06 September, 2017
The Labour Party is expected to push for changes to the bill, which aims at ensuring that European Union law no longer applies to Britain.
The monthly Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey for the services sector showed growth at its weakest in nearly a year, as worries over Britain's exit from the European Union and the hit that could have on investment and the broader economy mounted.
Labour's stance means the Conservatives could be reliant on the votes of the DUP to carry the withdrawal bill through, although a handful of Labour MPs are expected to vote with the Government anyway.
In an August 31 debate, the main opposition Labour Party is planning to propose several changes to the repeal bill with a view to keeping Britain in the single market and customs union during a Brexit transition period after 2019, according to The Times.
Mr Starmer is also seeking more guarantees on ares such as citizens' rights and continued participation in the EU customs union and single market during any transition period.
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill will transpose all EU law into United Kingdom law but has been criticised for giving minister secondary legislative powers, also known as "Henry VIII" powers which allow ministers to affect the law without consulting Parliament.
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"The government's European Union withdrawal bill would allow Conservative ministers to set vital terms on a whim, including of Britain's exit payment, without democratic scrutiny".
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson also said last week that the United Kingdom could stay in the single market and customs union on a permanent basis after Brexit under a Labour government.
But opponents of the Bill warn it also gives the government excessive so-called Henry VIII powers to change laws without parliamentary scrutiny. But his U-turn on the Single Market and his decision to fight the withdrawal bill suggest Parliamentary Labour Party's Europhile majority is back in control. On Feb. 2, May's deputy advised Conservative lawmakers against doing anything that would increase Labour's chances of returning to power, while May said the bill was the best way to ensure a successful Brexit.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling attacked Labour's position on Tuesday morning, saying it was being "irresponsible" and could create a "legal vacuum".
"Given that wage growth has shown little signs of firming, and that the latest investment prints for Q2 were stagnant in both quarterly and yearly terms, we doubt that any rate hike is looming". "This government and future governments will be free to modify as they see fit", he added.
