as he hosted the greek prime minister 3 russian missile as he hosted the greek prime minister a russian missile landed near by. no one from either delegation was harmed, but five people were killed. nikki haley — the last remaining rival to donald trump for the republican presidential nomination — pulls out of the race for the white house. and the sea bird sanctuary off the northumberland coast re—opening after a major outbreak of avian flu. coming up were allowed to the eddie hammond stadium where manchester city are looking to come the first british side of this champions league quarterfinals.

hello there, welcome to newcastle, on the dayjeremy hunt delivered his budget, in what is almost certainly, a general election year. we're on the city's iconic quayside overlooking the magnificent river tyne, an area steeped in industrial history, and we've been gauging reaction, to the chancellor's plans. among today's annoucements, the government is to cut national insurance, by 2p in the pound for employees and the self—employed. full child benefits will be paid to households, where the highest—earning parent, is getting up to £60,000. the current limit is £50,000. and, the non—dom tax regime, for uk residents whose permanent home is overseas, is to be replaced with new rules, from april next year. well, the office for budget responsibility, says the average tax payer, is going to pay more in the coming years. it predicts 37 pence of every pound

will go in tax by 2029, which would be the highest level since 1948. while the government says public spending on some services will rise by 1% above inflation, some areas could still see cuts in the future. the 0br also predicts inflation will fall within a few months, and the uk economy will grow by 0.8% this year, and 1.9% in 2025. here, sir keir starmer described the budget as, "the last desperate act of a party that has failed," and said the conservatives aren't delivering the growth households need. we'll be hearing from colletta smith who's with me here in newcastle, and darshini david, will be taking a look at all the numbers, but first, chris mason, is live at westminster. evening to you, the political and economic backdrop is so stark tonight. what i do meanly that? the economy has been flat lining and the conservatives find their opinion poll ratings in the gutter. so no chancellor could hope in one budget to turn both of those things around.

it would be difficult in a whole sequence of budgets. so enterjeremy hunt, a man whose character and politics is defined by what he would see as a responsible caution, deploying that against that backdrop, where the conservatives fear political olive yon. given that, this is what he had to say. budget day from every angle. i5 that, this is what he had to say. budget day from every angle. is is an election-winning _ budget day from every angle. i3 3 an election—winning budget tradition, choreography and musical protest in whitehall. jeremy hunt and his team in focus. i5 protest in whitehall. jeremy hunt and his team in focus.— and his team in focus. is this reall a and his team in focus. is this really a turning _ and his team in focus. is this really a turning point - and his team in focus. is this really a turning point he - and his team in focus. is this| really a turning point he then ni ed really a turning point he then nipped back— really a turning point he then nipped back into _ really a turning point he then nipped back into no - really a turning point he then nipped back into no 11 - really a turning point he then nipped back into no 11 and i really a turning point he then - nipped back into no 11 and seconds later came out of no 10. destination the house of commons. the chancellor. _ the house of commons. the chancellor. this _ the house of commons. the chancellor. this is _ the house of commons. the chancellor. this is a -

the house of commons. the chancellor. this is a budget| the house of commons. the - chancellor. this is a budget during a recession. _ chancellor. this is a budget during a recession, albeate _ chancellor. this is a budget during a recession, albeate mild - chancellor. this is a budget during a recession, albeate mild one - chancellor. this is a budget during a recession, albeate mild one and| a recession, albeate mild one and interest rates remain high, but he wanted to signal his instinct is to cut taxes. we wanted to signal his instinct is to cut taxes. ~ u, wanted to signal his instinct is to cut taxes. ~ u, , ., , wanted to signal his instinct is to cut taxes. ~ , ., , ., cut taxes. we can help families not 'ust with cut taxes. we can help families not just with temporary _ cut taxes. we can help families not just with temporary cost-of-livingl just with temporary cost—of—living support, but with permanent cuts in taxation. ., , support, but with permanent cuts in taxation. . , ., taxation. here was the headline measure on _ taxation. here was the headline measure on that _ taxation. here was the headline measure on that - _ taxation. here was the headline measure on that - another - taxation. here was the headline measure on that - another cut l measure on that — another cut in national insurance. measure on that - another cut in national insurance.— national insurance. from april em - lo national insurance. from april employ yes — national insurance. from april employ yes national _ national insurance. from april employ yes national insurance national insurance. from april- employ yes national insurance will cut by another 2p from 10% to 8%. and self—employed national insurance will be cut from 8% to 6%. and self-employed national insurance will be cut from 896 to 6%.— will be cut from 896 to 6%. national insurance will be cut from 896 to 696. national insurance was _ will be cut from 896 to 696. national insurance was cut _ will be cut from 896 to 696. national insurance was cut by _ will be cut from 896 to 696. national insurance was cut by 2p _ will be cut from 896 to 696. national insurance was cut by 2p in - will be cut from 896 to 696. national insurance was cut by 2p in the - will be cut from 896 to 696. national. insurance was cut by 2p in the pound a few months back too.— insurance was cut by 2p in the pound a few months back too. when combined with the autumn _ a few months back too. when combined with the autumn reductions, _ a few months back too. when combined with the autumn reductions, it - a few months back too. when combined with the autumn reductions, it means . with the autumn reductions, it means 27 million employees will get an average tax cut of £900 a year. two

million self—employed without get a cut averaging £650. changes that make our system simpler and fairer and changes that grow our economy by rewarding work. and changes that grow our economy by rewarding work-— rewarding work. there was this chan . e rewarding work. there was this change on _ rewarding work. there was this change on child _ rewarding work. there was this change on child benefits - rewarding work. there was this change on child benefits from i rewarding work. there was this - change on child benefits from next month a parent with earn more before losing it ida month a parent with earn more before losin: |- ., ., month a parent with earn more before losin. || ., ., ., losing it no one earning under £60,000 — losing it no one earning under £60,000 will _ losing it no one earning under £60,000 will pay _ losing it no one earning under £60,000 will pay the charge. | losing it no one earning under - £60,000 will pay the charge. because of higher taper and threshold, nearly half a million families with children will save an average of £1,300 next year. to children will save an average of £1,300 next year.— children will save an average of £1,300 next year. to pay for the tax cuts, tax £1,300 next year. to pay for the tax cuts. tax rises _ £1,300 next year. to pay for the tax cuts, tax rises on _ £1,300 next year. to pay for the tax cuts, tax rises on business - £1,300 next year. to pay for the tax cuts, tax rises on business class - cuts, tax rises on business class flights, holiday home owners, smoking and vaping. duty on alcohol will be frozen, fuel duty has been frozen to. then the moment of political theft. frozen to. then the moment of olitical theft. , ., political theft. the government will

abolish the tax _ political theft. the government will abolish the tax system _ political theft. the government will abolish the tax system for - political theft. the government will i abolish the tax system for non-doms. abolish the tax system for non—doms. the chancellor nicking a labour idea to remove a tax perk from wealthy folk who live here, but whose home is abroad. i folk who live here, but whose home is abroad. ., folk who live here, but whose home is abroad. . ., , ., , ., folk who live here, but whose home is abroad. . ., , ., , , is abroad. i aim to please all sides ofthe is abroad. i aim to please all sides of the house _ is abroad. i aim to please all sides of the house in all _ is abroad. i aim to please all sides of the house in all my _ is abroad. i aim to please all sides of the house in all my budgets. i of the house in all my budgets. keir starmer. of the house in all my budgets. keir starmer- next _ of the house in all my budgets. keir starmer. next the _ of the house in all my budgets. keir starmer. next the reaction - of the house in all my budgets. keir starmer. next the reaction from - starmer. next the reaction from the chancellor's — starmer. next the reaction from the chancellor's political _ starmer. next the reaction from the chancellor's political opponents - starmer. next the reaction from the chancellor's political opponents had | chancellor's political opponents had a familiar theme.— a familiar theme. there we have it, the last desperate _ a familiar theme. there we have it, the last desperate act _ a familiar theme. there we have it, the last desperate act of— a familiar theme. there we have it, the last desperate act of a party - the last desperate act of a party that has— the last desperate act of a party that has failed. britain in recession, the national credit card maxed _ recession, the national credit card maxed out — recession, the national credit card maxed out and despite the measures today, _ maxed out and despite the measures today, the _ maxed out and despite the measures today, the highest tax burden for 70 years _ today, the highest tax burden for 70 ears. �* , w today, the highest tax burden for 70 ears. �* , . . , today, the highest tax burden for 70 ears. �* , w , ., today, the highest tax burden for 70 ears. h years. let's face it it is a last ditch approach _ years. let's face it it is a last ditch approach to _ years. let's face it it is a last ditch approach to recover - years. let's face it it is a last ditch approach to recover in l years. let's face it it is a last i ditch approach to recover in the polls _ ditch approach to recover in the polls it — ditch approach to recover in the polls it is — ditch approach to recover in the polls. it is the _ ditch approach to recover in the polls. it is the embodiment- ditch approach to recover in the polls. it is the embodiment of. ditch approach to recover in the i polls. it is the embodiment of tory party— polls. it is the embodiment of tory party before — polls. it is the embodiment of tory party before the _ polls. it is the embodiment of tory party before the people. _ polls. it is the embodiment of tory party before the people. at - polls. it is the embodiment of tory party before the people.— polls. it is the embodiment of tory party before the people. a bottom of the barrel budget. _ party before the people. a bottom of the barrel budget. nothing _ party before the people. a bottom of the barrel budget. nothing to - party before the people. a bottom of the barrel budget. nothing to makel the barrel budget. nothing to make families better off, after the catastrophic fall in living standards we have seen under the

conservatives. this standards we have seen under the conservatives.— standards we have seen under the conservatives. this afternoon i put . uestions conservatives. this afternoon i put questions to _ conservatives. this afternoon i put questions to the _ conservatives. this afternoon i put questions to the chancellor - conservatives. this afternoon i put questions to the chancellor on - conservatives. this afternoon i put| questions to the chancellor on your behalf. i pointed out to him that he is taking £20 billion more in tax in five years' time. people are being clobbered for all of the tax of cuts thatis clobbered for all of the tax of cuts that is baloney, people are paying more? ., ., ,., , that is baloney, people are paying more? ., ., , ., more? one of the reasons tax recei ts more? one of the reasons tax receipts are — more? one of the reasons tax receipts are higher— more? one of the reasons tax receipts are higher is - more? one of the reasons tax receipts are higher is because | more? one of the reasons tax i receipts are higher is because of the economy growing. people are -a in: the economy growing. people are paying more- _ the economy growing. people are paying more. yes, but _ the economy growing. people are paying more. yes, but if- the economy growing. people are paying more. yes, but if you - the economy growing. people are paying more. yes, but if you take account of— paying more. yes, but if you take account of the _ paying more. yes, but if you take account of the thresholds, - paying more. yes, but if you take account of the thresholds, what l account of the thresholds, what you will see next year is a big cut in taxation forfamilies will see next year is a big cut in taxation for families earning the average income is a significant cut. tonightjackets off, the battle lines for the general election are becoming clearer — the economy centre stage. we will get more from

chris later. so, how do the announcements on taxes and spending, add up? darshini david has been taking a look. that famous red budget box actually contained relatively modest treats overall — prompting speculation of an autumn election, with another such event beforehand. and many people are still going to see tax bills rise — here's how. underpinning all his choices on tax and spending is this — the public debt built up over time, relative to the size of the economy. to meet the rules mr hunt sets himself, this has to be falling in five years time. according to his independent forecasters it is, but only after rising first, and so slightly you can barely see it and with a tiny margin to spare. he 5 chosen to earmark cash for those tax cuts — £12 billion worth by 2029 — but the vast majority of that goes on that national insurance cut.

some of that he's funded by raiding other pockets — a new duty on vapes, a crack down on tax avoidance — and from changing the treatment of non—doms, those normally not classed as resident for tax purposes. but the money that'll be raised is particularly uncertain. however these all raise a tiny amount compared to tax rises already in train — those not mentioned today. welcome to fiscal drag. each one of these represents a million income taxpayers in 2022. an earlier decision by the government not to raise the thresholds which different rates of taxes on income apply means many have had more syphoned off as tax. that policy creates four million more income taxpayers between 2022 and 2029 overall and three million more — these in blue — move into the 40p higher rate bracket.

that will raise £40 billion in 2029 alone — overshadowing today's tax cuts — meaning that only workers earning between £25,000 and £60,000 then will be better off overall. and there was little extra earmarked for public spending. jeremy hunt is promising a new drive to increase efficiency, but the numbers suggest future cuts in some areas such as local government services, universities and courts — perhaps at least i2% by 2029 once inflation and population changes are allowed for. if we're going to keep these tax cuts, we are going to get cuts in spending, if we are not going to get those cuts in spend, i'm afraid taxes will rise later on. and there's a mixed picture on growth. the chancellor's independent forecasters indicate the recession will be short lived, but per—person we're typically £200 worse off after inflation this year than two years ago.

but growth is expected to pick up — we could be £1,700 better off in four years' time. but such forecasts are uncertain. and they still point to voters perhaps heading to the polls feeling worse off. plus, whoever wins that election may face an awkward decision — to raise taxes soon, or confront a new era of intensified pressure on services. public services may have to pay a heavy price for today's tax cuts. clive. thank you. so what else did the chancellor announce today? there'll be a new tax on vapes from october 2026, following a consultation. and a one—off increase in tobacco duty, to ensure vaping remains cheaper than smoking. the chancellor also announced a "one—off adjustment," to the level of air passenger duty, for travellers with non—economy tickets. and in an effort

to make more properties available for rent to local people in tourist hotspots, he wants to abolish tax breaks on furnished holiday lets. the freeze on fuel and alcohol duty, has been extended into next year. and the vat registration threshold for small businesses, will be increased to £90,000, from april. the windfall tax on oil and gas companies, will last another year. so do people feel better off after today's budget? colletta smith has out and about here in tyneside today. you have been talking to local people, what has been their response?— people, what has been their resonse? . , , response? clive, in westminster, the fuss is about — response? clive, in westminster, the fuss is about whether _ response? clive, in westminster, the fuss is about whether or _ response? clive, in westminster, the fuss is about whether or not - response? clive, in westminster, the fuss is about whether or not a - fuss is about whether or not a political dial has been shifted. here, the only dial people are interested in is their thermostats. when it comes to lower income households, there was some relief and the household support fund will be extended. it is propping up food banks and some relief there. most of

the focus has been on middle income households and for those people, they may well find they have more money coming in that their pay as a result of what the chancellor said today, but not enough to offset the price increases that they're faced with day in, day out, as i have been hearing today. with day in, day out, as i have been hearing today-— with day in, day out, as i have been hearing today. budgets are always a balances act- _ hearing today. budgets are always a balances act. when _ hearing today. budgets are always a balances act. when it _ hearing today. budgets are always a balances act. when it comes - hearing today. budgets are always a balances act. when it comes to - balances act. when it comes to precision, steffi knows about it. she is managing a business and a growing family. i have two young children at the moment and there are two more on the way, which is exciting. so she's desperate for the chancellor to help with business as well as household costs. so anything extra that the government could do to help with childcare will massively benefit. to help with childcare will massively benefit parents overall on the business side of things.

i really think a reduction in vat needs to happen. it's been extremely stressful over the last two years. our next stop is the quayside. so this is where the 5live gang are. steffi is going to be watching the budget with a team from bbc 5 live. this is fancy. but i'm heading off across the river to the other side of newcastle to the border of kenton and gosforth, with a real mix of incomes. and i am watching the budget with some extra musical accompaniment. so there is a big change here for child benefits. at the moment, those payments drop off when one person in the household starts earning £50,000. but from next month that rate is going up to £60,000 a year so that people will be able to earn more and still keep hold of those child benefit payments.— child benefit payments. it could make a difference. _ child benefit payments. it could make a difference. laura - child benefit payments. it could make a difference. laura is - child benefit payments. it could make a difference. laura is a i child benefit payments. it could i make a difference. laura is a nurse returnin: make a difference. laura is a nurse returning to — make a difference. laura is a nurse returning to work— make a difference. laura is a nurse returning to work full-time - make a difference. laura is a nurse returning to work full-time in - make a difference. laura is a nurse returning to work full-time in her l returning to work full—time in her maternity leave ends injune. if i maternity leave ends in june. if i was to go _ maternity leave ends injune. if i

was to go over the 50, i would lose that, so it would be great if it went up to 60, especially with us, because we do unsociable hours. that would bump it over the 50, so you potentially wouldn't get the benefits that drop in national insurance payments means an average earner will be paying £450 less each yearin earner will be paying £450 less each year in national insurance payments, but it's not as straightforward as that because the rate that we start paying different levels of tax hasn't been increased.- paying different levels of tax hasn't been increased. now, the resolution _ hasn't been increased. now, the resolution foundation _ hasn't been increased. now, the resolution foundation say - hasn't been increased. now, the resolution foundation say that l hasn't been increased. now, the - resolution foundation say that means that the people earning between £27,000 and £59,000, they will be better off. but for anyone earning less than £27,000, they will be paying more in taxes overall. it doesn't feel like it's going to touch the sides. the doesn't feel like it's going to touch the sides.— doesn't feel like it's going to touch the sides. ., . , ., touch the sides. the tax cut is not the biggest _ touch the sides. the tax cut is not the biggest thing i'm _ touch the sides. the tax cut is not the biggest thing i'm interested i touch the sides. the tax cut is not | the biggest thing i'm interested in. i the biggest thing i'm interested in. i would _ the biggest thing i'm interested in. i would like to see our public services _ i would like to see our public services funded better. the government _ services funded better. the government are _ services funded better. tue: government are hoping services funded better. tta: government are hoping the services funded better. t"t2 government are hoping the economy services funded better. tt2 government are hoping the economy is

now shifting into growth mode. hello aaain. so now shifting into growth mode. hello again- so what _ now shifting into growth mode. hello again. so what does _ now shifting into growth mode. hello again. so what does steffi _ now shifting into growth mode. hello again. so what does steffi make of l again. so what does steffi make of that? small _ again. so what does steffi make of that? small to _ again. so what does steffi make of that? small to medium _ again. so what does steffi make of| that? small to medium enterprises need a lot more _ that? small to medium enterprises need a lot more help _ that? small to medium enterprises need a lot more help at _ that? small to medium enterprises need a lot more help at the - that? small to medium enterprises i need a lot more help at the moment. i think increasing the child benefit is going to massively benefit a lot of working parents. that is something positive that we can take away from it, yeah.— away from it, yeah. colletta smith, bbc news- — bbc news. the response there are some of the people here on tyneside. well, not all of today's budget announcements were welcomed by conservatives. the extension of the windfall tax on oil and gas companies is proving unpopular amongst scottish tories. 0ur scotland editorjames cook is in aberdeen for us. aberdeen, of course, is where oil is big business?— big business? that's right, clive, the heart of _ big business? that's right, clive, the heart of the _ big business? that's right, clive, the heart of the oil _ big business? that's right, clive, the heart of the oil and _ big business? that's right, clive, the heart of the oil and gas - the heart of the oil and gas industry in the uk. the prime minister himself, rishi sunak, was here last week and when he was here,

here last week and when he was here, he said to me that his party was the only party that was supported of that north sea oil and gas industry. the scottish conservative leader douglas ross agreed. he has been attacking labour's plans to both raise and extend the windfall tax. he had hoped to campaign on that issue in the general election. three of the conservatives' six seats are here in the north—east of scotland and instead, today mr ross found himself campaigning against his own government, the uk government, not in the budget in totality, but on this specific issue. another couple of pieces of reaction — oil and gas, offshore energy is uk, the trade body, says this is yet more fiscal turmoil. the snp also expert opposes the extension, but the scottish greens said that the windfall tax in any case is full of what they call climate wrecking loopholes. james, thank ou. climate wrecking loopholes. james, thank you- our— climate wrecking loopholes. james, thank you. our scotland _ climate wrecking loopholes. james, thank you. our scotland editor - thank you. our scotland editor there, james cook, in aberdeen.

as we've heard, the chancellor announced that public spending will grow at 1% above inflation every year until 2029. some government departments such as health and schools have what's called "protected budgets". that means other areas, which aren't protected, could see cuts in their funding. one such department is the ministry ofjustice. dominic casciani has been looking at the potential impact of any cuts. the government's challenges over public spending are enormous, and no more so than in crime and justice. since 2019, it's reversed a cut in police numbers, it's recruited 20,000 extra officers, and as they solve more crimes, the defendants end up in places like this, luton crown court. it's running at capacity and there's a 65,000 case backlog nationwide. one of those serious cases is rape. since the pandemic, the average number of days it takes to complete a rape prosecution has gone up and up. it's a situation thatjudges say

is a stain on the system, an injustice to all. judges today said they'd got a plan to deal with the worst, longest delayed cases. but that's only going to work if the cash keeps coming in and crucially, there's somewhere to put the criminals once they're convicted. places like this, bedford prison up the road. last month, inspectors said that the conditions here were among the worst they'd seen. two—thirds of the inmates are being held on remand or waiting for a trial date because of court backlogs, and that means they can't take part in rehabilitation. the government is building 20,000 extra and new prison cells. the blue line shows how ministers expect the prison population to rise, reaching 100,000 in a year orso. but look at the dotted white line. that's what officials calculate could be the worst outcome if all the new police arrest more criminals and judges jail them more quickly.

we could run out of cells. today the chancellor committed £100 million to rehabilitation projects, but he took five times that away from day—to—day criminaljustice spending. his critics say that if we want safer streets, there's a price to be paid. dominic casciani, our legal affairs correspondent reporting for us there. if you want more on today's budget and what it means for you, there is plenty of information on our website. there is plenty of information on ourwebsite. it there is plenty of information on our website. it is well worth a visit. just go to the bbc news app. now a look at some other stories making the news today. ukraine's southern city of 0desa has been hit by missile strike during a visit by president zelensky and the greek prime minister. let's get more from james waterhouse, whojoins us from the capital, kyiv. james, bring us up to date with the latest? , , ., , latest? president zelensky was hostin: latest? president zelensky was

hosting the _ latest? president zelensky was hosting the greek— latest? president zelensky was hosting the greek prime - latest? president zelensky was l hosting the greek prime minister latest? president zelensky was - hosting the greek prime minister mr mitsotakis in the port of 0desa. and at that very moment, a missile landed close by. the greek prime minister described his experience as impressive, feeling the explosion. mr zelensky said he could see it as well. and when you look at what witnesses say who had the air raid siren around a kilometre away, if you look at the verified images of smoke going into the sky, it seems that we could be talking within hundreds of metres. the ukrainian navy says five people are known to have been killed. the bbc has been told that no one from either delegation was harmed, but this is a reminder of the risk that president zelensky faces. it's the first time a missile knowingly has landed so close to him and the outcome could easily have been catastrophic for both greece and ukraine. indeed. james waterhouse, _ both greece and ukraine. indeed. james waterhouse, live _ both greece and ukraine. indeed.

james waterhouse, live in - both greece and ukraine. indeed. james waterhouse, live in kyiv. l nikki haley — the last remaining rival to donald trump for the republican presidential nomination — is pulling out of the race for the white house. it comes after mr trump and joe biden swept super tuesday state primaries making a rerun of the 2020 election they fought a virtual certainty. 0ur north america editor sarah smith has the latest. # i'm proud to be an american...# donald trump was taking a victory lap before he had quite secured his party's nomination, but he knew it was now in the bag. they call it super tuesday for a reason. this is a big one. and they tell me, pundits and otherwise, that there's never been one like this. there's never been anything so conclusive. when he launched this campaign in the same room 16 months ago, he was not the favourite to win. in order to make america great and glorious again, i am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the united states.

four criminal indictments and his claims of politically motivated persecution turbo—charged that campaign, his mugshot becoming an electoral asset. last night's results confirmed he is unstoppable, with only one exception in leafy vermont. the biggest primary night of the year and some - fascinating results. let's take a look at vermont - because it looks like nikki haley is squeaking ahead. 0ne surprise victory was not enough to keep nikki haley in a race that she could not win. pulling out, she quoted margaret thatcher and did not quite endorse donald trump. it is now up to donald trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond who did not support him, and i hope he does that. president biden wants voters to know he is concentrating on tomorrow's important state of the union address, and he says he doesn't believe the polls suggesting he could lose to donald trump. in the last five polls, which you guys don't report, i'm winning. five.

five in a row. you guys aren't going to the new york times. they're a great paper. most voters say they don't want to see a rematch with the same old candidates of the last election. but that is what they have overwhelmingly voted for in this primary season. so it's the contest that nobody wanted except for the two elderly gentlemen who are going to be on the ballot, and they each think the earth is uniquely flawed and therefore easy to defeat. joe biden is convinced that when voters see and hear more of donald trump, they will reject him, while mr trump thinks thatjoe biden's age and his record in office make him unelectable. 0f record in office make him unelectable. of course, only one of them can be right. wejust won't know which one it is until november. sarah smith, our north america editor. 0pposition parties are expressing outrage tonight that taxpayers could put a £15,000 bill

on behalf of the cabinet minister michelle donelan to cover damages claimed for defamation. the site secretary faced a libel action from professor kate sang, who was falsely accused of supporting hamas by ms donnellan last year was that the department renovation, science and technology says the sum was paid without admitting any liability. back to our main story tonight — the budget. the chancellor announced today a significant devolution announcment for north east england. 0ur north east political correspondent luke walton, is here. is it good news? the chancellor has announced a — is it good news? the chancellor has announced a so-called _ is it good news? the chancellor has announced a so-called trailblazeri announced a so—called trailblazer deal for the north—east. announced a so—called trailblazer dealfor the north—east. that will mean extra power and £100 million of extra funding for a new north—east mayor who will be elected across seven local authorities for the first time in may. we believe some of that money may go to a new film studio plant down the coast in sunderland. it could attract blockbusters and newjobs. local

councils welcomed the move, but they say there is little else in the budget to solve their wider financial problems. tonight labour led newcastle council meets to decide on £60 million of savings over three years. over the river in gateshead, they recently had to close two leisure centres because of financial pressures. the chancellor says there are savings to be made through efficiencies, but labour councillors say services are suffering. councillors say services are suffering-— councillors say services are sufferinu. ~' ., ., ,, councillors say services are sufferinu. ~' ., ., and for a final word on the budget from our political editor, chris mason in westminster. what does do they tell us about when the election might be? that what does do they tell us about when the election might be?— the election might be? that is a aood the election might be? that is a good question _ the election might be? that is a good question because - the election might be? that is a good question because there i the election might be? that is a| good question because there has the election might be? that is a - good question because there has been a splash of speculation again in the last week about the prospect of an early election in may. my hunch, from listening to the budget today, is that it didn't amount to a curtain raiser to is that it didn't amount to a curtain raiserto an is that it didn't amount to a curtain raiser to an early dash to the polling stations. there was nothing in there that was hugely

surprising. much of it had been trailed in advance. jeremy hunt wanted to portray himself as a responsible, careful steward of the economy, taking his time to try and rebuild things. labour will make an argument that if people feel poorer, it is time to switch, come the election, whenever it comes. fiur election, whenever it comes. our olitical election, whenever it comes. our political editor _ election, whenever it comes. 0ur political editor chris mason, at westminster. before we go, round 50 miles from here, just off the northumberland coast, is one of the uk s most vibrant seabird colonies, the farne islands. since july 2022, they ve been closed to visitors due to an outbreak of bird flu, but later this month they re going to re—open, so i wanted to have a look. what a beautiful day for staying on dry land. the plan — to cross these waters to the farne islands, off limits to the public for the last two years because of an outbreak of bird flu. now they're open once again

in a couple of weeks, and i'm hoping to get an early sneak peek. but heading out in this is a bit bonkers. the boat there, sorry, one of the local fishermen must be going to run his engines. we've just been watching him there. to be honest, i can't believe he's gone out and done that. he's not known for his common sense, that lad. laughter. 0urskipper, michael craig, ain't going anywhere. must be frustrating, especiallly knowing... very. you couldn't get out there, or at least you couldn't land, for two years because of bird flu. yeah. now you can land, but the weather's dreadful. nature of the beast, unfortunately. if you want to do that, you're better off going to alton towers, if you want a white—knuckle ride. up and down, up and down! this is what i'm longing to see, the farne islands, and it's a nationally important home for around 200,000 seabirds, including arctic terns,

kittiwakes and puffins. thousands of tourists would visit every year during the breeding season to marvel at nature's feathery bounty. but the disaster of bird flu put paid to that. thousands died. they were sitting in the water and theyjust looked so tired and bedraggled. they'd just slowly drop their heads and roll over and that was it, they were gone. i saw about five or six birds just dying in front of you, and there's nothing you can do about it. it is absolutely heartbreaking. maybe tomorrow, the sea will be calmer. it didn't get any better. we tried for two days and couldn't get out there, but people can get out there towards the end of the month. time for a look at the weather. here's sarah keith lucas. some of us have seen a bit of

sunshine today, but it's been in short supply on the banks of the tyne. we have had a lot of cloud and it is feeling chilly. more of the same tomorrow, things are looking breezy with a mix of sunny spells and a few scattered showers. you will notice that breeze coming in. we have low pressure that is trying to push in from the atlantic, but it's bumping into high pressure across scandinavia and that is going to dominate our weather for the next few days. for the rest of this evening, we have some low cloud across north—east england and eastern scotland, and that will creep across central and eastern parts. if few mist and fog patches forming as there is temperatures fall to just a degree or two above freezing for some touch of frost around and a little mist and fog first thing. that should clear away and then we are looking at a lot of dry weather tomorrow, some spells of sunshine. a bit more of a breeze than we had today. there will be a few rogue showers across parts of central