MPs could be called back to the House of Commons over Christmas to vote on a Brexit deal, Number 10 has confirmed.
The House will rise tomorrow for the Christmas break - but MPs will be warned they could be recalled at short notice if a trade deal is struck with the EU.
A Number 10 spokesman said: "Time is now in short supply to reach an agreement with the EU and we expect discussions will continue over the coming days."
They added: "In the absence of further substantive business, we will - subject to usual approval by the House - go into recess tomorrow, but with the knowledge that we will recall MPs and peers to legislate for a deal if one is secured.
"That recall could be as early as next week."
It's understood MPs could be given as little as 48 hours notice to return to the Commons to vote through a Brexit deal, in order to have it ratified before the transition period ends on New Year's Eve.
No 10 said: "Parliament has long shown it can move at pace and the country would expect nothing less.
"The process for recall will align with the process for finalising the legislation for a deal, if one is secured, and no time will be lost."
They added: "Under the recall process, we will adapt the days' proceedings to focus exclusively on the passage of that legislation. This may mean meeting at an earlier time.
"We realise that this duty falls not just on MPs and peers, but on the parliamentary staff that make Parliament function, to whom we are very grateful."
