Is the UK government facing a US-style shutdown?
MPs launch bid to avoid no-deal Brexit by rewriting crucial financial legislation

A cross-party group of senior MPs are attempting to avoid a no-deal Brexit by potentially triggering a government shutdown similar to that taking place in the US, according to reports.
The Sunday Times says MPs will today vote on two amendments to the Finance Bill that would “lead to a gridlock in Whitehall unless Theresa May wins approval from Parliament for a deal with Brussels”.
Labour’s Yvette Cooper and the Conservative’s Nicky Morgan are leading a group of select committee leaders who have tabled a motion that would make Government spending on no-deal measures illegal without Parliament’s consent.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Our amendment would block some of the Treasury’s no-deal powers unless Parliament has explicitly voted for no deal or unless the Government has requested an extension of Article 50,” Cooper said. “We’ll be looking to table similar safeguards to all government legislation.”
The move comes after 209 MPs signed a cross-party letter delivered to May this weekend that urged her to “agree a mechanism that would ensure a ‘no-deal’ Brexit could not take place”.
The second amendment to the Finance Bill, which enacts the Budget, was tabled by Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and would prevent the Treasury from collecting key taxes unless Parliament approves a plan before the UK quits the bloc, Sky News reports.
Supporters of the amendments include Conservative MPs Oliver Letwin, Nick Boles and Sarah Wollaston, as well as Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Brexit Select Committee.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The motions “could starve the Government of cash and create a Donald Trump-style shutdown”, says Sky’s chief political correspondent, Jon Craig.
Two unnamed members of the PM’s team have admitted that the rebellion could lead to “total paralysis” of the top level of government, according to The Sunday Times.
-
September 28 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include the Jim Comey indictment and Pam Bondi as a the Wicked Witch of the West
-
Your Party: a Pythonesque shambles
Talking Point Comical disagreements within Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's group highlight their precarious position
-
The Liberal Democrats: on the march?
Talking Point After winning their highest number of seats in 2024, can the Lib Dems marry ‘stunts’ with a ‘more focused electoral strategy’?
-
Trump’s plan for a government shutdown: mass firings
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As lawmakers scramble to avoid a shutdown, the White House is making plans for widespread layoffs that could lead to a permanent federal downsizing
-
Is Britain turning into ‘Trump’s America’?
Today’s Big Question Direction of UK politics reflects influence and funding from across the pond
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Entente cordiale: will state visit help UK-French relations get over Brexit?
Today's Big Question The King, a keen Francophile who has a warm relationship with Emmanuel Macron, will play a key role in state visit
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Brexit 'reset' deal: how will it work?
In Depth Keir Stamer says the deal is a 'win-win', but he faces claims that he has 'surrendered' to Brussels on fishing rights
-
Are we entering the post-Brexit era?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer's 'big bet' with his EU reset deal is that 'nobody really cares' about Brexit any more