London, Jan 1 (TIWN) UK lawmakers have approved the post-Brexit trade deal between the country and the European Union (EU) by a large majority, paving the way for an orderly Brexit when the transition period ends on Thursday.

They voted 521-73 to back the trade deal in the House of Commons (lower house of the British Parliament) at its first stage after only five hours of debate on Wednesday.  The British parliament was recalled on Wednesday morning to put the agreement into British law, one day before Britain stops following EU rule. 

The EU (Future Relationship) Bill will then pass to the House of Lords (upper house of the British parliament) for their approval, and is expected to pass through all of its required parliamentary stages in a single day on Wednesday. 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is expected to give Royal Assent later Wednesday as soon as the bill has cleared its journey in the parliament.  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was given a major boost for the pass of the bill as the main opposition Labour Party announced to support the deal.