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Brexit: 'Big gap' remains in UK-EU deal discussions Brexit talks continue in Brussels ahead of crunch summit
(32 minutes later)
The UK is willing to make concessions to its plans for the Northern Ireland border after Brexit but "a big gap" remains over customs arrangements, EU ambassadors have been told. UK and EU negotiating teams will meet later as efforts to reach a deal before a crunch summit this week continue.
In a briefing on UK-EU weekend talks on a Brexit deal, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said UK plans on the tracking of goods were unacceptable. After talks in Brussels this weekend, EU ambassadors were told the UK would make concessions to its post-Brexit plan for the Northern Irish border.
Earlier, Boris Johnson told his cabinet "significant work" was still needed. But the bloc's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said a "a big gap" remained over customs arrangements.
It comes as his government's agenda is to be set out in the Queen's Speech. Home Office minister Victoria Atkins said she believed a deal could be reached by the 31 October deadline.
Plans for life after Brexit, crime prevention and ending rail franchises are all expected to be outlined in the Queen's address on Monday, which opens the new session of Parliament. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "[In] the last few days, we've seen a real shift in approach from the EU - and in Ireland in particular - for which we're extremely grateful and appreciative.
Meanwhile, the UK and EU negotiating teams are due to meet again in Brussels today, as efforts continue to reach a deal before a summit on Thursday and Friday. "I think with the negotiations ongoing... I'm an optimist, I do believe that we can get a deal by 31 October."
The government says that, if it can strike an agreement at the summit, it will introduce a withdrawal agreement bill to be voted on next Saturday in a special Parliamentary session. On Sunday, Boris Johnson told his cabinet that while he could see a "pathway" to a deal, there was "still a significant amount of work" needed to get there.
It is seen as the last chance to do this before Brexit is due to happen at 23:00 GMT on 31 October.
The government has also announced it intends to hold the Budget on 6 November, with Chancellor Sajid Javid saying it will be "the first budget after leaving the EU".
Jon Trickett, Labour's shadow Commons leader, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he would be "surprised" if the budget went ahead as planned.
"We have no idea if they are going to get this Brexit proposal through the House or not," he said.
On Sunday, Mr Johnson told cabinet ministers he could see a "way forward" to a deal "in all our interests".
The European Commission echoed the prime minister, saying: "A lot of work remains to be done."The European Commission echoed the prime minister, saying: "A lot of work remains to be done."
In a statement it added that the "intense technical discussions" between the UK and EU officials in Brussels would continue on Monday before member states were updated on the progress at a meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday. Both sides have said they hope to agree a deal before the EU summit on Thursday and Friday.
The issue of the Northern Ireland border in post-Brexit arrangements is seen as the key factor in the EU-UK talks and Mr Johnson came up with revised proposals this month. The government says if a plan is agreed, it will introduce a withdrawal agreement bill to be voted on next Saturday in a special Parliamentary session.
BBC Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming said Mr Barnier, in his briefing to EU diplomats, said the UK had dropped its proposals to include an up-front veto for Northern Ireland politicians in the Stormont Assembly before any arrangements for Northern Ireland came into force. It is seen as the last chance to do this before Brexit is due to happen at 23:00 GMT on 31 October.
But he said the UK is still seeking the power for Northern Ireland to leave the arrangements at some point in the future. While efforts continue in Brussels, the Queen's Speech will take place later, outlining the government's agenda for the coming Parliament.
The government has also announced it intends to hold the Budget on 6 November, with Chancellor Sajid Javid insisting it will be "the first Budget after leaving the EU".
But Labour's shadow Commons leader, Jon Trickett, told Today he would be "surprised" if the Budget went ahead as planned as "we have no idea if they are going to get this Brexit proposal through the House or not."
The border issue
The issue of the Northern Ireland border in post-Brexit arrangements is seen as the key factor in the EU-UK talks.
Mr Johnson submitted new proposals to the EU earlier this month, and its leaders promised to examine them carefully.
However, a number of figures, including Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar, said they did not form the basis of a deal.
Hope of progress were faint until Mr Johnson and Mr Varadkar met last Thursday and the Irish leader said afterwards their discussions had been "positive and "sufficient to allow negotiations to resume in Brussels".
Mr Barnier told EU diplomats in a briefing this weekend the UK had dropped its proposals to include an up-front veto for the Stormont Assembly before any new arrangements for Northern Ireland come into force, said BBC Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming.
But he said the UK was still seeking the power for Northern Ireland to leave the arrangements at some point in the future.
According to a note of his meeting with EU ambassadors on Sunday evening, Mr Barnier also said he would be willing to accept Mr Johnson's plan for Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK's customs territory but apply EU customs procedures.According to a note of his meeting with EU ambassadors on Sunday evening, Mr Barnier also said he would be willing to accept Mr Johnson's plan for Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK's customs territory but apply EU customs procedures.
However, he said he could not accept a British proposal to track goods entering Northern Ireland to determine whether they ended up in Ireland.However, he said he could not accept a British proposal to track goods entering Northern Ireland to determine whether they ended up in Ireland.
Our correspondent said it appeared EU negotiators seemed to have "softened" their position, indicating they are prepared to keep talking until Wednesday, the eve of the summit, despite saying previously that a revised deal had to be ready a week in advance. Adam Fleming said it appeared EU negotiators had "softened" their position by indicating they were prepared to keep talking until Wednesday - the eve of the summit - despite saying previously that a revised deal had to be ready a week in advance.
This Queen's Speech will feel rather different to normal. In a statement, the EU it added that the "intense technical discussions" between officials would continue on Monday before member states were updated on the progress at a meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
Boris Johnson does not have a majority in Parliament and cannot guarantee that he will be able to pass all the bills announced this morning. There is no guarantee the Queen's Speech itself will pass.
Add into the mix the fact he wants a general election and some of what you will hear will feel more like a pitch to the country than a concrete plan for the next year in Whitehall.
There is also the fact that whatever is announced in the House of Lords could quickly be overshadowed by what happens in Brussels.
A lot has been spoken about crucial weeks at Westminster.
This really feels like it could be one - where key questions are answered.
Can the PM get a new Brexit deal? If so, can he persuade Parliament to back it? If not, can MPs force him to delay Brexit again?
Strap yourself in - it could be a bumpy few days.
The State Opening of Parliament - an event steeped in pomp and ceremony - is the first since Boris Johnson became prime minister.
Ministers say the speech, the 65th of Elizabeth II's reign, will focus on "people's priorities".
In the Queen's Speech, the government will unveil its plans to get the withdrawal agreement bill through Parliament if the PM gets a deal with the EU, and to end the free movement of EU citizens into the UK after Brexit.
It will promise to create more powers to "get weapons off our streets" and ensure "the worst offenders serve the time they deserve".
And it will pledge to "significantly increase" sentences for foreign offenders who return to the UK having breached deportation orders.
Other proposals in the Queen's Speech include:
There are also plans to improve building standards, and increase investment in infrastructure and science.
Mr Johnson promised to "get this country moving again", adding: "This is a Queen's Speech that will deliver for every corner of the UK and make this, once again, the greatest place on Earth."
But, with a general election expected soon, Labour is calling it a "stunt" and a "party political broadcast".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sky News on Sunday that holding the event ahead of an expected general election in the autumn was "ludicrous".
He said: "What we have got in effect is a party political broadcast from the steps of the throne."
Timeline: What's happening ahead of Brexit deadline?Timeline: What's happening ahead of Brexit deadline?
Monday 14 October - The Commons is due to return, and the government will use the Queen's Speech to set out its legislative agenda. The speech will then be debated by MPs throughout the week.Monday 14 October - The Commons is due to return, and the government will use the Queen's Speech to set out its legislative agenda. The speech will then be debated by MPs throughout the week.
Thursday 17 October - Crucial two-day summit of EU leaders begins in Brussels. This is the last such meeting currently scheduled before the Brexit deadline.Thursday 17 October - Crucial two-day summit of EU leaders begins in Brussels. This is the last such meeting currently scheduled before the Brexit deadline.
Saturday 19 October - Special sitting of Parliament and the date by which the PM must ask the EU for another delay to Brexit under the Benn Act, if no Brexit deal has been approved by Parliament and it has not agreed to the UK leaving with no-deal. Saturday 19 October - Special sitting of Parliament and the date by which the PM must ask the EU for another delay to Brexit under the Benn Act, if no Brexit deal has been approved by MPs and they have not agreed to the UK leaving with no-deal.
Thursday 31 October - Date by which the UK is due to leave the EU, with or without a withdrawal agreement. Thursday 31 October - Date by which the UK is currently due to leave the EU.