The UK government has restated its commitment to leaving the EU's custom union - ahead of a symbolic vote on the issue this week. Last Wednesday, the government suffered defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill in the House of Lords on the issue of staying in a UK-EU customs union after Brexit. And MPs will get their own chance to debate the issue on Thursday. However Dr Kirill Pogorelskiy, Assistant Professor of Economics, comments that trade-offs are inevitable.

French President Emmanuel Macron is in Berlin for talks with Angela Merkel aimed at winning support from the German chancellor for his ambitious reform plans for the European Union.Professor Seán Hand discusses his chances of success.

Theresa May has pledged to keep the UK "strong and united" after Brexit as she marks a year to go until the UK's departure from the European Union.

Dr. Andreas Kokkinis, Assistant Professor, Warwick Law School says there are still a lot of unresolved issues that will affect the UK.

EU leaders have gathered in Brussels for a meeting where they are expected to rubber stamp the Brexit transition deal and clear the way for trade talks. Dr Andreas Kokkinis of the School of Law comments.

"For the moment, National Grid has withdrawn its Gas Deficit warning, but this winter’s events serve to show just how fragile the UK’s gas security can be when demand soars or key infrastructure fails" - Professor Michael Bradshaw returns to the issue of gas security.