |
| It is clear to see there is rhetorical progress but we need to come to conclusions because uncertainty is not good for the continent and economies. It is up the to the British government to propose something that is the basis for progress, that is important. | It is clear to see there is rhetorical progress but we need to come to conclusions because uncertainty is not good for the continent and economies. It is up the to the British government to propose something that is the basis for progress, that is important. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.12am BST | at 8.12am BST |
| 8.10am BST | 8.10am BST |
| 08:10 | 08:10 |
| The EU27, those member states remaining after Brexit, are expected to declare that insufficient progress has been made in negotiations for trade talks to begin. Several leaders have made clear they want more clarity about how much the UK is willing to pay in its Brexit divorce bill. | The EU27, those member states remaining after Brexit, are expected to declare that insufficient progress has been made in negotiations for trade talks to begin. Several leaders have made clear they want more clarity about how much the UK is willing to pay in its Brexit divorce bill. |
| But they are also expected to offer May a glimmer of hope by agreeing to start internal “scoping” work on their trade stance ahead of a possible green-light for the second phase of negotiations, dealing with trade and the transition to Brexit, at their next gathering on 14-15 December. | But they are also expected to offer May a glimmer of hope by agreeing to start internal “scoping” work on their trade stance ahead of a possible green-light for the second phase of negotiations, dealing with trade and the transition to Brexit, at their next gathering on 14-15 December. |
| The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said the EU27 needed “more meat on the bone” of Britain’s exit payment, following May’s promise in a speech in Florence last month that the UK would honour financial commitments made as an EU member. | The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said the EU27 needed “more meat on the bone” of Britain’s exit payment, following May’s promise in a speech in Florence last month that the UK would honour financial commitments made as an EU member. |
| The offer was believed to amount to around €20bn (£18bn), while Brussels is understood to be seeking about three times as much. | The offer was believed to amount to around €20bn (£18bn), while Brussels is understood to be seeking about three times as much. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.13am BST | at 8.13am BST |
| 7.54am BST | 7.54am BST |
| 07:54 | 07:54 |
| May arrives for European council summit's final day | May arrives for European council summit's final day |
| Good morning and welcome to today’s politics live blog, which opens with Theresa May arriving for the final day of talks with fellow EU leaders after her speech at a working dinner last night. | Good morning and welcome to today’s politics live blog, which opens with Theresa May arriving for the final day of talks with fellow EU leaders after her speech at a working dinner last night. |
| The prime minister did not speak to reporters as she walked into the building in Brussels but she was given a boost by her counterparts after pleading with them last night to “work together to get to an outcome we can stand behind and defend to our people”. | The prime minister did not speak to reporters as she walked into the building in Brussels but she was given a boost by her counterparts after pleading with them last night to “work together to get to an outcome we can stand behind and defend to our people”. |
| The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, gave an upbeat assessment of the Brexit talks, saying that she sees no reason why they should not succeed. | The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, gave an upbeat assessment of the Brexit talks, saying that she sees no reason why they should not succeed. |
| I have no doubt that if we are all in clear minds ... We are going to achieve a good outcome. As far as I am concerned, I don’t hear any reason to believe that we are not going to be successful. | I have no doubt that if we are all in clear minds ... We are going to achieve a good outcome. As far as I am concerned, I don’t hear any reason to believe that we are not going to be successful. |
| Merkel said she was “highly motivated” to work on a new mandate for chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, which might permit trade talks to begin in December. But she warned the second stage of talks would be “more complicated than the first”. | Merkel said she was “highly motivated” to work on a new mandate for chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, which might permit trade talks to begin in December. But she warned the second stage of talks would be “more complicated than the first”. |
| On the divorce issues dealt with in the first stage, there was “by and large general agreement” on the future status of the Irish border and “headway” was being made on expats’ rights after Brexit, Merkel said, though she added that May had made no specific new offer on Britain’s financial settlement. | On the divorce issues dealt with in the first stage, there was “by and large general agreement” on the future status of the Irish border and “headway” was being made on expats’ rights after Brexit, Merkel said, though she added that May had made no specific new offer on Britain’s financial settlement. |
| The Maltese prime minister, Joseph Muscat, said May had delivered “her best performance yet” at Thursday evening’s dinner, but that her intervention had not “really changed anything”. He told Sky News: | The Maltese prime minister, Joseph Muscat, said May had delivered “her best performance yet” at Thursday evening’s dinner, but that her intervention had not “really changed anything”. He told Sky News: |
| It conveyed a warm, candid and sincere appeal that she wants progress to be made, that she has moved in her position. I think it was appreciated. | It conveyed a warm, candid and sincere appeal that she wants progress to be made, that she has moved in her position. I think it was appreciated. |
| Muscat said problems remained in the Brexit process and that he did not expect the EU27 to clear the way for trade talks at this summit. But he said: “I think the wording in today’s conclusions will show that there is willingness on the EU side to move forward.” | Muscat said problems remained in the Brexit process and that he did not expect the EU27 to clear the way for trade talks at this summit. But he said: “I think the wording in today’s conclusions will show that there is willingness on the EU side to move forward.” |
| Here’s a brief – but by no means exhaustive – preview of the morning’s action at the European council summit in Brussels: | Here’s a brief – but by no means exhaustive – preview of the morning’s action at the European council summit in Brussels: |
| May is expected to hold talks with the council’s president, Donald Tusk, before leaving early as the remaining 27 leaders discuss their assessment of progress on Brexit in her absence. | May is expected to hold talks with the council’s president, Donald Tusk, before leaving early as the remaining 27 leaders discuss their assessment of progress on Brexit in her absence. |
| She will give a press conference at 10am (BST) and another with Jean-Claude Junker, the president of the European commission, and Barnier is due at 11.30am. | She will give a press conference at 10am (BST) and another with Jean-Claude Junker, the president of the European commission, and Barnier is due at 11.30am. |
| The former Labour cabinet minister, Peter Mandelson, is due to give an interview to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme at 8.10am. | The former Labour cabinet minister, Peter Mandelson, is due to give an interview to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme at 8.10am. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.14am BST | at 8.14am BST |