this is bbc news. the headlines at 2: cabinet brexiteer liam fox says mps have already decided on the uk's brexit options as he backs theresa may's condemnation of calls for a second referendum. let me tell you that if there is another referendum, which i don't think there will be, people like me will be immediately demanding it is best—of—three. a five—year—old boy becomes the third victim of a house fire in nottinghamshire. a mother and her eight—year—old daughter died yesterday. environmental groups criticise the deal struck at a un climate conference in poland saying it doesn't go far enough in tackling the problem. mps say the roll—out of smart motorways — on which the hard shoulder has been permanently turned into a fourth lane — should be stopped due to safety fears. and 11.7 million viewers tune in to watch the strictly finale. documentary maker stacey dooley and dance partner kevin clifton triumphed

in the 16th series and took the coveted glitterball trophy. and bbc parliament's david cornock looks back at a dramatic week in westminster. that's in half an hour's time. hello, good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. a leading brexiteer in the cabinet has suggested that parliament will have to look at other options if the uk and the eu can't find a way through on the problem of the so—called irish backstop — as part of the uk's withdrawal agreement from the eu. but the international trade secretary, liam fox dismissed suggestions of another referendum, saying it would not heal divisions in the country. here's our political correspondent, nick eardley. it is not hard to find divisions

over brexit around parliament. outside protesters with different views fight for attention and inside mps struggled to find consensus. theresa may is trying to get changes she hopes will win the support of mps, but with little success so far. many are discussing what happens if she fails. clearly if there is no reflection of the anxieties mps have had about being locked into the backstop without any choice, it is unlikely... which is where we are now, so if you do not get those changes and this deal is dead? parliament will have to decide on the alternatives. behind closed doors many are having those conversations what could happen next. this morning mrs may's closest allies discussed the possibility of another referendum. the chief of staff said he was not planning one and the deputy said he did not want one. supposing we had a referendum

and the remains had won by 52—48 but it was on a lower turnout. let me tell you if there is another referendum, which i do not think there will be, people like me will be demanding the best of three. where does that end up? it is right we should be having conversations across the parties about these issues. we are in a crisis and we should be putting party political differences aside and working in the national interest. labour is having a debate of its own on what to do next. there are split on whether to push for another referendum. but if it got to that stage, what with the party campaign for? we would push a labour deal that protect workers' rights, that protects our consumer protections and our environmental protections, one that has that frictionless trade the prime minister promised. sorry tojump in again... there are just a few days before

parliament breaks for christmas and some want a no—confidence vote in parliament and labour says it will try and force a vote on theresa may's brexit plan. after a roller—coaster period, there could be more to come. a young boy — who was brought out alive from a house fire which killed two people in nottinghamshire — has now died. the blaze in collingham broke out yesterday morning. a girl aged eight and a woman of 33 died yesterday. a man remains seriously ill in hospital. katy austin reports. a community in mourning. prayers were said during today's service at all saints church to remember three tragic deaths in the same family. firefighters were called yesterday morning to a house fire which claimed the lives of a 33—year—old woman and her eight—year—old daughter. today, nottinghamshire police said her five—year—old son, who was rescued and taken to hospital, has also died. a man believed to be the children's father is still in hospital

with serious injuries, and a 53—year—old thought to be their grandmother escaped unhurt. people living nearby have described trying to break into the house during the fire in an effort to help. the cause of the blaze is being investigated. i think we are all aware... all saints church will now be open every day until christmas, so residents of the close—knit village of collingham and leave prayers or messages of condolence for a mother and her two children. katy austin, bbc news. environmental groups have said a deal struck at a un conference in poland does not go far enough in tackling climate change. delegates from nearly 200 countries reached agreement on how to implement the landmark paris climate accord and outlined plans for a common rule book on cutting carbon emissions. but the commitments are not legally binding. here's our science editor, david shukman. applause and relief that two long weeks of negotiation were over

and that a deal to try to tackle climate change has last emerged. at the moment there are many countries in the world, many disagreements among countries to find agreement by unanimity, by consensus, so to fight global warming is very good news. most significant is a set of rules for how countries cut their emissions of the gases warming the planet. that was sorted. on finance for developing countries to help them adapt and go green, some progress, but they say not enough. and on promises of much deeper cuts in emissions, which many say are needed, that will have to be discussed later. many diplomats are relieved to have made it this far. but some developing countries, faced with the threat of rising sea levels, say the deal does not go nearly far enough and that bolder steps are needed. we have got two years. —— we have got 12 years.

the additions here today don't really solve anything. i think we have got to do practical things, we have got to cut down the emissions drastically in terms of emissions, so i think working together i think we can achieve what really we want. the real test is whether the deal actually leads to less of this, warming gases entering the atmosphere. and so far, all the talk over the past 25 years hasn't managed to achieve that. david shukman, bbc news. with me is dr michal nachmany, from the grantham research institute at the lse. it specialises in climate change. dr nachmany is just back from the katowice conference. what do you think has been achieved? fori97 what do you think has been achieved? for 197 countries to get into one room and agree on everything got better and work in a very compensated agreement, that in itself is a great achievement. the deal is not good enough, as we all know, but it sends a clear signal on

wearer must be progressing too. on the sides of the deal, amazing things have been happening to go with that, we have seen a momentum going in many directions, the first one is the investor community signing up — a very unthinkable a few years ago for investors to sign up few years ago for investors to sign up to this. the investor agenda, with over 33... up to this. the investor agenda, with over 33. .. you are saying it makes commercial sense to support climate change initiatives, adapting to the planet and so want in terms of business practice? absolutely, and business and systemic risk. the second thing that we see is a recognition that we need to transition into a zero carbon economy whilst taking social and political aspects into account, looking at what we call the just transition. some of their report one countries who signed up to that? so thatis countries who signed up to that? so that is good, but that is only a proportion of the countries that we re proportion of the countries that were there. to pick up on the core of this, isn't it the difficulty that what we had three years ago,

the climate agreement, the framework, now we have the detail of how countries will amend their policies and report their progress to the un. what we don't necessarily have each country is actual concrete steps, a measurable plan. easier says they will do this, they will do better than a business as usual case, but they don't specify how it will happen. if you are talking about trying to prevent climate change in the next decade, and by the middle of this century, all of thatis the middle of this century, all of that is not going to achieve that, is it? absolutely right. countries must now go home and ratchet up their climate laws, policies, the government structure that they have to carry all of this forward, and the money that they throw at this. this has to be anchored in a very robust financial commitment from all the countries. we know that countries are not doing enough, they are not doing it fast enough. most countries that have set quantified targets for example have set them

only to 2020, they must do something quicker and better immediately. we had a report from the ipcc panel, trying to set up what it thought would be the likely consequences, nibley can be 100% sure, but the likely consequences of a 1.5 degrees temperature rise. they are pretty devastated. some of the countries in the conference didn't want to welcome that report, there is another report come out today suggesting that we could be moving already beyond that in the next 20 yea rs or already beyond that in the next 20 years or so. already beyond that in the next 20 years or so. set against that, all of this hearty backslapping saying publicly done well, haven't we got the message that we won't sell at the message that we won't sell at the next generation, it all looks a bit thin. lipstick at the four countries who refused welcome, the paris agreement requires unanimous agreement. so 193 countries have wholeheartedly welcomed it. the 47

least developed countries and small island developing states have wholeheartedly and unequivocally welcomed it in a declaration from the least of all countries to. everyone knows that this is going on, the political interest of saudi arabia, russia and the us are all clear to us. the problem is, every country has little interest, that i just climate once stoppedm country has little interest, that i just climate once stopped if you look at the us, subnational cities and businesses have signed the american pavilion kolbe are still m, american pavilion kolbe are still in, this is not the federal one, this is moving forward, not fast enough and not good enough. it is ok to pause for a little, i do know if pat on the back is the right time, but for recording that this is the direction and speed that must be taken forward. doctor michal nachmany, thank you very much. you will be talking to us again about the next stage of the process. afundraising campaign by chester zoo to raise £50,000 following a fire which

destroyed much of the roof covering its monsoon forest area has reached its target in little more than 2a hours. chester zoo said yesterday was one of the toughest days in its long history and thanked the remarkable efforts of the zoo team and the emergency services which meant the fire was extinguished as quickly as possible. in a statement released this morning, the zoo said: a group of mps has said the roll—out of a type of smart motorways — where the hard shoulder is permanently turned into a fourth lane, should be stopped. the all—party group backed campaigners who say having no hard shoulder puts motorists and recovery workers at risk. england has more than 100 miles of all lane running smart motorways, with 225 miles more planned. but are smart motorways more dangerous than traditional motorways? someone who can help with the answer to that question is jack cousens, the aa's head of roads policy.

hejoins us now, thank you he joins us now, thank you for being with us on bbc news. let me ask you first of all about the conclusion of the mp's report. do you echo it and agree with them at this has to be stopped for now? yes, we do agree with the parliamentary group. that is simply because there is a lot of safety concerns around them, not just in terms of where there is an incident, because all lanes are being used, but also in terms of getting the emergency services to the scene of the accident. there was an incident yesterday, a road collision on the m25, on that stretch of falling running, and that... if all four lanes are being used,it that... if all four lanes are being used, it begs the question, how can emergency services get to that seen as quickly as possible? ambulances still need someone to land, and they

might not have somewhere suitable? there are methods that the emergencies answers can use, for example travelling back down the carriage rate in the opposite direction, once they are covered enough traffic has cleared in front of the incident. but for the majority of cases, they will come in the same direction as the incident and they will look for a way to try and they will look for a way to try and pick through four lanes of traffic, and they do struggle. when we gave evidence to the transport select committee, as well as the emergency services, we all raised that risk, but the government still decided that all lane running was the smart motorway scheme of preference and that of the one they continue to roll out. the alternative is in a sense probably public and political pressure for improvements to reduce congestion and the demand for motorway space means that this will probably continue in some form. it is unlikely to be abandoned. you are talking about emergency areas and more of them, where people can get

off motorways safely? under the original concept of all lane running smart motorways, there was supposed to be over 800 metres apart, and when it was filed, that was the spacing used. once they got past the trial, the government increased the distance to everyone .5 miles. so there are fewer of them? yes, exactly. after consistent pressure, highways england in february decided to change that to every mile, instead of 1.5 miles in stock but we still feel it is too far, and we would like to go back to the 800 metres used in the trial scheme full stop we understand that easing congestion and improving capacity is important, but safety should not be the comprising factor. it is striking when some of the figures that are quoted by the report, they say that last year on stretches of motorway which have all lane running

system, there were 16 crashes. over the same period, that is about 100 miles of road, in the same period in 1800 miles of road, those that still have a hard shoulder, there were 29 crashes. do you think that proportionally, the risk has increased because of this? we think it has, and it is partly because drivers are not aware, awesomely haven't quite grasped the concept of how they are meant to interact with smart motorways. indeed, they can be forgiven, because there are three types of smart motorways — management aware, which looks like a traditional motorail with a hard shoulder, but has a country over the top which changes the speed limit. there is dynamic hard shoulder which is the m112 where the hard job can be used at peak times only, and there is signage that tells you when to use the hard shoulder and not. and then finally there is the government's 13 which is the all lane running, the hard shoulder is permanently converted into a lane.

so you have four different types used alongside each other, and even within that, all lane running has two different looks and feels it at the moment. so established drivers can be forgiven it not understand fully how they are meant to contract. there is one thing that we can understand, that some people are experiencing more serious injury and potentially death, because of this approach to managing the roads. that is correct. one of the things that goes into this is when a vehicle is broken down, the gantry behind the incident, a red cross is about. for two years, highways england has sent out warning letters to drivers saying that you should not be driving ina saying that you should not be driving in a red cross lane. they have sent out more than 170,000 of these warning letters. so these people have been picked up on cameras driving in those lines despite their being a big red cross on the gantry above them?

absolutely, and we need the home office to get the conclusion that they need to start sending out and issuing fines and points for cross misuse. the whole reason it is there to try and protect the vulnerable vehicle as vehicle as much as possible. we understand from research that we have carried out that drivers will sometimes behave like sheep, so if they seasonably driving in that red cross lane, they are more tended to get into that lane as well. we need to stress and make it clear that you must stay out of that lane with the red cross for as long as you see that red cross. it is an important topic, thank you for joining it is an important topic, thank you forjoining us to talk about it this afternoon. the headlines on bbc news: cabinet brexiteer liam fox says mps have already decided on the uk's brexit options as he backs theresa may's condemnation of calls for a second referendum. a five—year—old boy becomes the third victim of a house fire in nottinghamshire. a mother and her eight—year—old daughter died yesterday. environmental groups criticise

the deal struck at a un climate conference in poland saying it doesn't go far enough in tackling the problem. bad weather and an increasing trend to buy online are being blamed for shoppers staying away from the high street on what is usually the busiest weekend before christmas. retail experts say footfall across the uk yesterday was down almost 10% compared with the same time last year. here's our business correspondent, joe miller. bruising year has left many of britain's retailers fighting for survival, and whether never, banking ona survival, and whether never, banking on a busy festive season. heavy rain heaped more misery on the high street yesterday and prompted many to stage right and shop online. there was a sliver of hope for retailers last week when footfall rose 6% on the year before. but figures from one analytics firm show a drop of 7% on saturday if you include retail parks and shopping centres and a drop

of 9% on the high street, adding further gloom to one of the worst novembers on record. analysts see few bright spots ahead. we're seeing consumer confidence drop, we're seeing costs increase and in general i think people are very nervous about spending. the british retail consortium predicts that sales will pick up in the next few days as more people rushed to buy last—minute food and presents. the fate of one chain in particular may rest on such a surge. debenhams, which lost a record £500 million this financial year, has rebuffed an injection of cash from the self—styled saviour of the high street mike ashley. his company, sports direct, which rescued house of fraser, had a stark warning for its wounded rival. we have put this offer in to interest another a0 million and it really is kind of the electric shock to wake them up to what is it in the last chance saloon.

some suspect mr ashley, who is already debenhams largest shareholder, wants the first claim on its assets if it collapses, an allegation his company rejects. but while debenhams and other struggling chains mightjust be able to afford to keep the billionaire at bay, neither they nor mr ashley's retail empire can afford a disappointing christmas. joe mellor, bbc news. we can just show you some pictures now of some protests that have been going on in the belgian capital brussels and that's led to some clashes with police officers as we can see. the protests are over migration, specifically the demonstrators are anti—migration proposes new rights for travellers between countries, and people are angry about this proposal, it is a highly contentious subject, particularly in parts of the border part of the country, they entered

belgium, and they have come to brussels, where the headquarters of the european unity, sorry, the european union. as you can see, right police are dealing with them, little bit of trouble on the streets of brussels this afternoon. those protesters are opposing un attempts to give more rights to migrants. it's the bbc‘s sports personality of the year awards in birmingham tonight. but, as the format has changed this year, we won't know who's been nominated until the programme tonight. let's talk to our sports presenter holly hamilton, she's in birmingham for us. ollie, we are envious, it is the party of the weekend! it is one of the more glamorous events in the sporting calendar, isn't it? the bbc

sports personality of the year, 2018. there are a few changes this year, this is the point when normally i would tell you about the nominees, but friendly, idid normally i would tell you about the nominees, but friendly, i did have a clue, no one does. the shortlist is top—secret this year. it will be revealed until the start of the programme, which is right on bbc one at 7pm. another change — we have a brand—new award for the sporting moment of the year. the shortlist for that has been released already, you have been voting online to choose your favourite between five nominees. who could forget the england netball is on the list, following their commonwealth gold medal in the gold coast at the world cup in russia. england qualifying for the quarterfinals after beating colombia on penalties. tiger woods' comeback in atlanta, alistair cook with his century in the final game for england at the oval, and in december, tyson fury coming back from two knock—downs to draw with

the heavyweight champion. those will be revealed tonight with many others, and if you haven't voted yet, there is still time. you can still vote for your bbc sports personality of the year, when the names are released this evening after 7pm. it is a good reason to junein after 7pm. it is a good reason to june in at seven, as we will only find out then who the nominees are. have the organisers expend this? i wonder if it has anything to do with the controversy of previous years when they released the nominations and there have been a fume at days of publicity in the papers mainly saying, it is now that this person is missing or intruded, or it is an outrage that these people have helped to do the shortlist. this is been the problem, sometimes, there have been around 16 or 17 names on that list. it gives fans or people in the local area a chance to read together a little bit of support. jonathan ray was a perfect example

last year, when the whole of northern ireland gathered together to make sure he was high up there. he came runner—up last year, but very well—deserved with four world championship titles under his belt. the other idea that this is to see more of the action. there are so many people on the list, and it is so difficult to see the reason why they are there and what they have done throughout the year. also, the introduction of the best sporting moment of the year, we will be able to enjoy theirs, relive them again, watch them in all their glory, and that surely is what it is all about —a that surely is what it is all about — a celebration of british sport. and a lot of atmosphere added the occasion tonight, we will look forward to that. holly, thank you very much, you will be back later as we have a special programme on the bbc news channel at 5pm, just after the headlines, you will be able to join the team in birmingham to watch the arrivals on the red carpet. it isa the arrivals on the red carpet. it is a red carpet, so even when it is

scored, hopefully plenary is wearing any of their sports shoes or boots on that red carpet, it could be an interesting dry—cleaning bill to be made. 11.7 million people watched the final of strictly come dancing on bbc one last night. the documentary presenter, stacey dooley, won the series with her professional partner, kevin clifton — who'd been a losing finalist on four previous occasions. our arts correspondent david sillito has all the details. it's the final! the strictly final, four couples, three dances and from the very beginning, it was ashley roberts, the former pussycat doll who set the standard. the big lift from dirty dancing was flawless. ten! the score, perfect tens. and those 40s kept coming. this athletic show dance on a raised and revolving platform. i personally as a dancer feel

that you've stretched yourself beyond limits, you've learned techniques that you were not familiar with ever before, you have brought to the show a life, a style, and i truly am grateful to you. of course, craig did try to find a fault... i had a small problem with your right toe, darling, but then i decided to get over myself. ten! not a point was dropped all night. but matching those scores dance after dance was faye tozer. this hollywood glitz in high heels on a very high top hat... at the end of this routine to fever, it was perfect tens across the board.

what an end of a journey. wow. wow, this is really high. but when it comes to a journey from being a non—dancer to doing this... ..youtuberjoe sugg was more than holding his own, ending with a charleston. you are the biggest surprise of this series. from a marathon night of dances tonight, you have just got stronger and stronger and it's an extraordinary amount of work that you have put in and it has paid off, you are a star on this dancefloor. for tvjournalist stacey dooley, it began with a foxtrot. and then an explosive show dance. everything was thrown at it. the crowd loved it! bruno tried to describe it as her greatest hits.

your greatest hits. but craig... i wasn't that keen on the dance. it was the lowest score of the night. and even at the end of a paso doble described as having power and passion, she was in fourth place. but this isn't up to the judges! all that matters is what the public thinks, and they saw it rather differently. stacey and kevin! and even more emotional was her professional dance partner kevin clifton. after five finals, his first strictly victory. so there it is, the winner of this year's glitterball trophy — stacey dooley. we have let to —— we have yet to see

his title track, but we can listen to his forecast. storm deirdre caused problems yesterday, a summary of what we had. freezing rain affecting parts of northern england and scotland, leading to a number of accidents. multiple accidents. scotland saw snow. windy weather, top gusts of 79 miles an houron snow. windy weather, top gusts of 79 miles an hour on the west of wales. outbreaks of rain pushing from west to east across southern england. clearing away from wales. in scotland, we continue to see some showers. but by and large, the winds for light overnight. it will be a cold night with patches of frost and