Theresa May has been accused of "staggering from one week to the next" after ministers opted to cancel parliamentary recess in an attempt to solve the Brexit crisis.
Valerie Vaz, the shadow Commons leader, mocked the decision to cancel the MP's break, as the parliamentary schedule failed to include any debates on Britain leaving the European Union.
The decision came as foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was slapped down by the prime minister for warning that Brexit could be delayed as the government needs "extra time" to pass key legislation.
Ms May was also considering a bid to win Labour MPs' support for her Brexit deal with a cash injection for areas that voted Leave at the 2016 referendum.
See our live coverage to follow how the day unfolded
According to the Article 50 procedures, the deadline is March 29th, so there is a time pressure because what couldn't be reached by negotiation over the last years, it's very difficult to imagine that there can be a tremendous breakthrough - a magic solution - in the next few days in order also to have this ratified in due time for the remaining EU members."
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The comments from Steve Baker MP marked the end of a period of detente that helped Ms May to win a Commons vote on Tuesday"There is so much just-in-time trade, there is millions of lorries and containers crossing the border, particularly in the Dover choke point every year, it's just not possible to put in extra controls and expect that system to continue working," he told Today.
"Sooner or later, probably in a matter of weeks, there would be serious paralysis of significant parts of the UK economy."
Whereas a week ago none of us really knew whether this was going to be possible, we are now in a situation where it clearly is possible.There are lots and lots of hurdles, no-one is saying this isn't going to be very challenging, but we do now have a consensus in Parliament.
We can use that consensus, providing we can meet these concerns, very reasonable concerns from our friends in Ireland about not having a hard border, concerns in the EU about access to the single market.
Providing we can do that, which I think we can, then I think there is a way through."
Brexit could be delayed because government is not ready, Jeremy Hunt suggests
'No-one is saying this isn't going to be very challenging'Business Secretary Greg Clark has urged Theresa May to reach out across the political divide to secure a Brexit deal that can command a "substantial" Commons majority.
Mr Clark - who strongly opposes a no-deal break - suggested ministers should be prepared to a listen to calls for a customs union with the EU, even though it runs counter to Government policy.
Not only do I think it is necessary for people to come together across partisan lines, if we are properly to move forward I don't think we should aim for this deal to pass by a majority of one or two. I would like to a substantial majority for a dealI think it is reasonable going into discussions to listen to people's views and to see where the majority is in the House of Commons - and for a substantial majority.
I would want to see what proposals are there. I have always thought when you have a 52-48 result in the referendum you have to have a deal that respects the fact that it was close, tries to bring the country together."
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Did Theresa, 62, prime minister hit it off with Jeremy, 69, leader of the opposition?Smaller manufacturing firms expect only a slight increase in output in the coming months, while orders are set to be "flat", a new report suggests.
A survey of almost 300 small to medium sized firms (SME) in the sector indicated that optimism is falling and investment intentions for the coming year are weak.
The CBI said its study showed that spending on buildings, machinery and training are expected to be lower this year.
Alpesh Paleja, CBI principal economist, said: "Uncertainty in the domestic and global trading environment is clearly hitting manufacturing SMEs hard, with sentiment falling, concerns over political and economic conditions abroad spiking and investment plans still well down on the past year.
"To give the UK's SME manufacturers some much-needed certainty, it is crucial that politicians now work together to break the Brexit deadlock."
Theresa May spoke to European Council president Donald Tusk yesterday evening in what was described as an "open and frank" conversation, according to reports from Brussels.
Afterwards, he tweeted: "The EU position is clear and consistent. The withdrawal agreement is not open for renegotiation."
The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.
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