Prime minister speaks after Michel Barnier says agreement ‘very largely defined’

Any deal with Brussels will count for little if PM cannot secure domestic support

At least 20 Tories expected to vote against the government to ensure swifter crackdown

Uncertainty also draws investors into UK government debt

Pound weakens as Brussels pushes for environmental targets as part of exit deal

Political calculations could have major ramifications on the future of exit negotiations

Pound down 0.7 per cent against dollar and 0.4 per cent against euro

Prime minister backs recommendations to scrap agency worker loophole on pay

PM’s task of winning MPs over on a Brexit deal is looking increasingly daunting

Donald Tusk says he hopes for a breakthrough, but Eurosceptics are wary of Irish backstop

What happens on Commons vote will be a bigger problem for UK prime minister

Cabinet ministers given sight of the bulk of draft withdrawal treaty

Critics believe PM has a mountain to climb to convince public of diplomatic success

Brexiters want Geoffrey Cox to protect their position, but he has urged compromise

Downing St move intended to build bridges with corporate Britain

Irish PM has nudged Theresa May away from previous tougher stance but risks remain

Cede ground to get deal, PM will tell Eurosceptics, with Irish compromise on table

Both UK and EU need to make enough progress on Brexit talks by the weekend

Theresa May pays tribute to ex-civil servant who ‘worked tirelessly to serve our country’

Talks with European bosses follow address to UK executives

Executives briefed on progress in closed-doors session at Guildhall