THE Government's defeat in a historic court battle over Brexit will not derail Theresa May's plan to start negotiations on withdrawal from the EU by the end of March, Downing Street has said.

By a majority of eight to three, judges at the Supreme Court rejected the Government's argument that Mrs May could use prerogative powers to trigger the talks under Article 50 of the EU treaties, but must first seek Parliament's approval.

Ministers are now expected to publish a short bill authorising the invocation of Article 50, with votes to take place in the Houses of Commons and Lords soon.

Attorney General Jeremy Wright - who led the Government's legal fight - said ministers were "disappointed" by the ruling, but added: "The Government will comply with the judgement of the court and do all that is necessary to implement it."

Following the decision, Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has explained that he will vote to trigger Article 50 in the House of Commons.

Mr Woodcock said: "I will respect the outcome of the referendum and my constituents and vote to trigger the 'Article 50' process for Britain to leave the European Union. But that should in no way be seen as endorsing the government's negotiating strategy which risks costing many jobs and raising the cost of living.

"The question of whether the UK leaves the European Union is settled and my constituents have had their say; the vital question is now what kind of Brexit we will seek.

"I am convinced that our community's economy is best served by the UK remaining a member of the Single Market which allows us to trade freely with our European neighbours and will push for that in parliament to protect local jobs."

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron said: "I welcome today's judgement. But this court case was never about legal arguments, it was about giving the people a voice, a say, in what happens next.

"This Tory Brexit government are keen to laud the democratic process when it suits them, but will not give the people a voice over the final deal. They seem happy to start with democracy and end in a stitch up.

"The Liberal Democrats are clear, we demand a vote of the people on the final deal and without that we will not vote for Article 50."

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The British people voted to leave the EU, and the Government will deliver on their verdict - triggering Article 50, as planned, by the end of March. Today's ruling does nothing to change that.

"It's important to remember that Parliament backed the referendum by a margin of six to one and has already indicated its support for getting on with the process of exit to the timetable we have set out.

"We respect the Supreme Court's decision, and will set out our next steps to Parliament shortly."

The Supreme Court judges also ruled against an argument that Mrs May must also consult devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland before triggering Article 50.

There was relief in Downing Street over the decision on devolved administrations, which could have been much more significant in upsetting Mrs May's timetable if it had gone the other way.

Brexit Secretary David Davis will set out the Government's plans in detail in a statement to MPs on Tuesday afternoon.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would not "frustrate the process for invoking Article 50" but would seek to amend the legislation to prevent the UK becoming a "bargain basement tax haven".

"Labour is demanding a plan from the Government to ensure it is accountable to Parliament throughout the negotiations and a meaningful vote to ensure the final deal is given parliamentary approval," said Mr Corbyn.

The SNP, the third largest party in the Commons, said it will put forward 50 "serious and substantive" amendments to the legislation.

Former first minister Alex Salmond said: "If Theresa May is intent on being true to her word that Scotland and the other devolved administrations are equal partners in this process, then now is the time to show it."