this is bbc news. the headlines. a budget for the pandemic — rishi sunak says he will continue to protectjobs and livelihoods but he wants to be honest about what it's costing. 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 — 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 — louise runs a hair salon. 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. 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".

the chancellor, rishi sunak has outlined the government spending plans in the budget for the coming year, stressing he's opimistic about britain's recovery. against an unprecedent economic backdrop, mr sunak pledged to do whatever it takes to protectjobs and support those hit hardest by the pandemic. the furlough scheme for employees and support for the self—employed will be extended to september. the twenty pound a week uplift in universal credit will also continue till 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. the chancellor also outlined how he plans to start paying the bill. 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 sss—billion this year alone. our political editor, laura kuenssberg, reports. the virus has clouded everything, making the future hard to see. but the economic alert has been flashing red all the while. lockdown has cut income, busted the country's bank balance. when are we going to start paying for it? and the red box�*s firstjob, to extend emergency lifelines. but repeatedly, the chancellor promised us hard truths, too. what was originally thought to be a temporary disruption to our way of life has fundamentally altered it. so emergency measures brought in during the scramble at the start of the pandemic go on for months to come. the furlough scheme will be 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. billions more will be spent during this strange lockdown era, a long list of props under the economy, six months more 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. the amount we have borrowed 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. 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. our first step is to freeze personal tax thresholds. this policy does remove the incremental benefit created, had thresholds continued to increase with inflation. we are not hiding it. business will cheer, a chunky new tax breaks to get them investing, the so—called super deduction. with the super deduction, they can now reduce their tax bill by 130% of the cost. but from 2023, in a real about turn, some companies will pay a lot 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 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 and i commend it to the house. despite all the billions, public spending overall will actually go down. but the huge numbers and big taxes from the tories, howard labour cuts through the gloom? one day we will all be able to take our masks off

and so will he and then you will see who he really is. this is a budget that did not even attempt to rebuild the foundations of our economy or to secure the country's long—term prosperity. instead, it did the job the chancellor always intended, a quick fix, papering over the cracks. though rishi sunak was conscious of spreading spending to new tory constituencies and across the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today- and double down on exactly the same mistakes he has been making through the pandemic, - temporary extensions and temporary support can only ever mean - a temporary reprieve for those i millions who have been crippled by uncertainty for months. 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 chancellor chose notjust to tinker but to make big decisions, but they could have to shift with a 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. laura kuenssberg, bbc news. 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. 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 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. 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. a lot to discuss. karen ward is chief market strategist for europe, the middle east and africa atj.p. morgan asset management. a lot to go through. actually karen, you in a previous ice, you were in adviser to the previous, previous chancellor back in 2016. a very different time. a very different budget to what we saw today. talk us through your initial reaction and is it enough to get us through the pandemic? my it enough to get us through the pandemic?— it enough to get us through the andemic? g ., .,. ., , pandemic? my initial reaction is, he's not

pandemic? my initial reaction is, he's got the _ pandemic? my initial reaction is, he's got the main _ pandemic? my initial reaction is, he's got the main priority - pandemic? my initial reaction is, he's got the main priority by - he's got the main priority by securing that recovery, delivering the extensions to the furlough schemes, to the business grants in order to make sure that we reach the other side of this pandemic. i describe it as providing a bridge from one side to the other. and we know that bridges don't work if they are only three quarters of the way across the ravine. i think if anything he's provided himself a little extra insurance, pushing some of those measures to continue until september rather than ending in the summer. i think that's the key thing for me and i think that really will mean that in the second half of the year we will see a strong recovery. thatin year we will see a strong recovery. that in turn will help them recoup some of this additional spending. you talk about the furlough, it comes so late for those people back in october lost theirjobs before it had been extended. do you think this is something that could have been foreseen earlier? trier? is something that could have been foreseen earlier?— foreseen earlier? very difficult to know. foreseen earlier? very difficult to know clearly _ foreseen earlier? very difficult to know. clearly the _ foreseen earlier? very difficult to know. clearly the resurgence - foreseen earlier? very difficult to | know. clearly the resurgence that foreseen earlier? very difficult to - know. clearly the resurgence that we start late in the year as well as

how the virus mutate it was very hard to see with foresight. i think at that time with regards to the furlough scheme, the chancellor was concerned about it discouraging businesses from getting back to work, getting back to activity in bringing their staff back. i think at that time you can see why he was thinking about the need to phase it out. but he has clearly but that experiment to one side now. it stays very generous until the summer. it only really starts to be phased out in july and september. only really starts to be phased out injuly and september. let's be clear, unemployment rate is 5.1%. given we've been through a global pandemic. it reached 15% in the us. that of course for those who've lost their jobs, that of course for those who've lost theirjobs, that's extremely difficult for those individuals. but a 5% unemployment rate when our economy completely shut down is still pretty remarkable.- still pretty remarkable. anything that came as _ still pretty remarkable. anything that came as a _ still pretty remarkable. anything that came as a surprise - still pretty remarkable. anything that came as a surprise to - still pretty remarkable. anything that came as a surprise to you? | still pretty remarkable. anything i that came as a surprise to you? i'm thinking inheritance tax threshold,

pension lifetime allowance, capital gains tax exemption, frozen until at least 2025, 2026 was up is that a chancellor tying himself up a little bit with these measures that are arguably an easy way to raise finances? i arguably an easy way to raise finances?— finances? i think he's got the balance right _ finances? i think he's got the balance right today _ finances? i think he's got the balance right today of - finances? i think he's got the balance right today of saying | finances? i think he's got the | balance right today of saying i finances? i think he's got the - balance right today of saying i do care about that, i don't wanted to be continually rising and picking some measures, tax and some freezing some measures, tax and some freezing some of those slide shows to allude to the fact that he is going to tackle this later in the day. honestly, i think he's right not to get into details and really tie himself up on exactly how he's going to balance the books. because we just don't know the scale of our problem right now. there's a massive amount of excess savings that happen while we've all been stuck at home and not able to go out and spend. but time we are allowed out it could be as much as 10% of gdp. if all of that get spent very rapidly and we

have in an enormous expansion on the second half of the air as everyone rushes out fully to make up for lost time. that would be great to be an explosion in tax receipts was up that could actually close the problem here the office for budget responsibility that put their numbers out today gave an upside scenario which is basically what i just painted there. in that scenario actually his job is just painted there. in that scenario actually hisjob is done. i think he was right today to not focus too much on exactly how he's going to balance the books. because we just don't know the scale of the problem right now. he don't know the scale of the problem riaht now. ., right now. he mentioned the opr, the were right now. he mentioned the opr, they were a _ right now. he mentioned the opr, they were a bit _ right now. he mentioned the opr, they were a bit cautious _ right now. he mentioned the opr, they were a bit cautious when - right now. he mentioned the opr, they were a bit cautious when it i they were a bit cautious when it comes to their super deduction, the british chamber of commerce welcomed it. particularly welcome this particular incentive. what's your reaction to it and do you think it kind of kicks the problem into the long grass a little bit? i kind of kicks the problem into the long grass a little bit?— long grass a little bit? i think it's absolutely _ long grass a little bit? i think it's absolutely the _ long grass a little bit? i think it's absolutely the right - long grass a little bit? i think it's absolutely the right thing j long grass a little bit? i think. it's absolutely the right thing to do. we have an investment problem since the brexit referendum. business spending, their level of

business spending is down 10%. contrast that to the us and france where it is up 14%. we've got to get our businesses investing in this economy. it's a very generous deduction. it's ten times the generosity of the incentive that was delivered after the last recession. if this isn't the incentive that kick—start business investment and it's hard to see what will. it's the right time to do it. businesses are still uncertain, they're coming out of this recession with a lot more debt. providing a really meaningful incentive in order to try and spur that spending. that again all comes back to the chancellor needs to focus those precious pounds. because he doesn't have many of them. on spending that's going to deliver growth and in turn deliver tax receipts of the future and therefore intern for themselves. iaruiith receipts of the future and therefore intern for themselves.— intern for themselves. with your former adviser _ intern for themselves. with your former adviser hat _ intern for themselves. with your former adviser hat on _ intern for themselves. with your former adviser hat on back - intern for themselves. with your former adviser hat on back in - intern for themselves. with your i former adviser hat on back in 2016 in particular when we had the height of the referendum and the whole

brexit process, no mention of brexit in this particular budget. are you surprised by the?— surprised by the? know. i think everybody _ surprised by the? know. i think everybody is — surprised by the? know. i think everybody is sort _ surprised by the? know. i think everybody is sort of _ surprised by the? know. i think everybody is sort of trying - surprised by the? know. i think everybody is sort of trying to i surprised by the? know. i thinkl everybody is sort of trying to put it behind them. and hope that we are through the worst of the discussion. i think a lot of the finer details are still being worked out. no, i'm not really surprised that the emphasis is really on overcoming the pandemic, building on the recovery and focusing on some of the key structural issues for the future. not only investment but as your co—presenters alluded to building a green recovery. another essential part of some of the announcements today. part of some of the announcements toda . . ., part of some of the announcements toda . ., ,, i. ., part of some of the announcements toda. ., ,, ., ,, .,~ ., part of some of the announcements toda. ., ., ,, ., , thank you for speaking to us. and we'll be putting some of your budget questions to the experts at around eight—thirty this evening. so we're really keen for you to get in touch with us with your questions. you can send them on twitter using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions

and you can email us on yourquestions@bbc.co.uk. 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 the scottish government had 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 solemny, sincerely and truly declare. and apologised 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. alex salmond has been,

for most of my life, 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 looked up to and revered. 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. 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 and appalled by news like that. i wouldn't have slept a wink last night, it would not have gone out of my mind, so that is why we are struggling to believe the story that you just forgot about this meeting. people can be sceptical about that, but i hadn't remembered the 29th as being the big significant factor in this. in many ways, i really wish

i had because if i had, i would not be sitting here and i would be sitting here answering these questions but not trying to explain that to you, and i'm trying to explain it to the best of my ability 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 lawyers were very concerned. the charge that has been made against me is that 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. was alex 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's a serious charge. mr salmond has lodged a formal complaint today, but nicola sturgeon does not accept that is what happened. why would geoff aberdein, a senior person in the history of the snp, now pursuing a career now in financial services, pursuing a career fiow in financial services, as you are aware, why would he give evidence that was not true? there are differing recollections and differing accounts. i can think of 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 and the other because he had done his own investigations to find out. last week, alex salmond sat here accusing nicola sturgeon and her allies of turning against him.

i don't know whether 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 sturgeon is under intense political pressure. facing the prospect of a vote of no confidence in the scottish parliament, today she laid out in great detail the case for her defence. the uk government is to unilaterally extend grace periods for irish sea border checks. northern ireland has remained a part of the eu's single market for goods so products arriving from gb undergo eu import procedures. the grace periods mean procedures and checks are not yet fully applied. the eu says it will take legal action in response. a little earlier 0ur europe correspondent kevin conley explained the significance of the row.

northern ireland was one of the great sticking points in the brexit negotiations. how to avoid having a hard border on the island, that was a great negotiating aim of the european unions of course by the united kingdom too. the result you will remember was a deal where you don't have a hard border on the isle of ireland. that makes the ports of entry into northern island effectively the border of the european union single market. northern ireland, part of the uk of courses in the single market of the eu and in the british customs area. that means quite complicated rules about moving goods backwards and forwards. the uk is now saying it wants to delay, is going to delay the implementation of that until october. the eu, quite simply is angry. it says that's a violation of the good—faith clause of the withdrawal agreement. strip away the diplomatic filter,

i'd say that's strong language. to the latest government figures that show there was 6385 new coronavirus infections recorded in the last 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. let's turn to vaccinations now and nearly 225,000 people had their first dose of the vaccine in the latest 24—hour period. in total 20.7 million people have now had their firstjob. that is 39% of the adult population. buckingham palace it said its hr team will look at allegations of bullying by the duchess. that report

was in the times paper according to the paper made in october 2018 meghan had allegedly driven out to personal assistance from the household and undermine the confidence of the third staff member. meghan has said that she had been saddened by the complaint and here is the statement from buckingham palace. it reads... members are royal corresponded explained the background of this story. we understand _ background of this story. - understand from an e—mail that the times itself is published at one official in the palace wrote to another official outlining these claims but we also understand that once that e—mail had been sent it

really progressed no further because no formal complaint was made. by the members of staff involved. about the behaviour of the digest. of course sources close to the doctors told me these people left for reasons entirely unconnected with what the duchess did or didn't do with our behavior. buckingham palace seems to think otherwise. 0r behavior. buckingham palace seems to think otherwise. or at least it seems to think there is enough in these allegations to warrant what is in effect an inquiry into the 28 behaviour of the duke and duchess towards their staff. i should say in that time it wasn't just this e—mail from one official to another they were were also numerous anonymous palace sources alleging poor behaviour by meghan in particular. but also by harry. what is a pretty startling story has taking a new turn in the last hour or so with this announcement from buckingham palace. �* , ., ,

palace. let's return to the budget and the chancellor _ palace. let's return to the budget and the chancellor has _ palace. let's return to the budget and the chancellor has promised l and the chancellor has promised extra funding for wells public services run from cardiff and his budget. rishi sunak said it will trigger an extra £740 million for the welsh government as a result of spending in england. but being accused of a package of hard measures and quick fixes. liz saville roberts is the plaid cymru leader at westminster. good to get your reaction. we've heard the point from your party half measures and quick fixes, is there anything that you welcome in this budget? good evening. of course we appreciate that the chancellor is doing his best to make sure that this is occurring. at the same time what is being package here is much talk of the shared prosperity and the loving up agenda. these are like the loving up agenda. these are like the presence being wrapped up to being given to us in those in shiny paper. when you do these bows and i

wrapped the paper actually what's there is not all that much. he mentions £740 million we've worked out only 5% of that is new money or not money directly linked to projects the welsh government are going to have to come to as well. what was really interesting with the leveling up agenda is looking at how much that money actually is going to come to wales. interestingly my constituency compared to the county of gwynedd. when it has the among the lowest salaries but for some reason he is named for it alongside local authorities and city of london as being the lowest need. 0ur local authorities and city of london as being the lowest need. our only hope that this is a mistake. also looking at the shared prosperity fund which is been touted to us as the great replacement of the european structural funds. you the great replacement of the european structuralfunds. you may well know that wells and the welsh valleys and the west of wales were in the highest need areas of europe. we use to receive hundred and £75

million a year. the new pilot for the shared prosperity fund is talking about 221 to £8 million for the whole united kingdom. it looks like we're being shortchanged. arts being dressed up very much. fine being dressed up very much. one thin that being dressed up very much. one thing that is _ being dressed up very much. one thing that is may _ being dressed up very much. one thing that is may be of benefit and a relief is the extension of the furlough scheme. 40% of wells jobs currently are under furlough. there is some kind of relief at least for the short term with this particular scheme being extended.— the short term with this particular scheme being extended. we've already seen 'ob scheme being extended. we've already seen job losses — scheme being extended. we've already seen job losses and _ scheme being extended. we've already seen job losses and also _ scheme being extended. we've already seen job losses and also uncertainty i seen job losses and also uncertainty than for that we could have done can shred the woolly neck and severally billy mark uncertainty. for many families inside the furlough scheme the increase of six months for extra money for universal credit. we know that that then will leave 26,000 families on certain of that money for that money should be continuing

as well alongside the furlough scheme. there are people in real need who are out of work. it there will be more people out of work. that sort of support needs to continue. that sort of support needs to continue-— continue. when it comes to businesses, _ continue. when it comes to businesses, do _ continue. when it comes to businesses, do you - continue. when it comes to businesses, do you think i continue. when it comes to i businesses, do you think they're getting enough support? you talk about helping the economy and getting businesses back up and running, is there something in the budget that you feel businesses can hold onto? this budget that you feel businesses can hold onto? , , _, . ., hold onto? this is the concern about the strategy- — hold onto? this is the concern about the strategy. wales _ hold onto? this is the concern about the strategy. wales in _ hold onto? this is the concern about the strategy. wales in the _ hold onto? this is the concern about the strategy. wales in the way i hold onto? this is the concern about the strategy. wales in the way that i the strategy. wales in the way that it is funded we know that wales is one of the poorest regions in western europe. that's why we were reading the structural arrangements previously. looking at this budget, where is the growth strategy? yes, we are surviving out of covid. this is been the greatest crisis we have seen for that where is the growth strategy to address this inequality? looking at what we have coming down the road to us in the future, the shared prosperity fund, the leveling up shared prosperity fund, the leveling up funds, are they going to be doing

anything but tinkering? bear in mind the promise the chancellor is doing here if welsh government had that degree of borrowing power, if they had anything more than the towering two which is been refused by west minister, imagine what we could do rather than this being directed and controlled by the treasury and west minister. . ., controlled by the treasury and west minister. ., ,, , ., . we'll be answering your questions about the budget shortly, but first let's look in a little more detail at some of the other measures announced by rishi sunak. and the chancellor said he was now cancelling planned alcohol and fuel duty increases. he also said there will be a mortgage guarantee 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 two 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 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. 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 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. you've been sending in your

questions about today's budget. here to try and answer just some of them — our business correspondent ben thompson and economistjosie dent. loads of question, let's get cracking. the first one to you is from john he wants to know how does the budget affect working tax credits? ., ,., the budget affect working tax credits? ., ., ., ., credits? yeah, so, thanks for that ruestion, credits? yeah, so, thanks for that question. john- — credits? yeah, so, thanks for that question, john. the _ credits? yeah, so, thanks for that question, john. the chancery i credits? yeah, so, thanks for that l question, john. the chancery stated today that he wants to help those on the lowest incomes. so for those on working tax credits, they get a one—off payment of £500. that's equivalent to around £20 a week over six months which is what those on universal credits are promised to them today. there is also a regular uplift to the normal amount for those on working tax credits receive that will depend on the person, but the key announcement today was the one—off payment of £500. the key announcement today was the one-off payment of £500.— the key announcement today was the one-off payment of £500. thanks very much, let's one-off payment of £500. thanks very much. let's turn _ one-off payment of £500. thanks very much, let's turn to _ one-off payment of £500. thanks very much, let's turn to mike's _ one-off payment of £500. thanks very much, let's turn to mike's question i much, let's turn to mike's question now, he is asking what other help

the government is going to offer to those self—employed people who are left out of the first three grants putting them thousands of pounds worth of debt. mar: putting them thousands of pounds worth of debt-— worth of debt. mac yes, a really controversial _ worth of debt. mac yes, a really controversial issue _ worth of debt. mac yes, a really controversial issue this - worth of debt. mac yes, a really controversial issue this one, i controversial issue this one, because there _ controversial issue this one, because there were - controversial issue this one, because there were many i controversial issue this one, - because there were many thousands controversial issue this one, _ because there were many thousands of people _ because there were many thousands of people who _ because there were many thousands of people who did not qualify for those grants _ people who did not qualify for those grants that were paid over the past ten months through no fault of their own _ own. it - own. it was own. - it was perhaps own. — it was perhaps that they move own. it was perhaps that they move 'obs it was perhaps that they move jobs or were _ it was perhaps that they move jobs or were newly self—employed, and therefore — or were newly self—employed, and therefore could not prove what their level of— therefore could not prove what their level of income would normally have been in _ level of income would normally have been in normal times, and therefore did not— been in normal times, and therefore did not qualify for those first three — did not qualify for those first three grants that were offered to people _ three grants that were offered to people who are self—employed. good news in _ people who are self—employed. good news in the _ people who are self—employed. good news in the budget today, the chancellor saying that an extra 600,000 people who are self—employed who did _ 600,000 people who are self—employed who did not _ 600,000 people who are self—employed who did not qualify for the first three _ who did not qualify for the first three will— who did not qualify for the first three will now be eligible for the next two — three will now be eligible for the next two. they will be able to start claiming _ next two. they will be able to start claiming the next one, and that is claimable — claiming the next one, and that is claimable from april and then there will be _ claimable from april and then there will be another one later in the of that you — will be another one later in the of that you can claim injuly. now we

should _ that you can claim injuly. now we should say— that you can claim injuly. now we should say can remember, it's a proportion— should say can remember, it's a proportion of your profits, but provided — proportion of your profits, but provided that you can prove that you have had _ provided that you can prove that you have had an — provided that you can prove that you have had an income in the tax year of 2019-20 — have had an income in the tax year of 2019—20. then you will be eligible — of 2019—20. then you will be eligible for these next payments, so that does— eligible for these next payments, so that does bring some help, although, there is— that does bring some help, although, there is some criticism that it's perhaps— there is some criticism that it's perhaps too little too late because when _ perhaps too little too late because when we _ perhaps too little too late because when we talk about april, may, june, when _ when we talk about april, may, june, when you _ when we talk about april, may, june, when you can start to claim this next _ when you can start to claim this next round _ when you can start to claim this next round of grants, the government would _ next round of grants, the government would have _ next round of grants, the government would have us believe that that is when _ would have us believe that that is when the — would have us believe that that is when the restrictions will lift and we can— when the restrictions will lift and we can get back to work. keeping the focus on grants. _ we can get back to work. keeping the focus on grants, this _ we can get back to work. keeping the focus on grants, this is _ we can get back to work. keeping the focus on grants, this is grants - we can get back to work. keeping the focus on grants, this is grants for- focus on grants, this is grants for small businesses, are there any grants for small businesses? yes. grants for small businesses? yes, so, of grants for small businesses? yes, so. of course. _ grants for small businesses? yes, so. of course. we _ grants for small businesses? yes, so, of course, we just _ grants for small businesses? yes, so, of course, we just heard i grants for small businesses? jazz so, of course, we just heard about the grants for self—employed people. but small businesses in particular have been hard hit by this crisis with forced closures for months and months. and even for those who have remained open, probably very weak demand as consumers have been hit by this crisis. so one of the key announcements today was of restarts

grants, and for businesses which can openin grants, and for businesses which can open in april, so that's mainly retail, these are grants of £60,000 per premises, so businesses with multiple premises might be able to get more. and for businesses which are under the current plan opening later, so in may orjune, leisure facilities and other businesses like that, they might be able to get £18,000 again per premises, so that's for businesses in the hospitality and leisure. so that's one of the key announcements today are those grants. but there are other sources of finance announced today in the budget for small businesses. i think a particular policy of interest is new management training that's been offered at a highly subsidised rate to small businesses, then also new technology is subsidised again for small businesses, and they announced that they are going to continue to offer

businesses the ability to reclaim statutory pay for two weeks. so there is still lots of provision for small businesses in this budget. so lots of provisions, simon, let's hope that answers your question. a question from juanita who is asking what the chancellor is doing about people who fell through the net and were not eligible for furlough and she asks is it really fair to these people when the furloughed people can work as well as claiming furlough?— can work as well as claiming furlou:h? , ., , , �* ., furlough? yes, absolutely. another of these big — furlough? yes, absolutely. another of these big issues _ furlough? yes, absolutely. another of these big issues where _ furlough? yes, absolutely. another of these big issues where there i furlough? yes, absolutely. another of these big issues where there are | of these big issues where there are people _ of these big issues where there are people who do not qualify. they are excluded, _ people who do not qualify. they are excluded, they fall into the correct net gaps, — excluded, they fall into the correct net gaps, and we should just say i'm furlough, _ net gaps, and we should just say i'm furlough, this is one of the announcements that was leaked ahead of the _ announcements that was leaked ahead of the budget today. the scheme will be extended until september. that of course _ be extended until september. that of course is _ be extended until september. that of course is a _ be extended until september. that of course is a scheme whereby the government, the taxpayer picks up the bill_ government, the taxpayer picks up the bill for— government, the taxpayer picks up the bill for 80% of someone's salary if they— the bill for 80% of someone's salary if they are _ the bill for 80% of someone's salary if they are not able to work or indeed — if they are not able to work or indeed the hours that you are not

able to— indeed the hours that you are not able to work if, for example, businesses are not operating at full capacity _ businesses are not operating at full capacity. so that's already announced. it will be extended until september, particularly youngerand september, particularly younger and lower— september, particularly younger and lower paid _ september, particularly youngerand lower paid people who are most likely— lower paid people who are most likely to — lower paid people who are most likely to be furloughed, particularly in sectors like hospitality and retail that we know have been— hospitality and retail that we know have been so badly affected. again, we should _ have been so badly affected. again, we should also say that even though 80% of— we should also say that even though 80% of your salary might sound like a decent _ 80% of your salary might sound like a decent payout, remember, a lot of people _ a decent payout, remember, a lot of people are _ a decent payout, remember, a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet on _ people are struggling to make ends meet on a — people are struggling to make ends meet on a full salary on 100%, so many— meet on a full salary on 100%, so many people are struggling at 80% to pay the _ many people are struggling at 80% to pay the bills. but to answer the question. — pay the bills. but to answer the question, no specific support from the chancellor today about the people — the chancellor today about the people that were previously excluded, and they might be people who, for— excluded, and they might be people who, for example, our contract workers. — who, for example, our contract workers, directors of their own companies, freelance workers, and they say— companies, freelance workers, and they say they've been excluded from any help _ they say they've been excluded from any help whatsoever and there was no clarity _ any help whatsoever and there was no clarity from _ any help whatsoever and there was no clarity from the chancellor today about _ clarity from the chancellor today about whether he would think about extending _ about whether he would think about extending that support any further. thanks— extending that support any further. thanks very much. they are asking

whether or not the scheme will apply to new hires, so people who were hired in november, december last year, and then at the beginning of this year, will the furlough scheme apply to them? 50. this year, will the furlough scheme apply to them?— apply to them? so, basically, not until may- — apply to them? so, basically, not until may- so _ apply to them? so, basically, not until may. so this _ apply to them? so, basically, not until may. so this announcement| apply to them? so, basically, not l until may. so this announcement of the furlough scheme being extended until september is a lifeline for so many individuals and businesses. but it's fairly complicated and the government has to limit who can claim for it to avoid fraud. so after may, people who were hired in november, december, january to february will be eligible for the furlough scheme if they were hired before the 2nd of march, essentially, and so the key date is the 1st of may for claiming for people who were hired up until the end of february. {lilia people who were hired up until the end of february.— end of february. ok, josie, thank ou ve end of february. ok, josie, thank you very much — end of february. ok, josie, thank you very much and _ end of february. ok, josie, thank you very much and i _ end of february. ok, josie, thank you very much and i hope - end of february. ok, josie, thank you very much and i hope that's l you very much and i hope that's

cleared it up for you, david. looking at dates, ban, stamp duty, the holiday for stamp duty, jane is asking whether the stamp duty holiday will be extended. in a simle holiday will be extended. in a simple answer, _ holiday will be extended. in a simple answer, yes. - holiday will be extended. in a simple answer, yes. remember, stamp duty, simple answer, yes. remember, stamp duty. the— simple answer, yes. remember, stamp duty. the tax— simple answer, yes. remember, stamp duty, the tax that you pay on a property— duty, the tax that you pay on a property purchase, we are told that that will— property purchase, we are told that that will be extended until the end ofjune _ that will be extended until the end ofjune. that was much speculated about— ofjune. that was much speculated about and — ofjune. that was much speculated about and widely expected, that's because _ about and widely expected, that's because the property industry says that it _ because the property industry says that it has — because the property industry says that it has a huge backlog of people trying _ that it has a huge backlog of people trying to— that it has a huge backlog of people trying to push their transactions through— trying to push their transactions through before the end of march, which _ through before the end of march, which is _ through before the end of march, which is when it was supposed to expire _ which is when it was supposed to expire. they thought about 300,000 deals could fall through if it wasn't _ deals could fall through if it wasn't extended. and it's worth saying _ wasn't extended. and it's worth saying it's — wasn't extended. and it's worth saying it's a pretty decent giveaway if you _ saying it's a pretty decent giveaway if you are _ saying it's a pretty decent giveaway if you are in — saying it's a pretty decent giveaway if you are in that position to be buying — if you are in that position to be buying a — if you are in that position to be buying a house right now because he will serve _ buying a house right now because he will serve about —— save about £50,000 _ will serve about —— save about £50,000 on a transaction, so it's well worth— £50,000 on a transaction, so it's well worth having. the chancellor says that — well worth having. the chancellor says that will be extended until the end of— says that will be extended until the end ofjune. then it will be wound down, _ end ofjune. then it will be wound down, so — end ofjune. then it will be wound down, so currently you pay no tax up

until the _ down, so currently you pay no tax up until the value of £500,000 on your property— until the value of £500,000 on your property purchase. after the end of june, _ property purchase. after the end of june, that — property purchase. after the end of june, that will be halved from it will be — june, that will be halved from it will be reduced to £250,000, and then from — will be reduced to £250,000, and then from september, it will revert back to _ then from september, it will revert back to its — then from september, it will revert back to its normal limits, which is £125,000. — back to its normal limits, which is £125,000, that's in the start of 0ctober~ — £125,000, that's in the start of october. so things getting back to normal— october. so things getting back to normal their from the start of october. _ normal their from the start of october, but nonetheless, it should allow _ october, but nonetheless, it should allow some of those transactions that are — allow some of those transactions that are currently in process, may be a _ that are currently in process, may be a few _ that are currently in process, may be a few more as people decide that they want— be a few more as people decide that they want to move before the new deadline _ they want to move before the new deadline comes in. with— deadline comes in. with the current deal is extended now until— with the current deal is extended now until the end ofjune. excellent, thank you very much, things for clarifying that. casey allen is asking is the £500 payment people on working tax credit only for those who receive it as part of a universal credit orfor all who receive it? thinks that question, katie. to repeat what i said earlier, the chancellor announced today a one—off payment for people who are working

tax credits. he also announced a £20 a week uplift for those on universal credit, which is being extended by six months, and so they are roughly equivalent to each other both at around £20 a week for six months, and this will be a lifeline to so many households who have been hard hit by this crisis with the unemployment rate higher than it has been for a number of years and many people struggling to find work amid this recession and this difficult time, and so it's been so important for summoning people to receive this uplift over the past year in order to support their families. to get to the question, essentially, you can be on one or the other, so you can be on one or the other, so you can be on one or the other, so you can be on working tax credits on universal credit, so if you're on universal credit, so if you're on universal credit, so if you're on universal credit for a low income, then you willjust received a £20 a week uplift, and if you are still in the system of working tax credits, then you willjust get the £500

one—off payment. then you willjust get the £500 one-off payment.— then you willjust get the £500 one-off payment. then you willjust get the £500 one-off -a ment. . ,, ., one-off payment. thank you. one more ro -e one-off payment. thank you. one more property related — one-off payment. thank you. one more property related one — one-off payment. thank you. one more property related one to _ one-off payment. thank you. one more property related one to you, _ one-off payment. thank you. one more property related one to you, we - one-off payment. thank you. one more property related one to you, we seem l property related one to you, we seem to be throwing them your way, with the government backing mortgages asks, jake, what interest rates be lowered for eligible mortgages due to the reduced risk of the banks are taking, or could it be potentially betterfor a taking, or could it be potentially better for a first—time buyer to pay the minimum 5% rather than upping to 10%? the minimum 5% rather than upping to 1096? ., the minimum 596 rather than upping to 1096? ., , ., , ., , ., 1096? yeah, 'ust to explain this one, this is sort 1096? yeah, just to explain this one, this is sort of— 1096? yeah, just to explain this one, this is sort of the _ 1096? yeah, just to explain this one, this is sort of the other _ 1096? yeah, just to explain this one, this is sort of the other side - 1096? yeah, just to explain this one, this is sort of the other side of i this is sort of the other side of the chancellor's property announcements today. the idea that any 5% _ announcements today. the idea that any 5% mortgages would be underwritten by the government, so basically— underwritten by the government, so basically guaranteed by the government if the customer wasn't able to— government if the customer wasn't able to pay— government if the customer wasn't able to pay them back, and a little bit of— able to pay them back, and a little bit of context here is important, because — bit of context here is important, because after the financial crisis, lots of— because after the financial crisis, lots of big — because after the financial crisis, lots of big financial institutions, banks— lots of big financial institutions, banks and — lots of big financial institutions, banks and building societies were reluctant— banks and building societies were reluctant to lend to people with very small deposits. they demanded 10% or— very small deposits. they demanded 10% or more. what this guarantee will do _ 10% or more. what this guarantee will do is — 10% or more. what this guarantee will do is allow banks to start lending — will do is allow banks to start lending again to people with just 5%

deposits _ lending again to people with just 5% deposits. now, thejury lending again to people with just 5% deposits. now, the jury is out on what _ deposits. now, the jury is out on what difference this will make. doesn't — what difference this will make. doesn't mean that it's more affordable, or doesjust inflate affordable, or does just inflate prices — affordable, or doesjust inflate prices even more? already, we have been _ prices even more? already, we have been told _ prices even more? already, we have been told today that they are already — been told today that they are already going to offer those 95% mortgages withjust 5% already going to offer those 95% mortgages with just 5% deposits from april. _ mortgages with just 5% deposits from april. and _ mortgages with just 5% deposits from april, and that's because the chancellor said that he will guarantee those. so that should make them more _ guarantee those. so that should make them more available than they have been up _ them more available than they have been up until now, so that should allow— been up until now, so that should allow more — been up until now, so that should allow more first—time buyers to get on the _ allow more first—time buyers to get on the property ladder, but at the same _ on the property ladder, but at the same time, — on the property ladder, but at the same time, there are lots of caveats here because of course, affordability is still a huge issue whether— affordability is still a huge issue whether you've got a 5% depository 10% deposits from your still paying a of money. equally, there is still concerned about— equally, there is still concerned about the — equally, there is still concerned about the fact that if house prices do dip, _ about the fact that if house prices do dip, if— about the fact that if house prices do dip, if you have got a small deposits— do dip, if you have got a small deposits and you are borrowing the 95%, _ deposits and you are borrowing the 95%, you _ deposits and you are borrowing the 95%, you could end up in a picture of negative — 95%, you could end up in a picture of negative equity, whereby you won't _ of negative equity, whereby you won't owe — of negative equity, whereby you won't owe more on your mortgage than the property— won't owe more on your mortgage than the property is actually worth. so

that's— the property is actually worth. so that's one — the property is actually worth. so that's one of the pitfalls of this scheme, — that's one of the pitfalls of this scheme, but nonetheless, the chancellor is very keen, he says he wants _ chancellor is very keen, he says he wants to _ chancellor is very keen, he says he wants to encourage big financial institutions to start lending again and by— institutions to start lending again and by guaranteeing those 5% deposits, he will make sure that they do— deposits, he will make sure that they do that. just answer the question— they do that. just answer the question specifically they're talking _ question specifically they're talking about the availability but also the — talking about the availability but also the attractiveness of them, yes. _ also the attractiveness of them, yes, look. — also the attractiveness of them, yes, look, should there be a lower interest— yes, look, should there be a lower interest rate because the bank isn't taking _ interest rate because the bank isn't taking as _ interest rate because the bank isn't taking as much as a risk on that mortgage, _ taking as much as a risk on that mortgage, perhaps, what we see that? probably— mortgage, perhaps, what we see that? probably not. i think the banks and the financial institutions themselves will say, look, it's a bit of— themselves will say, look, it's a bit of a — themselves will say, look, it's a bit of a gamble for us anyway because _ bit of a gamble for us anyway because we are not very confident about— because we are not very confident about lending to people with small deposits — about lending to people with small deposits. already, the competition in that— deposits. already, the competition in that market is so little commencement like they are competing to attract— commencement like they are competing to attract customers there. so very interesting _ to attract customers there. so very interesting to see what happens, but as we _ interesting to see what happens, but as we said. _ interesting to see what happens, but as we said, already, some of the big financial— as we said, already, some of the big financial institutions are saying they— financial institutions are saying they will— financial institutions are saying they will start offering from april, e>

simple question, has capital gains taxes been increased? essentially, not in nominal— taxes been increased? essentially, not in nominalterms. _ taxes been increased? essentially, not in nominal terms. what - taxes been increased? essentially, not in nominal terms. what the i not in nominal terms. what the chancellor announced today is that the annual exempt amount is going to be frozen at its current level of £12,300 until 2026. so that means that the amount of tax you pay is actually going to rise in real terms, and that means after adjusting for inflation, because normally what would happen with this kind of taxes that each year, the chancellor would announce that the level that you don't have to pay tax on, which is currently 12.3 thousand increases in line with inflation. however, this not going to happen now for the next five years, meaning that after adjusting for inflation, that after adjusting for inflation, that level essentially gets lower. this is one of the key ways that the chancellor is seeking to raise tax revenue over the next few years,

which he needs to start doing in order to repay the large amount of debt the uk government has accumulated as a result of the coronavirus crisis. he's trying to do this very carefully, though, which is why we are seeing just a freeze and not a lowering of the level, which would be a nominal increase in tax, rather thanjust level, which would be a nominal increase in tax, rather than just a real increase which we have seen. so he is freezing this kind of threshold for a number of taxes, not just capital gains tax. we also saw for income tax and for the amount you can put into your pension pot, and so those are some of the key ways that the government is seeking to raise tax revenue over the coming years. to raise tax revenue over the coming ears. . ~' to raise tax revenue over the coming ears. ., ~ , ., . years. thank you, excellent question. — years. thank you, excellent question, things _ years. thank you, excellent question, things resending | years. thank you, excellent i question, things resending that in my final question, back with furlough, what is the rationale behind extending the furlough scheme until september, but anticipating a fall lockdown lift byjune? so she makes the point, is this to support certain sectors

that have specifically struggled and will continue to struggle for longer? shouldn't this be limited to certain sectors if so? yes, i think she spot on with that. all through — yes, i think she spot on with that. all through the furlough scheme, even _ all through the furlough scheme, even since — all through the furlough scheme, even since its introduction, there were _ even since its introduction, there were warnings about the so—called cliff edge, — were warnings about the so—called cliff edge, the idea that the chancellor would say, ok, tomorrow the deal— chancellor would say, ok, tomorrow the deal is _ chancellor would say, ok, tomorrow the deal is off, no longer will we pay the — the deal is off, no longer will we pay the salaries of people who cannot— pay the salaries of people who cannot work because that would prompt, — cannot work because that would prompt, he feared, employers do then lay off— prompt, he feared, employers do then lay off lots _ prompt, he feared, employers do then lay off lots of people, and you are hearing _ lay off lots of people, and you are hearing about the on employment rate creeping _ hearing about the on employment rate creeping higher. the furlough scheme is kept _ creeping higher. the furlough scheme is kept people and work, cut them off the _ is kept people and work, cut them off the official unemployment books. so he _ off the official unemployment books. so he is _ off the official unemployment books. so he is keen to ease this out and allow— so he is keen to ease this out and allow business to get up and running again. _ allow business to get up and running again. the _ allow business to get up and running again, the economy working again before _ again, the economy working again before he — again, the economy working again before he pulls the scheme entirely. but i before he pulls the scheme entirely. but i think— before he pulls the scheme entirely. but i think that question is right, there _ but i think that question is right, there are — but i think that question is right, there are a — but i think that question is right, there are a lot of industries that will struggle even when all restrictions are lifted to get people _ restrictions are lifted to get people back spending through the doors _ people back spending through the doors on — people back spending through the doors on the planes in the hotels, all that— doors on the planes in the hotels, all that sort — doors on the planes in the hotels, all that sort of thing is they would

normally— all that sort of thing is they would normally because consumers psychology will play a huge role in this, that — psychology will play a huge role in this, that even when the economy is open _ this, that even when the economy is open again— this, that even when the economy is open again and things are open and we can— open again and things are open and we can go— open again and things are open and we can go back and spend and shop and eat— we can go back and spend and shop and eat out— we can go back and spend and shop and eat out and all of that, people will be _ and eat out and all of that, people will be reluctant, perhaps, to do so. will be reluctant, perhaps, to do so they— will be reluctant, perhaps, to do so. they will be —— there will be niggling — so. they will be —— there will be niggling fears there, and travel and tourism _ niggling fears there, and travel and tourism and hospitality come even though— tourism and hospitality come even though they can reopen from i think there _ though they can reopen from i think there will— though they can reopen from i think there will be a lot of people who hang _ there will be a lot of people who hang fire — there will be a lot of people who hang fire for a little bit. so i think— hang fire for a little bit. so i think with the chancellor is thinking _ think with the chancellor is thinking here is, look, iwilltry to give — thinking here is, look, iwilltry to give a — thinking here is, look, iwilltry to give a date well into the future so there — to give a date well into the future so there is— to give a date well into the future so there is no concern about that cliff edge — so there is no concern about that cliff edge and provide the support for people that need it. of course, the hope _ for people that need it. of course, the hope is — for people that need it. of course, the hope is to end that more quickly, _ the hope is to end that more quickly, one would assume, getting everybody— quickly, one would assume, getting everybody back to work, and there would _ everybody back to work, and there would be _ everybody back to work, and there would be no need for us, but i think he is _ would be no need for us, but i think he is aware — would be no need for us, but i think he is aware that there will be long—lasting implications of people not being _ long—lasting implications of people not being able to work, businesses easing _ not being able to work, businesses easing themselves back into working again. _ easing themselves back into working again, getting up to full capacity, implying — again, getting up to full capacity, implying the people that they need, having _ implying the people that they need, having all— implying the people that they need, having all of the hours or those staff— having all of the hours or those staff to — having all of the hours or those staff to work. so i think there is a lot of—

staff to work. so i think there is a lot of psychology at play and a long time before the economy gets back to normal— time before the economy gets back to normal even once restrictions have been _ normal even once restrictions have been lifted — normal even once restrictions have been lifted-— been lifted. ultimately can i think it will take time. _ been lifted. ultimately can i think it will take time. excellent - it will take time. excellent questions. thank you so much. we continue to monitor all the questions coming in, so if you have more, do send them our way. you can also get in touch via e—mail, but ben and josie, thank you so much for bringing some of those answers to us and thank you again to our viewers for those excellent questions. thanks for watching. the chancellor announced the location of eight new freeports across england in his budget. mr sunak said they will help the economy — but critics argue they don't boost overall employment butjust move its location and will drive down working conditions. goods that arrive into freeports from abroad aren't subject to tariffs — with taxes only paid if the goods leave the freeport and are moved elsewhere in the uk. the eight locations announced today — which are due to begin

operations from late 2021 — are felixstowe and harwich, the humber region, the liverpool city region, plymouth, solent, thames, teesside and east midlands airport — from where mike o'sullivan reports. east midlands airport will be at the heart of a new freeport being created in our region. goods arriving from abroad want to be subject to tax, tariffs would only be paid if the goods are moved ——goods arriving from abroad won't to be subject to tax, tariffs would only be paid if the goods are moved out of the zone. it allows manufacturers and businesses to bring in parts, for example, at a reduced tariff, add value to those parts, so maybe assemble them into a whole widget, to than so it encourages investment. the freeport takes in much more than the airport. it includes the nearby east midlands

gateway logistics and rail centre, it's hoped to bring in new employers, including at a planned hydrogen hub near toyota in derbyshire. and at the ratcliffe on soar power station. they don't boost employment overall, and moving economic activity from one area to another comes at a cost to the taxpayer. this is the real danger. you could be legally allowing companies to avoid paying tax. i mean, this is the fundamental premisefor free freeports. these new environments where companies don't have to play by the same tax rules as other areas. but that review rejected by the organisations and businesses behind the free ports. evidence that free ports can be very, very good and strong economic catalysts, that's been proven in many parts of the world, but what we look at with the east midlands freeport is that clearly, it's focused around job creation. we are looking at creating in total around 60,000 jobs, 30,000 direct, 30,000 indirect supply chainjobs. and that will benefit us

and the east midlands. these midlands freeport is the only in land one among the eight created today. the government says it will make it easier and cheaper to do business. mike o'sullivan, bbc is midlands today. rishi sunak has rejected claims that he has concentrated support in his budget on conservative—voting areas. he announced that more than £1 billion is to be given for 45 additional so—called "town fund" deals. cash is provided to local councils to spend on cultural and infrastructure projects. of the the 56 constituencies that benefit, 47 are conservative and 19 were gained from labour at the last general election — including wakefield — from where spencer stokes reports. a budget billed as a post—pandemic relaunch. the covid crisis is farfrom over, but today the chancellor started planning for a future in which lockdown is, restrictions and mandatory rules about gatherings are a thing of the past.

it is going to take this country and the whole world a long time to recover from this extraordinary economic situation. but we will recover. our town and city centres are one of the most startling examples of how the pandemic has hit the economy. for weeks on end, every day is looks like sunday evening. so relief in wakefield that they've been awarded £25 million to help regenerate the city centre. meanwhile, castleford, down the road, gets another 26 million. this is going to help them amazingly, but what you have to remember is this 50 million is roughly a quarter of what they have taken off us over the last ten years, so they give with one hand and take back with the other. having said all of that, we are welcoming this £50 million with open arms because we will make this work for our district. let's bring people back to work in the city and town centres, let's give them the office space and flexibility and its build on what has been happening over

the past 12 months of people wanting to stay local and support local communities and shops. it is hoped the money can be used to attract new businesses, like this one, that opened in the city in the last year. barber, coffee shop and micro gallery combined. the city is going to need a massive kick start. a lot of businesses were already suffering, so hopefully that is going to help, you know, keep a lot of them going that they don't have to close their doors. wakefield and castleford aren't the only places in our region to be awarded money today. whitby, scarborough, clay cross, goldthorpe, morley and stockbridge have also won a share of the towns fund, a mixture of large and small, all with their own challenges. in wakefield, it's the fact that the city's landmark shopping centre is going to do is two big retailers, debenhams and topshop. ——centre is going to lose two big retailers,

debenhams and topshop. but the centre manager isn't downcast. the retail environment is better than possibly is being reported, so there are businesses that we are actively engaged with to bring them into the city and there are businesses, successful retail businesses and other operators, leisure businesses, who want to come into wakefield and that's our primary focus, to fill those spaces as and when they become available. after austerity cuts imposed by government, councils welcome today's extra cash, but many haven't received the additionalfunding and the years ahead look equally, if not more, challenging in the last decade. spencer stokes, bbc look north, wakefield. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. mann the budget on our website, and i will be looking at how the first traditions of the newspapers will be looking at it. —— more on the budget. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. good evening. high pressure that's been in charge of our weather has brought quite a lot of dry and settled conditions

over the past couple of days. we've also had quite a bit of cloud around, some mist and some fog, too. and over the next couple of days, still cloudy for most of us, a lot of dry weather, but there will be some isolated showers in the forecast. some heavy showers across parts of southern and eastern england over the next few hours. the odd rumble of thunder possible. they should slowly clear away during thursday morning. we've also got a few showers working in across the northern half of scotland, a weak cold front heading in here. but temperatures for most of us remaining around about 2—6 degrees, so a frost—free start to your thursday morning. quite a cloudy day once again. the odd fly of snow over the highest mountains in scotland, and some light, patchy rain moving into northern england later in the day. early rain clearing away from the south east. quite cool and cloudy compared to recent days in the south. still quite mild in the far south west. a few brighter spells, though, across the northern half of the uk. and it looks like the fairly dry, settled, but largely cloudy weather sticks around into friday and into saturday, too. bye— bye.

this is bbc news — america is back is the foreign policy mantra of the biden white house but its global engagement needs buy in from us workers too. which is why the new top diplomat says what happens in the world, matters to americans. or should do, anyway. that's easy to understand on some issues like climate change — but what about something like yemen. we'll ask senate chris murphy why his voters should care about the middle east. a budget for the pandemic more spending now but paying the bill comes later. the uk chancellor says he's just being honest about what it costs to recover from covid. also in the programme... president biden has criticised the �*neanderthal thinking' of republican governors who have lifted covid restrictions early.

we will take you to mississippi were bars