Brexit news – live: EU says Boris Johnson's plans to rip up agreement risk peace on Ireland and will lead to no-deal, as Labour warns PM playing 'dangerous game'

Schools will only ever be closed as ‘absolute last resort’, Williamson says

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has insisted schools will only ever be closed as an “absolute last resort” if local restrictions are introduced.

“On 2 July, we outlined our expectations and what is required for schools in terms of delivery of continuity of education,” Mr Williamson told the Commons.

“That’s why we’ve made an investment of a further 150,000 laptops that will be provided for those communities that are in a position where they’re not going to be able to be providing face-to-face teaching within schools.

“But to be absolutely clear – schools will only ever be closed as an absolute last resort because we all understand in this House, on both sides of this House, how important it is for children to be benefiting from being in school with their teachers and learning in the school environment.”

Department of Education ‘determined’ for exams to go ahead next year, minister says

The Department of Education is “determined” for exams to go ahead next year following the chaotic results season this summer, a minister has said.

“Following the difficulties with awarding grades this summer we are determined that exams should go ahead next year,” Nick Gibb told the Commons.

“We are working with Ofqual, the exam boards and other stakeholders to consider our approach to ensure they are fair.”

When asked by Labour why the government had “ignored” warnings about its calculated grades system, Mr Gibb added: “We were assured by the regulator that, overall, the model was fair, we pressed Ofqual strongly on the appeals arrangements which would address any issues for individual students which arose as a result of the operation of the model.

“No model is as accurate as young people taking the exams themselves.

“But when the A-level results were published on 13 August it did become clear that there were anomalies and injustices in the results that went beyond the anomalies we had been made aware of for which had put in place an enhanced appeal process.”

Labour’s shadow home secretary challenges government over fire safety legislation

Labour has called for the government to back an amendment to the Fire Safety Bill which would require ministers to implement recommendations from the first phase of the Grenfell Inquiry.

UK government refuses to label Scotland drug deaths as public health emergency

The UK government has refused to declare drug deaths in Scotland a public health emergency, despite the country having the highest reported rate in the EU.

The most recent statistics available indicate 1,187 people died of substance misuse in Scotland in 2018, nearly triple the UK rate and the highest on record.

Our reporter, Laura Paterson, has the full story below:

Johnson and Macron discuss Brexit and small boat crossings in phone call

Boris Johnson and French president Emmanuel Macron have agreed on the “importance of making progress this month” in Brexit talks, Downing Street has said.

A No 10 spokesperson said the two leaders had a phone call earlier today and discussed Brexit, small boat crossings from France to the UK and the condition of Russian politician Alexei Navalny.

“The prime minister set out that the UK’s aim is to stop the smuggling operations and prevent boats arriving on our shores, and they agreed to work together in a spirit of co-operation to address the issue,” the spokesperson said.

“The prime minister and President Macron expressed their outrage at the attack on Alexei Navalny and reiterated that Russia must urgently explain how the opposition leader was poisoned with novichok.

“They also discussed UK-French co-operation on tackling coronavirus and on other international issues, including the crises in Libya and Lebanon and the Middle East peace process. The prime minister offered his condolences for French casualties in Mali this weekend.”

They added: “On the negotiations to reach a trade deal with the European Union, the prime minister and President Macron agreed on the importance of making progress this month and reaching a conclusion on talks quickly.”

Sinn Fein leader warns Johnson against reneging on Withdrawal Agreement

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has warned Boris Johnson against reneging on the Withdrawal Agreement and going back on any commitments to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The Irish leader of the opposition said Ireland could not become “collateral damage” for the UK government during the Brexit process.

“I am deeply concerned that British prime minister Boris Johnson would step away from an international obligation like this,” Ms McDonald said.

“To do so would show total disregard for the lives and concerns of the people of Ireland.”

She added: “The all-Ireland economy, the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement must be protected. There can be absolutely no hardening of the border. The Withdrawal Agreement and the Irish Protocol cannot be abandoned and must be honoured.

“The north voted to remain in the EU and across the community there are very real fears about the threat that Brexit poses to people’s livelihoods and the stability of community relations.

“I am absolutely clear that there can be no reneging on the British government’s obligations to protect people in the north from the damages of Brexit.”

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has responded to an incident this morning in Suffolk, where a 15-year-old boy was shot on his way to school.

“I think we’re all shocked and saddened to learn about the incident in which a young person was seriously hurt on their way to school in Suffolk today,” Mr Williamson told the House of Commons.

“Our thoughts are very much with the young person, their family and the whole school community at this very difficult time.”

Here’s another reaction from the EU to the UK’s plans for the Withdrawal Agreement – this time from European Council president Charles Michel:

Opinion: ‘Never mind a ‘divorce’ from the EU – Brexit will turn into a cold war’

The legacy of the latest row over Brexit trade talks could be the “worst peacetime relations” between the UK and Europe in history, according to our columnist Sean O’Grady.

Sean writes:

“Brexit will be less like a velvet divorce and more like a cold war, the most acrimonious long-running legally entangled dispute possible, poisoning relations for decades. It will have unknowable results, but be greatly to the detriment of both sides.”

You can find his full piece below:

The House of Commons is sitting today from 2.30pm, with two ministerial statements on the schedule.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps will give an update on international travel and crime minister Kit Malthouse will give a statement on the recent Extinction Rebellion protests and Birmingham stabbings.