this is bbc news. the headlines: police in britain say they are considering trying to shoot down a drone that has shut down one of the country's largest airports for more than 2a hours. the closure of gatwick has disrupted travel for more than 100,000 people. the airport's single runway remains closed. us defence secretaryjim mattis is to quit hisjob in the trump administration. his departure had been anticipated in parts of the us media after president trump decided to withdraw us troops from syria — despite opposition from international allies and members of the us military. china has rejected accusations by the united states and britain that it's involved in cyber hacking in at least a dozen countries. it comes after the us charged two chinese hackers with stealing data world—wide over more than a decade. beijing has urged washington to withdraw the accusation. now on bbc news — thursday in parliament. hello and welcome to

thursday in parliament. as mps break for the christmas holidays a tragedy on their doorstep brings home the human cost of homelessness. it is simply unacceptable to see lives cut short this way. i believe we have a moral duty to act. these figures are the result of an increasingly fracturing system of social security and support, the results of government decisions, government choices. voters have their say on the week at westminster. i have had constituents get in touch with me just to say how embarrassed they felt about how this place conducted itself. and an mp reveals her christmas list. five days till christmas, will the minister promise me...? all that to come and more. first, an estimated 597 homeless people died in england and wales last year.

the figures increased by 24% over the last five years. the average age at which a homeless person died is 44 years for men, 42 years for women. and the scale of the problem was brought home to mps after the death of a homeless man in an underpass opposite the houses of parliament. may i express my sadness on behalf of the whole house at the death yesterday in the subway outside this house. i also ask members to be aware that in advance of an inquest the facts are not and cannot be fully known. therefore please show some restraint in commenting on that particular case out of respect to the family and friends of the individual concerned. every death of someone

sleeping rough on our streets is one too many. each is a tragedy. each is a life cut short. in particular i share the sadness that every member of this house will feel on learning of the death of a homeless man close to parliament only yesterday. as you say, mr speaker, while we must allow the investigations to take place, i will be asking westminster city council to refer this to the safeguarding adults board to look into the matter and see that lessons are learned and applied. today's publication of 0ns data on the estimate of numbers of deaths of homeless people is stark. with an estimated 597 deaths of homeless people in england and wales, in 2017, it is simply unacceptable to see lives cut short this way.

i believe we have a moral duty to act. this government is committed to halving rough sleeping by 2022, ending it by 2027. the minister had been called after an urgent question from labour. these figures are the result of an increasingly fracturing system of social security and support, the results of government decisions, government choices. 5000 people on any given night can be sleeping rough in this country. crisis estimates 2a,000 will be sleeping rough in cars, tents and makeshift beds this winter. 120,000 children without a permanent home. this cannot be acceptable. can the secretary of state, rather than blaming vulnerable people, as he did in his article yesterday in the guardian, for these failings, saying it was their fault, relationship breakdowns, and irresponsible behaviour, say whether he recognises that the welfare state should be a safety net for our society? no one chooses to be on the street.

no one chooses that life. the figures that she rightly highlights, as i indicated in my initial response, are stark. what is also stark in there is the 50% increase in relation to deaths linked to drugs, that those figures highlight as well. therefore these are complex matters that do deal with mental health and addiction. mps shared experiences from their constituencies. beneath the christmas lights we found a man without legs sleeping next to his wheelchair in doorways. we found wounded veterans sleeping in arcades. we met a man in the grounds of a cathedral who had had his benefit stopped. we met people fresh out of prison, we met people self—medicating trauma with drugs and alcohol. these are our neighbours. because of addiction or drink problems they will not or cannot

access the services that are on offer because many of those services do not have a facility to allow people with either drink or drug habits to come in. what more can be done to help authorities offer a service for those who cannot drop their dependencies and cannot therefore access many of the services that are on offer? at the bottom of it lies a chronic shortage of social housing. liberal democrats are demanding that we build 100,000 new houses every year, currently the number is 10,000, to address this shortage. when will the government recognise that the public sector will not deliver the number of social houses that we need? it is the public sector that has too delivered that. many homeless people on the streets have a little dog, often it is their only companion, but they are asked to give up their dog in order to get a place in a shelter. we heard from a wonderful organisation who provide veterinary

care and help to people who are homeless and have pets but can more be done in order to provide accommodation that will not only take a homeless person off the street but will allow them to keep their pets? the secretary of state is a boyish 50. the average age of the males who died in the latest statistics is 1m. the current crisis is a combination of complacency and austerity. it is shocking that the average age of some recorded in the figures today dying on the streets or dying as a consequence of homelessness is 1m. younger than my age, younger than the age

of the honourable gentleman. that is something that is stark and that undermines the chronic health issues, drugs and alcohol and other issues. and the need for us to act. the governmrnt has been accused of dragging its feet over controls on airports and drones. the accusation came from a peer as tens of thousands of people found themselves not able to travel. about 110,000 passengers were set to fly on thursday and it is feared disruption would last several days. sussex police say the incident was not terror related but a deliberate act of disruption. as details emerged, a conservative mp raised the incident in the commons. can we have another debate on drones and aviation safety so as to ensure that public are not put at risk, passengers are not deprived

of holidays, visits to loved ones, by the irresponsible and criminal action of these perpetrators? in the house of lords aliberal democrat peer reflected on the frightening ease with which to users could inflict damage on safety, security and the economy and she worried drones could become increasingly common. it is christmas and thousands more drones will find their way as gifts into the hands of untrained, and registered users. i ask the noble lady, the minister, if she will commit to introducing proper stringent controls on drones early in 2019? all airports are clearly now at risk. what steps are being taken to prevent a repeat copycat attack? these drones have been flown

illegally and anyone endangering an aircraft could face five years injail. police say they have 20 units looking for an operator or operators. do they have the expertise and equipment? they now say they are launching a campaign for information. has the government consulted, engaged our military, who surely have a higher grade of technology for dealing with drones? which ministers are coordinating the response? this is an ongoing operation, the police are in the lead and have operators on the ground and are doing all they can to locate the drone and its operators. all relevant members of government are involved in the response and we are doing everything we can but it is an ongoing police operation and i cannot give further details at this time.

i declare an interest, first of all as a pilot but also as chairperson of the all—party parliamentary group on aviation‘s investigation into air space in the uk. we are concerned with the incursion into air space by drones at this time. whilst i am reassured by my noble friend's remarks we do think there is a matter of considerable urgency that these matters are dealt with and complete accountability for drone operators and those that sell drones to the public are now implemented. we did change the law earlier this year, bringing an exclusion zone around airports, and we are working with manufacturers and retailers to make sure that these new rules are communicated with people who purchase drones. from november people need to register their drone and take an online safety test. we have consulted on extending police powers and will be making announcements on that shortly.

the house is grateful to the noble lady for the rather complacent reply she has given so far but it is a fact that repeatedly, as has been said, for more than two years, for the last five years, people have been raising concerns about drones, and the government has repeatedly dragged its feet. why at the earliest stage were not technical specifications introduced and required on all drones bought into this country or built in this country which would have enabled them to be disabled and brought safely to the ground? that technology is available and had that been introduced at the beginning it would have made life a lot easier. the penalties that have been introduced in the middle of this year are quite clearly inadequate, as we have already heard. why does the government persistently dragd its feet on these issues? i can reassure the noble lord that i am not complacent about this issue, we have been working

incredibly hard on it all morning. we have also taken action, clear action this year, introducing exclusion zones, bringing in laws to make sure that drones are not flown over 400 feet, and we are consulting on extending police powers and will be announcing on what we are doing with that. you are watching thursday in parliament. if you miss our daily westminster round up and want to watch this programme again, you can find it on bbc iplayer. that is a christmas box set for you. mps have demanded action against myanmar or burma over the plight of the rohingya muslims. 0n the 700,000 have fled their homes in the northern rakeem have fled their homes in the northern ra keem province have fled their homes in the northern rakeem province for neighbouring bangladesh since august last year. a united nations report

has suggested senior figures in the military should be tried over international law for crimes against humanity. spending time in our warm homes remind us, will remind us this christmas of the conditions under which people are living in the camps both in burma and bangladesh. being with friends and family reminders of those separated from their loved ones, sometimes for ever. at a time of peace and goodwill we should recall the fate of the rohingya people and other refugees around the world, subject to war, rape, execution, and mutilation, their lives destroyed stopper there is no dispute, these are crimes against humanity. this is a genocide. what we are doing here today on the quietest day of the year, not actually standing up and saying this house commands whoever is in charge to go along and try to put a charge of genocide, i would love that to be

a boat, we are not voting, not enough of us are here to vote, but i think the sentiment of the house is exactly that. the government believes that any judgement exactly that. the government believes that anyjudgement on the issue of whether genocide has occurred is ultimately not a political matter, but a matter for judicial decision. but it is therefore critical that we work to ensure that a credible judicial processes put in place. let me say, if i'm may, the burmese authorities wa nt if i'm may, the burmese authorities want to demonstrate there is no need foran want to demonstrate there is no need for an internationaljustice mechanism. they have to show therefore their commission of enquiry will lead to an effective judicial process. i share many of the concerns that have been expressed on the other side of their south about that process. i say that currently that commission of enquiry does have international, high ratten international observers. therefore we continue to maintain some hope —— high ranking. it can only work if thatis high ranking. it can only work if that is properly called into account thoseis that is properly called into account those is possible for crimes, whether in the civilian or the military. the foreign office minister. before

leaving westminster for their christmas break, mps were given a date for their diaries, january nine. that is when they are due to resume debate on prime minister's brexit deal but although the leader of the house angela lets them confirmed when the debate would start, she did not say when it would end when mps will finally get their postponed meaningful vote on the deal. can the leader give us a guarantee that there will be a vote in the week commencing the 14th of january, just as the prime minister has stated in parliament? angela lets and hinted there was reason for leaving the details a little vague. she asked whether they will be a new motion and that of course will be subject to what the prime minister comes back with, as he has made very clear, she is seeking legal reassurances to the issues around the backstop. the honourable lady will appreciate there is huge amount

of consultation on the prime minister is seeking to provide reassurance and if the honourable lady wants uncertainty to be gone, then she and her honourable and right honourable colleagues must ta ke right honourable colleagues must take very seriously the proposal that the prime minister is going to put before the house and consider very seriously voting for it. that is the way to get rid of uncertainty for the country. that others remained uncertain. this morning, on radio 4, speaking about the prospect for manage no deal, the leader of the house use the phrase in the event votes don't take place, why? what i meant was, in the event that such a vote was not passed by the house, sojust to be very such a vote was not passed by the house, so just to be very clear, such a vote was not passed by the house, sojust to be very clear, but will take place, as my right honourable friend the prime minister said in the week commencing the 14th of january. said in the week commencing the 14th ofjanuary. i will also note that we have just seen a line that the

government overnight in the past 24 hours has quietly edited every no deal technical notice to take up the world a re deal technical notice to take up the world are unlikely from the centres in the unlikely event of no deal. —— to take out the word unlikely. any competent government must always plan for all eventualities. competent government must always plan for all eve ntualities. that competent government must always plan for all eventualities. that is not to predict that those are going to happen but it is to ensure that we are never caught out by circumstances that are beyond our control, so the government will prepare for all eventualities and it is right that we do so. the snp were worried about wednesday's scenes, the row over whether or notjeremy corbyn called the prime ministers stupid woman, something he denies and angela lets them confrontation with the speakerjohn bercow over a similar insult he had previously aimed at her. does not seem to be much sign of christmas cheer in this place. yesterday, the house practically descended into a grotesque pantomime and he says, she says. the sight of the houses of ——

the party of government reduced to a furious mob, which is as bizarre as it was on edifying. the scenes in this place yesterday, mr speaker, we simply appalling over constituents get in touch with me to tell me how embarrassed they felt about how this plays conducted itself. we were deciphering what the leader of the 0pposition mustered under his breath with speech analysts and for the leader of the house to raise the temperature in the way she did yesterday was simply irresponsible. —— place. she is the leader of the house and she should be calling the temperature, not lighting the torch paper. i would say to the honourable gentleman, he and i worked very hard oi'i gentleman, he and i worked very hard on the complaints procedure and on the culture change in this place that ticks to treat everybody who works in clumsy with dignity and respect. —— that seeks to treat. so isimply do respect. —— that seeks to treat. so i simply do not accept his allegation that yesterday was

trivial. it is in very good —— is very important that we in this chamber know how to behave, it is very important that we are a role model if we are to succeed in changing the culture of this play. angela lets them will stop now what will happen to food prices were merely the eu? the answer may depend on how we live. —— now what will happen. the brexit secretary said prices may depend on if there is no deal with the eu. his comments did not go unnoticed in the house of lords. michael gove said that in the event of no deal, it would be particularly difficult to guarantee perishable foods coming onto the market and that would be impeded, and this is likely to drive up some price increases. is it about time that the government was completely honest with the british people that are no deal outcome, in addition to all the other adverse impact it would have, could have serious implications for public health in terms of access to fresh fruit? my lords, thank you. of course, it is

is why the government thinks that a deal should be made in we would encourage that a deal is the best way forward, but clearly it is the responsibility of any government to plan for all scenarios. that is why over the last two years, the border delivery group has been working extremely effectively, helped by the permanent secretary of hmrc and the second sector of the home office, precisely to look at ways of ensuring that there is a steady supply produce. my lords, could my noble friend indicate whether he thinks oranges are healthy food and if so, could confirm that under the customs union and our membership of the european union, the tariffs on oranges are set higher to coincide with the spanish harvest in order to prevent people buying cheaper oranges in south africa and elsewhere? so oranges in south africa and elsewhere ? so leaving oranges in south africa and elsewhere? so leaving the customs union will mean access to cheaper nutritious food from around the world and is scaremongering has got to seize if people are going to be

honest with the british people. —— cease. my lords, we receive, we produce in this country 60% from home—grown and then 75% from all that we could produce in terms of uk possible production, clearly oranges is difficult for us, my lords, and citrus fruit, and one of the important parts of the food chain and the food supply is yes, it will give us an opportunity and our future tariff policy will ensure that tariffs are set at the best interests of uk consumers, businesses and farmers. my lords, given that 80% of vets in abattoirs from the eu and that they are vital for the safety of our meat, will the government look at the visa system prior to brexit? i am being told by scientists that the current visa system is long winded, impenetrable, and not fit for purpose. if the

system cannot be understood by highly intelligent scientist, and if it takes many hours of their valuable time to bring members of their team from abroad legally into this country, the scientific research, it clearly needs urgent radical improvement. will the minister ensure that that happens? my lords, mayor place on record that my own experience of meeting many of them, the service that eu nationals ina wide them, the service that eu nationals in a wide range of sectors, but the noble baroness raised the veterinary sector and the food sector, they are invaluable to us and we want to remain here and indeed, we will want other people to come to this country to help us with many the thing and industries that we need help fork, andl industries that we need help fork, and i can assure the noble baroness we are working very closely with the british veterinary association and all the bets so that all contingencies undertaken because yes, the eu nationals working in the state veterinary service are invaluable to us. —— for.

state veterinary service are invaluable to us. -- for. water minister have a word with a secret society that runs this place and find out why the report of the european committee on brexit food prices and food security published in march this year has never, ever be debated on the floor of his house? so there is a conspiracy not to make this issue by those who love this place. well, i was a former deputy chief whip and i do not think conspiracies is something i felt about usual channels in the work. i'm looking forward very much whatever is put on the order paper but indeed, i really do welcome the questions we have had on food prices to give us an opportunity to set out what the government is seeking to do but my lords, i will perhaps make enquiries but i very much looking forward to whenever that debate is put on the order paper and for this or contribution i might make. —— the small contribution. parliament is

far too serious for that of course, that some mps did share their love of pets. i declare an interest here, mr speaker, because i do own the most beautiful cat in the world, at... what is the name of this beautiful cat? her full name, as named by my four—year—old at the time is gaston the turbosnail. named by my four—year—old at the time is gaston the turbosnaillj wonder why i did not know that, thank you. and the speaker was not the only one in a christmas move. there are five days to christmas, will the minister promised me no more austerity? musical challenge for the minister, penny walkmans, who also had a list of what you are seeing it? i am not. -- but was she

up seeing it? i am not. -- but was she upforsinging it? seeing it? i am not. -- but was she up for singing it? i would not inflict that our members opposite that she is right to raise the important issues she has on her list. pen wardens giving some ground in the battle to be parliament christmas number one. —— penny mordaunt. and that ends this week in parliament and the end of the parliamentary term. he is an lords will be back injanuary and so will i. until then, look will be back injanuary and so will i. untilthen, look out for parliament in review, looking back at the last 12 months. but from me, merry christmas and a happy new year. hello there. on thursday, most of the showers were across western areas, many eastern areas did manage to dodge them and actually had a fine end to the day.

but as we head on into this morning, certainly for the early hours, it's looking wetter and windier as the next frontal system pushes up from the south—west, bringing outbreaks of rain to england and wales, and as far north as northern ireland, perhaps the far south of scotland. very mild in the south as well to begin friday morning, all thanks to this mild plume tied in with this weather system. now, the weather front straddling central areas will tend to linger on throughout the day, so it looks like northern england, southern scotland, and northern ireland will hold on to cloud and outbreaks of rain, whereas for the rest of england and wales, skies will tend to brighten up into the afternoon, with some sunshine developing. apart from a few showers for scotland, there'll be some sunshine here as well. quite a divide in temperatures. south of that weather front, it's very mild across much of england and wales, 11 to maybe 14 degrees in london. to the north of it, temperatures nearer normal for the time of year. so that's how it's looking through today. now, as we end the day, it looks like the winds picking up further across england and wales,

gusting 40 to maybe 50 miles an hour for cornwall and devon, and across the english channel. you can see the isobars blowing in from the west. as we head on into saturday, we'll see this brief ridge of high—pressure, which will bring a fine day for most. this next weather system, though, will bring some rain to some of us for sunday. so this is the picture for saturday then. we've got fairly brisk westerly winds, a little bit lighter certainly than what we'll see through today. plenty of sunshine. a few showers across the north—west, pretty normal temperatures for the time of year, but again, quite mild across the south. now, it'll stay dry through saturday night, before this next weather system begins to push up from the south—west of england, bringing the next spell of wet and windy weather, again to the southern half of the country, as we move on into sunday, but it's going to be a fairly mild start once again to sunday, a few chilly spots further north. the rain will be quite heavy for a time as it pushes its way eastwards. so, into sunday afternoon, i think we should start to see a little bit of dry weather, although it'll stay quite cloudy with a few showers around. the best of the sunshine for the northern half of the country. nearer normal temperatures in the north, again pretty mild in the south, 12s and 13s.

this weather front may return northwards again as we head on in towards christmas eve, but as a big area of high pressure is beginning to build late on christmas eve and christmas day, it looks like things will settle down. so many of us will have a dry day through christmas day, with maybe a little bit of sunshine. but only clear spells overnight christmas eve means we could start with some patchy frost and fog in places. however, for most, it's going to be mainly dry. a very warm welcome to bbc news — broadcasting to viewers

in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: london gatwick airport's shut down for a second day — as ongoing flights by illegal drones leave a hundred thousand passengers in limbo. we have on site the police, supported by the security services and the military, looking at every opportunity we have to disable this drone and get gatwick airport reopened. us defence secretaryjim mattis says he'll quit hisjob — hinting that his views aren't in line with president trump's. reunited with their rescuers. an emotional return for the thai boy footballers trapped in a cave last summer. and we meet the "fortnite crackers". teenagers making a fortune by exploiting the world's most popular video game.