british police say two people, who've fallen critically ill, were exposed to novichok, the same type of nerve agent used in the attempted murder of a former russian spy and his daughter. offciers say there was no evidence that the couple had —— officers say there was no evidence that the couple had been deliberately targeted. in thailand, attempts to rescue a group of teenage boys and their coach continue. 10,000 litres of water an hour are being pumped out of the flooded cave complex where they are trapped. above ground, medical teams have been rehearsing their role in the rescue effort. heavy fighting has continued in southern syria, as government forces push on in their attempt to recapture daraa province, one of the last rebel strongholds. the un says at least 270,000 people, a third of the population, have fled their homes since the assault began two weeks ago. it is just it isjust gone it is just gone to 30 a.m. it isjust gone to 30 a.m. in the morning. you are up—to—date on the

headlines. —— 2:30am. now on bbc news, wednesday in parliament. hello and welcome to wednesday in parliament. on this programme: the work and pensions secretary apologises, for "inadvertently misleading" mps over universal credit. i mistakingly said that nao as for the roll—out of universal credit to continue at a faster rate and we speeded up. in fact the nao did not say that mr speaker. with the cabinet due to meet for crunch brexit talks on friday, theresa may faces pressure from her own side over what kind of deal she wants. and a minister finds a new way to explain what the government's doing to help people with disabilities around the world. the global effort to advance disability inclusion for some countries most vulnerable people... but first, the secretary of state

for work and pensions, esther mcvey, has apologised to the commons, saying she'd inadvertently misled mps about a highly critical report on universal credit. last month the national audit office said the benefit change, which rolls six working age benefits into one, was causing hardship and not delivering value for money. the head of the nao has now written an open letter to esther mcvey saying statements she made in the commons about the findings had been incorrect and unproven. a labour backbencher raised the issue at prime minsiter‘s questions. the ministerial code is very clear in that and i quote it is of paramount importance that ministers give accurate and truthful information to parliament, correcting any an advert in error at the earliest opportunity. ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the prime minister. has she? as the honourable lady said, it is very clear the ministers

should correct the record in parliament and the welfare secretary will be correcting the statement. when esther mcvey made her apology a short time later, she admitted she'd been wrong to tell the commons the watchdog was worried that the benefit was "rolling out too slowly." i want to apologise to you in the house for inadvertently misleading you. what i meant to say was that the nao had said that there was no practical alternative to continuing with universal credit. we adopt a test and learn approach to the roll—out of universal credit with nao says mainly follows good practise in the point i was trying to make was that the calls from the party opposite to pause it seems to fly in the face of those particular conclusions. esther mcvey. back at pmqs, the tensions within the conservative party over brexit were once again on display

when conservative backbenchers put their questions to theresa may. cabinet ministers are due to go to the prime minister's country retreat of chequers on friday, where they're due to hold a make or break meeting to decide exactly what the uk wants from the brexit talks. two prominent leavers sought reassurance from theresa may that the uk would be leaving the single market and the customs union. it is her personal position and the settled negotiating position of her majesty's government that after we leave the eu we will have full and unfettered control of migration into this country, full and unfettered control of our ability to make new trade deals with the rest of the world and above all, full and unfettered control on the way we regulate our own business. we will indeed after we leave the european union, we will be operating our own independent trade policy and parliament will be determining our laws and we will bring an end to free movement. president macron said that each

of the cabinet ministers should be subject to a performance review. when the prime minister meets her cabinet on friday, will she judge everyone of their contributions in the final deal that they decide against the very clear criteria laid down in the conservative and labour manifesto that we will categorically be leaving the single market, the customs union and the remit of the ec]? we have a strong team of a cabinet that will be making this decision on friday and can i assure my right honourable friend... laughter can i assure my right honourable friend that the brexit that this government will be delivering and is working to deliver is a brexit that ensures we are out of the customs union and single market, and we are out of the jurisdiction of the european court ofjustice, we are out of the common agricultural policy and out of the common fisheries policy, we bring an end

of free movement and we take control of our borders, we have an independent trade policy and also able to have a good trade arrangement with the european union, protecting jobs and prosperity for the future. the snp's westminster leader turned to a draft report of an investigation into the official brexit campaign, vote leave, which concludes it broke spending limits and failed to comply with some of the rules. vote leave‘s former chief executive, matthew elliott, has submitted a 500 page dossier to the electoral commission rebutting the claims. this morning we have learned that vote leave is expected to be found guilty of breaking electoral law. does the prime minister agree that we need absolute transparency in elections and people must be held accountable? i am not going to comment on what appears to be a leaked report which the government has not seen. the electoral commission in relation to be vote

leave matter will consider the representations it received and will publish a closing report to provide a balanced account. and we will consider that report when the government receives it and consider any recommendations arising from it when it is released. the labour leader, jeremy corbyn, turned not to the impending cabinet meeting on brexit, but to the state of bus services. under this government, fares have risen three times faster than people's pay and bus users are often on lower income whose wages are lower than they were ten years ago and have suffered benefit freeze. this government under their stewardship has cut 500 bus routes every year. leaving many people more isolated, lonely and damaging our local communities. does the prime minister believe that bus services are a public responsibility orjust something you leave to the market? it is important that we consider the situation of people

who are on low incomes, that is why it is this government that introduced the national living wage and has increased the national living wage and why it is this government that has taken 4 million people out of paying income tax altogether. that is helping people on low incomes in this country. theresa may. the environment secretary, michael gove, has been setting out how the uk will "take back control of our seas" as he presented government plans for the future of the british fishing industry, after brexit. uk fishing groups are pushing for 80% of domestic cat. in 2021 the uk will control fishing access to a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around its coastline and the environment secretary said the uk will be in the driving seat in

negotiations once the uk leads the eu common fisheries policy. the white paper outlines how the government can insure more of the fish in our waters are caught by our boats and benefits of our fishing communities and we will also aspire to the highest environmental standards so that we can ensure that our seas are healthy and productive for future generations. we will determine in annual negotiations with her neighbours, who has access to our waters and we will ensure that any additionalfishing opportunities available to our vessels are allocated fairly and thoughtfully, to help support vessels of all sizes and communities across the united kingdom. we're not holding our breath that this will all go according to plan. future customs arrangements will be key to the fishing industry. but, given reports that the secretary of state physically ripped up the prime minister's preferred customs option, it's clear that the big decisions for the negotiations including those

on fishing are a long way from being agreed. isn't his claim that he can claim that quota about other countries currently holds, while guaranteeing free and unfettered access for our industry's vital exports to the european union another cruel betrayal being perpetrated on our fishing industry? the right honourable member serves with distinction and i take seriously his contributions in this, but, as i stress, there are two separate negotiations with the eu, those we will have as an independent coastal state and iceland and norway are very successful coastal states that have control of their fisheries and ensure that the fish that they catch are successfully exported. we will have a separate set of negotiations as part of the future economic partnership. the snp raised concerns about the involvement of devolved administrations.

the frameworks will not normally be changed without the consent of the administrations, can we have a guarantee that the frameworks will not be put in place without the explicit agreement of the scottish government? welsh and northern irish members will likely put forward a similarcase. can we have a guarantee that no future changes will be made without unanimity? that no administration will be overruled ? given the government's record to date in negotiations, can he give us an assurance and guarantee that there will be nothing conceeded or done during negotiations on the future trade arrangement that would dilute the government's ability to deliver on the aspirations in this white paper? absolutely and today's paper there is a document agreed across government and represents the government's negotiating position and policy and all ministers and our negotiating team are united behind it. but conservative brexiteers were delighted with the statement. is this a great brexit opportunity to restore our fishing grounds and rebuild our fishing industry?

and isn't it the case that we have the huge opportunity here to make sure that much more of the fish is landed by our boats in order to make sure that our traditional fish and chips is once again fish from our fishing grounds, properly looked after by a national policy? my right honourable friend as absolutely right, he made a... ..he made a passionate and also a coherent case during the referendum for many benefits that could accrue to britain as a result of leaving but i should also say that my friend outside of his house, the leader of the scottish conservates made the point, and she argued a slightly different position, during the referendum that when it comes to fish, and the conservative party, we are all brexiteers now. tough legislation to ban the sale of ivory items, with only a few "narrowly defined" exemptions has passed through the commons.

the bill aims to help bring an end to elephant poaching. around 20,000 elephants a year are being slaughtered for their ivory, and wildlife campaigners believe reducing global demand for their tusks is an important part of ending the killing. during the passage of the bill in the commons, ministers announced they would consult on extending the scope of the bill to protect other ivory—bearing species such as hippos and walruses as well as sperm whales and killer whales. the bill now goes to be debated in the lords. you're watching wednesday in parliament, with me, alicia mccarthy. earlier in the programme we heard the snp's westminster leader, ian blackford, raise accusations the official brexit campaign group, vote leave, broke electoral law. these claims are firmly rejected by the group's former chief executive, matthew elliot. but in the lords, peers raised the leak, and whether there'd been foreign interference in the vote.

given what we have just heard about the draft report from the electoral commission, how can the result of that referendum still be considered valid? i think there were many reasons why people voted as they did in the referendum. they were worried that globalisation had passed a number of communities and concern about immigration and concerned about the perceived threat to independence and sovereignty. there were home—grown reasons why people voted as they did, independent of the influences the noble lord looks to. if one looks at the potential involvement of the russia, the number of tweets involved in no way accounted for the 1.3 million who voted for leave rather than remain. when the noble lord stood ten or 11 elections in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, would he accept that had he been found to have overspent to any material extent, that his seat would have been

forfeited and he himself or someone else would have had to refight his election? does the principle apply to referendum? we should respect the result of the referendum. there are a number of inquiries going on the commission are looking into a number of allegations and i think it makes sense to await the outcome to see whether those allegations are upheld. i see nothing that would account for the substantial difference in the voters that voted leave rather than remain. there's a number of investigations under way. there is evidence of foreign funding, fraud and distraction of evidence and collusion with a hostile government. namely russia. can the minister tell the house who in the government is joining the dots and looking at the wider picture to encourage or ensure that future referendums and elections take place on a level playing field and are free from foreign interference? i think it does make sense to await

the outcome of the inquiries. so far as joining its a good question because a large number of government parliaments are involved in this very key issue and the office of the role to play in bringing all of this together. my lords, my noble friend the minister is always the most fair—minded of the ministers in this house. when hejoined with me in as far as foreign interference and join with me deploring the interference by the then president of the united states, mr 0bama on the anti—brexit side? despite the very, very flattering introduction to my noble friend pose a question, i have to say he has raised something that was not particularly on my radar. i'm very reluctant to get involved in diplomatic or foreign office relationships. perhaps i could write to him from taking advice from someone better informed than i am. the snp has renewed its accusation

that the westminster government is using brexit to try to grab powers from the scottish parliament. the party held a debate in the commons, demanding the government endorse what's called the "claim of right" , the principle that the scottish people are sovereign and should be able to say what type of government they want. the snp's westminster leader set out his case. and the conservatives have no mandate for the power grab on the scottish parliament. you can see the case as this. if scotland as the scottish people who are sovereign. i'm grateful to the right honourable gentleman for giving way. he has spoken about a power grab. if it is, why did his leader in scotland have to increase her cabinet from 16 to 26 because of all of the extra powers

coming to holyrood according to nicola sturgeon? my goodness, we're talking about the sovereignty of the scottish people and that's what we get. i'm not even going dignify that. people right across scotland want power in scotland's hands. recent polling revealed an majority of scots trust holyrood to make decisions and areas that the tories want to grab for westminster. what honourable members opposite claim is that scotland is a partner of the united kingdom because they want scotland and the united kingdom to be separate things. they are not. scotland is part of the united kingdom, scotland is at the heart of the united kingdom and ultimately that's what the right honourable gentleman objects to. david mundell. mps have expressed serious concern about the demolition of a village in the west bank.

israel says the buildings in khan al—amar were built without the relevant building permits and pose a threat to residents because they're close to a highway. but labour's richard burden called the demolition a war crime. people who live in these villages threatened no one. their crime is to have homes on land that israel wants to expand the illegal settlements. speaking plainly, it is state—sponsored theft. the timing and the action itself is deeply concerning. nothing is yet irrevocable, and in terms of what we are doing we are in a conversation already with like—minded european partners about what should be done next. for the actions of the netanyahu government rendered the solution to a geographical impossibility. this is the time for the united kingdom to lead the major nations of the world and recognising the palestinian state and to do so immediately while there

is still a state left to recognise. i think the best thing we should be thinking through is what option preserves important chance is there still are for a two state solution which has been so long sought for and is still in the mind of the united kingdom the only viable possibility the onlyjustice for all so security for the state of israel. and if there is a different answer i in 30 years have not heard it. i believe in a secure israel and an independent palestine. it is beyond comprehension how a remarkable country like israel, cultured, sophisticated and is democratic, whose people through this have themselves known such terrible suffering can encounter such wicked behaviour.

the contrast between israel that many of us also feel very deeply for and believe has many admirable qualities, that has a deep concern and bemusement about some of its actions which seem to go against that history and culture, and he'll have its reasons to defend their actions i know that it's for the israeli government to do so. for the rest of us this morning we are disappointed and very perplexed. alistair burt. when a dog attacks — who is responsible, owner or beast? the environment committee has been looking into whether the law on dangerous dogs is working. it's claimed the number of attacks is on the rise. and the committee has heard from among others postal workers and farmers. the dangerous dogs act bans four types of dog — including pitbulls. is the dangerous dogs act working? do you actually need those particular breeds banned or do

you want to admit is working and are you going to increase the number of breeds on the banned list? i'm remains to be convinced that these are for breeds types we should send a signal that they are now acceptable to have as pets, and it affects to encourage that there is not a problem with these particular types. the banned dogs were responsible for disproportionate number of attacks. 20% of incidents, 20% of incidents the met police are reporting are with pit bull types. that's 20% when the population of the pit bull is very, very low. you stood at 80% of the bikes out there and fatalities that are not created by pit bulls. i don't see how you come here before us and say the dangerous dogs act is working well. here we are talking when i have a list of men,

women, children killed, killed by this breeder. disproportionately, and here we are. i wouldn't want to go out and see the families that have been killed by any dog and say that's the legislation wasn't important. some charities believed there should be no breed specific ban. and people decided, therefore, the green knight was gone, we can have these for breeds, no ban against them as a breed and we were defied that there were increasing fatalities. everyone in this room and particularly people outside state what on earth have you done? it's not the dogs, it's the people. that's what we are not dealing with. that's in search of the question. do you accept that the incidents in tax has increased steadily over a period of time? the number of fatalities has increased its of the dangerous dogs act has not worked.

we do need to bear down and work with charities, with people who own dogs so that there is a better education for the dog owner to know how to look after an animal and for him not to be aggressive. but mr parish accused the minister of trying to frighten people and said again it was about people not the breed of dog. it's about the people handling those dogs, it's about the people actually making those dogs vicious, and how they use those dogs. and he highlight a case of what he said had been a good—natured pit bull type terrier that had been put down. as far as you are concerned, that is just collateral damage, it was a pit bull type,

it may have been good temper is, but as far as you're concerned, just put it down, is that where you are ? there was applause in the commons for the international development secretary, penny mordaunt, when she used sign language to tell mps about a global disability conference being held in london later this month. the conference will support the global effort to advance disability inclusion for some countries most vulnerable people. applause penny mordaunt. finally there were congratulations all round following england's world cup win — putting them through to the final eight of the competition. theresa may said the country had witnessed a "rare and welcome event" with england winning a penalty shoot out. can i say, i think the explosion of relief and most of alljoy can be felt up and down the country not just in a smoky room of the house of commons. last week and promised to fly the flag of saint george above number ten for all of the remaining matches that of the whole house will want to join me in wishing the england team the best of luck in the quarterfinal. let's keep that flag flying.

of course i congratulate the england team on a fantastic performance last night. wish them well on saturday in a match against sweden. outside the commons, a spokesman forjeremy corbyn wants a one—off public bank holiday if england wins the world cup. a conservative mp was in buoyant mood. after last night i'm sure there's one question i don't need to answer prime minister and as does she believe that football is coming home. well, rachel mclean only has to wait until saturday to find out! but there's a bit more parliament to get through before then, so do join me at the same time tomorrow for another round up of the day here at westminster. but for now from me, alicia mccarthy, goodbye. hello there.

a few saw the odd shower yester —— yesterday, a smattering to some of the gardens. they were few and far between and the weather headlines we re between and the weather headlines were dominated by the dry hot weather, 29 degrees we have across northern ireland but what a difference a day makes because this week band of weather here, this weather front is going to bring a real drop in temperatures in the day ahead. ahead of it actually, it looks like it will be warm and to the night than last night which means it would have been more in co mforta ble means it would have been more in comfortable sleeping but the change was brought about this cold weather front. most of the rain is across the north to iceland, very little rain on this weather front but what it does introduce is the atlantique eric. temperatures significant lower than wednesday but some sunshine around. not much whether at all. a

few spots of rain and drizzle. the head of it, we have a building again on the potential we saw red building showers. there are likely to be a few more around and it could be heavier with an even rumble of thunder and again, could affect the wimbledon area as we saw yesterday. temperature—wise, as i've mentioned already, it is a lot of pressure and it will feel that wafer northern ireland and much of scotland. in england and wales, temperatures higher than yesterday. the heat is building again, particularly in the south but on friday, would got that westerly breeze blowing a low cloud away a bit more quickly and any morning, this will clear and because we haven't got that weather front around, it may be in the far north and temperatures will start to recover a cross and temperatures will start to recover across northern ireland in scotland. it's a temporary dip that it will start to warm up,

temperatures getting high indeed to 30, possibly above because as we warm today, it will warm the nights as well. the fly in the appointment, if it's the sunshine you want, is the weak weather front towards the north but otherwise, it looks like this sunny and very warm weather will continue throughout the weekend and probably into the beginning of next week. goodbye. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name's mike embley. our top stories: the uk's counter—terrorism investigation intensifies, as a couple come into contact with the nerve agent novichok. the site is just a few miles away from the location of the russian poisoning in march. we can confirm that the man and woman have been exposed to the nerve agent novichok, which has been identified as the same nerve agent that contaminated both julia and sergei skripal.

training for escape in thailand — the boys trapped in a flooded cave get advice from the military on a possible plan to get them out safely. we report from syria on the plight of people in one of the last rebel strongholds under fire from government forces.