we are also members of the eu's customs union, the biggest in the world. the huge question is, what will brexit bring? this morning, the trade secretary suggested we could remain partial members of the customs' union. i hear people talking about hard brexit and soft brexit as if it is a boiled egg we are talking about. it is a little more complex. turkey is in part of the customs' union but not other parts. we need to look at the cost. the customs' union includes all 28 eu nations at but also turkey, monaco, san marino and andorra. all can trade freely with each other. but they must impose the same tariffs on good outside the customs' union. they are also barred from doing bilateral trade deals that other countries. that is why the trade secretary would like a half way house, but there will be trade—offs. the former chancellor, now free to speak without a government script urged ministers to be careful. we should do this on the basis of a hard—headed assessment on what is in our national and economic interests. yes, it is true that the grass may be gre

team, it -- which should be part of the customs union. it is hugely disappointing that on a day when the government is committing to greater transparency on his intentions for brexit we are getting the usual stonewalling. we have a government that is promising to tell us the plan while refusing to give us answers to the most basic questions. we have a government promising to give parliament a say when we don't know how much taxpayer money is being spent across the road and the supreme court trying to stop parliament having a say. in short we have a government that cannot tell us the plan because they do not have a plan. [shouting] >> and the leader of the house february, says when he was hearing from the leads campaign, confusing, contradictory nonsense. my final question is this. are we hearing anything different from this government today? >> mister speaker, we will publish before article 50 is triggered a statement about negotiating strategy and objectives. the prime minister said yesterday but the honorable lady is in a state of utter

to stay in the customs union? [ yeah ] >> the honorable lady and i -- she's right -- the honorable lady and i both argued passionately during the referendum. what separates us now is that i am part of a conservative government which is working together to respect the democratic burden. [ yeah ] to secure the best possible out come for the security of the entire united kingdom from those negotiations, where as the honorable lady, even just two months ago was telling us that she wanted to go back to the british people in someway, she needs to decide whether she accepts the democratic verdict or not. >> of course, we accept the democratic decision of the british parliament, of course, we do. but the difference between our side of the house and that side is that we want to lead the european union on behalf of 100%, on behalf of the whole of this nation. now, we really need to have a straightforward answer to a straightforward question, because leaving the customs union would mean having to check every container coming

to stay in the customs union? [ yeah ] >> the honorable lady and i -- she's right -- the honorable lady and i both argued passionately during the referendum. what separates us now is that i am part of a conservative government which is working together to respect the democratic burden. [ yeah ] to secure the best possible out come for the security of the entire united kingdom from those negotiations, where as the honorable lady, even just two months ago was telling us that she wanted to go back to the british people in someway, she needs to decide whether she accepts the democratic verdict or not. >> of course, we accept the democratic decision of the british parliament, of course, we do. but the difference between our side of the house and that side is that we want to lead the european union on behalf of 100%, on behalf of the whole of this nation. now, we really need to have a straightforward answer to a straightforward question, because leaving the customs union would mean having to check every container coming

we are also members of the eu's customs union, the biggest in the world. the huge question is, what will brexit bring? this morning, the trade secretary suggested we could remain partial members of the customs union. we wa nt we want to look at all the different things. i hear people talking about hard brexit and soft brexit as if it is a boiled egg we are talking about. it is a little more complex. turkey is in part of the customs union but not other parts. we need to look at the cost. the customs union includes all 28 eu nations at but also turkey, monaco, san marino and andorra. all can trade freely with each other. but they must impose the same tariffs on good outside the customs union. they are also barred from doing bilateral trade deals that other countries. that is why the trade secretary would like a half way house, but there will be trade—offs. the former chancellor, now free to speak without a government script urged ministers to be careful. we should do this on the basis of a hard—headed assessment on what is in our national and economic in

does the government want the uk to remain part of the customs union? >> mister speaker, can i first of all join the honorable lady opposite in marking the anniversary of pearl harbor in remembering all of those who lost their lives at that time but also marking with a sense of celebration fact that prime minister abe is joining president obama, the first japanese prime minister so to do, i think that kind of reconciliation put the ancient conflict behind. the latest point about europe the government always made it clear we would seek to give additional clarity, the earliest opportunity. it has been the case the prime minister has said many times that one of our core objectives is to seek your maximum freedom for access to and operate in the single european model. >> i thank the leader of the house but respectfully say to him that on this issue the answer should be straightforward. we know it would be a disaster of british business if we do not remain part of the customs union. as the leader of the house himself said in february, everything we take for

including staying in the customs union? the reason i asked, and in a non—confrontational way, if we stay inside the customs union, we cannot do the type of deals that your department was set up to create and, therefore, there is no need for liam fox. there would be limitations, in terms of tariff setting, which would limit what kind of deals you can do. that is quite correct. the customs union includes all 28 eu nations and turkey, monaco, san marino and andorra. all can trade freely, but they must impose the same tariffs. they are also barred from doing bilateral trade deals with other countries. now only a back—seat driver to cabinet discussions, george osborne was asked what type of trade deal should be done. we should have a ha rd—headed assessment of what is in our national interest. it is true that the grass may be greener outside of those arrangements and we may be able to conduct new free—trade deals with australia, the united states and so on, but that shouldn't come at a price of giving up the existing fre

including staying in the customs union? the reason i asked, and in a non—confrontational way, if we stay inside the customs union, we cannot do the type of deals that your department was set up to create and, therefore, there is no need for liam fox. there would be limitations, in terms of tariff setting, which would limit what kind of deals you can do. that is quite correct. there would be limitations, in terms of tariff setting, which would limit what kind of deals you can do. that is quite correct. the customs union includes all 28 eu nations and turkey, monaco, san marino and andorra. all can trade freely, but they must impose the same tariffs. they are also barred from doing bilateral trade deals with other countries. now only a back—seat driver to cabinet discussions, george osborne was asked what type of trade deal should be done. we should have a ha rd—headed assessment of what is in our national interest. it is true that the grass may be greener outside of those arrangements and we may be able to conduct new

we are also members of the eu's customs union, the biggest in the world. the huge question is, what will brexit bring? this morning, the trade secretary suggested we could remain partial members of the customs union. we want to look at all the different things. i hear people talking about hard brexit and soft brexit as if it is a boiled egg we are talking about. it is a little more complex. turkey is in part of the customs union but not other parts. we need to look at the cost. the customs union includes all 28 eu nations at but also turkey, monaco, san marino and andorra. all can trade freely with each other. but they must impose the same tariffs on goods from nations outside the customs union. they are also barred from doing bilateral trade deals that other countries. that is why the trade secretary would like a half way house, but there will be trade—offs. the former chancellor, now free to speak without a government script urged ministers to be careful. we should do this on the basis of a hard—headed assessment on what is in our national and econom

we might only remain in the customs union. or the biggest change, the uk leaves the lot and trades with eu on world trade organisation terms. the former chancellor, now free to speak without a government script urged ministers to be careful. yes, it is true that the grass may be greener outside of those arrangements, and we may be able to conduct new free trade deals with australia and the united states and so on, but that should not come at a price of giving up the existing free trade arrangements we have with germany and france. you cannot say we are a beacon of free trade in the world and then the main thing we can achieve is a huge act of protectionism, the biggest in british history. popping up again to offer his brexit services, nigel farage, friend of president—elect donald trump, the former ukip leader told the bbc he wanted to be a bridge between the new trade department and the new us administration. number 10 said there was no job vacancy. six months on after the vote to leave the european union, everyone in gover

there would be no ta riffs customs union. there would be no tariffs and barriers in a customs deal between me and you, but if i wa nt to deal between me and you, but if i want to deal with bob, it has to have the same conditions. you can't ta ke have the same conditions. you can't take control of your trade policy because you have to have the same trade policy with any country in the world. we could have this great benefit and trade freely, but i would have to stick with your trade deals with america or india, for example. it is difficult to liam fox to support the customs union as we know it now, but the government is arguing in some quarters that you could renegotiate the customs union so that we could somehow have all of the goodies but maybe have some freedom around the edges, although they haven't spelt out how that would be possible. a deal has been reached between the syrian government and opposition fighters resume the evacuation people from east aleppo in return for the evacuation of people from two villages within t

on the customs union, asi impediments? on the customs union, as i have said, this is not a binary decision. there are a number of disparate —— different aspects to the customs union, a number of different relationships that already has the word exist. it is more complex than silly saying, are you in orare you complex than silly saying, are you in or are you out. the way i approach this and the way the government had been approaching this and other issues is to say, what are the outcomes we want to achieve, and therefore how do you reach those outcomes? rather than assuming only one means to an end or only one process to an end. as regards the issue of the investment, the very welcome investment in sunderland, that was made by nissan, we have been clear we want to get the best possible dealfor been clear we want to get the best possible deal for trading with and operating within the single european market. that is what i have been saying publicly, it is what we have been sent to companies, and also that we want to ensur

including staying in the customs union? the reason i asked, and in a non—confrontational way, if we stay inside the customs union, we cannot do the type of deals that your department was set up to create, and therefore there is no need for liam fox. there would be limitations in terms of tariff setting, which would limit what kind of deals you can do. that is quite correct. the customs union includes all 28 eu nations and turkey, monaco, san marino and andorra. all can trade freely but they must impose the same tariffs. they are also barred from doing bilateral trade deals with other countries. now only a back—seat driver to cabinet discussions, george osborne was asked what type of trade deal should be done. we should have a hard headed assessment of what is in our national interest. it is true that the grass may be green outside of those arrangements and we may be able to conduct new free—trade deals with australia, the united states and so on, but that shouldn't come at a price of giving up shouldn't come at a pric

and they're outside the customs union but they have customs arrangements. the four i had in mind and as i say, they're not comprehensive but sort of four staging if you like a spectrum or inside the customs union a partially inside turkish if you like, outside but with a free trade agreement and a customs arrangement as happened in some parts of the worlds and completely outside. that's the sort of spectrum, if you like. >> so that as i understand it, that list doesn't include trying to be in the customs union for certain sectors. >> that's what i said. there are others, as well. they're not on a spectrum. i had in my mind a spectrum of four. >> and are you looking at all whether northern island might remain within the customs union in order to avoid a hard border? >> no, that's not one of the options we've been looking at so far anyway. what we are determined about i'm sure he'll raise it with me at some point, the -- we are determined to maintain that as an open border. but as an example, an example of how that might be done, one might, the committee migh

you are in or out of the single market, you accept or don't accept the customs union, the formula for the settlement of britain's remaining debts on the budget, whatever. there is a lot of detail that will take years to sort out. let me take one single example. i did a conference with independent travel operators, now they operate undera regulation covering package holidays, and nobody imagines that this kind of detail can be renegotiated, it's taken 30 years to get there, within a small period of time. so there will have to be a framework in which the government agrees with the european union that we're going to stay in the single market either overall or for many product categories or we are going to leave it. and once that is established you can then begin to talk about all the technical detail which is massive. i take your point but if you have to negotiate a transition, why not get on with the real deal? why do we need a transition to get to deal we then have to negotiate again? if you don't do anything for two years and then you start, i can understand that's not helpful to anyb

the trade secretary liam fox says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. the leader of the rmt has denied that the union is using the dispute with southern rail to take on the government. thousands of commuters have been affected by the strike action over who should control train doors. andy murray wins sports personality of the year for a record third time. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are martin lipton, deputy head of sport at the sun and martin bentham, home affairs editor at the london evening standard. we will go through the review in a moment. let's look at the front pages. the daily telegraph claims that royal mail staff, as well as rail and airport workers, may strike over christmas, leaving theresa may facing pressure over "industrial chaos." the paper also notes andy murray's third sports personality victory. the guardian also celebrates murray's win, but focuses on claims that the justice secretary had prior warning ahead of the riot at hmp birmingham on friday. the metro leads

union. membership of the eu and of the single market are two distinct propositions as our... i accept that there is a mandate in england and wales to take the uk out of the eu, however i do not accept there is a mandate to take any part of the uk ad of the single market. it would make no economic sense whatsoever for the uk to leave the single market, and it would be entirely democratically justifiable for the uk to remain within it. so the scottish treatment will continue to argue and build common cause with others of like mind for continued uk membership of the single market. however, albeit reluctantly, i acce pt however, albeit reluctantly, i accept that as things stand, given the rhetoric of the conservative government, at this stage that seems an unlikely outcome. we can hear live now from nicola sturgeon. she is answering questions in edinburgh. asl in edinburgh. as i said on the 24th ofjune, it has changed in that respect... michael. isn't it slightly unrealistic to expect theresa ma

union. we'll take a look at what lies in store in the next 12 months. defying all the odds! he did it! billionaire businessman donald trump wins the race for the white house. he's made some bold announcements, but was it all talk and no action? and it's been a turbulent yearfor global markets. oil prices hit a historic low, but there's light at the end of the tunnel, following a landmark deal between members of the opec cartel. and... exploding phones, driverless cars and virtual reality. it's been an eventful twelve months in the the world of tech, but what can we look forward to in 2017? we'll speak to our resident gadget guru rory—cellan jones. welcome to a very special edition of business live. this year saw two of the biggest political results of the decade as the recent trend towards globalisation took a step back. there are now dark clouds of uncertainty hanging over two of the world's biggest economies — europe and the united states. let's start by looking back at what happened f

the art number of different aspects to customs union. a number of different relationships that already exist in relation to customs union. this is more complex benson leasing are you in or are you out of the customs union? the way i approach this and the way government is approaching this and other issues is to say what the outcome to want to achieve and, therefore, how do you reach those outcomes, rather than assuming only one means to an end or anyone process to an end. as regards the issue of investment, very welcome investment decision to invest, for the investment that was made by nissan, we've been very clear what to get the best possible deal for trading with an operating within a single european market. that is what i been seen publicly. it's what we've been saying to companies. and also that we want to ensure the competitiveness to the british economy. i think nissan decision to invest and bring the new models to the manufactured in sunderland as a huge vote of confidence in the sunderland workforce that is the most productive c

still having preferential access to the single market, possibly still in the customs union. that is tension on one side. 0n the european side, the 27 other member states, there are tensions between those who want to ensure that britain doesn't get a better deal by coming out of the european union, politically unpalatable as that is, but also britain is the second largest economy in europe. they don't want to set up trade barriers such that the european economy itself suffers by losing the british market. and, of course, london, the city, is one of the global leading financial centres. europe needs the city to fund its own businesses. indeed it does. talking of financials, let's bring up the market board because i want to talk about that. we can bring it up because i want to talk about the ftse and the pound. this is how they ended as of 21st of december. everyone talked about how if there was a vote for brexit we would see that pound plunge. absolutey. investors would think that assets in the uk may be less valuable in the future so that money would be better employed on the

still having preferential access to the single market, possibly still in the customs union. that is tension on one side. 0n the european side, the 27 other member states, there are tensions between those who want to ensure that britain doesn't get a better deal by coming out of the european union, politically unpalatable as that is, but also britain is the second largest economy in europe. they don't want to set up trade barriers such that the european economy itself suffers by losing the british market. and, of course, london, the city, is one of the global leading financial centres. europe needs the city to fund its own businesses. indeed it does. talking of financials, let's bring up the market board because i want to talk about that. we can bring it up because i want to talk about the ftse and the pound. this is how they ended as of 21st of december. everyone talked about how if there was a vote for brexit we would see that pound plunge. absolutely. investors would think that assets in the uk may be less valuable in the future so that money would be better employed on th

still having preferential access to the single market, possibly still in the customs union. that is tension on one side. on the european side, the 27 other member states, there are tensions between those who want to ensure that britain doesn't get a better deal by coming out of the european union, politically unpalatable as that is, but also britain is the second largest economy in europe. they don't want to set up trade barriers such that the european economy itself suffers by losing the british market. and, of course, london, the city, is one of the global leading financial centres. europe needs the city to fund its own businesses. indeed it does. talking of financials, let's bring up the market board because i want to talk about that. we can bring it up because i want to talk about the ftse and the pound. this is how they ended as of 21st of december. everyone talked about how if there was a vote for brexit we would see that pound plunge. absolutey. investors would think that assets in the uk may be less valuable in the future so that money would be better employed on the

union. that is a tension on one side. 0n the european side, the 27 other member states, there are tensions between those who want to ensure that britain doesn't get a better deal by coming out of the european union, politically unpalatable as that is. but also, britain is the second—largest economy in europe. they don't want to set up trade barriers such that the european economy itself suffers by losing the british market. and of course, london, the city, is one of the global leading financial centres. europe needs the city to fund its own businesses. indeed it does. talking of financials, let's bring up the board, because i want to talk about that. we can bring it up, because i want to talk about the ftse and the pound. this is how they ended as of the 21st of december. everyone talked about how, if there was a vote for brexit, we would see that pound plunge. exactly, investors would think that assets in the uk may be less valuable in the future, so that money would be better employed on

the trade secretary, liam fox, said britain could remain a member of the eu customs union, after brexit. the leader of the rmt, mick cash, has denied that his union is using the dispute with southern rail to take on the government. thousands of commuters have been affected by the strike action over who should control train doors. and tonight, personalities across the sporting world will be celebrating this year's sports personality of the year, with a record 16 contenders being short listed for the final award. now on bbc news it's time for click. this week — i, robot. robo chef. and some loud, noisy animals meet the locals. shouting the design museum in london has moved into a new home, and it is suitably stunning. i have come to see fear and love, an exhibition of ii designers‘ reactions to our increasingly complex world. the most animated star on show has to be an industrial robot arm, which its owner hopes will present a more friendly face to robotics and maybe help us empathise with the economics of the future. with the meconomics of the future. it senses where you are and come

the transport secretary, liam fox says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. the leader of the rmt, mick cash, has denied that his union is using the dispute with southern rail to take on the government. thousands of commuters have been affected by the strike action over who should control train doors. the first i heard about a lot of these actions you are talking about, is in the newspapers when #24e got published. we're not about trying of a trot conspiracy to bring down this government. and tonight, personalities across the sporting world will be celebrating this year's sports personality of the year, with a record 16 contenders being short listed for the final award. now on bbc news, it's time for politics europe. hello, and welcome to politics europe, your regular guide to the top stories in brussels and strasbourg. on today's programme: eu leaders meet in brussels to discuss syria, migration and brexit. the race to replace this man heats up. we have the low—down on the runners and riders to become the new president of the european parliament. meps app

still having preferential access to the single market, possibly still in the customs union. that is attention on one side. on the european side, the 27 other member states, there are tensions between those who want to ensure that britain doesn't get a better deal by coming out of the european union, politically unpalatable as thatis, union, politically unpalatable as that is, but also britain is the second largest economy in europe. they don't want to set up trade barriers such that the european economy itself suffers by losing the british market. and of course london, the city, is one of the global leading financial centres. europe needs the city to fund its own businesses. indeed it does. talking of financials, let's bring up talking of financials, let's bring up the motherboard, because i want to talk about that. we can bring it up, because i want to talk about the ftse and the pound. this is how they ended as of the 20 —— 21st of december. everyone talked about how if there was a vote for brexit we would see that pound plunge. exactly, investors would think that asse

the trade secretary, liam fox, says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. the leader of the rmt has denied that the union is using the dispute with southern rail to take on the government. thousands of commuters have been affected by the strike action over who should control train doors. personalities across the sporting world are celebrating this year's sports personality of the year tonight, with a record 16 contenders being shortlisted for the final award. now on bbc news, sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm james pearce. 0ur headlines this evening: crisis? what crisis? manchester city beat arsenal to go second in the premier league. yet another good day for india against england. the tourists‘ chances of winning the fifth test are fast receding. and an upset in the european champions cup as scarlets hold on to secure a famous victory over toulon. good evening. news of a very important victory for manchester city in the premier league. they came from behind to beat arsenal 2—1 at the etihad stadium, and are now seven points behind the lea

to come out of the customs union, and to be very detached and remote from the eu. there have been indications that the government is heading for a hard brexit. mark: more red white and blue. have been different versions and i except that. aboutcent discussions paying for single market access or transition arrangements suggests a more thoughtful approach. got,roblem we have all what it is actually trying to achieve, all we can do is interpret the signs and signals. that is not the way to start. mark: what satisfies you in terms of revealing the plan? it ultimately means the prime minister has revealed her intentions. what satisfies your level of revelation when it comes to that? >> people say they need to know what the position is on the customs union and what the position is on transitional arrangements. it is important the parliamentary have enough information to do their jobs. not much point in parliamentary scrutiny. the office of budget will need toy forecast economically what the future holds. there needs to be enough detail to let us know what is the directio

the trade secretary, liam fox, says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. the leader of the rmt has denied that the union is using the dispute with southern rail to take on the government. thousands of commuters have been affected by the strike action over who should control train doors. personalities across the sporting world will be celebrating this year's sports personality of the year tonight, with a record 16 contenders being shortlisted for the final award. now on bbc news, sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm james pearce. our headlines this evening: crisis? what crisis? manchester city beat arsenal to go second in the premier league. yet another good day for india against england. the tourists‘ chances of winning the fifth test are fast receding. and an upset in the european champions cup as scarlets hold on to secure a famous victory over toulon. good evening. in a few minutes we'll be behind the scenes at the bbc sports personality of the year, which is about to get under way, but first news of a very important victory for manchester

>> she said that about customs union, not not about single markets. >> although, this is one of those things where we have to see what develops. one of the difficulties, as you will appreciate, as much of as me is that we are in the early stage of negotiation where the stone stands with a very firm one. it's quite hard to read how will develop beyond here, but that is part of it. broadly speaking we are speaking to the overarching aim, maximum possible access, services goods and so on. >> you'll be aware from the jnc that the devol stations have all said they want access to the single market. >> the thing here is to distinguish. [inaudible] the thing to bear in mind is people often discuss membership but what matters is to sell services in other parts of europe and for european manufacturers and providers, i'm a big believer in free-trade. >> mr. carmichael's asked you about paying into the eu bucket for exchange for access to the market. is there anything you would be prepared to consider? >> as i said to him, leaving something open is not to say that you're going to do it. i have to

the trade secretary, liam fox, says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. ahead of another strike by southern rail conductors tomorrow, the rmt leader, mick cash, denies accusations his union is using the dispute to take on the government. jamie vardy and gareth bale are among the stars who could be named this year's sports personality

the trade secretary liam fox says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. ahead of another strike by southern rail conductors tomorrow, the rmt leader, mick cash, dismisses claims his union is using the dispute to take on the government. great britain's real heroes could be infor great britain's real heroes could be in for more

you have a circumstance like norway inside the single market outside the customs union and switzerland who was outside the single market but our bilateral with the trade deals outside the customs union but customs arrangements. they are not comprehensive but are in that spectrum. >> the downside with a free-trade agreement with that customs arrangements, that is the spectrum. it doesn't include for the certain sectors. is a lot to decide. and are you looking in northern ireland? >> no. that is not one of the options we are looking insofar. in ebs some point but we are determined to maintain that open border but an example of how that might be dead the committee may look at the border where you have a single market through with the very open border with david titular arrangement designed to make the border a free border. >> just to set the scene as a continuance from november and the department there homage resources were in place in more is forthcoming could you update? >> the last time i looked we had over 300 and this has grown since july. in addition to that we have 120 but by defin

[laughter] >> for no big picture, that's right. >> are you able to turn -- the custom union. more details thicks about the union. are you able to tell us any other points of content that you would expect to be in the plan. >> not to this day. i just say content first and that decision requires to know what the policy aims are in detail. we know they are now but then to say, we will release that information be hazardous or not and if they are not hazardous then we will release it. >> jonathan. can we just take the legislation that you bring forward? can you commit today that this community at large -- >> no, i can't. what i'm -- it is to try and give parliaments what we are trying to do but we have a timetable. timetable issue here. it's in the queen's speech for the next session. we will need to get that out or get that out of the way or get it done. the reason i say that is because bare in mind what's it's going to do. it will take them and pretty much untouched into brit asia law but after that, there will be consequential legislation and therefore time to go through before

the international trade secretary says britain could remain part of the customs union after leaving the european union. ahead of a strike on southern rail tomorrow, rmt leader mick cash denies accusations that his union is using the dispute to take on the government. leicester's jamie vardy and wales striker gareth bale are among the champions who could be named this year's bbc sports personality of the year at tonight's ceremony in birmingham. and coming up at 2.30, it is politics europe,

so all of those critical questions — will we be in the single market, will we be in the customs union, will we have a transitional deal, will we still keep paying money into the eu, what will happen to eu nationals living here, all of those key questions which mps and others want answers to ourjust getting stonewalled at the moment on the basis that she is not going to give a running commentary and she doesn't want to compromise her negotiating position. and i suspect, on the brexit front, that maybe what we get today. however, she will also be pressed about social care, and there we may get more information. theresa may signalled at prime minister's questions that she does wa nt to minister's questions that she does want to do something about the crisis in social care. she said her government would not duck it. it will be interested to see whether the mps get any details about what she's thinking of. norman, thank you. let's take you back to berlin. there are aerial pictures showing a very quiet scene at that german market where the truck was driven with such devastating effect. 12 p

he is obviously keen to get out of the customs union and start lining things up, but certainly, talks are already underway. to some extent, philip hammond was in seoul this week, argentina, not exactly a long time british ally, the falkland islands, but for the most part, this rhetoric -- we are going to have to wait for it well. but an interesting development in the u.s. last night, talking in the media, larry kudlow, a commentator, speaking earlier in the week, talking about the importance of donald trump striking a free-trade deal with the british early on in his presidency. if that goes, that is a really big win. francine: is it likely? are you in contact with the government? mark: i know in number of the ministers working around this area. i think the usa-u.k. potential deal is want to really look at. that could be a game changer, right? i suspect there will not be a single day where a new trade deal is set. i suspect it will be a process of negotiations evolving over some years, but looking at the politics of this rather than the economics, i think president-elect trump will wan

and before i turn to colleagues on membership of the customs union you tell the house last week this is not a binary option and there's about four different possibilities. and they're still assessing them. could you briefly set out for us what those possibilities are. i'm not saying what the conclusion will be because you haven't reached one yet. you have obviously one and you have countries like turkey that has an arrangement and puts it inside for some of its economy and allows it to do very limited free trade agreements. you have circumstances like inside of the single market and you have countries like switzerland who have a large number of 20 something trade deals and they have custom arrangements. and not comprehensive and partially inside. outside and free trade agreement and a customed arrangement. and happens across the world and come pleatly outside. that's the sort of spectrum. and that list doesn't include trying to be in the us toms union in certain sectors. and it's off to the side of the spectrum. are you looking at all whether northern ireland might remain within the

still having preferential access to the single market, possibly still in the customs union. 0n the european side, the 27 other member states, there are tensions between those who want to ensure that britain doesn‘t get a better deal by coming out of the european union, politically unpalatable as that is, but also britain is the second largest economy in europe. they don‘t want to set up trade barriers such that the european economy itself suffers by losing the british market. and, of course, london, the city, is one of the global leading financial centres. europe needs the city to fund its own businesses. indeed it does. talking of financials, let‘s bring up the market board because i want to talk about that. we can bring it up because i want to talk about the ftse and the pound. this is how they ended as of 21st of december. everyone talked about how if there was a vote for brexit we would see that pound plunge. absolutey. investors would think that assets in the uk may be less valuable in the future so that money would be better employed on the european continent, and frankly in ame

trade secretary liam fox is the uk could remain a member of the you're customs union after brexit. heard of another strike by southern rail conductors tomorrow, the rmt leader mick cash denies accusations his union is using the dispute to take on the government. the russian ambassador to the un says he will veto a security council resolution to ensure un officials monitor the evacuation of aleppo. the un security council is due to vote on the resolution later today. earlier reports suggested that buses sent to rescue people from two besieged towns in the north of syria have been set alight and attacked. the buses were on their way to the towns of foah and kefraya which are surrounded by rebel forces. in a deal between the government and rebels, in exchange for the evacuation of people from those villages, thousands are due to be escorted out of the opposition held part of eastern aleppo. a number of buses containing fighters and their families have started to leave the last rebel—held enclave, according to reports from syrian state tv. a little earlier, i spoke to our corresponde

decisionu confirm the is not yet about whether we are going to remain the customs union? and if that is a case, don't we have to stay in the customs honor therder to commitment about seeking a situation in which they can continue to trade without some bureaucratic impediments? prime minister may: as i've said in the chamber of the house, this is not a binary decision. there are a number of different aspects to the customs union. the relationship already exists. this is more complex than the way i approach this on the way government is approaching this and other issues is to say that the outcomes we want to achieve and therefore how do you reach those outcomes rather than assuming only one means to an ad around in one process to an end. as regard, the issue of the investment is a welcome investment to further investment made and remake it very clear we want the best possible deal for trading with an operating weight the european market. that's what i've been saying publicly to companies and also that we want to ensure the competitiveness of the economy and i think the deci

the trade secretary liam fox says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. the leader of the rmt has denied that the union is using the dispute with southern rail to take on the government. thousands of commuters have been affected by the strike action over who should control train doors. personalities across the sporting world are celebrating this year's sports personality of the year tonight, with a record 16 contenders being shortlisted for the final award. now on bbc news, it's time for the travel show. this week, the american guidebook that may have helped save lives. it took a lot of courage for a black family to get in their car and hit the open road. lighting up jordan's most treasured monument. and dressing up in a polish castle. if you have misplaced your ties, i'm sure mr derbyshire can be of assistance. we're starting this week in the united states of america. nowadays, a largely safe place to visit, no matter who you are or what you look like. 80 years ago, though, travelling around some parts of the country could be a dangerous prospect if you

and before i turn to colleagues on membership of the customs union you tell the house last week this is not a binary option and there's about four different possibilities. and they're still assessing them. could you briefly set out for us what those possibilities are. i'm not saying what the conclusion will be because you haven't reached one yet. you have obviously one and you have countries like turkey that has an arrangement and puts it inside for some of its economy and allows it to do very limited free trade agreements. you have circumstances like inside of the single market and you have countries like switzerland who have a large number of 20 something trade deals and they have custom arrangements. and not comprehensive and partially inside. outside and free trade agreement and a customed arrangement. and happens across the world and come pleatly outside. that's the sort of spectrum. and that list doesn't include trying to be in the us toms union in certain sectors. and it's off to the side of the spectrum. are you looking at all whether northern ireland might remain within the

what you are describing as a protectionist customs union. that is what they want. david davis has said he would prefer to prioritise free movement controls over trade. that will be the choice of britain, not europe. and he is right. a final thought, on domestic politics, one reason why i thought the 10—year report will be interesting, we have no idea who will be in government in 10 years' time. ifjeremy corbyn does not get his act together... the rebrand. that may or not succeed. my instinct is, the conservative party gets a free ride in the house of commons. jeremy corbyn does not corral his party. beyond that, i think our relationship with the eu will come down to some of these trade deals. barnier seems to think we can get a deal done in less time. we can leave it there because we have 2017 to talk about it! that's it for dateline london for this week. you can comment on the programme on twitter and interact with our guests. we're back next week at the same time. please make a date with dateline london. hello. contrasting weather conditions top and tail this w

union. clearly if we do that we can not make our own trade deals with other countries. let's go back to the news about george michael. let's listen back to some of george michael's greatest hits — starting with his first appearance with wham on top of the pops. # wham! # bam! #iam! # a man! #job or nojob, you can't tell me that i'm not # do! # you! # enjoy what you do? # if not, just stop! # don't stay there and rot! # you put the boom—boom into my heart # you send my soul sky high when your lovin' starts #jitterbug into my rain # goes a bang—bang—bang till my feet do the same. # club tropicana, drinks are free # fun and sunshine, there's enough for everyone. # all that's missing is the sea, but don't worry, you can suntan! # last christmas, i gave you my heart # but the very next day, you gave it away # this year, to save me from tears # i'll give it to someone special. # oh, and when that love comes down without devotion # well, it takes a strong man, baby # but i'm showing you the

union. clearly, if we do that, we can not make our own trade deals with other countries. japan's prime minister is set to visit pearl harbour, 75 years after the attack that drew the united states into the second world war. shinzo abe will visit the naval base in hawaii that was targeted by japanese bombers in december 19111. more than 2000 americans were killed in the raids. an adviser to mr abe said he was not planning to offer an apology for the attack. those are the main stories this morning. matt will have the weather in around five minutes. he was the pop star that helped define the distinctive sound and look of the 1980s. george michael, who has died at the age of 53, sang, wrote and collaborated with some of the world's greatest musicians. he first found fame as one half of the duo wham! who had huge success, and became the first western group to tour china in 1985. martin lewis produced a documentary of that tour and the wham! video to the song freedom and joins us on the phone now.