a% of their annual gdp output to military spending — double the current target. he made the remarks during the western military alliance‘s summit in brussels. of nato's 29 members, just five met the current target this year. the first images have emerged from the hospital where 12 thai boys and their football coach are being treated after their remarkable rescue from a flooded cave. meanwhile, reports say the boys and the coach were sedated to stop them panicking as they made their escape. croatia have reached the world cup finalfor the first time, ever after beating england. a strike from mario mandzukic in extra time gave croatia a 2—1 victory. the win sparked euphoric celebrations across croatia as fans filled streets and squares waving flags and chanting. now on bbc news, wednesday in parliament. hello and welcome to the programme.

coming up: at prime minister's question time, the substitutes are brought on but they disagree about the government's blueprint for brexit. we have ended up with them proposing a dog's brexit. perhaps she will tell us what the labour party's alternative plan is. for at the moment that's one of the best kept secrets in politics. a ban on foie gras after brexit? how would that go down with the french? any free—trade agreement between the uk and the eu that imposed restrictions on foie gras will be one with which they could not live. and: a new way to lose weight. i have lost 35 pounds this year because of worrying about brexit. it was prime minister's questions, but not as we know it! the prime minister wasn't there. she was in brussels for a nato summit.

theresa mayjoined donald trump, among others for the traditional photocall. things must‘ve been a little awkward — the president recently tweeted that the uk was "in turmoil". he also praised borisjohnson, who of course resigned on monday as foreign secretary. back in westminster, the cabinet office minister, david lidington was standing in. the shadow foreign secretary emily thornberry sat opposite, understudying forjeremy corbyn. but the line—up wasn't the oddest thing about the occasion — apparently there were pop stars in the public gallery. jay and merrill osmond, it takes some of us back to the 1970s. we are very pleased to have you. well done. emily thornberry. the two osmond brothers stood up and waved as mps cheered. and if you don't remember them from their ‘70s hay day — here they are with their other brothers. anyway, like the speaker, i digress. emily thornberry began with a reference to england's world cup semi—final to be played

later in the day. i may know very little about football, but even i can see that england's progress so far at the world cup shows what can be achieved when all the individual players work effectively as a team... cheering ..when there is a clear game plan, and when they are all working together, and, of course, when everyone respects and listens to the manager. so, can i simply ask the minister of state what lessons he thinks the england team could teach this shambles of a government. mr speaker, i think that the england team does teach good lessons, which is about the importance of having a clear plan, which the leader... ..which the team...

..which the team captain has the full support of the squad in delivering, and we will of course be publishing tomorrow full details of the united kingdom plan for brexit, which we will be putting to the british public and to our 27 european partners. when the right honourable lady gets up again, perhaps she will tell us what the labour party's alternative plan is. for the moment, that's one of the best kept secrets in politics. i thank the minister of state for that answer, but who does he think he's kidding? even donald trump can see they are in turmoil and he hasn't even gotten to britain yet. can i ask the minister of state once again as i did at pmq's back in december 2016, when he compared labour shadow cabinet to beauty on the bounty remade by the carry—on team. by those standards, what would

he describe his lot now as? perhaps reservoir dogs remade by the chuckle brothers? but let me take him back to ourfirst pmq's in 2016, when i asked him how it was possible to retain re—frictionless trade with europe without remaining in a customs union. i got no answer then, let me try again today. can he explain how the frictionless trade is going to be achieved under this government's chequers plan? the honourable lady will see the detail in the white paper, but if she had been listening to my right honourable friend the prime minister on monday, she would have heard the prime minister explain very clearly that we believe a combination of the common rule book on goods and on agri— food, coupled with the facilitated customs arrangement that we are proposing, will provide just that. and what is more, that takes full account of the wish of united

kingdom business to ensure that frictionless trade will continue. emily thornberry said there was, what she called, an "easy alternative" to the "mess". so, can i appeal to the minister of state to accept that alternative, do what i urged him to do two years ago and instead of trying to negotiate some half—baked, back door version of the customs union, get on with negotiating the real thing. what we have on the table from the government is a comprehensive set of proposals that we believe will deliver for british business in terms of frictionless trade, and will deliver on what people voted for in the referendum to restore to this house control of our laws, control of our borders and control of our money. the snp turned to donald trump's imminent visit to the uk. with protests planned across scotland and the uk

against president trump's abhorrent policies and dangerous rhetoric, will the minister follow the snp's lead and challenge president trump on his abysmal record on human rightsm, his repugnant attitude towards women, and his disgusting treatment of minorities? or does the minister think he will simply follow the prime minister's lead and join the president hand in hand? because of the security cooperation that we have with the united states, there are uk citizens who are alive today who might well not be alive had that cooperation and information and intelligence sharing not taken place. and it is therefore right that we welcome the duly elected president of our closest ally, as we shall do tomorrow. david lidington. the environment secretary has said he wants to see higher environmental standards after brexit —

but it would be hard to impose a ban on the import of foie gras. production of the delicacy is already banned in the uk, on cruelty grounds. but restaurants and shops are allowed to import it under eu free—market rules. the chair of the environmental audit committee said she was concerned about welfare issues after brexit — particularly given recent events. we have had sort of two years to get a three pager out, which two government ministers have resigned over. yes. so, you know, we've got legislation coming before the house next week where none of this is clear, and where we could end up seeing our environmental and social rights being voted off down the swanny in future trade deals. this is the problem with all of this, isn't it? it's all a big picture, it will be great, but when we get down to the detail there is nothing there. i think it is indeed when we get down to the detail

that there is a lot there, and i think the more important thing is to engage with the detail in order to make sure that the detail delivers. so, i absolutely accept the crux of what he wants to achieve and indeed the hopes that you have as well. can you tell us, is the white paper going to be published this week or next week? are we going to see it before the trade deal comes out or not, or the trade bill? it is the government's intention to publish the white paper, god willing, tomorrow. that is good news. we will move on to you, matthew. for one second. there's a message on my telephone, it is not that urgent, it is not of world shattering importance but it may have domestic and other considerations. would you like me to ask my private secretary if she can... making sure your prime minister's not sacking anyone out. friend, i would love to know.

i'm sure that the world is watching to see who is next. following the mobile phone excitement, a conservative turned to live animal exports. i was one of those people that voted to leave and actually does want to increase environmental standards, and that was my question to the prime minister monday. i asked her about our ability to prevent live exports. you are on the record as saying not only do you want to ban live exports of animals but also ban the importation of foie gras, which is already illegal to produce in this country, and we certainly would like to see an increase in the standards of domestic pets being imported into the uk — with some of the abuses from eastern european countries. the response i received from the prime minister was not very clear. and i would very much like to hear your view on how we will stop these abuses. michael gove started with live exports. i am open to a ban, but i also certainly want us to have higher standards than we do at the moment,

and it is the advice of officials that there is nothing within the chequers agreement that would preclude this or a future government from having a ban and certainly from having higher standards governing live exports. the critical thing is we want to remove checks at the border in order to ensurethat there is frictionless trade, but when it comes to live exports checks take place away from the border, and the advice i've received is that the common rule book as envisaged would not prevent us from having those higher standards. and the importation of foie gras? the importation of foie gras is a different question because that would require us to have checks at the border, so i'm seeking to see whether or not there would be that opportunity. i think also, and i absolutely take point about foie gras. i think also even if we were to have checks at the border, i think it may be the case that the french government on behalf of its farmers would feel that any free—trade agreement between the uk and the eu that imposed restrictions on foie gras would be one

with whichthey could not live, but these are ultimately matters for negotiation. but in general terms, i think the chequers agreement as outlined should not have imposed any restrictions on our ability to deal with the live animal export question. on foie gras, it is murkier. michael gove. later in the day, it was the turn of the international trade secretary proposals to answer questions about the chequers deal. the chair of the international trade committee wondered about his former cabinet colleagues — david davis and borisjohnson. what happened to the former secretary, and the than they did not have this enlightened understanding. it is not within my departmental limit. has discipline been restored?

the numbers of the cabinet are no longer members of the cabinet. a brexit—supporting conservative pointed out that no remain—supporting ministers had resigned. there is an assumption that he is a sell—out by the cabinet to the european union. what do you respond that i? i say that, what we were asked to do was to have no free movement, no jurisdiction for the eu, no continued payments to the european union and no customs union, and the single market. and if there is a free movement, by which ever mentioned, because into this mobility thing and everybody is now appearing that that is the next red light to be crossed, will he resign? free movement would not be acceptable to have free movement, in my view, a betrayal of what the people wanted for in the referendum. liam fox. you're watching wednesday in parliament with me,

mandy baker. if you want to catch up with all the news from westminster on the go, don't forget our sister programme — today in parliament — is available as a download via the bbc radio 4 website. labour has failed in an attempt to sanction the work and pension secretary, on the roll—out, the move on the spending watchdog, the national audit office. they apologised for mistakingly telling police, be in a old new benefits —— the new benefits should be rolled up faster. the nal is made clear that the government should not expand universal credit until until he can be at higher volumes, if the government fails to get this right, there'll be many people whose lives are made miserable by beth programme that is meant to support them. misleading to claim that the roll—out should be sped up. people were being treated like guinea pigs, she said.

with no regard to devastation this is causing for families up and down the country. they must not take responsibility for the real suffering being caused by the roll—out of this programme. she must call a halt to universal credit and have a plan to fix its many failings before many more people suffer. she says universal credit with helping people to work, and where there have been problems, she acted. and the roll—out is slow, and where we need to slow down, we have done, and where we've had to make change, we have done. there's still a level of chaos on the front lines, which ever one of my constituents, she could not afford to put shoes on earth child's feet. and this is coming from the man

is that there was no money left. chic is in the scaremongering. can they take the opportunity to apologise, it took me two days to apologise, would you like to apologise? i would make the right honourable member, madam deputy speaker, the answer is no. and then she turned to the chancellor for referring to remarks. maybe the honourable lady would like to take this apology on behalf of of her party, to apologise for such actions? the honourable member, there's actually a statement and i will have nothing to do with my campaign and 2015. so they'll be twice that we'd have no apology from the opposition. i hope she forgives me and i hope that i will recite what was said, because this nastiness, evilness is notjust directed at her, it is directed by my right honourable friend, and neighbouring constituents, to the one that she actually fought, and is a disgrace. what is occurring, how we stop it, i do not know, but at least we can apologise when it has occurred. and there was a clear recommendation that we should pause, and when i am recommending

is for that pause. and accused them of piling misery on families. constituents i had in tears on friday, for some reason, i hope she forgives me and i hope that i will recite what was said, because this nastiness, evilness is notjust directed at her, it is directed by my right honourable friend, and neighbouring constituents, to the one that she actually fought, and is a disgrace. what is occurring, how we stop it, i do not know, but at least we can apologise when it has occurred. and there was a clear recommendation that we should pause, and when i am recommending is for that pause. and accused them of piling misery on families. constituents i had in tears on friday, for some reason, universal credit and this government, they ignored the evidence.

it is happy to deceive and never accept responsibility. the secretary of state has been imposed since the start of the year, she has reinstated, she has introduced new support for kinship tariffs. that is what the secretary of state has done in the past six months. and i would just say to the house that we are not at our best when we make matters personal, rather than about policy. it would be better if we not crossed the line again. now the defence secretary has announced that the uk is to send more troops to afghanistan, security forces and noncombat roles. the announcement takes the uk commitment to around 1100. nato asked britain to deploy more troops a year ago, but the us increasing its contribution by 3000 by september. they made the announcement in the comments. i want to pay tribute to the efforts of tens of thousands of brave british men and women who have served in afghanistan

for the past 16 years. we will never forget what they did. particularly those a56 brave men and women who paid the ultimate price. as well as those who suffered life—changing injuries in the line of duty. our commitment to afghanistan remains an enduring one. although uk combat operations ended in 2014, our troops are playing a key role in nato's resolute support mission. by leading the security force, they are performing a vital role, training and advising and assisting their force, strengthening afg hanistan‘s democracy. they also paid tribute to those serving in the country. the uk has always played its full

part in contributing to these missions, we currently have personality deployed, as laws on the support mission. it is right that the skills and professionalism of our armed forces can our partners in afghanistan, by training their forces to the same high standards. can i does press slightly on the, i am not asking for a specific date, but how long does this increase going to last? as a long—term or a short—term increase? we're going to continue to work with our nato allies and we imagine and possibly review our structure, not just in terms of afghanistan, but also in terms of operations in iraq and syria, so we are constantly reviewing this, we'll be trying to encourage other allies to contribute and encourage, we already had discussions with other partners. supporting the statement on the remarks of my own up front bench, can i urge the defence secretary to redouble his efforts, to explain to the british public why we are doing what we are doing

and what how it impacts the security of the citizens in this country. there's a lot more to be done in respect to that, i know that the defence secretary is trying, but please explain. i understand his deployments and a very strong signal to the tower band that they will not be allowed to win. supporting the statement on the remarks of my own up front bench, can i urge the defence secretary to redouble his efforts, to explain to the british public why we are doing what we are doing and what how it impacts the security of the citizens in this country. there's a lot more to be done in respect to that, i know that the defence secretary is trying, but please explain. i understand his deployments and a very strong signal to the tower band that they will not be allowed to win. that doesn't send a strong signal to the treasury and even more formidable opponent will stop

and uplifting the two and a half percent and eventually, 3% of gdp, is necessary to find our global role adequately. we are very much focusing on the caliban, but what this goes to show is actually how britain can make a difference in the world will stop we talk about global rising, but is saved or suffocation on how we committed difference in definitions. berkoff at the scottish secretary to resign, they say he is not looking after the interests of scotland. in a high—octane edition, scottish mps let rip. a the want service member cabinet, and it seems very ineffective and he's even failed to respect

will of the scottish parliament, ineffective and he's even failed to respect the democratic will of the scottish parliament, he has failed to speak up for scotland and the cabinet, he failed to meet his promise to discuss devolution, when will he accept his billiards and design? the honourable lady did not get the chance and the debate last week, so she just recedes the same old stuff. at the heart of this, mr speaker, that we don't accept and do not like the representations i make on behalf of scotland and that is to keep scotland in the united kingdom. another and other mps that the agreement made, ran roughshod over scotland. relying on services and thousands of my constituents work in the service sector, that the prime minister is determined to make a deal, taking services out. has he worked out yet what the impact of the decision will be on the scottish economy and what is he going to do about it?

mr speaker, at the heart of the issue obviously is the fact that in the scottish government, which we could not accept is that they do not want to leave the eu. at the prime minister is focused on is leaving the eu on the basis that is best for british business, but also in respect to our referendum over the whole of the united kingdom. he resigned as the minister on monday at protest of the negotiations. he defended david. over the last year it has been a huge privilege to work with my right honourable friend on this issue. we agree with me that the ludicrous theatrics of the nationalist party are a disservice, not only to the people of scotland, but to the people of the whole united kingdom, to the detrimental effect they had on a passage of the eu withdrawal act? labour resume the attack. so they should have developed this over the past two years and handling

the deal demonstrating that he is notjust had an invisible man in the cabinet. what i condemn is a once proud union and labour party, repeatedly boating with the s and p, but they have become is just that little helpers. the head of customs, john thompson and his team have been described is what needs to be done, to get ready for brexit day. it is a big task and one that comes with some personal cost. it keeps you awake at night, what could go wrong the most with this now? obviously, no deal is a huge, i'm certain best, what else was white he did quite a long list of potential problems finishing by saying... i lost £35 this year worrying about brexit. it is a big task and one that comes with some personal cost. it keeps you awake at night, what could go wrong the most with this now? obviously, no deal is a huge, i'm certain best, what else was white he did quite a long list of potential problems

finishing by saying... quite a long list of problems... we have a core dependency. i lost £35 this year worrying about brexit. john thompson promoting the new brexit diet. from me, mandy baker, goodbye. hello there. temperatures are set to rise towards the end of the weekend and it will be quite hot, the risk of showers, and wherever they go, good news for

parched ground. we start thursday offered a rather cloudy note, through the overnight period, it should ease away. we should see quite a bit of sunshine. seeing showers developing. mainly across western areas. slow—moving. generally developing across south—west scotland, west of the pennines, in towards wales and south—west england. very dry ground and some localised flooding. plenty of sunshine, turning quite warm. as we headed to friday, increasing amounts of showers and thunderstorms, it could be a few showers from the word go and into the afternoon, as temperatures wires, we start to see them becoming more widespread. as we have a

towards the weekend, a big area of low pressure. it will bring more breeze and cloud. also drawing up some warmth on the near continent. temperatures balancing up across england and wales. from saturday, this is the picture. more of a breeze. cloud across the north—west of england into the north—west of wales. dry and sunny and turning quarter. 28, maybe 29 celsius. on sunday, a similar story with more cloud across scotland and northern ireland, more of a breezy, outbreaks of rain. the rest of england and wales, largely dry, sunny and hot in places with one or two locations in the south—east seen 30 or 31

celsius. it's warming up to end the week. we will also see some showers and thunderstorms. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is ben bland. our top stories: showdown in brussels: president trump demands nato countries double their defence spending. the first pictures of the rescued thai boys recovering in hospital, as more details emerge of their dramatic escape. dozens are still missing after japan's worst floods in decades. the death toll‘s now passed 170. and croatia come from behind to beat england and book their place in the world cup final. they'll face france on sunday.