the customs unions will lead to a hard border, leaving the customs union will lead toa leaving the customsrd border between ireland and northern ireland that has been an easy before. moreover, it will hamper the trades and transport of goods and it will take a big swing at the factories in england. it will hit the blue—collar workers that still work in factories. they are the ones who pay and i think that's stupid. are they the ones who pay for these ideological choices? dan dalton, what was your response to hearing bad language used about the strategy and do you think the conservative government should keep some sort of customs union relation on the table? no, i think there is a misunderstanding about the customs union. it is often portrayed as of staying in the customs union when you leave the eu is the status quo. it is not. it would mean, the day we left the eu yet stayed in the customs union we'd and trade access to all the countries that the trade has done trade with all over the world in addition to not being able to do deals ourselves. staying in the customs union means eu are only

so what will be the impact of leaving the customs union? trade between the uk and the europena union be affected? 0ur economics editor, kamal ahmed is here. thank you sophie. first thing. trade really matters to the uk — we export 28% of everything we make. our biggest customer is the eu. 43% of all uk exports go there. and to help that trade we are a member of what is called the customs union. that means that goods and services can circulate freely throughout the eu with no import taxes and few border checks. uk farms ukfarms are uk farms are able to integrate themselves into supply chain networks so farms can have their manufacturing networks extend across countries. the second main benefit is that large multinational companies who have located the investment and jobs in the uk in the first place, to take advantage of not just the uk first place, to take advantage of notjust the uk market but also the european market, the third benefit is that as a part of the large eu trading block the uk could extract concessions in negotiating with oth

customs union? potentially, very. thehe eu after brexit. it‘s talked about having a customs agreement of some sort, but not a customs union, because ministers say it‘s imperative to brexit that the uk can pull anchor and go out into the world and do its own trade deals, but labour has been moving slowly in the other direction, and now its commitment to a customs union is hugely significant, because you have a trade deal that will be put in front of mps in the next few weeks or months, and a handful of mps, tory mps, insist that should be used to try and persuade the government to commit toa try and persuade the government to commit to a customs union, and if labour as a block vote with those tory mps, a government defeat is possible, and that could take us into vote of confidence to retreat, so into vote of confidence to retreat, so it could be very significant. may isa so it could be very significant. may is a huge speech to make on friday, and that will be watched very carefully to see how that clarifies the government

would be imposed on the government. 50 customs union would be imposed on the governmentnion would be imposed on the government. so to make sure the referendum result is respected, it would be out with the old customs union and in with something different that would replicate it? it's like our membership of the single market now is dependent on being a member of the eu. it's the same with the customs union. what is being proposed by labour is that we will have an arrangement a bit like turkey, andorra, the smaller countries on the revelry of the eu that are not eu members but have done their own agreements with the eu. -- the done their own agreements with the eu. —— the smaller countries on the margin ali. with turkey, agriculture isn't included. the labour view is that the uk should negotiate a new customs arrangement with the eu on oui’ customs arrangement with the eu on our terms to reflect our priorities andi our terms to reflect our priorities and i think, since one of the main motivations in labour embracing this is to deal with the northern ireland border question

. leaving the customs union outweigh the potential benefitslj leaving the customs union outweigh thes. i am joined now by wes streeting, a prominent remain campaign. are we any further forward in terms of having a sense of what mrs may is seeking to negotiate? the prime minister was putting party political management ahead of the national interest. theresa may can say what she likes about the customs union and single market, a position does not command a majority of mps, which is why so many supporters of open britain, the campaign for the softest possible brexit, trying to put the pressure notjust on the brexit, trying to put the pressure not just on the government to clarify their chaotic position, but also won the leadership of my party, because if the labour party said tomorrow that we would keep britain in the single market and customs union, we know that position would command a majority, notjust a majority of labour party members or supporters, but a majority of voters in the country and a majority of mps in the country and a majority of mps in the building behind us. so, i ho

the government says we will leave the customs union and the single market after brexit. the customs unioningle some labour mps want their party to commit to both. it's a massive hit on our economy if we leave the single market, if we leave the customs union. it's a massive hit to peace in northern ireland if we leave the customs union. in northern ireland if these are core labour values. in northern ireland if but brexit—supporting labour mps argue the party risks betraying their own voters. you've come out, stella, with all these things, we will stay in the customs union, we will stay in the single market. the decision was quite clear to leave. in the north, labour voters voted very, very clearly. are you going to rat on them or not? voted very, very clearly. the brexit negotiation is not only a haggle between the uk government and the eu. parliament is critical, too. government and the eu. theresa may did not have an overall majority in the commons and a number of tory mps also argue that the uk should have a customs union with the eu. argue that the uk should so, a vote, when it comes,

cbi, the bosses organisation, said that they would really like to stay in the customs union. r is also signalling they want to stay. after easter, the likelihood is that there will be a vote in parliament on whether we should stay in a customs union. le crunch is looming. thank you, norman. the ceasefire in syria is feared to have collapsed — with reports of continued fighting in eastern ghouta, the enclave of damascus controlled by syrian rebels. the brief pause was ordered by syria's ally, russia, which said it would be repeated daily to allow civilians to leave. an estimated 400,000 people are trapped in eastern ghouta, and in the last week more than 560 people have been killed. martin patience is in beirut, in neighbouring lebanon. does it look like the ceasefire has been shattered? yes, i think it does. at last —— it lasted briefly, a brief period of relative calm, but it broke down with counterclaims on both sides, the government accusing the rebels of firing mortar shells ona the rebels of firing mortar shells on a fluctuation corridors which was meant to be used by civ

amendment for a customs union not the customs union. might you side withjeremy corbyn? rbyn?m union not the customs union. might you side with jeremy corbyn? it is ouramendment. it is you side with jeremy corbyn? it is our amendment. it is a discussion. i'm pleased we have had meetings with the chief whip. we will talk to the prime minister about it. the prime minister has to be in listening mode because the referendum is still divisive. we need to compromise for both sides of the argument. theresa may has been saying as well as liam fox, that we have so many opportunities to do deals with english—speaking countries and the commonwealth. if you add up all our trade with all of the commonwealth, it doesn't add up to our trade with spain, france and germany. my anxiety is that theresa may keeps on using this language. it's like she's gone seven rounds with the english language and it's come out bloodied. she uses all these phrases that simply don't mean anything. suddenly someone produces anything. suddenly someone produces a legal text, like the eu has, anything. suddenly

a warning from the eu — britain faces ‘unavoidable' trade barriers if it leaves the customs union afterxit. at downing street — the eu's chief negotiator meets brexit secretary david davis and asks for greater clarity without the customs union — and outside the single market — barriers to trade and goods and services are unavoidable. we want a comprehensive free trade agreement, and with it a customs agreement, and to make that as frictionless as possible to make as much trade as currently exists, as free as possible. we'll have more on today's talks — and we'll be looking in more detail at how trade would be affected by leaving the customs union. also tonight. a british man accused of hacking into computers at the fbi and nasa has won his appeal against extradition to the united states. a special report on one of the many victims of fentanyl — the powerful painkiller linked to a growing number of drug—related deaths. fentanyl‘s a killer, and those drug dealers are playing russian roulette with our lives. they give our children drugs, and our children, my child, died from it. a report f

it's a massive hit on our leave the single market and the customs union. ave the customs union. our core labour value. brexit supporting labour mps argued the party risk betraying their own voters. with all of these things we will stay in a customs union, we will stay in a single market, the decision was quite clear to leave and there in the north labour voters voted very, very clear. are you going to rat on them or not? the brexit negotiation is not only a hackle between the uk government and the eu will stop parliament's role government and the eu will stop pa rliament‘s role is government and the eu will stop parliament's role is critical also. theresa may does not have an overall majority in the commons and a number of tory mps also argue that the uk should have a customs union with the eu. so, a belt when it comes could force the government to change its position. the government insisted the uk must be free to have an independent trade policy after brexit outside the customs union. labour say they want to join a customs union. what does that mean? is i

the only thing i can say, without a customs union, outside the single market, barriers to trade and goodsstoms arrangements will be and what the other arrangements will be with respect to bing outside the union. it is pretty clear from that... trade is the obvious issue. will the uk remain closely aligned with eu rules and regulations? will it try to forge its own path, or, as seems likely, will it try to negotiate a mixture of the two? the eu is already warning against cherry picking the best bits. there are also a host of other issues on which we cooperate closely with the eu, like security and policing and foreign policy for example. new relationships need to be negotiated there as well. so, plenty to do is putting it mildly. no wonder that michel barnier said today that there isn't a minute to lose, but unravelling a relationship that has developed over more than 40 years was never going to be easy. well, we can speak now to catherine barnard, who's professor of eu law at cambridge university. shejoins us live now from cambridge. there appears to be a huge lack the. after today, our t

at 5 — a warning from the eu — that britain faces "unavoidable" trade barriers if it leaves the customs unioner brexit. at downing street — the eu's chief negotiator meets brexit secretary david davis and asks for greater clarity about the uk's approach to the next stage of the brexit talks. without the customs union, outside the single market, barriers to trade and goods and services are an avoidable. it's perfectly clear what we want to do and there is no doubt about it as you said your self we are leaving the customs union and aiming for a good future for britain. we'll have the latest on the talks — as downing street says it's confident of agreement on the next stage by next month. the other main stories on bbc news at 5:00. a british man with asperger‘s syndrome — accused of hacking into computers at the fbi and nasa has won his appeal against extradition to the united states. lloyds bank and virgin money has banned bitcoin purchases on its credit cards it says people need protecting from debts they may never be able to repay. donald trump provokes another row claiming the nhs is "going

the main thing is the customs union. etary says that he will resign if the customs union is agreed. but mainly because hisjob is to drum up trade. and he would not build today that with other countries. exactly. it is more complex, if we stay in the customs union, we will have to make sacrifices regarding free movement of people. it is not mentioned on these pages that immigration is the key factor. the whole idea of trade, at davos it was noticeable that you saw the prime minister of india and trump's delegation touting for business, everywhere was open for business. not the uk. this strange position that theresa may is thinking i have to keep the eu happy and on the other hand, i have all these brexiteers snapping at my heels. and there are very noisy brexiteers, some of them very able, but i have no idea how many of the tories in the house of commons pro brexit or not. but we have voted. everything seems to be so secretive. let's see the figures. then let the brexiteers, these three brilliant men, say what is wrong wit

we've brought together some conservative party supporters let's talk about the customs union. e know? call it what you will, she has ruled out the customs union time and time again. she is going to get is the best deal possible, we have to be willing to negotiate and put things on the table. there is scope for a future trade deal between the uk and the eu but right now we are waiting for the eu to come back with something reasonable. she is ruling out staying in what we have now, but she's not ruling out any future relationship? grace, you are looking unimpressed? it is always going on, this brexit stuff. i suppose she has i'iow this brexit stuff. i suppose she has now made a decision so that is good. if we are not in the customs union we have free movement. ithink if we are not in the customs union we have free movement. i think it is good we have made a decision we will not be in the customs union. so that is quite good. what about on this site? we talked about earlier, i think i will always want to remain, but you either brexit and you go properly or you do not do it at all.

there will be a cost of leaving, but leaving the customs union does not mean we cannot trade with thewe discussed this during the referendum campaign and it is this —— depressing we are still discussing this rather than getting on with the job of working out what we do afterwards. the problem is, a lot of people are revisiting that referendum campaign and a daily basis as we did not necessarily have the facts then, have we got them now?” necessarily have the facts then, have we got them now? i think we know rather more about the economics of leaving the union than we did although there are still lots of uncertainties. in terms of the costs, henry is right, if we were outside the customs union, we would certainly have more flexibility and that would make it easier to do our own trade deals with other countries. we would not have the tag on with the eu and there would be benefits for that. equally, there are costs and benefits of leaving the customs union which makes trade with the rest of europe harder. it will not end the trade with europe. the key thinking in terms of numbers is that

that would be that britain remains in the customs union. staying in customs union? it is a knife edge for the conservatives right now and we will learn more injeremy corbyn delivers his speech on monday. this piece is saying the arithmetic has changed but i have my doubts whether all those labour mps whose constituents voted for brexit would necessarily go that way. like many other people, i'm still wondering what the government have up their sleeve, kicking the scan down the road and saying we will tell you what our plan and we will have a series of speeches. we had a meeting at chequers last night and we still don't have any details. we think there was a surprising unanimity. they said they want to have managed to divergence, meaning you could cherry pick bits of legislation or rules from the eu that you would like to be closely aligned with, but donald katherine task has called this pure illusion and he is coming for his own meeting on thursday —— donald tusk. theresa may is getting her own meeting on friday.“ donald tusk. theresa may is

the european union. the government's consistent position is the uk is leading the customs union and the health secretary ind a different way. customs union is one way of getting frictionless trade but is not the not the only way and what we are saying is we want to achieve frictionless trade, but by agreement between two sovereign bodies, the united kingdom and the european union. jeremy hunt making it clear the government's position hasn't changed but there are those who are saying a customs union is to the uk's advantage after brexit not least they say, because it would help solve the situation of the border in ireland between the republic of ireland between the republic of ireland and northern ireland. is that business of how you maintain a open border there. outside of the customs union, which becomes rather tricky in the eyes of many. this comes down to arithmetic. of course, the conservatives did not get a majority of last year's elections are the numbers are piped for them, and the estimate is you will only need 10—12— 14 conservative mps willing to back the idea of some sort of customs union and

the european union are very logical, i think. the uk wants to enjoy the advantages of the single market, the customs union, it has therefore to acceptansition. very logical. it also has to except the consequences of its decision to leave the european union, to leave it institutions and its policies. to be quite frank, if these disagreements persist, the transition is not a given. michel barnier part of that quite lengthy news briefing in the last little while in brussels. let's speak to our brussels reporter adam fleming. this is what has happened. they were meant to discuss the future relationship and the uk's approach to future relationship this morning. and a stand that that was going to beat 0llie robbins, who will speak to michel barnier‘s deputy, who is his opposite number. i have heard that michel barnier came to that meeting and that 0llie robins is not allowed to speak to him because they are not in the same level, michel barnier negotiates with david davis, not 0llie robins. however, european sources are saying not 0llie robins. however, european sources are saying that that will not happen this afternoon, they will just h

theresa may is appeasing tory brexiteers by scrapping plans to remain in the customs union, accordinghile the times says a cabinet compromise on the customs union, is on the cards. a top bank of england official warns against post—brexit, banking deregulation in the financial times. the guardian has an exclusive on a secret fraternity of freemasons which is continuing to operate in westminster. lloyds becoming the first bank to ban customers from using credit cards to buy bitcoin, is the telegraph's top story. the express says it's time to wrap up warm, describing the forthcoming cold spell as a "scandinavian freeze". and on the same story, the mirror says temperatures are going to plummet to minus 1a. that's the flavour of tomorrow's front pages — no real consensus on what the main story is, so let's see what's appealed to our guests this evening. i know you will kick us off with the eye and the woes of theresa may. she is there in china saying she is not a quitter and she is her own person. she is increasingly not. that does make me sad because she is a female prime minister and i t

at 11: the eu's chief negotiator warns the uk faces unavoidable trade barriers if it leaves the customs union after brexit. without a customs union outside the single market, barriers to trade and goods and services are unavoidable it's perfectly clear what we want to do and there is no doubt about it, as you said yourself, we are leaving the customs union and aiming for a good future for britain. a british man with asperger‘s syndrome, accused of hacking into computers at the fbi and nasa, has won his appeal against extradition to the united states. end of the line for stagecoach. the government cancels the contract of the company that operates the east coast mainline after it gets into financial difficulties. and on newsnight: a leading conservative tells us theresa may should kick out the hardline brexiteers in her party who she says are not proper tories. good evening and welcome to bbc news. theresa may's decision to rule out being a member of any kind of customs union after brexit will result in new trade barriers on british goods and services. that was the warning delivered by the eu's

they do things that anna soubry was objecting to, one leaving the customs union, and never leaving theecided to pursue that for two simple reasons. the first with the customs union is to have the freedom to strike trade deals elsewhere in the world, and leaving the single market is essential because she judges, and i think she was this strongly, that the british public will also determined that we should have greater control over our borders. she says? and you can't do that unless you leave the single market. those of two reasons, it is not to do with any faction in the conservative party. she feels differently, she calls them ideological brexiteers who are not tories. let me run is passing. something has to give. if theresa may doesn't stand up and show, as she calls it, spine, not only will we get jacob rees—mogg as prime minister, she says, we will get a hardline brexit that will cause damage... would you welcomejacob rees—mogg is prime minister? when she says devastating hardline brexit she was objecting to two things the prime minister has decided. leaving the single market and le

in other words, we would be much better remaining in the customs union. id that he believes it would be so bad for the british economy outside of the customs union and the single market, that britain will have to apply to rejoin. he has said ina have to apply to rejoin. he has said in a speech that british business will become less competitive, it will become less competitive, it will become less competitive, it will be at a disadvantage compared to eu companies and that inward investment will be hit and that britain, one of the most open economies in the world, will become one of the most bureaucratic, because of the need for broader checks and massive amounts of paperwork. he has said there will have to be checks to make sure that companies exporting into the eu comply with origin of country regulations, with hygiene regulations, with hygiene regulations, security regulations, vat payments and that if the british government wants to negotiate the sort of deal it is seeking, it would not need a cracked negotiating team, instead it would need a fairy godmo

the shadow brexit secretary has confirmed that labour wants the uk to remain in a customs union with after brexit. sir keir starmer told the bbc‘s andrew marr show that a new treaty, replicating the existing customs arrangement, would be best for the economy and would respect the referendum result. the prime minister is committed to leaving both the single market and the customs union, she's expected to outline the government's position in more detail this week. our political correspondent ben wright reports. for the first time there is clear blue policy water between labour and the tories over brexit. in a speech tomorrowjeremy corbyn will confirm his party would keep uk in a customs union with the eu after brexit. crunch time is coming for the prime minister because the majority of parliament does not back our approach to a customs union. neighbour brexit bushman said the would—be bedrock teaming up with the eu to reach trade deals with other countries. it is the only way to get realistically tariff free access, it is really important for our manufacturing base, and nobody can answ

warned that trade barriers would be "unavoidable" if theresa may carried out her plan to leave the customs unionm the government's commitment to leaving the single market and customs union, the minister said they had been clear. post exit, we want to have a deep and special relationship with our neighbours going forward. but we also want a smooth transition and it's really important that we have an implementation period that enables us to make sure that the 3 million eu citizens here are allowed to register smoothly and seamlessly. but he will be as aware as i am the prime minister has been very clear we're leaving the single market and the customs union. it's really important when discussing immigration to recognise that the overwhelming number of people who come to our country come here to work. we are grateful for the work that they do and we should always welcome the contribution to make to our country. and also, could she confirm the customs union has got diddly squat to do with immigration? it's emerged that the government is considering directly operating train services on the east coast

i think that corbyn will go for the customs union. union. i think it's all aboutjobs a customs union. i think it's all about jobs and the a customs union. i think it's all aboutjobs and the shadow foreign secretary saying, it's the right thing to think. not only does it put the debate in a new existential one for the challenge to the government in the house in a real way, then tory rebels must think, what do i do now, do i vote with the labour party in favour of a customs union, but i could bring down the government? they must decide whether they are a remainer before they are a tory. they must decide whether they are a remainer before they are a torylj think many will decide they are a tory before they are a remainer. if corbyn does that, the other domestic thing to think about is he crushes the liberal democrats, which is a long—term labour party aim and with which i don't entirely lack sympathy. he crushes them because? they have been the pro—european party but if labour is pro—european and laugh and has the potential of getting in

theresa may is appeasing tory brexiteers by scrapping plans to remain in the customs union, meanwhile the times says a cabinet compromise on the customs union is on the cards. then a top bank of england official warns against post—brexit banking regulations. the guardian has an exclusive on a secret fraternity of freemasons which is continuing to operate in westminster. lloyds is becoming the first bank to bank customers from using credit cards to buy bitcoin. and the express says it is time to wrap up warm, describing the forthcoming cold spell as a scandinavian freeze. 0n the same story, the mirror says temperatures are going to plummet to minus 1a. that is a little flavour. no real consensus on what the main story will be, let us see what has appealed to i guess this evening. you will kick us off with the eye. brexit, what is the latest development. theresa may is trying to soothe the hardliners. this is the head of the biggest summit. the cabinet are planning to sit down and have a discussion about what will happen, what the deal will look like. i don't think i would wa nt to look

you can't make the border with ireland and the good friday agreement work with coming out of the customs union keep the uk together, he says, no, the red line is we got to come out of the customs union and single market. i think the priorities are all wrong. we have an international agreement, the good friday agreement, that we signed up to in good faith, it's been accepted in good faith, it's been accepted in good faith. in december, we promised there would be regulated realignment if nothing else could work for the border. and here we are a few weeks later, suddenly saying, well, we didn't really mean it. and laura, this has come out as part of a lea ked this has come out as part of a leaked letter? yes, which was submitted ahead of this big crunch meeting at chequers. it is extraordinary given the government's position, which they have reaffirmed tonight, is that there will not be a return to a hard border. the prime minister has been very clear on that for that we've talked about with the good friday agreement, but also the dup would not countenance it, and they provide the prime minister

this of the uk is to leave the customs union. what impact would have an ireland? anything which is less than the current situation, where both ireland and the uk are pa rt where both ireland and the uk are part of a single market and part of the customs union is suboptimal. interestingly, the customs union and an fta show more or less the same impact but there is diversion is representing the costs associated rather than tariffs and trade costs. martin shanahan there speaking to joe lynam. australia has ordered a compulsory recall of more than two million vehicles — which could be at risk from faulty airbags made by the japanese firm takata. it said a voluntary recall announced last year hadn't been effective. it's one of the country's biggest consumer recalls and comes after at least 20 deaths and more than 200 injuries reported worldwide. hywel griffith is in sydney. welcome to you. this has been a global issue, hasn't it, why has austria made the recall compulsory? there was already a voluntary recall last year but the government are not satisfied with the resp

we have also confirmed we will leave the customs union, the series of external tariffs on agricultural eu and faces a common external tariff. we will have our own tariffs, we will be able to set our own free trade agreement. but it does leave open quite a few large issues, how will we manage the border between the eu and the uk in ireland? border between the eu and the uk in ireland ? that border between the eu and the uk in ireland? that is currently virtually nonexistent, you would be lucky if you could spot it. and how we will deal with goods that are right in the uk that are shipped on to the eu, things that are made in the uk and shipped to the eu, what happens to them at the border? thanks. let's show you what is online. tesco has got a new boss. tesco is merging with the wholesaler group, booker and we are told that its boss, charles wilson, will become the new chief executive of tesco in the uk. the group executive remains dave lewis, he will be tesco group ceo as he was before. you're watching business live, our top story: the heir to samsung, the world's biggest smartphone ma

mean the uk would need to accept union mean the uk would need to a cce pt of union mean the uk would need to accept of citizens? no. the customsital. he says he wants to stay close to the single market, not exactly spelling out how it would work. but not be part of it. he also said, this is important, labour's priority is always going to bejobs over other labour's priority is always going to be jobs over other issues such as immigration, for example. our immigration system will change and freedom of movement will as a statement of fact end when we leave the eu. but we have also said in the trade negotiations our priority is growth, jobs and people's living standard. we make no apologies for putting those aims before bogus immigration target. labour would design our immigration policy around the needs of the economy is based on fair rules and management of migration. is there a chance on the basis of this speech labour will be accused of wanting to have its cake and eat it like the conservatives? the problem for government and labour is it is all very good setting out a position but it needs to be agreed with 27 other countries

how did it relate to business and the customs union? mpanies based in the uk because they have become used to having, as you described, this tariff free access for the whole of the european market. when she bought goods, you can move them across borders without any other payment of tariffs. a lot of companies rely on that with what they called just—in—time manufacturing. i have been looking in particular at the car industry. this is the bmw factory in oxford mentioned by mr corbyn where they make the mini. its components cross eu borders multiple times. a crankshaft cast in france crosses to a plant in warwickshire to be finished. and then goes back to austria to be built into an engine which then comes back to oxford to be put in a completed car. half the cars built in oxford are then exported back to the eu and it is all tariff free. the government argues the problem with a customs union is you cannot negotiate during trade deals around the world. a key part of taking back control. it is true you are constrained, you cannot alter tarif

versus the customs union! aid, customs unions are a good thing for the economy. and the way that they work is essentially they allow goods to move between countries without tariffs. and so right now, britain's economy is very heavily linked with europe's. and introducing tariffs and that would slow down manufacturing, it would make places like dover or theoretically the irish border hard borders, and much more difficult for goods to travel between, and it would have a very negative effect on the economy. this is positive news thatjeremy the economy. this is positive news that jeremy corbyn seems to be moving in sort of a softer brexit direction. i wonder if this is a turning point. but, of course, labour are not turning point. but, of course, labourare not in turning point. but, of course, labour are not in power. although theresa may is running a minority government, supported by the dup. yes, and she is facing this sort of really tricky week. i mean, it's the big brexit week. she's making a speech on friday s

just in terms of the customs union, do you think people get confused about the customs union, the bitpean arrangements we are part of? others say we could still have a customs union, so might that be part of this bespoke or individual deal? yes, we heard amber rudd talking about a bespoke relationship and others have talked about a bespoke relationship, not having the same kind of deal like norway where it still has to adhere to a lot of rules without having a say. in terms of if you listen to what many of the brexiteers are saying, they want to have a unique relationship with the eu and one that is not as close as it currently is. from what we have heard from amber rudd today it suggests britain is looking for a trade relationship. britain needs a trade relationship with the eu because it is our biggest market. people talk about china, but the eu is britain's closest market and it needs a relationship. they will be pushing for a specific, bespoke relationship with the eu. as we said before, there needs to be this discussion about the transition period first and that is the key thing

the primary sticking point is customs arrangements and whether the uk signs a replacement for existing customs unionsomething like turkey has, because turkey is a member of the different customs union with the eu, or whether the uk tries to do it all with a free trade agreement. you would expect by now there are to be a clear position on that, but as i said, they have moved a long way. the uk is leaving for probably a much harder brexit than might have been the case a year or a year and a half ago, so it has having a more pure brexit. on that final sticking point, the customs union, that could be where there is a lot of parliamentary fireworks over the course of the next six months. that might be where mps, because remember that theresa may does not have a majority at, or only a majority with the help of the minority party, that might be where rebellion of mps brings the whole thing clashing down. agnes, seems some in the eu are considering changes to the brexit schedule? it is nice to hear you who are in favour of brexit. yes, very much. i wish you were doing the negotiation, actually. we could put

and the customs unionthat is the need for the uk to be able to negotiate its own trade deals beyond the eu. he would set, as a condition for his proposed new customs union, a definitive uk say in future eu trade deals. a new customs arrangement would depend on britain being able to negotiate agreement for new trade deals in our national interest. labour would not countenance a deal that left britain as a passive recipient of rules decided elsewhere by others that would mean ending up as a mere rule taker. it was no mistake thatjeremy corbyn chose coventry, which voted leave. he wanted to show that he intends to abide by the letter and the spirit of brexit by negotiating a bespoke relationship with the eu. today's speech was the culmination of painstaking negotiations within the shadow cabinet. jeremy corbyn has historically been wary of the eu, which he criticised today for embedding free—market orthodoxy. but there are more enthusiastic supporters of the eu in the shadow cabinet, and they were delighted w

the absence of those. staying in a customs union excludes the financial sector, so important to the uk? last week which was to effectively say the questions of our customs union is only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. you need a wider free trade agreement enveloping the entire arrangement. it does not solve the northern irish border or with respect to what our relationship with the single market is right. you heard some references to that injeremy corbyn‘s speech. it is one piece of a bigger puzzle. we need clarity from the uk government and the labour party. interesting he talked about the uk's participation in european regulatory agencies. theresa may said she thought the uk could have case—by—case participation. maybe we are seeing baby steps with regards to the detail being thrashed out. —— fleshed out. here is frank field. i don't know how much you caught. the institute of directors giving a qualified welcome tojeremy of directors giving a qualified welcome to jeremy corbyn‘s of directors giving a qualified welcome tojeremy corbyn‘s remarkss but not that you share? welcome tojere

personally, i think we need to stay in the customs union. gements, the customs union is the best option. if theresa may finally comes round and see sense that we have to stay in the customs union, the labour party would welcome that. leila, i had peter benn at the moment ago saying people don't care about the customs union. they want to end freedom of movement, stop sending money to brussels and control of our laws. and he is probably right, isn't he? i think they care most about their jobs and how this will affect them and theirfamily. if jobs and how this will affect them and their family. if we have a customs union that is prohibitive for business, that will not be good for business, that will not be good for people'sjobs for business, that will not be good for people's jobs and that realisation is suddenly coming round. that is why the liberal democrats have always pushed to stay in the single market as well.|j think vince cable scored the only real hit today when he challenged on us contracts for the nhs. is that a hit or a glancing blow

jeremy corbyn will announce tomorrow that a labour government's policy would be for the uk to enter a new customs union after brexit. we've long championed being in a customs union with the eu and the benefits of that, it is the only way realistically to get tariff—free access, really important for our manufacturing base and nobody can answer the question of how you keep your commitment to no hard border in northern ireland without a customs union. staying in a customs union would mean britain continuing to trade freely with other eu countries. this, says sir keir starmer, would be best for britain's manufacturers. but it would limit our ability to strike new trade deals outside europe. brexit—supporting labour mps say staying so closely tied to the eu does not keep to the spirit of the referendum result. what is wrong with it is the country voted to leave and while it is really important we negotiate a free—trade agreement with europe, the eu is a bankrupt organisation, it has never had its accounts signed off, it needs our money. the conservatives have been warned it is crunch time for theresa may. t

warning from the eu — britain will face ‘unavoidable‘ barriers to trade if brexit means it leaves the customs union single market. this fellow. —— hello. stocks in china, hong kong and japan have opened sharply lower as asian markets react to a record fall in the dow, the main american stock market index. the dow closed down more than 4% — over a 1000 points — the biggest one—day point fall in history. investors are reacting to the latest data on wages in the us, which suggest bigger interest rate rises might be on the way. katie silver reports. little did they know, they were ringing in the bell on what was to be the worst day on wall street in a decade. the dow jones industrial average, which measures the performance of 30 major companies, fell by an unprecedented 1,175 points. and it wasn't the only index to tumble. the nasdaq composite dropped almost 3.8%, while the s&p 500 lost more than 4%, its biggest drop since 2011. the trouble began last friday when new figures showed wages in the us were growing faster than expected. investors predict that a rise in salaries will cause more people to spe

a warning from the eu, britain will face "unavoidable" barriers to trade if it leaves the customs union and single market after brexit. and 100 years since women in the uk got the right to vote. we look at the actions and sacrifices of those who made it happen. hello. stocks in china, hong kong, and japan have opened sharply lower as asian markets react to a record fall in the dow, the main american stock market index. the dow closed down more than 4%, over 1,000 points, the biggest one—day point fall in history. briefly, it fell more than 10% from its record high injanuary. investors are reacting to the latest data on wages in the us, which suggest bigger interest rate rises might be on the way. katie silver reports. litter did they know they were ringing in the bell of what was to be the worst day on wall street in a decade. —— little did they know. the dowjones industrial average, measuring 30 major companies, fell by an unprecedented 1175 points. it was not the only one to. the nasdaq composite dropped almost 8%. the snp 500 dropped 4.10%, the biggest since 2011. the trouble began l

and that labour had long championed the benefit of a customs union. licy shift marks a clear difference with theresa may, who is committed to leaving the eu's customs arrangement and the single market. our political correspondent emma vardyjoins me now. this is quite an important change by labour. each shift of policy on the customs union. there have been months of uncertainty on labour's position. what its vision was in times of britain's future relationship with the eu after brexit. this now marks labour moving decisively towards a much softer version of brexit. while a harder version of brexit. while a harder version being pursued by theresa may. it really separates the parties, putting them into clear positions. staying within a cost customs union, labour's new policy, this would mean britain would still need to impose tariffs on goods coming into the country and abide by many of the rules and regulations we currently do within the eu. as opposed to theresa may's version, leaving the customs union, with much more room for britain to divert, go off

the uk will leave the customs union, number 10 insists. within the conservative party and the mood music coming from number 10 as to how the uk will progress with its exit discussions with michel barnier. that meeting ta kes pla ce with michel barnier. that meeting takes place this week, it is a critical week and we will keep you will cross the latest on that. —— across. now it is time look at the stories that are making the headlines in media across the world. we begin with the arab news which says france and turkey plan to create a "diplomatic road map" for an end to the war in syria. that's according to the office of french president emmanuel macron the ft shows greek demonstrators on its cover as hundreds of thousands took to the streets in a dispute over the naming of macedonia. many greeks object to the country calling itself macedonia, saying it implies a territorial claim on greece's northern macedonia region. the telegraph carries a warning from lloyds bank who have become the first to ban customers using credit cards to buy bitcoi

the primary sticking point is customs arrangements and whether the uk signed a replacement for the existing customs unionmething like turkey has because turkey is a member of a different customs union with the eu, or whether the uk tries to do it all through a free trade agreement with some sort of agreement on other standards and regulation and that sort of stuff. so you would expect by now they are to be in a clear position on that. as i say, they have moved a long way. the uk is leaving, it is leaving in probably in a much harder brexit than might have been the case a year ago or a year and a half ago. it is having a pure brexit if you like. but on that final sticking point, the customs union, that could be where there is a lot of parliamentary fireworks over the course of the next six months. that might be where mps... remember theresa may does not have a majority, or a majority with the help of a minority party, that might be the point at which a rebellion in the house of commons brings the whole thing crashing down. agnes, how do your friends and contacts in other european countries read what is go

we have long championed the being in a customs union with the eu and the benefits is the only way to access, and nobody can answer the question how do you keep your commitment to a hard order without a customs union. —— hard border. politically speaking the parliamentary arithmetic could be significant. we know of a split within the conservative party, tory rebels favouring a softer brexit. with labour's position as it now stands, there could potentially be a parliamentary defeat for theresa may when she comes back with the deal from the eu. tory levels could site with labour, the snp and the greens. that could undermine theresa may's authority, leading to another snap election. liam fox, trade secretary, was asked about this on the andrew marr programme. he said, the pm has not revealed her hand and when she does you may see more loyalty than perhaps some are expecting. they have the numbers to blow a massive hole through the process. what is your message? i would say to my collea g u es your message? i would say to my colleagues theresa may has kept a broad range of views for a reas