news

Snippet
Hello. Here's your morning briefing:
Downing Street insists UK will leave customs union The UK is after Brexit, a Downing Street
source has told the BBC. The comment comes amid reports of disagreements among
Conservatives over what future relationship they want with the EU - and calls for Theresa
May to set out clearly what she wants from talks in Brussels.
She and Brexit Secretary David Davis will meet the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier
later, ahead of the latest round of discussions getting under way. Citizens rights are among
the potential sticking points this time round. Mr Davis and Mr Barnier will give an update on
how things are going on Friday.
Confused about what the customs union is, and how it differs from the EU's single market?
Freezing temperatures across the UK
Brrrrrrr. It's pretty fresh already and, according to the Met Office, much of the UK is in for
Temperatures in Scotland, Wales and the Midlands could fall as low as -7C. There are
widespread warnings of snow and ice and some 1.5 million tonnes of salt has been
stockpiled in preparation. But there is some good news - things are likely to thaw out a little
next week. In the meantime, around the UK and the rest of the world. Lloyds Bank bans
Bitcoin purchases on credit cards
From today customers of Lloyds Banking Group will The ban - affecting Lloyds Bank, Bank
of Scotland, Halifax and MBNA - follows a sharp fall in the value of the digital currency. But
this will not apply to those wishing to buy Bitcoin using debit cards. . The holiday homes
owners can't give away
By Anna Collinson, Victoria Derbyshire programme
"I thought it would be a suitable place for my disabled grandson to visit, because it was a
bungalow that could sleep up to six," says Wendy Barker, describing the countryside holiday
home in which she holds a timeshare. A timeshare usually involves paying a one-off lump
sum in return for being able to use the property for an agreed number of weeks each year,
every year for life. Wendy bought her timeshare with her partner Anne Jackson Blanchard in
2005. For many years the couple enjoyed holidays at the lodge with their family, but Wendy
says it has since turned into a burden - financially and emotionally. "I tried to sell it, tried to
give it away, but nobody wanted it. It's like a disease hanging over me."
Read the full article
What the papers say
The i reports that Theresa may is trying to "soothe" the "hardliners" among Brexit supporters
by ruling out the UK remaining a part of the customs union. Meanwhile, Metro leads on
Home Secretary Amber Rudd telling the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that Conservative MPs
are "more united than critics think". Away from politics, the Daily Express and Daily Mirror
warn that temperatures in the next few days could get as low as -14C.
Daily digest
NHS funding Panel suggests new tax to pay for services in England
Degree value Many graduates gaining "paltry" return for qualification, says ex-skills minister
South Africa Pressure for President Zuma to stand down increases
Superbowl classic Philadelphia Eagles take first title with stunning win over New England
Patriots
Taking flight Why have we got a pilot shortage?
If you see one thing today If you listen to one thing today
Inside Lego's giant house of play
If you read one thing today Lookahead
16:45 The Commons Transport Select Committee hears from Heathrow Airport bosses on
plans for expansion.
20:00 Watford take on Chelsea in the Premier League.
On this day
1982 Pioneering budget airline Laker Airways collapses, owing £270m to banks and other
creditors.