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tv   BBC News at Six  BBC News  March 3, 2021 6:00pm-6:31pm GMT

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today at six — a budget for the pandemic. more spending now, paying the bill comes later. rishi sunak says he will continue to protectjobs and livelihoods, but he wants to be honest about what it's costing us all. an important moment is upon us. a moment of challenge and of change, of difficulties, yes, but of possibilities, too. this is a budget that meets that moment. this is a budget that papered over the cracks rather than rebuilding the foundations. a budget which shows the government does not understand what went wrong in the last decade or what is needed in the next. the furlough scheme and grants for the self employed are extended,
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and there's more help with business rates for retail and hospitality. but all that costs billions. corporation tax will go up and more of us will be paying more tax. has the chancellor done enough to see us through to the end of pandemic? we'll get reactions from families and firms. 70% of our industry didn't think they'd see to the end of this financial year so it was a bit of relief, to go, i hope that number changes and that people go, there is help here and we can take it forward. with borrowing at record levels, and unemployment still rising, we'll crunch the numbers to see if it all adds up. also tonight... nicola sturgeon�*s turn to face the tough questions. she denies there was any conspiracy against her former friend and mentor — alex salmond. claims that meghan bullied staff at kensington palace. her spokesman said it was the "latest attack on her character". and coming up on bbc news...
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more money for elite sport, including cricket, as part of today's budget, with millions promised for grassroots sport in the future. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. this was a budget delivered against an unprecedented economic backdrop — what rishi sunak himself called one of the "most comprehensive and sustained economic shocks this country has ever faced". and it's not over, so the chancellor's firstjob today was to show how he'll continue to support those hit hardest by the pandemic. the furlough scheme for employees and support for the self—employed will be extended to september. the £20 a week uplift
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in universal credit will also continue until the end of september. for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, the business rates holiday will continue tilljune, and after that, there will be a two—thirds discount for the rest of the year. and that will cost money, and the chancellor told us how he'll raise some of the cash. income tax allowances will be frozen from april 2022 forfour years, meaning more people will pay more tax. corporation tax — which companies pay on their profits — will rise to 25% in 2023. that will only make a dent in the record amounts the government is borrowing — more than £355 billion this year alone. first, our political editor laura kuenssberg on a "spend now, pay later" budget. the virus has clouded everything, making the future hard to see. but
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the economic alert has been flashing red all the while. lockdown has cut income, busted the country's bank balance. ~ ., ., ., , ., balance. when are we going to start -a in: for balance. when are we going to start paying for it? _ balance. when are we going to start paying for it? and — balance. when are we going to start paying for it? and the _ balance. when are we going to start paying for it? and the red _ balance. when are we going to start paying for it? and the red box's - paying for it? and the red box's first “ob, paying for it? and the red box's first job. to _ paying for it? and the red box's first job, to extend _ paying for it? and the red box's first job, to extend emergencyl firstjob, to extend emergency lifelines. but repeatedly, the chancellor promised us hard truths, too. ~ ., chancellor promised us hard truths, too. ~ . . , chancellor promised us hard truths, too. . ., ., , chancellor promised us hard truths, too. ., ., ., , ., ., too. what was originally thought to be a temporary _ too. what was originally thought to be a temporary disruption - too. what was originally thought to be a temporary disruption to - too. what was originally thought to be a temporary disruption to our. too. what was originally thought to i be a temporary disruption to our way of life has fundamentally altered it. 50 of life has fundamentally altered it. . , of life has fundamentally altered it. _ , of life has fundamentally altered it. so emergency measures brought in durin: the it. so emergency measures brought in during the scramble _ it. so emergency measures brought in during the scramble at _ it. so emergency measures brought in during the scramble at the _ it. so emergency measures brought in during the scramble at the start - it. so emergency measures brought in during the scramble at the start of- during the scramble at the start of the pandemic go on for months to come. ., , . , come. the furlough scheme will be extended until— come. the furlough scheme will be extended until the _ come. the furlough scheme will be extended until the end _ come. the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of - come. the furlough scheme will be i extended until the end of september. for employees, there will be no change to the terms. they will continue to receive 80% of their salary for hours not worked, until the scheme ends.— salary for hours not worked, until the scheme ends. billions more will be sent the scheme ends. billions more will be spent during _ the scheme ends. billions more will be spent during this _ the scheme ends. billions more will be spent during this strange - be spent during this strange lockdown era, a long list of props under the economy, six months more
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of £20 extra on universal credit, lower vat and cheaper stamp duty. but for this chancellor, for his party, that simply can't last forever. ., ., ., ., forever. the amount we have borrowed is comparable — forever. the amount we have borrowed is comparable only _ forever. the amount we have borrowed is comparable only with _ forever. the amount we have borrowed is comparable only with the _ forever. the amount we have borrowed is comparable only with the amount - is comparable only with the amount we borrowed during the two world wars. it is going to be the work of many governments over many decades to pay it back, just as it would be irresponsible to withdraw support too soon, it would also be irresponsible to allow our future borrowing and debt to rise unchecked. m0 borrowing and debt to rise unchecked.— borrowing and debt to rise unchecked. ., , , , ., , unchecked. no surprise he took a big . ul . unchecked. no surprise he took a big uul- before unchecked. no surprise he took a big gulp before what _ unchecked. no surprise he took a big gulp before what came _ unchecked. no surprise he took a big gulp before what came next, - unchecked. no surprise he took a big gulp before what came next, big - unchecked. no surprise he took a big gulp before what came next, big new taxes, a million people will move into the higher rate of income tax, and 1.3 million who don't earn much will start to pay. ilil" and 1.3 million who don't earn much will start to pay-— will start to pay. our first step is to freeze personal _ will start to pay. our first step is to freeze personal tax _ will start to pay. our first step is. to freeze personal tax thresholds. this policy does remove the incremental benefit created, had thresholds continued to increase
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with inflation. we are not hiding it. �* , ,, with inflation. we are not hiding it. , , ., with inflation. we are not hiding it. business wilshere, a chunky new tax breaks to _ it. business wilshere, a chunky new tax breaks to get _ it. business wilshere, a chunky new tax breaks to get them _ it. business wilshere, a chunky new tax breaks to get them investing, i tax breaks to get them investing, the so—called super deduction. itruiith the so-called super deduction. with the so-called super deduction. with the su er the so—called super deduction. tn the super deduction, they can now reduce their tax bill by 130% of the cost. reduce their tax bill by 13096 of the cost. �* ., :: g; reduce their tax bill by 13096 of the cost. �* ., :: ,': ., ., cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn, cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn. some — cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn, some companies _ cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn, some companies will- cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn, some companies will pay - cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn, some companies will pay a - cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn, some companies will pay a lotj turn, some companies will pay a lot more tax on profits. the turn, some companies will pay a lot more tax on profits.— more tax on profits. the rate of corporation _ more tax on profits. the rate of corporation tax _ more tax on profits. the rate of corporation tax paid _ more tax on profits. the rate of corporation tax paid on - more tax on profits. the rate of| corporation tax paid on company profits will increase to 25%. these are significant decisions to have taken. decisions no chancellor wants to make. i recognise they might not be popular but they are honest. big spending, in tune with the boss, perhaps, but extraordinary measures, some in his own party might think, in extraordinary times. an some in his own party might think, in extraordinary times. an important moment is upon _ in extraordinary times. an important moment is upon us, _ in extraordinary times. an important moment is upon us, a _ in extraordinary times. an important moment is upon us, a moment - in extraordinary times. an important moment is upon us, a moment of. moment is upon us, a moment of challenge and of change, of
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difficulties, yes, but of possibilities, too. this is a budget that meets that moment and i commend it to the house. white mango despite all the billions, public spending overall will actually go down. but the hue overall will actually go down. but the huge numbers and big taxes from the huge numbers and big taxes from the tories, howard labour cuts through the gloom? {line the tories, howard labour cuts through the gloom?— the tories, howard labour cuts through the gloom? one day we will all be able to _ through the gloom? one day we will all be able to take _ through the gloom? one day we will all be able to take our _ through the gloom? one day we will all be able to take our masks - through the gloom? one day we will all be able to take our masks off- all be able to take our masks off and so _ all be able to take our masks off and so will— all be able to take our masks off and so willjohnson, and then you will see _ and so willjohnson, and then you will see who he really is. this is a budget— will see who he really is. this is a budget that did not even attempt to rebuild _ budget that did not even attempt to rebuild the foundations of our economy— rebuild the foundations of our economy or to secure the country's long-term _ economy or to secure the country's long—term prosperity. instead, it did the_ long—term prosperity. instead, it did theiob— long—term prosperity. instead, it did the job the chancellor always intended, a quick fix, papering over the cracks — intended, a quick fix, papering over the cracks. ., , ,, ., ~ intended, a quick fix, papering over the cracks-— the cracks. though rishi sunak was conscious of _ the cracks. though rishi sunak was conscious of spreading _ the cracks. though rishi sunak was conscious of spreading spending i the cracks. though rishi sunak was conscious of spreading spending to | conscious of spreading spending to new tory constituencies and across the uk, too. new tory constituencies and across the uk, too-— new tory constituencies and across the uk, too. ., . ., , , the uk, too. the chancellor stood up toda and the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double _ the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double down _ the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double down on _ the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double down on exactly i the uk, too. the chancellor stood up| today and double down on exactly the
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same mistakes — today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he _ today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he has _ today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he has been _ today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he has been making . same mistakes he has been making tbrough— same mistakes he has been making through the — same mistakes he has been making through the pandemic, _ same mistakes he has been making through the pandemic, temporary. through the pandemic, temporary extensions — through the pandemic, temporary extensions and _ through the pandemic, temporary extensions and temporary - through the pandemic, temporaryj extensions and temporary support through the pandemic, temporary- extensions and temporary support can only ever— extensions and temporary support can only ever mean _ extensions and temporary support can only ever mean a — extensions and temporary support can only ever mean a temporary _ extensions and temporary support can only ever mean a temporary reprieve l only ever mean a temporary reprieve for those _ only ever mean a temporary reprieve for those millions— only ever mean a temporary reprieve for those millions who _ only ever mean a temporary reprieve for those millions who have - only ever mean a temporary reprieve for those millions who have been. for those millions who have been crippled — for those millions who have been crippled by— for those millions who have been crippled by uncertainty— for those millions who have been crippled by uncertainty for- for those millions who have been. crippled by uncertainty for months. in crippled by uncertainty for months. in the _ crippled by uncertainty for months. in the long — crippled by uncertainty for months. in the long term, _ crippled by uncertainty for months. in the long term, it's _ crippled by uncertainty for months. in the long term, it's quite - in the long term, it's quite disappointing, there was very little in the budget today about wales specifically. it did strike one as they wales was an afterthought, they had looked at scotland and england and northern ireland and then scrambled for something to say about wales. the scrambled for something to say about wales. ., . ., . .,, scrambled for something to say about wales. ., . ., . ., scrambled for something to say about wales. ., . ., , wales. the chancellor chose not 'ust to tinker but — wales. the chancellor chose not 'ust to tinker but to i wales. the chancellor chose not 'ust to tinker but to make i wales. the chancellor chose not 'ust to tinker but to make big i wales. the chancellor chose notjust to tinker but to make big decisions, | to tinker but to make big decisions, but they could have to shift with a tiny flicker to the cost of all his borrowing, oran tiny flicker to the cost of all his borrowing, or an even more prolonged pandemic. this budget, the way the country earns a living, is deeply vulnerable to what comes next. and the chancellor today has done a lot more than just extending the emergency lifelines that have been in place during the pandemic. he has also done a lot more than just say that over time, the money is going to have to be paid back, all that spending and all that borrowing. he
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has chosen his desire to show that he is being honest that he is being about the fact that money can't keep going on and on, over his party's natural attraction to low taxes. and in the time to come, george, families and firms are going to feel the impact of that. but the fact is, this pandemic has been an extraordinary year, extraordinary circumstances, that really have changed political instincts in the tory party and the reality of how the nation's finances are going to look for a very, very long time. there certainly has been a lot of give. there is going to be a lot of take in the years to come. thank you, laura. so what is the likely economic impact of all the measures announced by the chancellor today? and how might they affect britain's attempts to bounce back from the devastating impact of the pandemic? 0ur economics editor faisal islam has been looking at the numbers. there has never been a real world budget backdrop like this.
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and nor has there been a budget like it either. it contains a message that the vaccine is getting us through to a reopening so it's worth one more push, pumping tens of billions more in immediate support to carry on saving jobs. the real story of the decisions is in the budget book charts and what is known as the scorecard, adding up the impact of all the new policies today by year. in this coming year, the government will be pumping significantly more into the economy, nearly £60 billion extra, in furlough, self—employment grants and the massive incentive to get businesses to invest, but significantly higher corporation tax and the freeze on personal tax allowances clawss back much of that but only substantially after three years. this is the result of that extension, and the vaccine progress, the latest 0br predictions are that unemployment will peak at 6.5%, that is down from an expected peak of 8% and above 10% in last year's pessimistic scenario. it basically means far more people
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than expected returning straight to theirjobs from furlough. the flipside of that is the amount the government has borrowed to pay for these support schemes has been at record peacetime levels, multiples of previous years, and that had been expected to fall relatively fast, but instead in the coming year, it is staying really rather high, before falling back. the reason he is raising taxes over the next few years is not to pay back the debt we have accumulated over the last couple of years, rather it is to deal with the fact the economy will be smaller and therefore the ongoing deficit will be bigger but what has happened over this year, that is something we will pay back over a very long time. the core calculation in this budget is to let near—record levels of borrowing continue in order to sustain ongoing crisis support for workers and also a novel attempt to kick businesses to invest. the bill comes a couple of years later, mainly for big corporations, but also some income taxpayers.
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the end result, the pandemic having a permanent impact on the size of our government. has the pandemic fundamentally changed the conservatives' approach to big business, big borrowing, big taxation and big spending? obviously, the pandemic has dealt us pretty bad damage to the public finances and the economy and i think i and the government have a responsibility to put those back in a strong position over time but to do that in a way that is supportive of our economic recovery in the short term but also do so in a way that is fair. the chancellor says the economy can be green with wind power investments and spread around the country with eight new freeports but he needs big business to invest huge sums to power this recovery before they pick up a large bill. faisal islam, bbc news. when he delivered his budget, the chancellor acknowledged that consumers were going through a "tough time" as a result
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of coronavirus restrictions. in recognition of this, mr sunak said he was cancelling planned alcohol and fuel duty increases. there'll be a mortgage guarantee for home—buyers to help people get 95% mortgages. the government say it will help "generation rent become generation buy". the national living wage will increase to £8.91 an hourfrom next month, benefitting around 2 million of the uk's lowest paid workers. and the extension to the support for the self—employed will help an extra 600,000 people. so what's the reaction to this budget from those it's meant to help? sarah corker has been talking to business people in liverpool. liverpool knows how to come back from an economic shock. former industrial areas have become creative, colourful spaces, and culture is likely to be at the heart of the city's covid recovery. this has created huge challenges
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for our public finances... andy's live events company has already taken out loans that will total £4 million to keep going. the extension of support schemes like the furlough scheme will be a huge help. furlough will be fantastic, the business rates will be fantastic, and whether it is enough time will tell, but ultimately for me at this moment in time too much of it has been around loans. the grants that are in place, the grant that has been allocated, it is imperative it goes to the right place. it takes some of the pressure off but until we are back in to places like this being 100% full consistently, then our sector truly isn't back. and as lockdown eases, there will be restart grants for high—street shops, pubs and hairdressers to help them get back on their feet. some of it is like a sigh of relief and some of it is, oh god, we've been recognised. salon owner louise tells me it's been a day of mixed emotions.
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we really welcome the help that the road map out of lockdown is going to help the salon, up to £18,000, that's been brilliant, we really welcomed the apprentice scheme doubling, but what we are disappointed about as an industry is not getting our vat cut like the hospitality industry which have seen them getting cut to 5%. that is quite upsetting, to be honest, that our voice has not been heard. this is a budget about saving and creating jobs. there will be an expansion of youth training programmes and extra grants, but business leaders here in liverpool say the chancellor could have gone further and done more to level up and tackle regional inequalities. the boss of this robotics firm believes liverpool could have a high—tech future but felt today's budget fell short. for me it wasn't big enough, it wasn't bold enough, and yes, it does address some of the challenges we have today as businesses but it is more than that. if we don't concentrate on the bigger picture, then that will be
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a problem tomorrow. the chancellor has warned repairing the long—term damage to the economy will take time. businesses say as long as social distancing restrictions remain, they will need some level of government help. sarah corker, bbc news. for business, this year's budget will see corporation tax rise for the first time since 197a. our business editor simonjack is with me. given that rise in corporation tax, what reaction are you getting from business leaders? liter? what reaction are you getting from business leaders?— what reaction are you getting from business leaders? very much a budget of two halves. — business leaders? very much a budget of two halves, in _ business leaders? very much a budget of two halves, in the _ business leaders? very much a budget of two halves, in the first, _ business leaders? very much a budget of two halves, in the first, a _ business leaders? very much a budget of two halves, in the first, a very i of two halves, in the first, a very welcome plaster on the ongoing wounds of the pandemic, the extension of furlough, which we already knew about, extending the business rates holiday, vat cuts for certain industries or very helpful and then in 2023, the past is ripped off rather unceremoniously and painfully as you say with one of the biggest and most sudden corporation tax rises in decades, from 19%, to 25%. it won't affect everyone,
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profits over £250,000 will be taxed at the new higher rate and people below £50,000 will continue to be taxed at the current rate of £19,000 and there is a quid pro quo, for companies investing in new assets, plant machinery, etc, they will get £1.30 for every £1 they spend on those assets. but what this does is reverse at a stroke ten years of conservative thinking, which has told us that lower business taxes create more jobs which are more taxable, so even if you have a lower taxable, so even if you have a lower tax rate, you get a higher tax take. that thought appears to have been binned, along with any idea that the uk will set itself up as a low tax, singapore —likejurisdiction in a post—brexit world. singapore -likejurisdiction in a post-brexit world.— singapore -likejurisdiction in a post-brexit world. singapore -likejurisdiction in a ost-brexit world. ,, ., ., ~' , ., scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has dismissed claims of a "plot" against her predecessor alex salmond as "absurd." she's spent the day before the inquiry investigating how her government handled allegations of sexual harassment against mr salmond. she insisted her government had
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nothing to hide and rejected much of mr salmond's version of events. 0ur scotland editor sarah smith has the details. the stakes could not be higher, but nicola sturgeon says she is relieved to finally get the chance to answer all the charges made against her. i sincerely and truly declared... and j sincerely and truly declared... and a olo . ise sincerely and truly declared... and apologise to _ sincerely and truly declared... and apologise to the _ sincerely and truly declared... and apologise to the women who made complaints and who were let down by government mistakes. in sorrow and anger she denied there was ever a plot to destroy alex salmond. meat. plot to destroy alex salmond. alex salmond has _ plot to destroy alex salmond. alex salmond has been _ plot to destroy alex salmond. i- salmond has been for most of my life since i was about 20, 21 years old, notjust since i was about 20, 21 years old, not just a very close since i was about 20, 21 years old, notjust a very close political colleague, a friend and somebody i looked up to in my younger days, you know, i had no motive and intention or desire to get alex salmond. nicola sturgeon originally told parliament the first she knew of complaints against alex salmond was on the 2nd of april when he told her about it in a meeting at her home
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and she later had to admit she had forgotten about a meeting of the 29th of march with his former chief of staff in which he said the complaints were discussed. i would have been shocked _ complaints were discussed. i would have been shocked and _ complaints were discussed. i would have been shocked and appeased l complaints were discussed. i would | have been shocked and appeased by news like _ have been shocked and appeased by news like that i would not have slept _ news like that i would not have slept a — news like that i would not have slept a wink last night, it would not have — slept a wink last night, it would not have gone out of my mind, so that is— not have gone out of my mind, so that is why— not have gone out of my mind, so that is why we are struggling to believe — that is why we are struggling to believe the story that you just forgot — believe the story that you just forgot about this meeting. believe the story that you 'ust forgot about this meeting. people can be sceptical— forgot about this meeting. people can be sceptical about _ forgot about this meeting. people can be sceptical about that - forgot about this meeting. people can be sceptical about that but i i can be sceptical about that but i hadn't remembered ready 20 night as being the big significant factor in this —— remembered the 29th. in many ways i wish i had because if i had i would not be sitting here and i would not be sitting here and i would be sitting here answering these questions but not trying to explain that you and i'm trying to explain that you and i'm trying to explain it to the best of my ability and the best my recollection. bile}. and the best my recollection. alex salmond won _ and the best my recollection. alex salmond won a _ and the best my recollection. alex salmond won a court _ and the best my recollection. alex salmond won a court battle with the scottish government over how they mishandled the investigation of complaints against him, and the legal advice given to the government in that case was made public last night, and shows its external boys
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were very concerned. the night, and shows its external boys were very concerned.— night, and shows its external boys were very concerned. the charge that has been made _ were very concerned. the charge that has been made against _ were very concerned. the charge that has been made against me _ were very concerned. the charge that has been made against me is - were very concerned. the charge that has been made against me is that i l has been made against me is that i wilfully allowed _ has been made against me is that i wilfully allowed a _ has been made against me is that i wilfully allowed a judicial _ has been made against me is that i wilfully allowed a judicial review i wilfully allowed a judicial review to proceed against the legal advice and therefore i broke the ministerial code. with respect, as you now know, i was acting in accordance with the views of the law officers and not acting against the views of the law officers. m65 officers and not acting against the views of the law officers. was alex salmond's former _ views of the law officers. was alex salmond's former chief _ views of the law officers. was alex salmond's former chief of - views of the law officers. was alex salmond's former chief of staff i salmond's former chief of staff geoff aberdein given the name of one of the women who had complained by a senior government official? it is a serious charge and alex salmond has lodged a formal complaint today but nicola sturgeon does not accept that is what happened. itruth? nicola sturgeon does not accept that is what happened.— is what happened. why would geoff aberdein, is what happened. why would geoff aberdein. a — is what happened. why would geoff aberdein, a senior _ is what happened. why would geoff aberdein, a senior person - is what happened. why would geoff aberdein, a senior person in - is what happened. why would geoff aberdein, a senior person in the i aberdein, a senior person in the history— aberdein, a senior person in the history of— aberdein, a senior person in the history of the snp, pursuing a career— history of the snp, pursuing a career now in financial services as you are _ career now in financial services as you are aware, why would he give evidence — you are aware, why would he give evidence that was not true? there are differing _ evidence that was not true? there are differing recollections - evidence that was not true? there are differing recollections and i are differing recollections and differing accounts. i can think of
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why the name of a complainant might have been known at that time. that does not mean it was revealed or identified in the way that has been said and i'm not going to repeat everything i've said about the 2nd of april but mr salmond knew the identity of the complainers in one case because he told me he had apologised to her, that is my recollection of how he knew that complainer at the other because he had done his own investigations to find out. ., , ., �* had done his own investigations to find out. ., , ~ ~ ., find out. last week alex salmond sat here accusing — find out. last week alex salmond sat here accusing nicola _ find out. last week alex salmond sat here accusing nicola sturgeon - find out. last week alex salmond sat here accusing nicola sturgeon and i here accusing nicola sturgeon and here accusing nicola sturgeon and her allies of turning against him. i don't know where that he ever reflects on the fact that many of us including me feel very let down by him, and that is a matter of deep personal pain and regret for me. i probably should stop there. nicola sturueon probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is _ probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is under _ probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is under intense - probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is under intense political pressure. facing the prospect of a vote of no confidence in the
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scottish parliament, to date she laid out in great detail the case for her defence —— today. her team are very happy with nicola sturgeon's performance today and they say there was no smoking gun discovered, no killer blow landed, but the scottish conservatives are highlighting how her story has changed over when she first learned of any kind of sexual allegations against alex salmond. within the snp the party's civil war is so deep that there will be some who will always believe that there was a plot by nicola sturgeon and those around her to try and destroy him, while others will be convinced she is now satisfactory explaining her role in the saga and this means that it leaves the snp is a divided party going into crucial elections in the scottish parliament in may and also the scottish conservatives are meeting tonight to discuss the vote of no confidence. studio: sarah, thanks forjoining us.
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the latest government figures show there were 6,385 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. and 315 deaths have been recorded — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. the total number of deaths so far across the uk is 123,611. on to vaccinations now and nearly 225,000 people had theirfirst dose of a vaccine in the latest 26 hour period. in total 20.7 million people have now had theirfirstjab. that is 39% of the adult population. the duchess of sussex has said she's saddened by claims she faced a bullying complaint during her time at kensington palace. the times newspaper has reported that meghan allegedly drove out two personal assistants from the household and undermined the confidence of a third member of staff. the duchess called the allegations an attack on her character. 0ur royal correspondent
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jonny dymond is here. where did the allegations come from? in the months after the wedding of harry and meghan in 2018, a number of their staff left the household, their employment, and there was a swirl of rumours that this was because meghan was difficult to work with, that she was over demanding, and now comes the publication of an e—mailfrom one official and now comes the publication of an e—mail from one official at the palace to another which states that meghan had bullied two members of staff out of theirjobs and humiliated a third. a source close to meghan says that the allegations were never taken to the level of any formal complaint and that those staff all left for reasons entirely unconnected with the duchess's behaviour. this comes four days before we are told what will be a tell all interview between meghan and the american tv host 0prah and the american tv host oprah winfrey and i think what is happening is that some palace staff have decided now is the time they want to tell their story. fight;
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have decided now is the time they want to tell their story. any update on prince philip's— want to tell their story. any update on prince philip's health? - want to tell their story. any update on prince philip's health? the i on prince philip's health? the duchess of — on prince philip's health? tie: duchess of cornwall was on prince philip's health? ti9 duchess of cornwall was in on prince philip's health? ti9: duchess of cornwall was in south london today meeting nhs workers and church representatives and she said that they have heard he is slightly improving, good news, she said, and they will keep their fingers crossed. the prince of course is now in his third week in hospital. thanks forjoining us. more now on today's budget. it came in two halves — continued support for those hit hardest by the pandemic and then how we're going to pay the bill for all that support. 0ur political corrrespondent alex forsyth has been getting reaction from people in grimsby, which voted conservative for the first time in more than 70 years at the last election. after a bleak year, this family is hoping for a brighterfuture. their gymnastics business has taken a huge hit and it has affected their personal finances, too, living on universal credit for the first time. we have had to make some cutbacks at home and we now do sort
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of a meal plan every week, don't we? taking on a lot of responsibility at home, doing extra chores, lifting the weight off mum and dad's shoulders. wejust, like, try and make- everything more joyful in the house and try to make everyone happy, so we like to bake. _ it's been a struggle but we have managed. they welcomed the continued increase to universal credit but, conscious all the current support comes at a cost, theyjust hope they will be protected down the line. it's the small businesses that are... suffering. suffering but also have a big impact on the economy. grimsby�*s economy has struggled since the decline of the fishing industry. there's long been ambition to regenerate the region and today its port was given special status to encourage trade and investment. radio humberside! so are people convinced by the chancellor's choices? kate, what do you make of that? i don't think this is a budget for normal people. what he said about the green industrial revolution, - i that is a key principle to reignite.
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these areas, which in the past have been sort of forgotten i by previous governments. it is a lot of borrowing and i'm a bit worried about my future. hopefully, someone has realised that there are other places other than london. among today's announcements, there was a new national infrastructure bank to fund big projects, to be based in leeds, and part of the treasury moving to darlington. the government is clearly keen to show its commitment to tackling regional inequalities, though many people in these places have heard such promises before. for young people, jobs are key. blake applied for more than 50, with no result, but is much more confident after training for an apprenticeship, glad of today's funding for such schemes. it's absolutely pivotal that we get trained up to become, obviously, the men and women of tomorrow. i think that is what it's all about. elle has been improving her skills, too, on furlough from herjob in a salon. she welcomes the support for those who want to own a home,
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extending the stamp duty holiday, help with mortgages, but her future still feels very uncertain. it has made me question it, thinking, you know, am i going to be where i want to be in five years? you know, am i going to have some money to get a house, to, you know, move up in the world, start my life, really? there is still a long road ahead. people here just hope a fair recovery really is on the horizon. alex forsyth, bbc news, grimsby. time for a look at the weather, here's sarah keith lucas. many of us have had a lot of cloud out there today but some lucky places and saw the odd glimpse of blue sky so this was the picture in cumbria, the cloud tending to burn away there with sunny spells around but over the next couple of days we are going to keep the fairly cloudy theme in the weather and they will be isolated showers around. despite the fact high pressure is bringing a lot of dry and settled weather. this system here, weaving its way east at the moment, and this has already
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brought sharp showers over southern england and wales and we will continue to see these heavy showers drifting their way east through this evening and overnight and they could be the odd rumble of thunder as well. also, a few rain showers over the north of scotland and they could fall as snow over the highest ground on the mountains of scotland but for most temperatures overnight around about 3—6 so it should be largely frost free to start thursday. some mist and fog patches but not as extensive as the fog we had first thing this morning, early rain clears away from eastern england, showers moving out of scotland into northern england late in the day, a bit of brightness breaking through to the north of that but further south we have a cloudy day, quite chilly under the clouds. up to about 11 in the far south—west. heading into friday, high pressure once again in charge so a lot of dry weather, light winds, summer sunshine but the cloud building up through the date so things turning a bit murky and grey later on friday.
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not great for early 5—8. —— temperatures not great. that's all from the bbc news at six, so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are.

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