UK MPs approve Brexit trade deal with EU

British lawmakers on Wednesday approved a deal governing the UK's trade relationship with the European Union.

The legislation, which is being rushed through parliament with little scrutiny in order to become law before the end of the year, was passed by 521 votes to 73 in the House of Commons. It is now being voted on in the upper chamber, the House of Lords before it receives Royal Assent - expected shortly before midnight.

Britain will end a near 50-year relationship with the EU at 23.00 GMT on Thursday, four and a half years after the Brexit referendum that has divided the country and will shape politics for years to come.

A new agreement with Brussels outlines a new trade and security relationship between the 27-member bloc and the UK, but significantly does not cover financial services, which makes up 80% of the UK economy.