The PM updated Cabinet on the talks with the EU and the statement
she will deliver to MPs this afternoon.
The PM said that in Brussels last week she had set out the need
for legally binding changes to the backstop and had outlined the
ways we thought this could be achieved – alternative
arrangements, a time-limit or a unilateral exit mechanism.
She said it is clear that these discussions with the EU will need
a little more time to conclude and so we will not be bringing
forward a meaningful vote this week, but will table an amendable
motion for debate on Thursday. We will also commit to laying
another amendable motion for debate by 27th February if a
meaningful vote has not been passed by then.
In the meantime, we will continue to progress the work on
workers’ rights, the role of Parliament in the next phase of the
negotiations and support for communities that feel they have been
left behind.
gave an update on the 25 year
Environment Plan. Congratulating the Environment Secretary, the
PM said good progress has been made to reduce plastic waste and
it is important to maintain this momentum.
The PM said the UK is a global leader on this agenda and we
should continue to demonstrate that leadership through the
Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance, as launched at the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting last year.
gave an update on the UK’s
Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The PM said she was proud of the leading role that the UK played
in negotiating the Global Goals, including successfully pushing
for a standalone goal on gender equality.
The Voluntary National Review provides a milestone for us to
assess our own progress and demonstrate our continued commitment
to the 17 Global Goals at home and abroad.
