PM announces beginning of Brexit

PACopyright: PA

That's where we leave our live text coverage of Parliament on what's been a historic day. 

In a statement in the House of Commons today, Theresa May announced that the process of leaving the EU had begun.

Britain's EU ambassador formally triggered the two year countdown to the UK's exit by  handing over a letter  in Brussels.

It follows June's referendum which resulted in a vote to leave the EU.

The prime minister told MPs: "Today the government acts on the democratic will of the British people and it acts too on the clear and convincing position of this House."

She added: "The Article 50 process is now under way and in accordance with the wishes of the British people the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union.

"This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back."

The minister says he can't support Lord Moynihan's amendment as it wasn't recommended by the Waterson Review and would require a unified verification system. 

Lord Moynihan does not accept his assurances and forces a vote. 

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Conservative Lord Moynihan introduces an amendment which would require the name of the seller of the ticket, the ticket reference or booking number and any specific condition attached to the resale of the ticket to be provided to the buyer. 

Following the appearance of Ed Sheeran's manager before a select committee last week, Lord Moynihan says: "Ed Sheeran - or other artists or teams - don't want to see their tickets counterfeited." 

Culture Minister Lord Ashton introduces an amendment which would make it a criminal offence to purchase tickets using automated bots, following the recommendations of the Waterson Review.

It is, he says, "an issue about which there is a widespread agreement". 

Culture Minister Lord Ashton denies there is a need to give prominence to public service broadcasters (PSBs) and their catch-up services on electronic programme guides, pointing to the "success and continued popularity of BBC iPlayer". 

He argues "if broadcasters produce excellent content, audiences will find it". 

But Lord Wood is not persuaded and forces a vote. 

HoLCopyright: HoL

Labour spokesman Lord Wood introduces an amendment designed to ensure prominence for public service broadcasting on all TV platforms, listings and electronic programme guides.

His aim is to guarantee that public service broadcasting "continues to be accessible and prominent to viewers as viewing habits change". 

The bill is approved at third reading without a vote.

MPs begin a debate on flood management in the Fens but that is where we have to leave our coverage of the Commons.

Tomorrow MPs begin at 9:30am for questions to the transport secretary.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams expresses "real disappointment" that the bill did not provide help for the Waspi women, referring to the women who are affected by an increase in the pension state age.

The SNP's pensions spokesperson Ian Blackford describes the bill as "a necessary step forward" but says there is "much more that we can do" particularly for those that are in part-time jobs or the self-employed.

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MPs have voted to reject the amendment 286 votes to 188.

That is voting over for the moment and MPs move on to third reading of the bill.

Work and Pensions Minister Richard Harrington describes the bill as "an excellent piece of legislation".

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Lib Dem Baroness Benjamin welcomes the government's decision to accept her amendment, which would require Ofcom to ensure a range of high-quality children's programmes are commissioned by public service broadcasters. 

This will help secure the "future of quality content for children and grandchildren" and reverse the "serious decline" in homegrown programming, she says. 

MPs have voted to reject the amendment 289 votes to 187.

Next, MPs vote on Labour's amendment 1.

This seeks to introduce annual reporting and inclusion of transaction costs requirements for master trusts.  

You read more about master trusts and the Pension Schemes Bill here .

We will leave our Westminster Hall coverage there for this afternoon, while MPs are away taking part in multiple divisions in the House of Commons. 

HoCCopyright: HoC

MPs have voted to reject the Labour amendment 289 votes to 230.

Next up is new clause 2 which is a Labour amendment requiring master trusts to make provision for some form of member representation within master trusts.  

Peers are voting on a cross-party amendment in the name of crossbencher Lord Best, setting up a new independent body called the BBC Licence Fee Commission, which would make recommendations to the secretary of state on setting the licence fee.

Next up is the Pension Schemes Bill, which seeks to provide greater protection for those who are enrolled in Master trusts.

Master trusts are multi-employer pension schemes provided by private companies, often used by smaller companies.

The progress of the bill had to be cut short last Wednesday following the attack.

MPs now pick up where they left off  - with a vote on New Clause 1.

This amendment requires the government to make arrangements for a funder of last resort in instances where Master Trust schemes have insufficient resources.