then they wants to avoid those cuts then they are probably going to have to find some way to raise taxes. that may be undoing the kind of tax cuts we may hear about today are raising taxes elsewhere or it may be they accept these very tight spending plans. the truth is, whoever wins the next election is going to have some really tough choices to make. paul johnson really tough choices to make. paul johnson from _ really tough choices to make. paul johnson from the _ really tough choices to make. paul johnson from the institute for fiscal studies. thank you very much for the moment. now, plenty more budget coverage to come through the day here on bbc news. we are running a live page on the bbc news website which has regular updates on all the ins and outs this morning before the chancellor speaks at 1230 in the house of commons behind me. but first lets check in with some of the day's other news: joe biden and donald trump are looking increasingly likely to go head—to—head again in the us elections this november. it's after the biggest day of voting so far —

known as super tuesday — as millions of people choose who they want as their preferred presidential candidate. will vernon reports. another triumph for trump. the former president cruised to victory on super tuesday, securing his position as the unassailable frontrunner in this race. they call it super tuesday for a reason. this is a big one. and they tell me, the pundits and otherwise, that there's never been one like this, there's never been anything so conclusive. officially he hasn't won the nomination yet. but with results like these, total victory seems certain. as expected, presidentjoe biden also swept the board in the democrat primaries. nikki haley was trounced by donald trump. it's not clear whether she will

continue her campaign. presidential election day is still eight months away. but many americans already seem wary of the campaign, and of an increasingly polarised political climate. we can't hear any other voices but those two now. i mean, nikki haley is still out there and i wish her well, but primarily we are only hearing two voices. and i don't like that. there should be more people. it feels like we only have two really old people, like, people who should be retired. it'sjust become polarising. i wish that people would focus more on what we have in common, - because i think there's so much more we have in common _ than different. if all of this seems familiar, that's because it is. mr trump and mr biden faced off in the last election too. around 70% of americans now say they don't want this rematch. will you shut up, man. the focus will now turn to the election campaign itself, the race for the white house, trump versus biden. voters will have to choose

between a man indicted on 91 charges across four criminal cases, and the oldest sitting president in history facing questions about his mental fitness for office. will vernon, bbc news, washington. the leader of birmingham city council has apologised to people living in the city after signing off on a wave of cuts to local services — as well as a 21 per cent rise in council tax over the next two years. despite being the largest local authority in europe, birmingham has declared itself effectively bankrupt and needs to make 300—million pounds in savings. joanne writtle reports. a nurturing atmosphere at a music class in birmingham. but mums here are well aware they're bringing up babies in a city with an effectively bankrupt council. people face a 10% council tax rise this year and next year. that's double what many elsewhere in the country will get.

it's far from ideal when you're on maternity leave and then facing huge childcare costs in a few months' time. but i'm more concerned about the vulnerable people that i work with normally. i think it's going to be disastrous for them when other sources of support are being cut for them. aislinn's a teacher, and she's looking to move out of birmingham with seven—month—old cecilia. i don't mind paying money into the council, but what worries me is where that money is going. you know, if it's going into the community, into the roads, then that's fine. but actually, it seems that it's going to be going to pay back a bill that's not our fault. and how will it affect you? well, actually, we're considering moving house soon, and we're looking to move outside of birmingham. and that would be one of the factors. people in birmingham face a council tax rise of 21% over two years, which equates to around

£400 for a band d property. the city council had to seek permission from the government. usually local authorities are only allowed to make increases of up to 5% without triggering a referendum. it's very, very unusual, and it's hard to overstate the grimly distinctive financial difficulties that the city council is in at the moment. however, we have to say that a number of other councils have declared, including coventry and dudley, that they may have to issue what's called a section 114 notice, effectively declare themselves bankrupt. and if that were the case, they might be making the same appeal to the government themselves. in a cafe in kings heath, debbie is unhappy about higher council tax. she cut her working hours in a fast food chain, having suffered long covid. i'm fuming, because i think it's wrong. i believe that birmingham city council should have been more proactive in what it does,

instead of spending money on an item that doesn't work, which, i'm talking about the it system. and brian, who does counselling in schools, believes public services need to be paid for, but has his concerns. council tax will go up, along with everyone else's. but because i work in private practice and i get paid from the council, i'm worried that some of my work may disappear as they make cuts. i work in the education sector. the city's precarious finances are paving an uncertain path for people, as the council tries to save £300 million. the foreign secretary is expected to warn that israel could be in breach of international humanitarian law if it fails to allow more aid into gaza. it comes as the world food programme says the israeli defence force thwarted attempts to bring aid into gaza

after a convoy of 1a lorries were turned back at a checkpoint. junior doctors in northern ireland are taking strike action for the first time this morning. the 24—hour walkout is in a row about pay. the british medical association says the deal put to them was the minimum junior doctors could have been offered. the department of health in northern ireland said the proposals amounted to an average pay increase of more than nine per cent. let's get back to our main story. jeremy hunt will deliver the budget at little later, outlining the government's tax and spending plans. before the budget at 12:30 comes prime minister's questions at 12:00 too — we'll be covering it all here on bbc news

we will be having a live page that you can go to throughout the morning as well which will have lots of analysis and more details on what we know already about what we can expect from this year's budget. there will be analysis from some of our main bbc correspondence including my colleagues. the chancellor will almost certainly freeze fuel duty — but he's expected to cut national insurance by 2p in the pound — worth £450 a year to somebody on full time wage of £35,000 — although pensioners are not affected as they don't pay it so how will he raise revenue to balance it out? perhaps by scrapping tax breaks for �*non doms' — wealthy people who live overseas — or raising duty on business—class air fares, extending windfall tax on oil and gas produces,

or putting a tax on vapes. joining me now isjo kerr, from the charity turn2us — they offer information and support for people facing financial difficulty. thank you forjoining us. it's probably been a busy time for your charity in the last couple of years. before we go into the ins and outs of the budget, what are the conversations that people are having with you and your organisation about the challenges they are facing at the challenges they are facing at the moment?— the challenges they are facing at the moment? ., ~ , ., ., ., the moment? thank you for having me. it's fantastic — the moment? thank you for having me. it's fantastic to _ the moment? thank you for having me. it's fantastic to be _ the moment? thank you for having me. it's fantastic to be here. _ the moment? thank you for having me. it's fantastic to be here. people - it's fantastic to be here. people are experiencing such difficult times. we hear again and again for thousands of people we interact with they are having to choose between heating and eating. that is something i have heard for the entirety of my time at the charity, five years, way too long. the impact of covid—19, these policies have hit

time and again. we know there are 14.4 million people, of us in the uk, who experience poverty. it can happen to anyone of us. the circumstances that we are hearing, somebody i spoke to recently, fergus, is choosing not to have breakfast or lunch so that he can have dinner with his two daughters as a single dad. someone else, a pregnant mother, who cannot put the heating on and are struggling to pay the bills, pay the rent. it's appalling. we know the facts tell the story but individual stories, people coming to us, desperate time and time again. people coming to us, desperate time and time again-— and time again. individual stories remind us that _ and time again. individual stories remind us that there _ and time again. individual stories remind us that there are - and time again. individual stories remind us that there are families | remind us that there are families across the country who will be watching what the chancellor says, extremely closely. your charity works with so many people with their different circumstances, what are

the main thing is that you are hoping the chancellor will say today? hoping the chancellor will say toda ? ., , today? immediately, we need the chance to say _ today? immediately, we need the chance to say that _ today? immediately, we need the chance to say that the _ today? immediately, we need the chance to say that the household | chance to say that the household support fund will continue. we are one of 120 charity is calling for that. it looks good. it is hopeful that. it looks good. it is hopeful that he will continue that passed the 31st of march. that policy makes sure that people can get access to essentials like a fridge freezer which is important forfood but also for storing medicine. we have heard from people storing medicine in the garden because they cannot keep it in the fridge, they do not have a fridge freezer, it's appalling. longer term, we need to start seeing fewer sticking plasters and a more equitable social security system that acts as a safety net. we are also calling on the chancellor and the government to start working with people who are experiencing financial insecurity right now and charities like ours, to co—design

better policies like the essential is guaranteed for universal credit which would mean that universal credit, our main benefit can actually pay for essentials like putting the heating on, like families, like transport. not fancy things. things that we all deserve and must have as part of a fair and just society. and must have as part of a fair and just society-— just society. what do you make of this preposed _ just society. what do you make of this proposed cut _ just society. what do you make of this proposed cut in _ just society. what do you make of this proposed cut in national- this proposed cut in national insurance?— this proposed cut in national insurance? ., , , �*, insurance? more money in people's ockets, insurance? more money in people's pockets, particularly _ insurance? more money in people's pockets, particularly more - insurance? more money in people's pockets, particularly more middle l pockets, particularly more middle earners, i can't say that's a bad thing. that is going to help some people. it will not help people on the lower income, we have heard from resolution foundation that if you are at a lower income, £19,000 a year, that is not going to help you. in fact it is going to hurt you. you will have less money in your pocket rather than more. i'm sure that there is not what the government is intending, they are not intending to heart the lower earners, but that is

the unintended consequence. as much as tax cuts can help some, we need to see policies that are actually going to help people who are struggling the most and that is why we are calling for that better redesign social security system. your charity's messages do not forget the low income families out there who are struggling. find forget the low income families out there who are struggling.- forget the low income families out there who are struggling. and all of us who could _ there who are struggling. and all of us who could feel— there who are struggling. and all of us who could feel the _ there who are struggling. and all of us who could feel the impact - there who are struggling. and all of us who could feel the impact of- us who could feel the impact of poverty at some time in our lives. thank you very much for coming and speaking to us. it is a few hours away from the budget, that is expected today at 1230. we have already heard from some of the things that the chancellor is going to be announcing including a 2p cut in national insurance. joining me now is caroline eberhard, the charity director at age uk which supports the elderly. welcome to bbc news. you have been watching our

coverage and listening already. i'm sure you've heard of some of what we know is to come. what do you want to hear from the chancellor? goad hear from the chancellor? good morninu. hear from the chancellor? good morning- we — hear from the chancellor? good morning. we particularly - hear from the chancellor? (limo. morning. we particularly would like to hear about more support for public services. when we talk to older people at the moment about what would make the most difference to them, they often say being able to them, they often say being able to see a gp more easily. going up the waiting list that people are stuck on because they need a diagnostic or an operation or something like that. we do not want to hear about cuts to public services today. we want to hear the chancellor investing more. as well as that, rather like some of your other speakers, we worried about older people on the lowest incomes. for them, the cost of living crisis is far from over. for them, the cost of living crisis is farfrom over. we for them, the cost of living crisis is far from over. we would for them, the cost of living crisis is farfrom over. we would like for them, the cost of living crisis is far from over. we would like to see it more dedicated support for people near the bottom. there has been a big debate on the advance on the budget that you have picked on at the bbc, more and more older people are having to start to pay

income tax because the threshold for starting to pay income tax has been frozen but their pension, fortunately are going up due to the triple lock. that gets more old people and to the tax system. some people and to the tax system. some people are having to for the first time in their lives have to fill in the tax return which is a big deal. it is crazy we are getting to a situation where the state is giving those people money on the one hand and then taking away with the other. we would like to see those thresholds not frozen and go up, to release older people of that kind of worry. release older people of that kind of wor . . , , release older people of that kind of wor . , ., worry. there has been conversation around the — worry. there has been conversation around the national _ worry. there has been conversation around the national insurance - worry. there has been conversation around the national insurance cut . around the national insurance cut because some people are saying it will not directly help pensioners. that's right. 0nce will not directly help pensioners. that's right. once you get past your state pension age, if you're still working, you do not have to pay national insurance. unfortunately, quite a lot of older people who are working into their late 60s or 70s, are doing so because they can't afford to retire. i think if that is

all that is announced to date, they will feel hard done by. you can see why. it will help people in their 50s and early 60s coming up to retirement who if they are on very low incomes and are struggling at the moment, that is one of the groups in society that are finding life the hardest at the moment because of rising prices. it will be good for them but not so good for the older people who are past the state in —— pension age. the hose state in -- pension age. the how much is of _ state in -- pension age. the how much is of a _ state in -- pension age. the how much is of a concern _ state in -- pension age. the how much is of a concern is _ state in —— pension age. the how much is of a concern is rising energy prices for people? than energy prices for people? in enormous consent for older energy prices for people? an enormous consent for older people, as you get older, you spend more time at home, you feel the cold war, and the cold is a threat to older people's health. energy bill are a big lump out of a lot of people's incomes as they get older. we know from talking to other people how much they worry about them. it is good that we are seen to be, fingers crossed, past the worst of the

energy bill crisis, but unfortunately, those bills are a lot higher than the everywhere in the past. we would like to see a social tariff for energy, and being directed at people of all ages on low incomes, more people who are carers, people have very high energy costs. that would be a long—term sustainable solution to the trauma lots of us have experienced, lots of people have had to deal with over the last couple of years, absolutely spiralling prices.— spiralling prices. caroline, it has been widely _ spiralling prices. caroline, it has been widely touted _ spiralling prices. caroline, it has been widely touted that - spiralling prices. caroline, it has been widely touted that they - been widely touted that they chancellor is going to freeze fuel duty once again. of course, we will find out what he says at half past 12. they will be prime minister's questions first at midday, and then half—an—hour after that, at 1230, thatis half—an—hour after that, at 1230, that is when the chancellorjeremy hunt will deliver this year's budget, the last budget before the next general election. let's take you live to downing street to number 11, his residence there. we know

that earlier this morning the cabinet met at number ten, we saw members of the cabinet leave not too long ago. they have now been briefed by the chancellor about what is inside this budget. at some point in the morning, we will be back at number 11. we will see the chancellor and that annual photograph moment when he holds up the red box with the budget details inside. forthe the red box with the budget details inside. for the photo opportunity before he makes his way over to the houses of parliament ahead of his delivery of the budget. joining me now is alex veitch, director of policy and insight at the british chambers of commerce. welcome to bbc news. this economy is in a recession, a mild recession, but still it is a recession. the uk economy is not growing. what does the uk chambers of commerce want the chance to safe to boost growth? indie

chance to safe to boost growth? we want chance to safe to boost growth? - want the chance to take measures to address the things that businesses tell us every day. these are businesses of every scythe and every sector across the country. they are things like fixing our planning system, we want to work in partnership with the government to add resources so that businesses that are growing are able to do so to get new premises to get bigger, better and more people. we want the chance to look at these tax measures which limit growth like the point at which limit growth like the point at which you have to register for vat. the freeze on duty—free shopping for overseas visitors that came in a couple of years ago, that is having our death benefit on retail. and looking again at the skills and business rates and other blockers to growth which may not cost a lot of money but which could really unlock the door to a growing economy. what the door to a growing economy. what do ou the door to a growing economy. what do you make — the door to a growing economy. what do you make of _ the door to a growing economy. what do you make of this _ the door to a growing economy. what do you make of this 2p reduction in

national insurance?— national insurance? looking at the bi aer national insurance? looking at the bigger picture. _ national insurance? looking at the bigger picture. it _ national insurance? looking at the bigger picture, it is _ national insurance? looking at the bigger picture, it is really - bigger picture, it is really important to incentivise, encourage and motivate people to come back to work potentially, to look for employment. if this is a tax measure that helps work pay, that is something we would welcome. we need to look at the information, the detail in the budget, at first glance, looks like positive step. this comes at a time when i'm sure a lot of your members are concerned about inflation. it has stabilised a little bit, but it is still double what the target as. indie little bit, but it is still double what the target as.— little bit, but it is still double what the target as. we have seen inflation go _ what the target as. we have seen inflation go from _ what the target as. we have seen inflation go from the _ what the target as. we have seen inflation go from the top - what the target as. we have seen inflation go from the top issue . inflation go from the top issue businesses are worried about to the second, the most important as interest rates. we are pleased to see inflation coming down, it is driven by macroeconomic factors some of which are outside the government's control, that is just the world we live in now. it is going on the right direction, and we do need to see more people taking

the jobs that are available, we do need to see continued growth in the economy and we think things like fixing planning resources, simple things like that, can really help businesses and grow the economy. the number one concern for your members are interest rates. that is something decided by the bank of england, but there are a lot of people watching and wondering at what point might come down? indie people watching and wondering at what point might come down? we would like the bank what point might come down? we would like the itank of — what point might come down? we would like the bank of england _ what point might come down? we would like the bank of england to _ what point might come down? we would like the bank of england to give a - like the bank of england to give a long—term view about where this is going certainly. we do understand that that is their main policy tool they have to tackle inflation. we understand the real world conditions, but what we want to see our interest rates set to a level that boost savings, investment, encouraging people to invest in british business, that's really important, balanced against rising inflation. ~ ., important, balanced against rising inflation. ~ . , ., important, balanced against rising inflation. . , ., inflation. what else are you looking out for? we — inflation. what else are you looking out for? we want _ inflation. what else are you looking out for? we want to _ inflation. what else are you looking out for? we want to see _ inflation. what else are you looking out for? we want to see a - inflation. what else are you looking out for? we want to see a build - inflation. what else are you looking l out for? we want to see a build from the autumn — out for? we want to see a build from the autumn statement _ out for? we want to see a build from the autumn statement of _ out for? we want to see a build from the autumn statement of last - out for? we want to see a build from the autumn statement of last year . the autumn statement of last year that set out a stable long—term plan

for tax policy and growth and investment in this country. it is good to see the government investing and supporting investment in research and development, advanced manufacturing, in green technology, those are good things to do. now we are looking for building i read things that may not cost a fortune, but can really make a difference. like making sure we have planning capacity in a public sector so that when businesses want to grow, they are able to do so. thank you very much. becoming a viral sensation probably wasn't what anne hughes expected when she went about her day — until she got her coat caught in a shop's shutters and was left dangling several feet in the air. luckily, she is okay, but the cctv footage has now been viewed by millions. it is quite dramatic.

0ur reporter matt murray has been speaking to her. for years, anne hughes has turned up for her cleaning shift at this shop in tonteg. but it's the first time this has happened. i was leaning against the shutters, but unbeknownst to me, when ahmed was inside — he's owner of the shop — when he was inside, bringing the shutters up, he couldn't hear me shouting when i realised that i'd been caught. my coat had caught on the shutter going up. well, i was going up! and he obviously didn't hear me because i went right up. the shutter was completely open. and then i screamed his name and, thank goodness, i mean, he came out, then he lowered the shutter a little bit. anne was too shy to appear on camera, but is getting used to the fame after her boss shared the clip on tiktok, where it has been viewed nearly two million times. herfamily have also been amused by it.

i don't know, my grandchildren have asked me, my daughter—in—law, why are you holding on to a trolley? i said, i don't know. at the local newsagents they're expecting anne to be all over the papers. it's hysterical. i've known anne for years. she's a very good friend of mine. and just to see her, well, it made my day yesterday. when i asked her what her boss made of it all, she said, "he's never liked his staff hanging around." matt murray, bbc news, tonteg. the shirt worn by colin firth as he emerged from a lake as mr darcy in a bbc adaptation of pride and prejudice has sold for more than double the estimated price. the wet shirt scene has become one of the most famous tv moments of all time. and the shirt attracted lots of interest at last night's

charity auction in london selling for 25 thousand pounds. pre—auction the estimate was between 7 and 10 thousand pounds. it's one of more than 60 costumes from film and tv sold on tuesday, with all of the proceeds going to charity. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello again. the weather this morning has been foggy, it has lifted and frosty. we will see more of that duty. what we have today are sunny spells, a few showers are round, and quite a bit of cloud across eastern areas. high pressure is in charge across scandinavia. the ridge of high pressure across us thatis ridge of high pressure across us that is keeping weather fronts at bay in the west. we are seeing a lot of cloud in eastern areas breaking up of cloud in eastern areas breaking up in the south—east, brighter than yesterday, some showers and after

the frosty and folky star in the west, we will see the lion's share of the sunshine. there were quite over across northern ireland, south—west wales and showers in south—west wales and showers in south—west england by the end of the afternoon. as we head through the evening and overnight, the cloud will come back in from the north sea, across northern central and eastern areas. some dank conditions, mist and fog patches across the south like last night. there will be frost where the cloud remains broken in the west. tomorrow, the high—pressure edges closer to us, you can see from the isobars it is going to be a blustery day. we start with the cloud, tomorrow, more of it will break up, they will be large areas of cloud at producing some showers, we will see more sunny spells, a brighter day in the south—west with temperatures six to 11 or 12 celsius. moving on through the week, from thursday into friday, high—pressure retreats back into

scandinavia. that is allowing some weather fronts to try and get into southern areas. we start on friday on a similar note, cloudy, and the northern half of the country, damp coming out of the cloud, brighter further south, clouding up in the south west later, the black circles represent the strength of the wind. a blustery day, temperatures down a little bit, it will be cooler along the north sea coastline and the next few days. as we head into the weekend, some weather fronts few days. as we head into the weekend, some weatherfronts make progress a little bit further north. windy at times as well. the weekend is looking cloudy at times, with rain or showers, one thing you will notice, the temperatures getting up a little bit.

to change whatever is announced today economically?

good morning and welcome to westminster, where, you can hear the chimes of big ben. it's 10am you can hear the chimes of big ben. it's10am and in the next few hours the chancellor, jeremy hunt will deliver his spring budget where he will outline the governments tax and spending plans. the chancellor has already been busy this morning and getting energised for his speech.

he has briefed his cabinet in downing street and a 12pm he will attend prime minister's questions of the house of commons behind me and at 12:30pm he will stand up and deliver his budget to members of parliament here. we will then listen to the labour party to get their remarks and we will hear from sir keir starmer as well. it's a busy afternoon here in westminster. he is promising to cut 2p for the pound for national insurance, which mirrors in the autumn statement cut by mr hunt. as we have been saying, it's been a busy morning for the chancellor. he has been also getting some exercise in. we know he is a keen runner, we can see some pictures here of him out with his

dog, poppy. pictures here of him out with his dog, poppy, in