British Prime Minister Theresa May has not yet set a date for the next stage in the passage of legislation to sever ties with the European Union, her spokesman said on Wednesday after the BBC reported it would not be until November, later than many had expected, reported Reuters. 

The EU withdrawal bill, which seeks largely to ‘copy and paste’ EU law into British legislation to ensure Britain has functioning laws and the same regulatory framework as the bloc at the moment of Brexit, is the next major hurdle for May.

Asked whether the government was planning to introduce the legislation into the so-called committee phase of its lengthy passage towards the statute book in November, her spokesman told reporters: “We haven’t yet confirmed a date for the bill at the committee stage.”

“But the leader of the house will set out (next week’s business) tomorrow,” he added, referring to a weekly procedure when the government sets out its agenda, which may, or may not, include the EU withdrawal bill.

Earlier, the BBC cited sources as saying it would not be introduced until after a parliamentary recess ends on Nov. 13.

Sources in both the Conservative and opposition Labour parties expect the government to offer some concessions to avoid a defeat, amending powers which allow ministers to rewrite some laws without consulting parliament.

But the sheer number of amendments could slow the progress of a bill which the government says is essential to ease Britain’s departure from the EU in March 2019 and give certainty to business.

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