this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for a number of days. the duchess of sussex has accused the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. i don't know how they could expect that after all this time we would stilljust be silent if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. the uk chancellor defends his plans to raise overall taxation to the highest level since the 1960s — as he faces criticism for doing too little to tackle inequality this is a good way to raise money

that we need because it's a progressive measure. it means those on higher incomes contribute a lot more than those on lower incomes. if you want to tell me your reaction to the budget — or any of our main stories today — you can tweet me at annita underscore mcveigh or use the hashtag bbc your questions countries with more overweight people have had the highest death rates from covid 19, a report says, as the government looks at a reward scheme to encourage people to lose weight. i'm dressed up as my favourite character. fantastic mr fox. and as children dress up to mark world book day, campaigners call for more books with characters from ethnic backgrounds.

hello, and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition, buckingham palace says. prince philip, who is 99, has spent 16 nights in hospital. he was being treated for an infection and moved to st bartholomew's hospital in london on monday. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, is following developments. duke of edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition at saint bartholomew is hospital. his royal highness will remain in hospitalfor royal highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days. so, a successful procedure for this pre—existing heart condition. this surgical procedure took place yesterday, it's been successful. it

will remind us, of course, what happened nearly ten years ago when he had a stent inserted in his heart to treat a blocked coronary artery. whether there has been another stent inserted or whether there has had to be some adjustment to the existing stent, we simply don't know and i don't think the palace will enlighten us any further. but the important point that this procedure was carried out yesterday, for this pre—existing heart condition, which must imply that perhaps it is something to do with the stent that was inserted ten years ago, and he will remain in hospitalfor treatment, rest and recuperation is the statement says, for a number of days. the statement says, for a number of da s. , ~ . ., ., , , the statement says, for a number of das. days. the duke, nicholas, he is 99, i believe this _ days. the duke, nicholas, he is 99, i believe this is _ days. the duke, nicholas, he is 99, i believe this is the _ days. the duke, nicholas, he is 99, i believe this is the start _ days. the duke, nicholas, he is 99, i believe this is the start of - days. the duke, nicholas, he is 99, i believe this is the start of his - i believe this is the start of his third week in hospital. do we have any idea when he might be allowed to go home? the statement says a number of days but obviously, the family

hoping that he is over the worst of this particular period in hospital. yes. 16 nights so far in hospital, initially, of course, at the king edward vii hospital, he went in there on the 16th of february and he was transferred to sin bartholomew is on monday of this week. very much i think, in the expectation there would be some procedure of some sort because saint bartholomew is is the centre of cardiac excellence, particular skills and expertise there. that skill and expertise has now been brought to bear, this procedure carried out yesterday, successfully, the palace says. how long will he remain in hospital? we are told a number of days. i would imagine that for a man of that age, of his age, he isjust14 imagine that for a man of that age, of his age, he is just 1a weeks, imagine that for a man of that age, of his age, he isjust14 weeks, i think, short of his 100th birthday, to have a surgical procedure involving your heart, i would imagine, that he would need rest, recuperation and further treatment

well, we don't know, but a number of days, i would have thought, well, we don't know, but a number of days, iwould have thought, but well, we don't know, but a number of days, i would have thought, but that will certainly take us into next week, that is clear.— week, that is clear. providing everything — week, that is clear. providing everything goes _ week, that is clear. providing everything goes according - week, that is clear. providing everything goes according to | week, that is clear. providing - everything goes according to plan i expect we won't hear anything until the deal leaves hospital, potentially?— the deal leaves hospital, potentially? the deal leaves hospital, otentiall? ., ., , potentially? potentially, as we know, potentially? potentially, as we know. the _ potentially? potentially, as we know, the palace _ potentially? potentially, as we know, the palace neither- potentially? potentially, as we know, the palace neither the l potentially? potentially, as we - know, the palace neither the palace nor the hospital or into this what the latest situation? there is never any latest, except in as they issued statements such as this when there is something tangible to report. so i would think it is entirely possible that there will be no further statement now from the palace unless there is any significant change in video �*s condition until such time as he is ready to go home. that condition until such time as he is ready to go home.— condition until such time as he is ready to go home. that was our royal correspondent _ ready to go home. that was our royal correspondent nicholas _ ready to go home. that was our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. - the duchess of sussex has said buckingham palace could not expect her and prince harry to be silent if it was "perpetuating

falsehoods" about them. she was speaking to the us talk show host, oprah winfrey, in an interview which will be broadcast in america on sunday. the palace is launching an investigation into claims meghan had bullied staff in 2018. simonjones reports. meghan is making it clear she will not be afraid to speak out in a second trailer for the interview released overnight. how do you feel about the palace i hearing you speak your truth today? i don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would stilljust be silent, if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. if that comes with risk of losing things, i mean, there's a lot that's been lost already. this is a second clip released by cbs but the first in which we have heard the duchess speak. the interview was recorded before buckingham palace began an investigation into claims meghan had bullied former royal staff. the times newspaper has

obtained an e—mail, written in late 2018, byjason knauf, the couple's communication secretary, to simon case, he is now the cabinet secretary. in it he is reported to have written... "i'm very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two pas out of the household in the past year. the treatment of x was totally unacceptable." buckingham palace said it was very concerned about the allegations. former members of staff are being invited to participate in its investigation. in a statement, it added... "the royal household has had a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace." but a spokesperson for meghan said... "the duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself. she will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and good." the latest interview clip will do little to heal any apparent rifts between the sussexes and the palace. simon jones, bbc news.

0ur royal correspondent sarah campbell says the latest clip released from the us interview is quite extraordinary. i think we knew and certainly for the first clip from harry that was released earlier this week and the ongoing narrative from him, that the press was likely to come in for criticism in this interview. he's made it absolutely clear. what we didn't know was the level of criticism which might be levelled at the royal family and the royal household. and i think that is why this clip is so indicative and white people at the palace will be particularly concerned about what's going to be aired on us television this weekend because it does appear from that clip, and this interview with 0prah from that clip, and this interview with oprah winfrey is due to run for two hours, it's mainly meghan, there is a little bit of harry in there as well but she will have a lot to say during that time and from this clip that's been released, is she really

saying that members of the firm, the phrase that she uses, have actively been spreading falsehoods, spreading lies, effectively, about the couple? and when she says the firm, is sheet meaning the royal household, disorder palace machine, or is she going to directly accuse individual members the royalfamily going to directly accuse individual members the royal family of spreading lies about them. that obviously is a huge accusation. but that's the point of traders, we have to wait until this weekend to find out the context, it's going to be all about the context. that out the context, it's going to be all about the context.— all about the context. that was sarah campbell. _ let's talk to katie nicholl — vanity fair's royal editor and author of the book "harry and meghan". good to have you with this and thank you for your time today. as sarah was just saying, the whole point of these teasers, trailers, call them what you will, is to draw us in and i suppose one of the big questions from what we heard in that clip from the duchess of sussex is who exactly is she referring to when she says

buckingham palace is perpetuating falsehoods about her and harry? well, until we hear this in context, it's very difficult to say and there is so much speculation. i'm kind of reluctant to add to that but certainly when i talk about the firm, and the duke of edinburgh talks about the firm he is not talking about the palace machine, the eights, the press officers and private secretaries, he is talking about the family. my understanding is they will talk specifically about the family on certain subjects, i think rice is going to be one of them. no two ways, this is going to be very uncomfortable viewing for the royalfamily, that goes be very uncomfortable viewing for the royal family, that goes without saying but whether she specifically is talking about the royal family perpetuating falsehoods whether she thinks... but what i can tell you, it's from a very senior aide who worked very closely with them, certainly in that period after the royal wedding, certainly in that period after the royalwedding, orfive certainly in that period after the royal wedding, orfive months when narrative was beginning to change and we were reading about duchess

difficult, we were reading stories we hadn't heard before. that was the start of this feeling of paranoia, and there was an increased climate of paranoia, the couple were convinced that aids at kensington palace were briefing against them, briefing the newspapers and that was, i'm afraid, a climate of paranoia that exacerbated and became more intensified as time went on. you say paranoia but do you think that feeling was justified in some cases? that feeling was 'ustified in some cases? ., , that feeling was 'ustified in some cases? . , . , cases? clearly, there were sources briefin: at cases? clearly, there were sources briefing at the _ cases? clearly, there were sources briefing at the time _ cases? clearly, there were sources briefing at the time against - cases? clearly, there were sources i briefing at the time against meghan. you know, those stories are there, they are in print. you will remember they are in print. you will remember the story about the 5am e—mails that she was sending and that led to stories about staff, there was a high turnover of staff, absolutely. but you know, there clearly was a negative narrative was being fed to the media by certain sources, i

think that's irrefutable.- the media by certain sources, i think that's irrefutable. what level of strain do _ think that's irrefutable. what level of strain do you _ think that's irrefutable. what level of strain do you think— think that's irrefutable. what level of strain do you think the - think that's irrefutable. what level of strain do you think the family i of strain do you think the family ties, the familial bonds are under right now? we've looked at the difficulties of late since the couple 's departure to the united states, obviously things have been strained but a lot of people have said those bonds are there, that sustains. but what we are seeing here suggests a climate that is much more difficult than that? it’s here suggests a climate that is much more difficult than that?— more difficult than that? it's going to be very. — more difficult than that? it's going to be very. very — more difficult than that? it's going to be very, very hard. _ more difficult than that? it's going to be very, very hard. i _ more difficult than that? it's going to be very, very hard. i was - more difficult than that? it's going to be very, very hard. i was being| to be very, very hard. i was being told that william and harry 's relationship was on a better track, some of those wins were beginning to heal, i think this hasjust some of those wins were beginning to heal, i think this has just blown that rift wide open again. william is not happy about any of this. i'm told by a close source to the sussexes that prince harry has been in touch with his grandmother this week, they've been speaking about the duke of edinburgh 's health so he is obviously still in contact with certain members of his family but absolutely, this is going to

cause a huge strain and huge pressure and very ill feelings, certainly, between buckingham palace and the sussexes. i think, palace aids have really gone out of their way to make life smooth for the couple, certainly in those early days. we keep reading about how the queen bent over backwards to accommodate the couple, she absolutely did that, she did that in the run—up to the wedding, on so many different occasions. there is so much ill feeling and this is turning into a very ugly war of words. someone compared it to me the other day, they haven't seen it since the war of the wealthiest and the truth is no one really comes out looking good in any good. do you have any sense whether senior royals will have any idea what will be in this interview before it's broadcast in the us at the weekend? —— waleses. i think it's fair to say they didn't know about the interview until it was announced, i think there is not a chance anyone will

get to see this, not from the palace, before it airs.- get to see this, not from the palace, before it airs. thank you for that. the uk chancellor, rishi sunak, has defended his decision to raise corporation tax for the most profitable companies to 25% in 2023. this measure — along with other moves such as freezing income tax thresholds — mean that britain is on course to have the highest tax burden since the 1960s. paul hawkins reports. billed as a budget to rescue an economy ravaged by covid. reporter: can the country afford this budget, mr sunak? _ the chancellor has promised to protectjobs. tax increases loom, taking the uk's tax burden to its highest level since the 1960s, according to the office for budget responsibility. 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 do that in a way that is supportive of economic recovery in the short—term but also do so in a way that is fair. this is how he intends to do it. the furlough scheme is to be extended until the end of september, as will higher universal credit payments. the headline rate of corporation tax will go up from 19% to 25% from 2023, though smaller firms will be exempt. and a freeze on income tax thresholds is expected to lead to 1.3 million more people paying income tax, plus1 million more paying the higher rate. but there will be some more help for hospitality. pubs won't have to pay business rates until the end ofjune. we have been open forfour months out of the last 12 when we get to reopen. when we reopen, it's going to be gardens only, and then restricted inside. we are going to need all the help we can get to get hospitality through. labour talk of a missed opportunity. ijust think this didn't deliver the scale of what was required. for most people what they're

going to see is a very big increase in council tax, possibly a universal credit cut, and a very high level of unemployment, no matter where they live. although much of the focus has been on business, some number crunchers say the effects of the budget will also be felt far wider. much less attention was paid to what is happening to british households. in many ways, the year ahead for them is more difficult than the year we've been through, with falling living standards this autumn. and actually, for public services, further cuts to public spending mean that we may be seeing what feels a lot like austerity. there is now a route out of lockdown. but tough times ahead. the chancellor says not all his decisions will be popular but they are, he insists, honest. paul hawkins, bbc news. 0ur chief political correspondent, adam fleming, told me the budget was a story of three chapters.

the first chapter is the government continuing to spend billions of pounds to support people and businesses through what they hope is the last stage of the pandemic. and that will last until september when society is supposedly all but two have opened up again. then chapter two starts, the recovery of the government hopes which will be boosted by a massive, massive tax break with billions of pounds for businesses to invest in staff. then the year after is when chapter three starts. that is when we see the government raising more money in taxation. first of all, by an increase in the rate of corporation tax, paid by companies earning more than a quarter of £1 billion of profits a year. and then, secondly, freezing those thresholds for the rates of income tax which means more lower earners will start paying the basic rate and for higher earners will start paying the higher rate. and rishi sunak, the chancellors this morning has been defending that as a fair way of mending the public

finances. ., , �* , . ., ~ ., finances. people's current take-home -a it finances. people's current take-home pay it won't — finances. people's current take-home pay it won't be _ finances. people's current take-home pay it won't be affected _ finances. people's current take-home pay it won't be affected by _ finances. people's current take-home pay it won't be affected by this - pay it won't be affected by this policy — pay it won't be affected by this policy but you are right and i was clear_ policy but you are right and i was clear yesterday, that this means the incremental benefit that they would have experienced had those thresholds continue to rise with inflation — thresholds continue to rise with inflation won't be there. we are going _ inflation won't be there. we are going to — inflation won't be there. we are going to keep putting up the thresholds next year as we promised but thresholds next year as we promised hut then_ thresholds next year as we promised but then they will be frozen at the higher— but then they will be frozen at the higher level but you mention the resoiuiion— higher level but you mention the resolution foundation, i think they've — resolution foundation, i think they've also said this is a good way to raise _ they've also said this is a good way to raise money that we need because it's a progressive measure, it means those _ it's a progressive measure, it means those on _ it's a progressive measure, it means those on higher incomes contribute a lot more _ those on higher incomes contribute a lot more than those on lower incomes and i lot more than those on lower incomes and i think_ lot more than those on lower incomes and i think that's what most people would _ and i think that's what most people would accept as a fair way to do what _ would accept as a fair way to do what we — would accept as a fair way to do what we need to do. the resolution foundation that _ what we need to do. the resolution foundation that the _ what we need to do. the resolution foundation that the chancellor - foundation that the chancellor mentioned as a think tank that looks at people on low incomes and they are doing everything right now with their analysis which will be followed in an hour by the very famous institute for fiscal studies and it's always the economists view of the budget the day after that tends to shape people's reactions and in terms of reactions, the labour party is opposed to tax rises

now, they think that would be bad for the recovery. but the shadow chancellor anneliese dodds is in favour of those phrases to the income tax threshold. ih favour of those phrases to the income tax threshold. in principle, on that freeze, _ income tax threshold. in principle, on that freeze, we _ income tax threshold. in principle, on that freeze, we are _ income tax threshold. in principle, on that freeze, we are not - income tax threshold. in principle, on that freeze, we are not against| on that freeze, we are not against the freeze — on that freeze, we are not against the freeze on principle. what i am concerned — the freeze on principle. what i am concerned about is the fact that this is— concerned about is the fact that this is taking place when we have -ot this is taking place when we have got the _ this is taking place when we have got the changes to council tax but also changes to social security as well _ also changes to social security as well you — also changes to social security as well. you quoted a speaker from the resolution— well. you quoted a speaker from the resolution foundation a moment ago who pointed out that actually, the government is planning to switch off its increase — government is planning to switch off its increase in social security, actually, _ its increase in social security, actually, right at the time when we anticipate — actually, right at the time when we anticipate the peak in unemployment, that's— anticipate the peak in unemployment, that's not— anticipate the peak in unemployment, that's not a _ anticipate the peak in unemployment, that's not a sensible approach to take _ that's not a sensible approach to take. ., ,., ., that's not a sensible approach to take. ., ., ., . ., take. labour are also critical of this thing _ take. labour are also critical of this thing that _ take. labour are also critical of this thing that the _ take. labour are also critical of this thing that the government| take. labour are also critical of- this thing that the government has got called the tan s fund, £1 billion allocated for investment in towns around england and if you look at the towns, the vast majority of them are in seats held by conservative mps. labour says is

cronyism, the conservatives just say it's a product of levelling up and put the result was at the last election. :: ., ., ., , election. 40 out of 45 towns receiving — election. 40 out of 45 towns receiving that _ election. 40 out of 45 towns receiving that money - election. 40 out of 45 towns receiving that money from l election. 40 out of 45 towns l receiving that money from the newtown deal that's been mentioned in the budget, to be precise. what was left out, what's conspicuous by its absence, would you say? we are auoin to its absence, would you say? we are going to be — its absence, would you say? we are going to be with _ its absence, would you say? we are going to be with a _ its absence, would you say? we are going to be with a lot _ its absence, would you say? we are going to be with a lot of _ going to be with a lot of uncertainty. so does the pandemic pan out in a way that's better or worse than rishi sunak predicts? also, do we have businesses investing in the way that he hopes investing in the way that he hopes in the next year? and also, can you raise as much of corporation tax as you expect? there's lots of things to deal with of the next few years. in terms of other things that aren't there, what about social care? it was meant to be a big reform to how social care is funded by the end of the year, there was no mention of that. the office of budget day budget responsibility says missing is any idea of how to handle the

backlog in the nhs, operations and treatments that haven't happened because of covid, will that require lots more money to deal with? education, money has gone into these catch—up funds so there can be more tuition for people to have fallen behind in their learning, will that require a lot more? and also, the other thing the office for budget responsibility pointed out is if interest rates for government debt go interest rates for government debt 9° up interest rates for government debt go up then the government will have to spend a lot more on servicing its debt which could mean more interest, more tax rises and potentially more spending cuts and so, when rishi sunak comes back to the house of commons in the autumn, potentially for another budget and definitely for another budget and definitely for another budget and definitely for a spending review, we will talk about the allocations of spending to government departments, will be going through all of this over again? going through all of this over auain? . going through all of this over aiain? ., ., , going through all of this over auain? . ~ ., i put it to pauljohnson of the institute for fiscal studies that the covid—19 pandemic means there's still a lot

of uncertainty about the economy you're right, there's a huge amount of uncertainty about the forecast in all of this. we all grab onto the central forecast from the 0br and the central numbers that the chancellor talks about, but of course much more than usual we don't really have much of an idea, frankly, what's going to happen to the economy in the next year or two. but associated with that, and a slightly separate point, is that the chancellor has pencilled in some really very tight spending plans into his spending review in the autumn and into this budget, which involve actually spending quite a lot less next year and in subsequent years than he was planning pre—pandemic. now, frankly, that doesn't strike me as being terribly plausible. the idea that we will need to be spending less on education and health and social care and local government and all those things after the pandemic than we thought we were going to beforehand just doesn't look in the least bit likely, given that we know...

evenjust for the minimum things, like vaccination and test and trace and ppe and so on, let alone catching up with the huge backlog of operations and the need to catch up children who have lost so much school, and the need to help local authorities and so on. these numbers don't look like they are going to hold. and i was just asking adam a second ago, what do you think was left out that you would have liked to have seen in there? what is conspicuous by its absence? your thoughts on that? well, i wrote a piece on monday which said there are two challenges for the chancellor. one is telling us how he is going to balance the books, and he has given us a sense of that. the other is what is he going to do about the big inequalities that have opened up over the last year? inequalities in education, particularly it is poorer children who have done badly. inequalities in employment, it's the young and those with lower levels of education

who have done badly. inequalities between generations, once again it is younger people who have suffered economically and older people who are, economically at least, better off over this period. and he didn't really offer anything on those. he didn't really begin to address the challenge of the economic inequalities that have opened up as a result of this pandemic. and quite a lot of traction for this. again, something i was talking about with adam a second ago. the fact that 40 out of 45 towns getting this £1 billion deal are conservative constituencies. now, i don't have the exact breakdown of which constituencies those are yet, but does that strike you as levelling up? well, i haven't looked at the details of which towns are getting which funds. i mean, there is frankly whenever allocations like this are done on a geographic basis, and this works also when finances

are sent to local authorities, there is always a little bit of a political overlay on some of the marginal decisions. but i think, you know, the key point about levelling up is even this sort of... and it sounds like a lot of money, but across a lot of towns across a period of time and given the scale of inequalities, it's going to make only a relatively small and quite localised difference. i think the real challenge for the government here is that they are promising a lot, and i think people might be expecting a lot, but it's going to take a very long time — and certainly well beyond a parliament — to see really noticeable changes in those differences between local areas and towns. i'm joined now by lord bilimoria, president of the confederation of british industry, which represents 190,000 businesses across the uk — lord bilimoria is the founder of cobra beer and sits as an independent crossbench peer in the house of lords.

thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc news today. what works in this budget for you and what isn't there that you might have liked to have seen? this isn't there that you might have liked to have seen?— liked to have seen? this is a reall , liked to have seen? this is a really. really _ liked to have seen? this is a really, really crucial - liked to have seen? this is a really, really crucial budgetl liked to have seen? this is a l really, really crucial budget in liked to have seen? this is a - really, really crucial budget in its timing. a yearago really, really crucial budget in its timing. a year ago we went into lockdown, we'd been through a nightmare globally, a health crisis, economic crisis that has reverberated through the supply chains, the demand shop, the supply chop, we've all been affected, and the chance to his credit has been extraordinary in terms of per capita and in absolute terms, £400 billion worth of support to save businesses and jobs and the economy. the proof of that is very clear. unemployment a year ago was three and a half percent, one of the lowest rates going back to the 70s, today it's at 5.1%, after the financial crisis unemployment went up to nearly 10% and the reason for that is all the support, including in particular the further scheme and our request to

the cbi was thanks to our wonderful vaccination programme, we are ahead of the world, we have vaccinated 20 million people, when our capacity goes up this month we may be able to vaccinate 1 goes up this month we may be able to vaccinate1 million people a day, that means over 20 million a month, we will be vaccinating the whole population very soon. we will be able to open up our economy very soon. allow our businesses have suffered so much, give them the runway, the breathing space, andy haldane, the chief economist of the bank of england said the economy is like a coiled spring, i will go one step further, i say we are like a crouching lion waiting to roar and leap forward. we can do it if we are given the runway, the chancellor has listened, as he has throughout the year, whenever we've said we need an extension, we need more time and help, he has listened and he has listened again. the most important aspect of this budget is to help people give in terms of the scheme extended, the business rates relief extended, the business rates relief extended, vat reduction down to 5%

being extended, no tax increases at this time as our request and that is not happening although corporation tax is going to go up in two years time. which is a concern.- time. which is a concern. we've heard from _ time. which is a concern. we've heard from a — time. which is a concern. we've heard from a couple _ time. which is a concern. we've heard from a couple of- time. which is a concern. we've heard from a couple of business owners today already saying yes, of course they would have liked more but this helps and it helps protect jobs of their employees. however, i spoke to pauljohnson from the institute for fiscal studies a little earlier and they have now published their detailed assessment of the budget and they are saying economy well supported in the short run but no real medium—term prospectus, spending numbers are too tight to be credible, it's a similar story from the office for budget responsibility which says there is no real plan here, for next year onwards which in the business will, obviously, you would want to be planning for?— planning for? well, i think the thins planning for? well, i think the things like _ planning for? well, i think the things like the _ planning for? well, i think the things like the reductions - planning for? well, i think the things like the reductions and | planning for? well, i think the i things like the reductions and tax

to encourage investment, the government says you put on £100 and it will be 130, 20 5% of your tax bill to encourage investment, what we have to do short term is absolutely crucial because in the short term, we can protect the jobs, that's the most important, we cannot have youth unemployment unemployment, we protectjobs and get the economy integral quickly which i think can happen in what will happen is those jobs are what will happen is those jobs are what will pay taxes, the biggest tax stake comes from jobs, that's the key and the chancellor says jobs first, that's what's going to help with paying for all this money that the government has put in and i think that short—term is crucial, yes i take what they are saying about the long—term. things like social care at this pandemic has exposed health and social care secretary needs far more attention and will need more investment going forward. we need to address that going forward. but now is the time for growth, for investment and allowing the economy to open up.

good to get your reaction, thank you for your time today. you've been texting me about the budget. and what you think of it, let me read some of your tweets. 0ne viewer says i don't get how government gave £20 top up a 12 months to universal credit and extent six months proving benefit wasn't enough to live on but working tax credit gets nothing for 12 months on a one—off £500, how is that fair? this from neville. who says, i agree mostly with tax changes, though i would have put tax up changes, though i would have put tax up for anyone earning over £100,000 now. i'm disappointed with nothing to tackle the climate emergency, to freeze fuel duty is a big mistake. andj talks about the excluded, it's amazing that after a year at the chancellor still hasn't supported the three plus million he is excluded from support, and now in debt management, struggling to pay rent and buy food and the company is now insolvent. let me try and fit in a couple more of your tweets. peter

says i think the budget is ok, but people need to remember is the extra that has been borrowed because of covid, it will have to be paid back in the should be done by us an outlet for our children or grandchildren. thank you for all of those. do keep them coming into me. you can of course comment about any of our other stories today as well. let's return now to our main story. the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition, buckingham palace says. prince philip, who is 99, has spent 16 nights in hospital. he was being treated for an infection and moved to st bartholomew's hospital in london on monday. 0ur heath correspondent, katherine da costa, is with me. just a brief statement from the palace with this update on how the duke is doing. palace with this update on how the duke is doing-— duke is doing. that's right. buckingham _ duke is doing. that's right. buckingham palace - duke is doing. that's right. buckingham palace has- duke is doing. that's right. | buckingham palace has said duke is doing. that's right. - buckingham palace has said he had a procedure on wednesday and will spend another few days in hospital

for rest and recuperation. they haven't confirmed the exact procedure that he underwent but we do know that in 2011 prince philip was treated for a blocked artery in cambridgeshire and had a stent fitted after suffering from chest pain. there is a procedure that takes about half an hour to two hours and patients are assessed, they might have blood tests taken, specialists will look inside the arteries. patients would write on —— patients would lie on the table, they would inflate a small balloon to clear the luggage and a stent is fitted and that helps the blood flow again. there are some cases where arteries begin to narrow again so patients may require another stent to be fitted. essentially what it is

is a small wired mesh which acts like scaffolding to keep the arteries open. now, afterwards you would need some blood thinning drugs such as aspirin and other specialist drugs and then it is a case of rest and relaxation and follow—up assessments. and relaxation and follow-up assessments.— and relaxation and follow-up assessments. �* , , ~ assessments. because the duke has been in hospital— assessments. because the duke has been in hospital for _ assessments. because the duke has been in hospital for 16 _ assessments. because the duke has been in hospitalfor16 nights- assessments. because the duke has been in hospital for 16 nights and . been in hospitalfor 16 nights and was treated for an infection before going to saint bartholomew and given he had a procedure at his age we would expect him to be in hospital for quite a few days yet for monitoring, i would assume. this for quite a few days yet for monitoring, i would assume. as you sa , he is monitoring, i would assume. as you say. he is 99. _ monitoring, i would assume. as you say. he is 99. he — monitoring, i would assume. as you say, he is 99, he has _ monitoring, i would assume. as you say, he is 99, he has had _ monitoring, i would assume. as you say, he is 99, he has had a - monitoring, i would assume. as you say, he is 99, he has had a previous heart condition and he has spent a fortnight ago hospital already. this is a fairly straightforward procedure. in some cases patients could go home in the same day but because of his age and because he had an infection prior to this procedure it may be that they want to spend a number of more days checking him for more rest and

recuperation and to see how he is responding. recuperation and to see how he is responding-— responding. catherine de costa, thank ou responding. catherine de costa, thank you for— responding. catherine de costa, thank you for that. _ in myanmar, police have broken up demonstrations in several places with tear gas and gunfire but there's no immediate word on casualties. the french president emmanuel macron has repeated his call for an immediate end to repression — and respect for the democratic choice of the myanmar people. he tweeted that france is "at your side". hundreds of mourners this morning have attended a funeral for a 19—year—old protester whose face has gone viral on social media. angel, also known as kyal sin, was among 38 protestors killed yesterday. she was shot in the head while on the streets of mandalay. 0ur south east asia correspondentjonathan head is following the story from bangkok. i think the scale of the violence yesterday and the way in which people were gunned down, were rounded up, in mass arrests and were savagely beaten really laid open the strategy of the military authorities which is, i think, to put it bluntly, to terrorise people back off

the streets, to try to regain control of a country that is a nationwide uprising, whatever the cost. there was no attempt whatsoever to minimise casualties. and indeed, the videos we've seen circulating on social media show both police and soldiers gloating over the fact that they tend to go out and kill people. they are making it very obvious, most of those killed yesterday had either head or chest wounds, this is a deliberate shoot to kill policy and yet people are out again and when we talk about them coming out you need to understand how the strategy has evolved. they are just rallying and marching in now, they are barricading their neighbourhoods, sometimes quite impressively, in a sense, to deny the military government the control on the ground and that's what the police and army have been going in to try and stop but those barricades are becoming bigger and harder to move. so this is actually, a real fight going on for control of myanmar between its people, i mean, huge numbers of whom support this movement, and a military that is still struggling to assert its authority.

the european union's finance chief has said the uk's decision to make unilateral changes to the northern ireland protocol raises questions about whether it can be trusted in future trade negotiations. yesterday, the government announced that it was extending a grace period for border checks on some goods crossing the irish sea. mairead mcguinness accused the uk of breaching both trust and an international agreement. health officials are to examine whether paying people to exercise could help drive down levels of obesity. sir keith mills, who founded the air miles and nectar rewards programmes, is to advise the government on a new way to use incentives to support people who choose healthier diets and do more physical activity. the mhra says new coronavirus vaccines to fight variants, like the one from brazil, can be fast—tracked through the approval system. the uk's regulator has issued guidance, along with authorities in australia, canada, singapore and switzerland,

on what checks and measures would be necessary. 0ur health correspondent michelle roberts explained more why the decision had been taken. the medicines regulator mhra has been talking about what the next steps could be to keep up the pressure on this virus and to fight it. we have already got brilliant vaccines which are working really well in the real world with lots of people protected but it appears that with some of these new variants the protection you get from the current vaccine, although it is good, it could possibly be made a bit better by tweaking the design of these jabs. so by tweaking the design of these 'abs. , by tweaking the design of these 'abs_ , ., ~' ., by tweaking the design of these 'abs. , ., ~ ., jabs. so when they talk about fast trackin: , jabs. so when they talk about fast tracking. how _ jabs. so when they talk about fast tracking, how much _ jabs. so when they talk about fast tracking, how much faster- jabs. so when they talk about fast tracking, how much faster are - jabs. so when they talk about fast tracking, how much faster are we | tracking, how much faster are we talking about then say the production of the current vaccines because that was done at an incredibly fast pace? it because that was done at an incredibly fast pace?- because that was done at an incredibly fast pace? it took ten months to _ incredibly fast pace? it took ten months to go — incredibly fast pace? it took ten months to go from _ incredibly fast pace? it took ten months to go from zero - incredibly fast pace? it took ten months to go from zero to - incredibly fast pace? it took ten i months to go from zero to having vaccines available which was incredible. now we have that science

the new tweaks if you like should be even quicker. we are talking months, maybe three, four months to get something that is available. it is very much like with the flu jab is we have every year. you can modify those. you don't need the long lengthy clinical trials in thousands of patients because you already know the vaccine itself is really effective. so you're just making minor changes to make it a better match for the virus and that is what we have been doing with covid. ih we have been doing with covid. in that there seems to be an acceptance that there seems to be an acceptance that with the vaccine programme rolling out here in the uk and elsewhere, the us are talking about ramping up the speed of delivery vaccines, the covax programme getting vaccines at all countries. that governments don't want to contemplate and none of us want to contemplate and none of us want to contemplate going back to a position where we go back into a spiral of lockdown and reopening and there has to be a way to keep on marching

forward including tackling these variants whatever it takes. the vaccines are _ variants whatever it takes. the vaccines are one _ variants whatever it takes. tue: vaccines are one way variants whatever it takes. t'te: vaccines are one way to do variants whatever it takes. tte: vaccines are one way to do that and testing is so important. getting people who do test positive to isolate. that is why we have heard of such testing happening to try and clampdown particularly on the south african and brazil variant and the uk variant that has some other changes as well. millions of doses of the coronavirus vaccine are being rolled out across africa. tomorrow, around 4 million doses will be distributed across nigeria's most densely populated city, abuja. first in line to receive the vaccine will be health workers and front line staff, including teachers. peter hawkins is the unicef representative in nigeria. this is through the covax programme, peter. good to have you with us on bbc news. unicef has a lot of experience in immunisation programmes for malaria and other diseases so tell us about your

involvement in the plans to tackle covid. . . , , ., covid. that has been quite an incredible _ covid. that has been quite an incredible feats, _ covid. that has been quite an incredible feats, the - covid. that has been quite an incredible feats, the covax i covid. that has been quite an - incredible feats, the covax facility which includes unicef and who and other major donors, is about procuring large quantities come up to 3 million doses of vaccine and distributing them in 92 countries across the globe. here in nigeria we received 4 million doses the day before yesterday on the 2nd of march which is the first step and a fantastic first step in trying to counteract the pandemic here in nigeria and complement the already extensive measures that have taken place to try and prevent the virus going around nigeria. you mention --eole like going around nigeria. you mention people like health _ going around nigeria. you mention people like health care _ going around nigeria. you mention people like health care workers - going around nigeria. you mention| people like health care workers will be among those to get the vaccine first. what are conditions like at the moment in terms of the number of cases, transmission of the virus in nigeria. how far do you think this

initial batch of vaccination will go to help tackle the virus though? that to help tackle the virus though? git the moment 155,000 people have contracted covid in nigeria but that hides a much larger statistic of many more people who have contracted it but haven't been tested or shown positivity. 0ver it but haven't been tested or shown positivity. over 2000 people have died from it but again, perhaps one in ten people who have died of covid haven't been registered as covid deaths. the effects of covid in a country like nigeria is not only the direct effect but it is the indirect effect, schools were closed, the economy has deteriorated substantially. now there are over 100 million people registered as poon 100 million people registered as poor. this vaccine is the first real green light that allows us to move

forward. as you said, the health workers will start to be vaccinated from tomorrow that will go right across the country to 1.2 million front line workers being vaccinated, allowing many other measures to continue for the workers to continue routine immunisation for children which is the biggest killer in nigeria. 50 which is the biggest killer in niceria. .,, . , nigeria. so the infrastructure is read . nigeria. so the infrastructure is ready- are _ nigeria. so the infrastructure is ready. are there _ nigeria. so the infrastructure is ready. are there any _ nigeria. so the infrastructure is| ready. are there any challenges about that? for ready. are there any challenges about that?— ready. are there any challenges about that? ., ., ., about that? for routine immunisation infrastructure — about that? for routine immunisation infrastructure is _ about that? for routine immunisation infrastructure is already _ about that? for routine immunisation infrastructure is already here - about that? for routine immunisation infrastructure is already here for - infrastructure is already here for things like polio, as you mention. we are integrating the whole system so that the chain of vaccination is done by the same system, a primary health care system, people register using the registration we have used for polio. for those who cannot register then outreach will be done with community health workers going out into the community to generate

the interest and the demands coming in. it is a slow process and a very long process. after the health workers it is the over 50s and so on and so forth. by 2022 we should get to the 50% we are aiming for but it will be a long process. in the meantime protective measures have to be taken to ensure we all keep safe and by keeping safer families are safe and our communities are safe. you talk about interest and demand. how supportive is the public generally about the idea of being vaccinated against coronavirus? there will always be vaccine hesitancy, especially in a country like nigeria which has seen many different types of accidents, three. this is where our risk community engagement really comes in.

0rganisations, people at the community level, can really make them understand that this is safe and good for them. i am vaccinated a person who is vaccinated, it is not just a protection for me it is a protection for other people around me as well. it is that obligation and that sense of "we are in the last mile and we can continue this last mile and we can continue this last mile" which is so important to get people interested in what is happening around the vaccinations. peter, good to talk to you. unicef rep in nigeria. thank you very much for your time. the headlines on bbc news... the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for a number of days. the duchess of sussex has accused the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. the chancellor defends his plans to raise overall taxation to the highest level since the 1960s

— as he faces criticism for doing too little to tackle inequality. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has promised another £65 billion of economic support in his budget, which he says will help businesses and people through the pandemic. he also explained how he plans to start paying the bill, which will push britain's tax burden to its highest level since the 1960s. nina warhurst has been getting reaction from people in redcar. every town and every city has thousands of stories of what should happen now. bailey deserves a break. he trained for three years as a rail engineer before cancer treatment cut off his career before it even had a chance to start. i was trying to get a job with amazon but 700 people applied for the same job that i applied for. so that is probably

going to be a no—go. he sings. kobe dreams of being a singer. but times are tough for his mum. she used to be a special needs nurse but stopped to look after her daughter who has complex disabilities. they just about get by on universal credit and her husband's income. it has been a bit of a struggle, definitely. during the first lockdown people are quite happy to get takeaways and things. my husband is a takeaway driver. then obviously, that's not there. so his hours have been up and down in bits. but yeah, we get by. so things are ok at the moment but do you worry about what comes next and what things will be like for the kids? yeah, absolutely. kids are the future, aren't they? it is notjust about education, it is about mentally. you ask all the time about covid and about when he is going to see his friends, when he can hug people. joanna runs three pubs.

she is desperate to get customers back through the doors but she is worried about what happens if tax goes up and punters can't splash out. she is glad vat has come down and thinks it should stay down. one thing i would like to see is something they do in europe and that is a fixed vat percentage for the hospitality trade, a country like spain and france that does rely heavily on tourism and hospitality, we are in that boat now here in the uk. a fixed rate that is lower than the standard rate that everybody else pays is what they do in spain. i think it is around about 11%. something like that to be brought over here in the uk, that would be a great asset. but gary's hair salon isn't farfrom joanne's pub. he was hoping he might have had a surprise vat cut from the chancellor. we pay 20% vat where hospitality pays 5%. we are not a service you can put

online or a takeaway service. when we are closed we are closed. the theory is that once things are back to normal then everyone will want a haircut so you will be able to bounce back quickly. there is no doubt we are going to be really, really busy. i worry for salons because they will have taken out extra debt, extra loans, they will have deferred payments. they will have to be paid back eventually so it is added pressure on businesses. who are the real winners? who will be the long—term losers? we won't truly know how successful the chancellor's support has been for months, even years. for now, everyone is just trying to make it to tomorrow. just to get our locations right, nina warhurst was in fact in newcastle. just eight weeks after rioters stormed the us capitol, police say they've obtained intelligence showing there is a possible plot to breach the building again today. the plot is linked to a far

right militia group, and march 4th is the day that some conspiracy theorists believe donald trump will return to take power once again. while extra security measures are being put in place, the house of representatives has decided not to convene on thursday. here's an fbi counter—terrorism official warning of the threats posed by extremists in the united states. looking forward we assess the extremist threat will continue to pose a threat to the us. we expect racially motivated violence extremist and anti authority violent extremist and anti authority violent extremist will pose the greatest domestic terrorism threats throughout 2021 and leading into 2022. cbs news correspondent debra alfarone is on capitol hill with the latest on what intelligence agencies have told us. they have been very general about this and not giving us much specifics. there may be a far right militia group that is thinking about

doing something at the capital, breaching the capital and really putting lawmakers at risk. they are asking lawmakers to not come in or if they have two using one of the parking garages and using the underground walkway that the capitol has. we are in one building here but there are semi different buildings that make up the capitol so there are all of these walkways underneath and it is pretty hard to get in here. i come here every day and, i tell you, there are big fences with razor wire all around this huge sprawling complex. there are national guard members outside her arms, there is capitol police outside. it is not easy to get in here so if you are a lawmaker and you get in here they are saying they are saying don't leave the capitol building, use the underground walkways to get from one place to the next. there is a bit of trepidation coming here today but we

come here every day and i'm sure lawmakers are also on edge about this as well but we have to do the job that we have to do. as thousands of children dress up to mark world book day, campaigners are calling forfamilies, schools and nurseries to have books with more characters from black, asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11am. the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for a number of days. the duchess of sussex has accused the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. i don't know how they could expect that after all this time we would stilljust be silent if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. the chancellor defends his plans to raise overall taxation to the highest level since the 1960s, as he faces criticism for doing too little to tackle inequality. this is a good way to raise money that we need because it's a progressive measure. it means those on higher incomes contribute a lot more than those on lower incomes.

new coronavirus vaccines to fight variants, like the one from brazil, can be fast—tracked through the approval system — the uk's medical regulator says. countries with more overweight people have had the highest death rates from covid 19, a report says as the government looks at a reward scheme to encourage people to lose weight. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has insisted she had no motive, intention or desire to 'get�* her predecessor alex salmond. i'm dressed up as my favourite character, fantastic mr fox. and as children dress up to mark world book day, campaigners call for more books with characters from ethnic backgrounds.

good morning. the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition, buckingham palace says. prince philip, who is 99, has spent 16 nights in hospital. he was being treated for an infection and moved to st bartholomew's hospital in london on monday. 0ur royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, is following developments. what more can you telus? well, not a whole lot. the palace is not saying any more about this pre—existing heart condition or the successful procedure but given that the pre—existing heart condition that we know about her ten years ago when he had a stent inserted to relieve a blocked coronary artery, it is reasonable to speculate that whatever took place at the hospital yesterday was, in some way, was involving the stent. it could have been the insertion of a new one or an insertion of the existing one. i'm aware that this is known as

angioplasty and takes place under local anaesthetic. when dealing with somebody who is almost 100, they could have been a narrowing of the stentor the artery which was causing the heart condition for which he was transferred from one hospital to another, to son bartholomew is hospital which is an expert hospital on cardiac issues. he experience monitoring and assessment on tuesday with the procedure carried out on tuesday. it has been successful and he will remain in hospital as the palace says for rest and recuperation for a number of days. i imagine that mean, well, common—sense, for someone of his age, it is perhaps likely he will be there for another week.— there for another week. perhaps lon . er. there for another week. perhaps longer- the _ there for another week. perhaps longer. the royal _ there for another week. perhaps longer. the royal family - there for another week. perhaps longer. the royal family are - there for another week. perhaps longer. the royalfamily are notj longer. the royalfamily are not likely to tell us much more because

they don't tend to give running commentaries. however, it does not stop reporters like us watching for comings and goings from the hospital because prince charles visited when he was in the previous hospital. he he was in the previous hospital. the: visited on the saturday when he was at the king edward. i think that given we are told that the procedure, whatever it was, was successful and he now requires a period of rest and recuperation and given the protocols that are in place instant bartholomew is, visiting is not permitted other than in exceptional circumstances, i would be surprised if any prominent members of the royal family felt it necessary to visit him there. not least because it would be contrary to protocols and not least as it would be seen as a signal that things have taken a turn for the worse. . ~' things have taken a turn for the worse. ., ~ ,., things have taken a turn for the worse. . ~ ,. y

things have taken a turn for the worse. ., ~ y., , . things have taken a turn for the worse. . ~ ,. y . w our correspondent katharine da costa has more information on the condition the duke has. they haven't confirmed the exact procedure but we do know that in 2011 that he was treated for an artery in papworth and he had a stent fitted for heart pains, chest pains. there is a procedure that takes half an hour to two hours where patients are assessed, they might have blood tests taken and the specialist will look inside their arteries and, now, the patient would lie on a table with the x—ray. cardiologists would make a small insertion in the groin area and passed through a catheter and then they inflate a small balloon which helps to clear the blockage and a stent is fitted and that helps the blood flow again. so, there are some cases where arteries begin to narrow

again, so a patient may require another stent to be fitted. essentially, what it is, is a small wire mesh which acts like scaffolding to keep the arteries open. now, afterwards, you would need some blood— thinning drugs, so things like aspirin, other specialist drugs and then it's a case of rest and relaxation before assessment. the duchess of sussex has suggested the royal family have played a part in what she called "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. she made the comments in an interview with oprah winfrey, to be broadcast in the us this weekend. meanwhile, last night, buckingham palace said its human resources team was looking into claims that the duchess had bullied staff while she was a working royal in 2018. simon jones has more. meghan is making it clear she will not be afraid to speak out in a second trailer for the interview released overnight. how do you feel about the palace i hearing you speak your truth today? i don't know how they could expect that after all of this time

we would stilljust be silent, if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. if that comes with risk of losing things, i mean, there's a lot that's been lost already. this is a second clip released by cbs but the first in which we have heard the duchess speak. the interview was recorded before buckingham palace began an investigation into claims meghan had bullied former royal staff. the times newspaper has obtained an e—mail, written in late 2018, byjason knauf, the couple's communication secretary, to simon case, he is now the cabinet secretary. in it he is reported to have written... "i'm very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two pas out of the household in the past year. the treatment of x was totally unacceptable." buckingham palace said it was very concerned about the allegations. former members of staff are being invited to participate in its investigation. in a statement, it added... "the royal household has had

a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace." but a spokesperson for meghan said... "the duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself. she will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and good." the latest interview clip will do little to heal any apparent rifts between the sussexes and the palace. simon jones, bbc news. i'm joined now by royal author and journalist victoria murphy. thank you forjoining us. simon jones talked about any apparent rift. harrell bigger rift is there between the suffixes and the rest of the firm is megan referred to them? i think it's pretty obvious. it's absolutely astonishing we have all this information being put into the public domain but so much open

hostility there. this latest clip seems to be in response to this story published by the times yesterday, his allegations of bullying, that statement however, we have to remember that the interview with meghan was filmed before this story was released. she does talk about the active role that the firm is in creating false heads but she is in creating false heads but she is not talking about this story now. so what she referring to? we note that meghan has been very frustrated. she has made no comment as referred to in court documents. it's a very serious thing to suggest and to accuse, albeit not individuals, but the firm, as she pulls the mob. i think that's what people want to know and, from this

interview, i think people are looking for maybe a bit more specific information here on what it is that makes her feel that that is what was done, and i think that's what's going to be the test of that interview. what specifics, what factual information is put forward to make that argument? yes. factual information is put forward to make that argument? yes, because, obviousl , to make that argument? yes, because, obviously. that — to make that argument? yes, because, obviously, that clip _ to make that argument? yes, because, obviously, that clip was _ to make that argument? yes, because, obviously, that clip was chosen - to make that argument? yes, because, obviously, that clip was chosen to - obviously, that clip was chosen to peak people buzz interest and get them to watch it at the weekend. how important is the context of what the duchess has said? tt important is the context of what the duchess has said?— duchess has said? it could show a very different _ duchess has said? it could show a very different light _ duchess has said? it could show a very different light on _ duchess has said? it could show a very different light on things? - duchess has said? it could show a very different light on things? i i very different light on things? i think this interview is incredibly long, it's 90 minutes and gives them a huge amount of time to get forward there point and have their say. it's very clear that people clearly felt, some individuals felt that, ahead of this interview going out, it was important for a different narrative to be heard. now, the people who have spoken to the times, clearly had not come forward with this

information before that something has made them want to do that. perhaps there has been a realisation that unless somebody does come forward with this information to present that narrative, so then it's a set of considerations that will not be heard, will not be taken into consideration. i suppose people will now go watch this 0prah interview... in mind, it changes the situation somewhat. but, ithink in mind, it changes the situation somewhat. but, i think this interview is a hugely landmark moment. the suffixes have this opportunity to have their say and they very much polarise opinion. the test of this interview will be whether people who are in the middle ground, confused about what to think, who don't know what to believe, whether the suffixes are able to provide information that actually talks about things that

makes people understand and empathise with them more than they already do. empathise with them more than they alread do. ~ ., , , ., already do. where does this leave the alace already do. where does this leave the palace because _ already do. where does this leave the palace because it _ already do. where does this leave the palace because it they - already do. where does this leave the palace because it they tend i already do. where does this leave l the palace because it they tend not to want to engage in his public statements that other people might feel they have the right to make a response to? taste feel they have the right to make a response to?— feel they have the right to make a resonse to? ~ ., , ., ., response to? we so really hear about what aoes response to? we so really hear about what goes beyond — response to? we so really hear about what goes beyond behind _ response to? we so really hear about what goes beyond behind closed - what goes beyond behind closed doors. it's something that's worked for them the many years, no comment. but now they meghan are putting lots of information into the public domain so the royal family are going to have to reconsider their policy. i think it's important to point out that even though there has been in and from the sussexs that there is some sort of buckingham palace moved

to talk to the times, this was actually individuals who came forward to the times newspaper. there is no suggestion this is orchestrated by palace officials. but, the palace has responded on record with a statement about making an investigation. it is an unusual thing for them to do. you might question these allegations were made sometime ago so there might be a bit of a? around that, but certainly, i think we are going to see them perhaps be more vocal than we've ever seen before. it is fascinating, because i look back to years ago when journalists like my sales when writing stories about the division of the households between the cambridge is and the sussexs. and that's what we were being told. but

there was obviously a huge other element to the side of the story as well. huge disagreements which we now know from everything that has come out since that were much more entrenched, more tense and escalated to a far greater extent than we had initially first thought. this interview— initially first thought. this interview airs _ initially first thought. this interview airs on - initially first thought. this interview airs on sunday in the united states. no doubt it will be widely reported here but for the moment, victoria murphy, thank you very much. the uk chancellor, rishi sunak, has defended his decision to raise corporation tax for the most profitable companies to 25% in 2023. this measure — along with other moves such as freezing income tax thresholds — mean that britain is on course to have the highest tax burden since the 1960s. paul hawkins reports. billed as a budget to rescue an economy ravaged by covid. reporter: can the country afford this budget, mr sunak? _ the chancellor has promised to protectjobs. tax increases loom, taking the uk's tax burden to its highest level since the 1960s,

according to the office for budget responsibility. 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 do that in a way that is supportive of economic recovery in the short—term but also do so in a way that is fair. this is how he intends to do it. the furlough scheme is to be extended until the end of september, as will higher universal credit payments. the headline rate of corporation tax will go up from 19% to 25% from 2023, though smaller firms will be exempt. and a freeze on income tax thresholds is expected to lead to 1.3 million more people paying income tax, plus1 million more paying the higher rate. but there will be some more help for hospitality. pubs won't have to pay business rates until the end ofjune. we have been open forfour months out of the last 12

when we get to reopen. when we reopen, it's going to be gardens only, and then restricted inside. we are going to need all the help we can get to get hospitality through. labour talk of a missed opportunity. ijust think this didn't deliver the scale of what was required. for most people what they're going to see is a very big increase in council tax, possibly a universal credit cut, and a very high level of unemployment, no matter where they live. although much of the focus has been on business, some number crunchers say the effects of the budget will also be felt far wider. much less attention was paid to what is happening to british households. in many ways, the year ahead for them is more difficult than the year we've been through, with falling living standards this autumn. and actually come up for public services, further cuts to public spending mean that we may be seeing what feels a lot like austerity. for public services, too, further cuts to public spending may feel a lot like austerity. there is now a route out of lockdown.

but tough times ahead. the chancellor says not all his decisions will be popular but they are, he insists, honest. paul hawkins, bbc news. 0ur chief political correspondent, adam fleming, told annita mcveigh the budget was a story of three chapters... the first chapter is the government continuing to spend billions of pounds to support people and businesses through what they hope is the last stage of the pandemic. and that will last until september when society is supposedly all but have opened up again. then chapter two starts, the recovery of the government hopes which will be boosted by a massive, massive tax break with billions of pounds for businesses to invest in staff. then the year after is when chapter three starts. that is when we see the government raising more money in taxation. first of all, by an increase in the rate of corporation tax, paid by companies earning more

than a quarter of £1 billion of profits a year. and then, secondly, freezing those thresholds for the rates of income tax which means more lower earners will start paying the basic rate and for higher earners will start paying the higher rate. and rishi sunak, the chancellors this morning has been defending that as a fair way of mending the public finances. people's current take—home pay, it won't be affected by this policy but you are right and i was clear yesterday, that this means the incremental benefit that they would have experienced had those thresholds continue to rise with inflation won't be there. we are going to keep putting up the thresholds next year as we promised but then they will be frozen at the higher level, but you mention the resolution foundation, i think they've also said this is a good way to raise money that we need because it's a progressive measure, it means those on higher incomes contribute a lot more than those on lower incomes and i think that's what most people would accept as a fair way to do what we need to do. the resolution foundation that the chancellor mentioned as a think tank that looks at people on low incomes and they are doing everything right now

with their analysis which will be are doing a briefing right now with their analysis which will be followed in an hour by the very famous institute for fiscal studies and it's always the economists view of the budget the day after that tends to shape people's reactions and in terms of reactions, the labour party is opposed to tax rises now, they think that would be bad for the recovery. but the shadow chancellor anneliese dodds is in favour of those phrases to the income tax threshold. in principle, on that freeze, we are not against the freeze on principle. what i am concerned about is the fact that this is taking place when we have got the changes to council tax but also changes to social security as well. you quoted a speaker from the resolution foundation a moment ago who pointed out that actually, the government is planning to switch off its increase in social security, actually, right at the time when we anticipate the peak in unemployment, that's not a sensible approach to take. labour are also critical of this

thing that the government has got called the towns fund, £1 billion allocated for investment in towns around england and if you look at the towns, the vast majority of them are in seats held by conservative mps. labour says is cronyism, the conservatives just say it's a product of levelling up and put the result was at the last election. we can speak now tojohn caudwell, philanthropist and founder of phones 4u, who joins us live from monaco. thank you forjoining us. what is your initial reaction to what the chancellor's budget is going to mean for businesses? t chancellor's budget is going to mean for businesses?— for businesses? i think that first of all, i for businesses? i think that first of all. i think— for businesses? i think that first of all, i think you _ for businesses? i think that first of all, i think you did _ for businesses? i think that first of all, i think you did a - for businesses? i think that first of all, i think you did a good - of all, i think you did a good performance on his feet. unfortunately, some of the content was not great. for me, he should have made far more of

recommendations of pandemic recovery which is tackling four main areas of the infrastructure, massive investment into apprenticeship schemes, inward investment and energy efficient setting. he did not do any of that really but he has done some small stuff and i like his reductions because that will really encourage businesses to invest in infrastructure and capital spend and that's going to grow so that's a really good thing. free ports i think will generate a lot more business and so very positive. his restart grants for small businesses is going to be a very, very positive thing as is greenbank investment but... he has not gone far enough, anywhere nearfar enough but... he has not gone far enough, anywhere near far enough to gain the recovery we nearly need. we have the lowest interest rates of all time.

debt is affordable. we keep talking about putting the public finances are right butjapan is into hundred percent debt gdp for 20 years or more. i must say are not an advocate of huge debt because interest rates go of huge debt because interest rates 9° up of huge debt because interest rates go up but nor am ifun of of huge debt because interest rates go up but nor am i fun of austerity orfailing economy. and we really, really need to grow the economy, growjobs, get those 3 million people back in work, grow gdp and from that, tax revenues will grow and when we grow those tax revenues, if interest rates go up, which of course they will do, but i submit that suspect years before anything like a significant rise, we can repay the cost of debt servicing and the debt back if we choose to outer success rather than austerity. truth?

success rather than austerity. why do ou success rather than austerity. why do you believe _ success rather than austerity. why do you believe then that he is being too prudent as you see it? given that this is a conservative government. they tend to want to keep taxes low but get we are seeing corporation tax due to rise to 25% which has caused some people to throw up their hands in despair. t throw up their hands in despair. i thinkjust answered the throw up their hands in despair. t thinkjust answered the question because you know, the simple fact is that anything that damages investment, especially inward investment, especially inward investment is going to be a negative aspect for the uk. we need low corporation taxes and other incentives to cause businesses to relocate onto our shores, to grow manufacturing industry, jobs and gdp growth. the rise in corporation tax, it's still leaving this competitive element with the rest of europe but we need to be ultra—competitive and treat britain as an aggressive

business looking for maximum prosperity over the years to come in order to payout debt through success rather than the future austerity which will come if we do not grow our economy. tt which will come if we do not grow our economy-— which will come if we do not grow our econom . ., , ., , ., our economy. it was not my intention to answer my — our economy. it was not my intention to answer my own — our economy. it was not my intention to answer my own question! - our economy. it was not my intention to answer my own question! other i to answer my own question! 0ther commentators have said that it will still leave the uk better place than any of the other g7 economies, but we've got the context of brexit to bearin we've got the context of brexit to bear in mind. how much of the shadow does that cast?— does that cast? well, i don't believe it — does that cast? well, i don't believe it does _ does that cast? well, i don't believe it does cast - does that cast? well, i don't believe it does cast a - does that cast? well, i don't. believe it does cast a shadow. does that cast? well, i don't i believe it does cast a shadow. i think there's difficulties and settling in period is to get over but brexit is the very thing that allows us to be very adventurous with our economic measures and to be competitive within europe, more competitive within europe, more competitive than the europeans are

capable of being so it gives us an ability to attract trade from their shores onto hours but this is where i am saying the chancellor is not being ambitious enough. he is being too prudent. i would never want to expose britain to fiscal problems but, i really do not see interest rates going up significantly at all the many, many years and if the money that we borrow is invested extremely wisely, it's invested in the future, job creation which cuts government's costs, it's invested in gdp growth which provides more revenue, when we calculate the costs of 3 million people out of work, the total cost is probably in the region of between 100— £200 billion per year. getting those 3 million, if it

turns out to be 3 million, i am making that assumption because that's my forecast, but, whatever the number, getting those 3 million back to work safely huge amount of cost to the uk economy and would easily pay for any debt servicing costs we need to. so this is a time to be more ambitious than the chancellor has been. i understand why he has taken the road he has but, in my view, he should have really promoted the uk economy above all else, to try and grow that gdp, growjobs, tax revenues, as a consequence of success, not as a consequence of success, not as a consequence of success, not as a consequence of making people worse off and make britain the absolute leading light of europe. we off and make britain the absolute leading light of europe.— off and make britain the absolute leading light of europe. we will see the end of the _ leading light of europe. we will see the end of the vat— leading light of europe. we will see the end of the vat reductions, - leading light of europe. we will see the end of the vat reductions, and | leading light of europe. we will see l the end of the vat reductions, and a furlough scheme will be closed down but, politically, he had to be seen to be behaving in this way. if not

economically, which is more of your argument, but politically, needs to be seen to be trying to claw back this incredible amount of public spending during the pandemic. this money was never going to be free. tt always had to be paid back. that's where he could have put a reversal argument if he wished most people would buy into that because he says it has to be paid back with smack the only issue with big debt is the potential if the debt causes inflation and interest rates rise. many economies over the future years are going to be living with debt of 100% plus of gdp. who says we need to pay it? the only issue is if

interest rates rise, the interest in that debt becomes a big drag on the economy. so, what we need to do is borrow big and invest wisely in big, to grow businesses in the uk, the economy and we can choose to pay the debt out of that growth, but even if we don't pay it, we will have more than enough income in the exchequer to pay the increased servicing costs. so i don't disagree with the budget. ijust don't costs. so i don't disagree with the budget. i just don't think costs. so i don't disagree with the budget. ijust don't think he's been ambitious enough. there's a lot of smart moves in there but he could have done a lot more. in one of my major criticisms is his loan recovery scheme of 25,000 to £10 million because he is once again said that he will guarantee 80% of that. now, that will not work because those businesses that have been traumatised and need these loans will not be able to put the

other 20% equity in to guarantee the loan. and i've had this argument with the chancellor nine months ago on the previous set of lines and he eventually changed his mind and he put 100% guarantee on. why he thinks he can revert back to 80% nine months later and required a business to put 20% ni really do not know. tt to put 20% ni really do not know. it might not be over yet. there are always concessions, aren't they? good to talk to you,.— joining us today. thank you. goodbye. and just after two thirty this afternoon we'll be answering your questions on the the budget and its impact on personalfinances. i will bejoined byjasmine birtles, founder of the website moneymagpie and by iona bain, founder of young money blog. send in your questions using the hash tag bbc your questions or by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk. that's coming up at two

thirty here on bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. cloudy and chilly over the next three days but there will be sunshine at times. the wettest front sinking south bringing patchy rain across northern ireland, northern england and east anglia. it will break up however and see sunshine but ahead of it, a lot of clout. temperatures between 5—10 c. 0vernight, the weather front sinks down and there will be some clearer skies and where we have got that clearance, in the highlands, temperatures will fall as low as minus four celsius. but generally, it is going to be a cold night. tomorrow we start off with a bit more sunshine than we have been used to but don't get too excited because the cloud will build up and expand across most of the uk. temperatures for tomorrow, five in the north to about 7—8 c in the south.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for a number of days. the duchess of sussex has accused the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. the chancellor defends his plans to raise overall taxation to the highest level since the 1960s — as he faces criticism for doing too little to tackle inequality. new coronavirus vaccines to fight variants — like the one from brazil — can be fast—tracked through the approval system, the uk's medical regulator says. countries with more overweight people have had the highest death rates from covid—19, a report says, as the government looks at a reward scheme to encourage people to lose weight. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has insisted she had no motive, intention or desire to 'get�* her predecessor alex salmond.

sport, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane dougal. good morning. we are going to start with the cricket. england's batsmen have struggled again on the first day of the fourth and final test against india. they were bowled out for 205 after winning the toss in ahmedabad. the pich looked much improved on the one which attracted such controversy last week, but england still failed to come to terms with the indian attack. captainjoe root, the third wicket to fall — lbw for just five. ben stokes resisted for a time and occasionally took the attack to india on the way to a half century. stokes, though, eventually went for 55. and, apart from dan lawrence with 46, the rest of the batting folded fairly meekly. james anderson gave england some hope when he dismissed shubman gill for a duck. at the close india were 24—1.

staying with cricket, west indies' kieron pollard has become just the third player to hit six sixes in one over in an international match. it was a remarkable t20 game in antigua, especially for sri lanka's bowler akila da na njaya. he took a hat—trick, and the west indies slumped to 62—4, chasing 132 to win. then came pollard. every ball of dananjaya's next over was smashed over the boundary. pollard eventually out for 38, but west indies winning by 4 wickets, with 41 balls to spare. rangers are getting close to ending all the hurt of the last decade, by being crowned scottish premiership champions, and stopping celtic getting 10 in a row. rangers' manager steven gerrard, who's on the brink of his first title, was sent off at half time for comments he made to the referee who'd booked alfredo morelos earlier. and it was morelos who came up with the only goal to secure the win. they need just 4 more

points now for the title. elsewhere, hamilton drew 1—1 with stjohnstone. there are three more premier league games this evening. relegation threatened fulham are at home to spurs, while second from bottom west brom host everton. in the later game, liverpool take on chelsea, with both sides eyeing a top 4 finish. last night, manchester united could only manage a goalless draw at crystal palace. united are still 14 points behind leaders manchester city. leicester city in 3rd are also dropping points, but they did salvage a draw at burnley, thanks to a wonderful finish from kelechi iheanacho. the point means burnley are 6 points clear of the relegation zone now. in last night's other match, bottom side sheffield united got a rare win, beating aston villa 1—0. manchester city can start thinking about the women's champions league quarter—finals after beating fiorentina 3—0 in the home leg of their last 16 tie. city scored twice in the first four minutes through lauren hemp and ellen white, before sam mewis

added another late on. it was a good night for chelsea in their first leg. their keeper, ann katrin berger, saved two penalties before fran kirby wrapped up the 2—0 win against atletico madrid at kings meadow. the new chief executive of kick it out says he believes there are enough qualified people of colour to fill the vacant roles at the fa and at the pfa, without resorting to tokenism. tony burnett says there should be an environment where the best people from any background are able to access opportunities. gordon taylor steps down from his chief executive position at the pfa at the end of the season, and the fa is recruiting a permanent chair to replace greg clarke. i would love to see absolutely a person of colour or from an ethnic minority background because they come through a process which is open, fairand come through a process which is open, fair and transparent and they are the best person for the job. the other thing, there is a question we have to answer about the criteria for those jobs. have to answer about the criteria forthosejobs. i have to answer about the criteria for thosejobs. i would love have to answer about the criteria for those jobs. i would love to see, if it is not necessarily a person,

irrespective of what the individual�*s background, have they got the right values? the individuals in those jobs, got the right values? the individuals in thosejobs, it is got the right values? the individuals in those jobs, it is a massively important that they value inclusion. massively important they start with perspective that humans are of equal value. when you've been at the top, but you're now 123rd in the world, it can be tough to deal with, and andy murray says he has been struggling to adjust. after losing on his tour comeback in montpellier last week, he was beaten in straight sets last night in rotterdam. and his frustration was clear. he is returning from a serious hip injury and was up against 4th seed andre rublev. murray says he can't help but over analyse the mistakes he's making. iam not i am not used to making those errors in those moments. i am finding that quite frustrating and mentally finding myself looking back on those moments a little bit too much. which may be, you know, affected me a bit

in the second set. that's all the sport for now. there's more on the website and app — including news that wales scrum half kieran hardy has been ruled out of the six nations with a hamstring injury. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. the uk's medicines regulator has ruled that new covid vaccines to fight emerging variants can be fast—tracked through the approval system. guidance from the mhra says manufacturers would need to prove the jabs could provide protective antibodies. this could be achieved from data on real—world use, bypassing the need for lengthy clinical trials. on a visit to a vaccination facility in glasgow — the health secretary, matt hancock, welcomed the decision. i think that the mhra have played a very, very wise publication. this is all about making sure that if we need an updated vaccine to work against these new variants, we can get it approved and into people's

arms as soon as as safely possible. the regulator is incredibly rigorous on safety, but what they have shown is that they are also prepared to move fast whilst doing all the necessary checks. today's announcement will mean that if we do need an updated vaccine because of these new variants, we will be able to do it faster. faster than the first set of vaccines and faster than almost anywhere else in the world. ., .., . ., than almost anywhere else in the world. ., . ., ., world. how concerned are you about the new variants _ world. how concerned are you about the new variants as _ world. how concerned are you about the new variants as we _ world. how concerned are you about the new variants as we go _ world. how concerned are you about the new variants as we go forward i world. how concerned are you about| the new variants as we go forward on the new variants as we go forward on the current— the new variants as we go forward on the current spread of coronavirus? the number— the current spread of coronavirus? the number of cases is coming down and a number of hospitalisations and deaths is coming down even faster because of the vaccine. we can see the vaccine saving lives right across the uk right now. but one of the worries that we have, one of the risks as these new variants. thankfully, there is very, very small numbers in the uk now. we need to keep it that way. at the same time, do the scientific work in

places like the university of glasgow, working across the uk, to make sure that we have the updated vaccine as soon as as safely possible. health officials are to examine whether paying people to exercise could help drive down levels of obesity. sir keith mills, who founded the air miles and nectar rewards programmes, is to advise the government on a new way to use incentives to support people who choose healthier diets and do more physical activity. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has insisted she had no motive, intention or desire to 'get�* her predecessor alex salmond. giving evidence to the inquiry into her government's handling of harassment allegations against mr salmond, she described claims of a plot against him as 'absurd.�* 0ur political correspondent nick eardley reports. after months of allegations, yesterday nicola sturgeon had her chance to make her case. i solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that i will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. scotland's first minister insists

she followed the rules, that her government was right to investigate alex salmond and that there was no plot to take him down. alex salmond has been, for most of my life, since i was about 21 years old, notjust a very close political colleague, a friend, in my younger days somebody i looked up to and revered, you know, i had no motive, intention, desire to get alex salmond. this was a marathon session, more than seven hours of questioning. miss sturgeon apologised to women who were let down by the government, but she insisted all the decisions she made were for the right reasons. i have never claimed in this or anything else to be infallible. i have searched my soul on all of this many, many times over. it may very well be that i did not get everything right, that is for others to judge, but in one of the most invidious political and personal situations i have everfaced,

i believe i acted properly and appropriately, and that overall i made the bestjudgments i could. this row is not over, though, there could be more claims to come, and a report on whether miss sturgeon broke the rules ministers have to follow is expected this month. nick eardley, bbc news, holyrood. let's return to the reaction to yesterday's budget. the chancellor confirmed that the £20 top up of universal credit will be extended for another six months. rishi sunak said the measure, worth £1,000 a year, would help those hardest hit by the pandemic. campaigners want the top up to be made permanent, while labour said the measure did nothing to address insecurity and inequality. with me is caroline rice, who receives universal credit. and also i'm joined by katie schmuecker, deputy director of policy, joseph rowntree foundation.

welcome to you both. first, katie, this £20 uplift, the weekly increase being extended to september. her welcome is that? tt is being extended to september. her welcome is that?— welcome is that? it is certainly better than _ welcome is that? it is certainly better than taking _ welcome is that? it is certainly better than taking away - welcome is that? it is certainly better than taking away that i better than taking away that lifeline right now, but we are concerned that only by can do much extending it by six months, the government seems to not be in touch with the realities of the economic situation that we are actually in. we are going to be facing a perfect storm as we head into the winter. just as furlough ends, just as unemployment is expected to peak at around 2 million people, that is the point at which this support of the additional £20 per week, which has been a lifeline for so many people through this pandemic, is going to be taken away. that means that about 6 million families are going to be facing a really tough winter, as they face a loss of income overnight ofjust they face a loss of income overnight of just over they face a loss of income overnight ofjust over £1000 per year. caroline, you have been in receipt of universal credit, you also work

as a registered childminder, how much difference to you has this extra £20 a week made? tt much difference to you has this extra £20 a week made?- much difference to you has this extra £20 a week made? it has made a big difference- — extra £20 a week made? it has made a big difference. it _ extra £20 a week made? it has made a big difference. it is _ extra £20 a week made? it has made a big difference. it is the _ extra £20 a week made? it has made a big difference. it is the difference - big difference. it is the difference between — big difference. it is the difference between what i pay or basically staying — between what i pay or basically staying afloat. i had to make difficult _ staying afloat. i had to make difficult choices, from august, as to what— difficult choices, from august, as to what resources i can cut back on within— to what resources i can cut back on within the — to what resources i can cut back on within the house. and if that £20 is taken _ within the house. and if that £20 is taken away. — within the house. and if that £20 is taken away, it is more difficult choices— taken away, it is more difficult choices to _ taken away, it is more difficult choices to cut back on something else _ choices to cut back on something else. ., ., , ., choices to cut back on something else. ., ., y., ., , else. caroline, you have been contributing _ else. caroline, you have been contributing to _ else. caroline, you have been contributing to a _ else. caroline, you have been contributing to a research - else. caroline, you have been i contributing to a research project which tracks how low income families fair during the pandemic. what sort of impact has the pandemic had on you? your life, your ability to find work and earn money, to make sure

you are not dependent solely on benefit? ts you are not dependent solely on benefit? . . you are not dependent solely on benefit? , . . you are not dependent solely on benefit? , ., benefit? is a childcare provider, the demand _ benefit? is a childcare provider, the demand at _ benefit? is a childcare provider, the demand at the _ benefit? is a childcare provider, the demand at the minute - benefit? is a childcare provider, the demand at the minute for l the demand at the minute for childcare _ the demand at the minute for childcare is very low. parents are on furlough, you know, i have had a family— on furlough, you know, i have had a family that — on furlough, you know, i have had a family that is — on furlough, you know, i have had a family that is on working tax credits. _ family that is on working tax credits, has had childcare stop, she is on _ credits, has had childcare stop, she is on furlough, i have had another drop— is on furlough, i have had another drop in_ is on furlough, i have had another drop in income out of no fault of anybody's — drop in income out of no fault of anybody's. it is difficult, it is a mental— anybody's. it is difficult, it is a mental strain on the household. it is a mental— mental strain on the household. it is a mental strain on me. it is a mental— is a mental strain on me. it is a mental strain on my child because she sees— mental strain on my child because she sees the impact on me on a day-to-day_ she sees the impact on me on a day—to—day basis. worrying about what _ day—to—day basis. worrying about what is _ day—to—day basis. worrying about what is next, you know. it is not easy _ what is next, you know. it is not eas . . ., . ., what is next, you know. it is not eas. . ., . ., easy. katie, the chancellor said that temporary _ easy. katie, the chancellor said that temporary support - easy. katie, the chancellor said that temporary support is - easy. katie, the chancellor said that temporary support is only. that temporary support is only temporary, it cannot be made permanent because of the impact it would have on public finances. how

satisfied are you with that as an explanation of why it must end? tt explanation of why it must end? tt you look back to the start of the pandemic, the chancellor when he announced the uplift to universal credit, said that he was doing it in order to strengthen our safety net. that right there is an admission of the fact that it sisters security system has not been providing adequate support for people, it has not been there for them in the way that they need it in difficult times —— social security system. that was the right thing to do then because we came into the pandemic in bad shape, we came in on the back of a decade of deprivation, when people on the lowest incomes were seeing their incomes fall and that was being driven largely by cuts to social security, being driven largely by cuts to socialsecurity, but being driven largely by cuts to social security, but also low paid jobs and really high housing costs. so the right thing was to increase the adequacy of the social security system. the right thing to do yesterday would have been to make that a permanent part of our social

security system. we should all be able to rely on social security when life events hit us. you know, the last year has hammered home for all of us that we simply do not know what is around the corner. 0ur social security system should be an embodiment of our desire to help and support one another. that is in tune with our values as a country. that is something that we would have liked to have seen rishi sunak talking about yesterday and making that uplift to universal credit permanent, orat that uplift to universal credit permanent, or at the very least extending it for one year to get us to do what we know is going to be an extremely challenging winter. tett extremely challenging winter. tell us what the _ extremely challenging winter. tell us what the minimal income floor for self—employed people on universal credit is going to be? it is going to be reintroduced injuly, i believe. what potential impact will it have? . ., believe. what potential impact will it have? .., ., ., , it have? the minimum income floor is a art of it have? the minimum income floor is a part of universal _ it have? the minimum income floor is a part of universal credit _ it have? the minimum income floor is a part of universal credit that - a part of universal credit that applies to people who are self—employed. what it basically is is the job centre will assume an

amount that they expect you to be able to earn, and then that is used as the basis for your universal credit calculation, whether or not you do earn that amount in reality through your self—employment. the minimum income floor has been suspended throughout the pandemic, that has brought welcome relief to very many low income self—employed people, it is going to be reintroduced from the end ofjuly, it is not entirely clear why that support is being taken away at the end ofjuly, two months sooner than other forms of end ofjuly, two months sooner than otherforms of support end ofjuly, two months sooner than other forms of support like furlough. i think the important point here is that people who are on low incomes, self—employed and on universal credit are actually going to face a double whammy. first of all, the minimum income floor is going to come back injuly, when we know that times are going to be tough economically, but then, come the end of september, that lifeline of the uplift to universal credit, that extra £20 per week is going to be taken away. they are going to

face a double whammy before then heading into a difficult autumn, when we know unemployment is going to be high and things will be very tough for a lot of families. caroline, as someone who are self—employed, what impact for the reintroduction of the minimum income floor have for you? bearing in mind what your earning capacity has been the last 12 months. this what your earning capacity has been the last 12 months.— the last 12 months. as katie says, it is a double _ the last 12 months. as katie says, it is a double whammy. _ the last 12 months. as katie says, it is a double whammy. i - the last 12 months. as katie says, it is a double whammy. i have - the last 12 months. as katie says, it is a double whammy. i have notj it is a double whammy. i have not experienced it minimum income floor on universal— experienced it minimum income floor on universal credit prior to the pandemic _ on universal credit prior to the pandemic. i do not know how much i would _ pandemic. i do not know how much i would potentially lose out to now in july. i_ would potentially lose out to now in july i am _ would potentially lose out to now in july. lam kind would potentially lose out to now in july. i am kind of guessing perhaps 40 or— july. i am kind of guessing perhaps 40 or £50 — july. i am kind of guessing perhaps 40 or £50 per month that i could be losing _ 40 or £50 per month that i could be losing out— 40 or £50 per month that i could be losing out in— 40 or £50 per month that i could be losing out in support. as a childcare _ losing out in support. as a childcare provider here in northern ireland. _ childcare provider here in northern ireland. our— childcare provider here in northern ireland, our potential to earn here is heavily— ireland, our potential to earn here is heavily restricted in comparison to our— is heavily restricted in comparison to our counterparts in britain. my potential— to our counterparts in britain. my potential to earn is really low here in northern ireland. and i am still expected — in northern ireland. and i am still expected to reach that minimum

income — expected to reach that minimum income floor, the same as the rest of the _ income floor, the same as the rest of the uk. — income floor, the same as the rest of the uk, and it is impossible. due to the _ of the uk, and it is impossible. due to the lack— of the uk, and it is impossible. due to the lack of demand at the minute. had the _ to the lack of demand at the minute. had the circumstances really do not help, do they? 0ngoing uncertainty for you. caroline rice and katie schmueckerfrom for you. caroline rice and katie schmuecker from thejoseph rowntree foundation, good to have you both on bbc news today. thank you very much for talking to us. some dramatic pictures now — and ambitions to send humans to mars have suffered another setback — after a prototype rocket exploded. the unmanned space—x rocket blew—up after what appeared to have been a successful test flight in the united states. russell trott reports. three, two, one... ignition... ..we have liftoff. it was all running so smoothly. the starship prototype rocket launch from boca chica, in cameron county, texas. five minutes in and the space—x craft begins its tricky descent back to the landing zone, ten kilometres —

or 30,000 feet below. a near—perfect landing, or at least that's how it looked and despite some flames needing to be put out, it was all systems go for a second flight. whoa, whoa, whoa. this time, not so good. thankfully, no one was on board and there were no injuries among the safety crews on the ground. two previous tests also had failed. space—x, founded by the tesla electric car entrepreneur, elon musk, hopes to eventually send a reusable rocket to mars. it may need more testing. russell trott, bbc news. now here'a story of two amazing friends who've managed to raise £200,000 for the hospital treating one of them for leukaemia. 10—year—olds hughie

and freddie set out to raise £1,000, to buy a slushie machine for the children on hughie's ward, and patients at the royal manchester children's hospital have just had their first drinks delivered. josh parry reports. sour cherry! huey had a simple goal, to help other — sour cherry! huey had a simple goal, to help other children _ sour cherry! huey had a simple goal, to help other children like _ sour cherry! huey had a simple goal, to help other children like him - to help other children like him through the power of slashes. the kids aet through the power of slashes. tte: kids get sore mouse so the word manager said to get a slushy machine because they all want cold things. —— sore mouth is. because they all want cold things. -- sore mouth is.— -- sore mouth is. friday was also lad to -- sore mouth is. friday was also glad to help- _ -- sore mouth is. friday was also glad to help. back _ -- sore mouth is. friday was also glad to help. back in _ -- sore mouth is. friday was also glad to help. back in november, | -- sore mouth is. friday was also l glad to help. back in november, he set himself a target to run two kilometres per day, completing his target on christmas day. to kilometres per day, completing his target on christmas day.— kilometres per day, completing his target on christmas day. to help and do something — target on christmas day. to help and do something and _ target on christmas day. to help and do something and try _ target on christmas day. to help and do something and try and _ target on christmas day. to help and do something and try and get - target on christmas day. to help and do something and try and get help i do something and try and get help him get _ do something and try and get help him get through it because it is a really— him get through it because it is a really hard — him get through it because it is a really hard thing to get through. in really hard thing to get through. in the really hard thing to get through. the 50th really hard thing to get through. t the 50th day, he trudged through really hard thing to get through. t�*t the 50th day, he trudged through the winter rain and mud with each step smashing through his £1000 fundraising target. he

smashing through his £1000 fundraising target.— smashing through his £1000 fundraising target. smashing through his £1000 fundraisin: tarret. , , ., fundraising target. he is 'ust doing such a great — fundraising target. he is 'ust doing such a great job h fundraising target. he is 'ust doing such a great job and _ fundraising target. he is 'ust doing such a great job and i _ fundraising target. he isjust doing such a great job and i could - fundraising target. he isjust doing such a great job and i could not. such a greatjob and i could not thank him any more. such a great job and i could not thank him any more.— such a great job and i could not thank him any more. freddie, go! just like freddie, _ thank him any more. freddie, go! just like freddie, the _ thank him any more. freddie, go! just like freddie, the donation - just like freddie, the donation showed no signs of slowing down. when we went on air, it was £56,000, now it has over £70,000! stand when we went on air, it was £56,000, now it has over £70,000!— now it has over £70,000! and an 85,000 now it has over £70,000! and an 85.000 now. _ now it has over £70,000! and an 85,000 now. they _ now it has over £70,000! and an 85,000 now. they said, - now it has over £70,000! and an 85,000 now. they said, well, i 85,000 now. they said, well, £200,000. we want to top it up. itrai’ith £200,000. we want to top it up. with extra funds. — £200,000. we want to top it up. with extra funds, the _ £200,000. we want to top it up. with extra funds, the boys have even managed to buy the hospital some life—saving equipment. tt is life-saving equipment. it is basically — life-saving equipment. it is basically a _ life-saving equipment. it is basically a piece _ life-saving equipment. it is basically a piece of - life-saving equipment. it is basically a piece of kit - life—saving equipment. it is basically a piece of kit that can warm — basically a piece of kit that can warm up— basically a piece of kit that can warm up a _ basically a piece of kit that can warm up a large amount of blood really— warm up a large amount of blood really quickly. its warm up a large amount of blood really quickly-— warm up a large amount of blood really quickly. as soon as me and friday heard _ really quickly. as soon as me and friday heard it _ really quickly. as soon as me and friday heard it would _ really quickly. as soon as me and friday heard it would save - really quickly. as soon as me and friday heard it would save lives, l really quickly. as soon as me and i friday heard it would save lives, we were like, yes. as well as the slashes, we have got a big box of fruit. the first delivery of slashes. while—

fruit. the first delivery of slashes. while . slashes. while while freddie... his 'ourne to slashes. while while freddie... his journey to recovery _ slashes. while while freddie... his journey to recovery continues, - slashes. while while freddie... his journey to recovery continues, it i journey to recovery continues, it has been made a little easier by friendship. amazing what you can do with your best friend. some breaking news from germany regarding the use of astrazeneca's coronavirus vaccine. germany's vaccination authority has now approved its use in people over the age of 65, according to the health ministry. they said that the permanent vaccination authority recommended extending to the maximum 12 weeks the period between receiving the first and second doses of the vaccine, which is of course what tends to happen here. in the statement, the ministry said this is good news for older people who are waiting for a vaccine. they can now be vaccinated more quickly. we will shortly issue a regulation implementing both recommendations. germany had held off giving the astrazeneca vaccine the thumbs up because of a lack of data and they were not sure of its efficacy in

people over the age of 65, but they have now approved its use. as thousands of children dress up to mark world book day, campaigners are calling forfamilies, schools and nurseries to have books with more characters from black, asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. they say recent events by the black lives matter movement have drawn more attention to the importance of greater representation in children's books. our community affairs correspondent adina campbell reports. dressing up as a favourite book characters... i'm dressed up as fantastic mr fox, my favourite character. world book day is one of the biggest events in the school calendar, but campaigners feel characters from ethnic minority backgrounds are not represented enough in children's books. we don't see iconic roles, charlie and the chocolate factory, alice in wonderland, all these characters are amazing but _ they are white or they are written as white characters. it would be great to see more characters pushed into the limelight so they could be more

iconic and so we could have more selection when it comes to world book day. despite a third of schoolchildren from the uk being from an ethnic minority backgrounds, latest figures show just 5% of all published children's book featured someone as a main character from one of these backgrounds. over the last 30 years, children's authors, like trish cook, have been trying to increase representation. there is no reason why black characters shouldn't be in books. it is not something unusual. in everyday life, we take on main roles, we are notjust a friend or supporting role. the stories i'm telling are universal stories, stories that happened to everyone, but i'm writing them from the point of view of a black writer to make sure these characters get out there because they haven't been out there before. a third of children

and young people in the uk say they are reading more during lockdown, according to the national literacy trust, and some businesses have seen a growth in sales. i get such great feedback and parents dm me all the time to say "thank you, that finally my child sees a character..." i believe in the saying, "you can't be what you can't see" i feel like a lot of children now are seeing themselves as astronauts, politicians, they are realising they can literally be anything. for some parents, change has been too slow and doesn't fairly reflect the uk today. their message is clear. we are raising the next generation, the next change makers, the next business owners. in orderfor in 20 years time for us to not be having this conversation, we need to start now, it starts with books. what's a gruffalo? adina campbell, bbc news.

now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. it was another cloudy, chilly start to the day. in fact, as we go through the next few days, we will hang on to a fair bit of cloud, little bit of sunshine at times, fog in the morning, isolated showers, and it will turn colder. but it will be more settled and dry because this area of high pressure is going to drift across the uk and settle things down. today, we have got this weather front which are sinking down towards the south—west. what it is doing is introducing some patchy, light rain, some hill snow, and some brighter conditions behind it with this north—easterly feed coming in. ahead of it, there is still a lot of cloud, some of the fog this morning lifting into low cloud, but there will be some brighter breaks here and there. under that cloud, temperatures holding up to around 9-10 in temperatures holding up to around 9—10 in the south—west. even though there are still some cloud across there are still some cloud across the north—east of england, there is not as much as there was, so it will not as much as there was, so it will not feel quite as cold as it has donein not feel quite as cold as it has done in recent days. a weatherfront

drift towards the south—west, with its patchy rain, as we head through the evening and overnight. there will be some clear skies around. where we have got the clear skies is where we will have the lowest temperatures. following potentially as low as —4 in parts of the highlands. some of us will wake up tomorrow to a frost. the remnants of this front really just visible as tomorrow to a frost. the remnants of this front reallyjust visible as a high pressure takes charge of our weather and sits right across the uk, keeping things fine and settled. and mostly dry. we start off on a dry note, with a fair bit of sunshine, but through the day what will happen is a bit more cloud will build and we will see that extend across many areas. it will still be across many areas. it will still be a fine and dry day, and a bright day, with temperatures five in aberdeen to 7—8 in the south. we say goodbye to the double—figure temperatures for now. 0vernight, friday into saturday, it will be cold, frosty, temperatures in parts of east anglia could fall as might —4. of east anglia could fall as might -4. a of east anglia could fall as might —4. a cold start to the day, but where we have got clear skies, we will start with some sunshine. 0n will start with some sunshine. on saturday, the cloud will thicken

from the west, heralding the arrival of an atlantic weather front. this will herald a change in our weather as well. temperatures, five in aberdeen to 7—8 as we pushed on towards london. into the weekend and the early part of next week, we start to see more of an atlantic influence coming our way, so the weather will turn more and settled, but it will also mean that it will become less cold, with temperatures closer to average.

this is bbc news. the headlines. the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for a number of days. the duchess of sussex has accused the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. i don't know how they could expect that after all this time we would stilljust be silent if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. the chancellor defends his plans to raise overall taxation to the highest level since the 1960s —— as he faces criticism for doing too little to tackle inequality: this is a good way to raise money that we need because it's a progressive measure. it means those on higher incomes contribute a lot more

than those on lower incomes. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has insisted she had no motive, intention or desire to 'get�* her predecessor alex salmond. new coronavirus vaccines to fight variants — like the one from brazil — can be fast—tracked through the approval system — the uk's medical regulator says if we do need an update on these vaccines then we'll be able to do it faster than when we initially created the vaccines. the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition, buckingham palace says. prince philip, who is 99, has spent 16 nights in hospital. he was being treated for an infection and moved

to st bartholomew's hospital in london on monday. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell gave me this update. the palace is not saying any more about this pre—existing heart condition, the nature of it, or the successful procedure but given that the pre—existing heart condition that we know about ten years ago when he had a stent inserted to relieve a blocked coronary artery, it is reasonable to speculate that whatever took place at st barts hospital yesterday was, in some way, was involving the stent. it could have been the insertion of a new one or an insertion of the existing one. i'm aware that this is known as angioplasty and takes place under local anaesthetic. when dealing with somebody

who is almost 100, there could have been a narrowing of the existing stent or the artery which was causing the heart condition for which he was transferred from one hospital to another, to son bartholomew is to st bartholomews hospital which is an expert hospital on cardiac issues. he experienced monitoring and assessment on tuesday with the procedure carried out on tuesday. it has been successful and he will remain in hospital as the palace says for rest and recuperation for a number of days. i imagine that mean, well, common—sense, for someone of his age, it is perhaps likely he will be there for another week. perhaps longer. the royal family are not likely to tell us much more because they don't tend to give running commentaries. however, it does not stop reporters like us watching for comings and goings from the hospital because prince charles visited when he was in the previous hospital.

he visited on the first saturday when he was at the king edward. i think that given we are told that the procedure, whatever it was, was successful and he now requires a period of rest and recuperation and given the protocols that are in place at st bartholomew's, visiting is not permitted other than in exceptional circumstances, it is an nhs hospital, not a private hospital. i would be surprised if any prominent members of the royal family felt it necessary to visit him there. not least because it would be contrary to protocols and not least as it would be seen as a signal that things have taken a turn for the worse. thank you very much, nick. our health correspondent katharine da costa has more information on the condition the duke has been treated for. they haven't confirmed the exact procedure but we do know that in

a blocked artery in papworth and he had a stent fitted for heart pains, chest pains. this was allegedly caused by a blocked artery. there is a procedure that takes half an hour to two hours where patients are assessed, they might have blood tests taken and the specialist will look inside their arteries and, now, the patient would lie on a table with the x—ray. lie on a table with the x—ray machine. cardiologists would make a small insertion in the groin area and pass through a catheter and then they inflate a small balloon which helps to clear the blockage and a stent blockage and a stent is fitted and that helps the blood flow again. so, there are some cases where arteries begin to narrow again, so a patient may require another stent to be fitted. essentially, what it is, is a small wire mesh which acts like scaffolding to keep the arteries open. now, afterwards, you would need some blood—thinning drugs, so

things like aspirin and other specialist drugs and then it's a case of rest and relaxation and follow up assessment. the duchess of sussex has suggested the royal family have played a part in what she called "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. she made the comments in an interview with oprah winfrey, to be broadcast in the us this weekend. meanwhile, last night, buckingham palace said its human resources team was looking into claims that the duchess had bullied staff while she was a working royal in 2018. simon jones has more. meghan is making it clear she will not be afraid to speak out in a second trailer for the interview released overnight. how do you feel about the palace i hearing you speak your truth today? i don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would stilljust be silent, if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. if that comes with risk of losing things, i mean, there's a lot that's been lost already. this is a second clip released by cbs but the first in which we have heard

the duchess speak. the interview was recorded before buckingham palace began an investigation into claims meghan had bullied former royal staff. the times newspaper has obtained an e—mail, written in late 2018, byjason knauf, the couple's communication secretary, to simon case, he is now the cabinet secretary. in it he is reported to have written... "i'm very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two pas out of the household in the past year. the treatment of x was totally unacceptable." buckingham palace said it was very concerned about the allegations. former members of staff are being invited to participate in its investigation. in a statement, it added... but a spokesperson for meghan said...

the latest interview clip will do little to heal any apparent rifts between the sussexes and the palace. simon jones, bbc news. the uk chancellor, rishi sunak, has defended his decision to raise corporation tax for the most profitable companies to 25% in 2023. this measure — along with other moves such as freezing income tax thresholds — mean that britain is on course to have the highest tax burden since the 1960s. paul hawkins reports. billed as a budget to rescue an economy ravaged by covid. reporter: can the country afford this budget, mr sunak? _ the chancellor has promised to protectjobs. tax increases loom, taking the uk's tax burden to its highest level since the 1960s, according to the office for budget responsibility. 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 do that in a way that is

supportive of economic recovery in the short—term but also do so in a way that is fair. this is how he intends to do it. the furlough scheme is to be extended until the end of september, as will higher universal credit payments. the headline rate of corporation tax will go up from 19% to 25% from 2023, though smaller firms will be exempt. and a freeze on income tax thresholds is expected to lead to 1.3 million more people paying income tax, plus1 million more paying the higher rate. but there will be some more help for hospitality. pubs won't have to pay business rates until the end ofjune. we have been open forfour months out of the last 12 when we get to reopen. when we reopen, it's going to be gardens only, and then restricted inside. we are going to need all the help we can get to get hospitality through. labour talk of a missed opportunity.

ijust think this didn't deliver the scale of what was required. for most people what they're going to see is a very big increase in council tax, possibly a universal credit cut, and a very high level of unemployment, no matter where they live. although much of the focus has been on business, some number crunchers say the effects of the budget will also be felt far wider. much less attention was paid to what is happening to british households. in many ways, the year ahead for them is more difficult than the year we've been through, with falling living standards this autumn. and actually come up for public services, further cuts to public spending mean that we may be seeing what feels a lot like austerity. for public services, too, further cuts to public spending may feel a lot like austerity. there is now a route out of lockdown. but tough times ahead. the chancellor says not all his decisions will be popular but they are, he insists, honest. paul hawkins, bbc news. 0ur chief political correspondent, adam fleming, told annita mcveigh the budget was a story of three chapters...

the first chapter is the government continuing to spend billions of pounds to support people and businesses through what they hope is the last stage of the pandemic. and that will last until september when society is supposedly all but have opened up again. then chapter two starts, the recovery of the government hopes which will be boosted by a massive, massive tax break with billions of pounds for businesses to invest in staff. then the year after is when chapter three starts. that is when we see the government raising more money in taxation. first of all, by an increase in the rate of corporation tax, paid by companies earning more than a quarter of £1 billion of profits a year. and then, secondly, freezing those thresholds for the rates of income tax which means more lower earners will start paying the basic rate and for higher earners will start paying the higher rate. and rishi sunak, the chancellors this morning has been defending that as a fair way of mending the public finances.

people's current take—home pay, it won't be affected by this policy but you are right and i was clear yesterday, that this means the incremental benefit that they would have experienced had those thresholds continue to rise with inflation won't be there. we are going to keep putting up the thresholds next year as we promised but then they will be frozen at the higher level, but you mention the resolution foundation, i think they've also said this is a good way to raise money that we need because it's a progressive measure, it means those on higher incomes contribute a lot more than those on lower incomes and i think that's what most people would accept as a fair way to do what we need to do. the resolution foundation that the chancellor mentioned as a think tank that looks at people on low incomes and they are doing a briefing right now with their analysis which will be followed in an hour by the very famous institute for fiscal studies and it's always the economists view of the budget the day after that tends to shape people's reactions and in terms of reactions, the labour party is opposed to tax rises now, they think that would be bad

for the recovery. but the shadow chancellor anneliese dodds is in favour of those phrases to the income tax threshold. in principle, on that freeze, we are not against the freeze on principle. what i am concerned about is the fact that this is taking place when we have got the changes to council tax but also changes to social security as well. you quoted a speaker from the resolution foundation a moment ago who pointed out that actually, the government is planning to switch off its increase in social security, actually, right at the time when we anticipate the peak in unemployment, that's not a sensible approach to take. labour are also critical of this thing that the government has got called the towns fund, £1 billion allocated for investment in towns around england and if you look at the towns, the vast majority of them are in seats held by conservative mps.

labour says is cronyism, the conservatives just say it's a product of levelling up and put the result was at the last election. you're watching bbc news... labour has accused the chancellor of planning to reduce day—to—day spending in the department of health. budget documents show a planned cut of £30 billion in day—to—day spending from april of this year, falling from 199 billion pounds to 169 billion. the labour leader, keir starmer, has been visiting a hospital in derby and criticised the plans. i think ithinka i think a lot of people would be pretty astonished know that the day—to—day funding for the nhs is being cut. i'm here at the royal derby hospital. they are still struggling with coronavirus cases and we are not through the pandemic yet. and of course, we are going to get a big of cases, people on

waiting lists understandably who have not been dealt with this last year. so the nhs is going to have a really hard year and so i think that most people will be astonished that the funding is cut. but most people will be astonished that the funding is cut.— the funding is cut. but they've said the 're the funding is cut. but they've said they're putting _ the funding is cut. but they've said they're putting money _ the funding is cut. but they've said they're putting money into - the funding is cut. but they've said they're putting money into the - the funding is cut. but they've said | they're putting money into the nhs and building new hospital? but it and building new hospital? but if ou don't and building new hospital? but if you don't fund — and building new hospital? but if you don't fund the _ and building new hospital? but if you don't fund the nhs - and building new hospital? but if you don't fund the nhs the - and building new hospital? engt t you don't fund the nhs the day to day, you are heading for trouble. if you have a health crisis you have an economic crisis and i think most people will say, "look, we are not through the pandemic. vaccines are still being rolled out and we got a huge backlog. everybody is talking about the backlog which is coming down the track, all sorts of operations that were not done last year that now need to be done. we understand why they were put off but they have got to be done and i think that the right thing is to give the nhs the funding it needs to get through that. ts nhs the funding it needs to get through that-— nhs the funding it needs to get throu~h that. , , , ., through that. is this budget going to affect low-income _

through that. is this budget going to affect low-income workers - through that. is this budget going| to affect low-income workers with to affect low—income workers with the tax impact? taste to affect low-income workers with the tax impact?— to affect low-income workers with the tax impact? we are very critical of this on those _ the tax impact? we are very critical of this on those with _ the tax impact? we are very critical of this on those with lower - the tax impact? we are very critical of this on those with lower incomes and you can see this in the council tax hike that is coming. families across the country, universal credit coming to an end in this month, families using up to pounds —— losing up to £1000 a year. and a pay freeze for key workers, all the staff in this hospital i've just been talking to. this will hit our income is very, very hard. this will hit our income very, very hard. this afternoon we'll be answering your questions on the the budget and its impact on personalfinances. jane hill will bejoined byjasmine birtles, founder of the website moneymagpie and by iona bain, founder of young money blog. send in your questions using the hash tag bbc your questions or by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk. that's coming up at 2.30pm here on bbc news.

the headlines on bbc news... the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for a number of days. the duchess of sussex has accused the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. the chancellor defends his plans to raise overall taxation to the highest level since the 1960s —— as he faces criticism for doing too little to tackle inequality. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. here's jane. good afternoon. england's batsmen have struggled again on the first day of the fourth and final test against india. they were bowled out for 205 after winning the toss in ahmedabad. england slumped to 30 for 3, and although ben stokes made 55 and dan lawrence 46, they still failed to deal with spinners ravi ashin and axar patel who shared seven wickets. india were on 24 for1 in their first innings at the close. england must win to level the series.

liverpool managerjurgen klopp says he won't automatically release players for international duty if they have to quarantine on their return to the uk. liverpool's brazilian players alisson becker, fabinho and roberto firmino and portugalforward diogojota could face 10 days in quarantine on their return to the united kingdom from covid—19 "red—list" countries. klopp said he had the backing of fifa. we cannot let the boys just go and then see the situation when they come back. all players attending quarantine in a hotel for topics just not possible. i understand the need for these different essays but this is not a time we can make everybody happy and we have to admit that the players are paid by the clubs so that means we have to be first priority.

the new chief executive of kick it out says he believes the new chief executive of kick it out says he believes there are enough qualified people of colour to fill the vacant roles at the fa and at the pfa, without resorting to tokenism. tony burnett says there should be an environment where the best people from any background are able to access opportunities. gordon taylor steps down from his chief executive position at the pfa at the end of the season, and the fa is recruiting a permanent chair to replace greg clarke. i'd love to see a black person or person from an ethnic minority because they come from place which is fair and transparent in their best place for thejob. is fair and transparent in their best place for the job. the other question is about criteria regarding those jobs, question is about criteria regarding thosejobs, i'd love to question is about criteria regarding those jobs, i'd love to see question is about criteria regarding thosejobs, i'd love to see if question is about criteria regarding those jobs, i'd love to see if it's not necessarily appurtenant, not necessarily their background, have they got the right values? the individuals in those jobs you have to start from a perspective that every human being is of equal value.

that's all the sport for now. there's more on the website and app — including news that wales scrum half kieran hardy has been ruled out of the six nations with a hamstring injury. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. jane, thank you very much. the uk's medicines regulator has ruled that new covid vaccines to fight emerging variants can be fast—tracked through the approval system. guidance from the mhra says manufacturers would need to prove the jabs could provide protective antibodies. this could be achieved from data on real—world use, bypassing the need for lengthy clinical trials. the health secretary, matt hancock, welcomed the decision. i think that the mhra have made a very, very wise publication. this is all about making sure that if we need an updated vaccine to work against these new variants, we can get it approved and into people's arms as soon as as safely possible. the regulator is incredibly rigorous on safety, but what they have shown is that they are also prepared to move fast whilst doing all the necessary checks.

today's announcement will mean that if we do need an updated vaccine because of these new variants, we will be able to do it faster. faster than the first set of vaccines and faster than almost anywhere else in the world. how concerned are you about the new variants as we go forward on the current spread of coronavirus? thankfully, the number of cases is coming down and a number of hospitalisations and deaths is coming down even faster because of the vaccine. we can see the vaccine saving lives right across the uk right now. but one of the worries that we have, one of the risks is these new variants. thankfully, there is very, very small numbers in the uk now. we need to keep it that way. at the same time, do the scientific work in places like the university of glasgow, working across the uk, to make sure that we have the updated vaccine as soon as as safely possible.

the european union's finance chief has said the uk's decision to make unilateral changes to the northern ireland protocol raises questions about whether it can be trusted in future trade negotiations. yesterday, the government announced that it was extending a grace period for border checks on some goods crossing the irish sea. mairead mcguinness accused the uk of breaching both trust and an international agreement. the european union's highest court has ruled that britain has systematically breached agreed air pollution limits for years, and ordered it to comply with the guidelines. if it fails to do so, it may be fined. britain has left the eu, but it has agreed to respect court decisions in cases, such as today's, that started before brexit. we can talk now to our energy and environment analyst, roger harrabin. roger, what is this ruling saying? well, the uk like other nations in europe has to abate european laws on air pollution, in this case, a toxic

gas and particularly by cars. the uk actually hasn't challenged the fact that it has been in breached over emissions rules in 16 different areas but it argues that it has been trying to clean up as quickly as possible but it also passes part of the blame onto volkswagen and other car—makers who cheated with their emission standards and given that councils and government the wrong impression of what pollution would look like so it is now considering what it's going to do next. th look like so it is now considering what it's going to do next. in terms ofthe what it's going to do next. in terms of the british _ what it's going to do next. in terms of the british relationship _ what it's going to do next. in terms of the british relationship with - of the british relationship with this court though, in future, will we be bound by these limits and these rulings now brexit has happened?— these rulings now brexit has hauened? ~ , , , these rulings now brexit has hauened? , , , , happened? well, because these cases started before — happened? well, because these cases started before brexit, _ happened? well, because these cases started before brexit, the _ happened? well, because these cases started before brexit, the court - started before brexit, the court still retains jurisdiction over them so what will happen now is the court

is saying that the uk, "0k, so what will happen now is the court is saying that the uk, "ok, you have to comply now and especially you have two compliant reasonably quick amount of time. " if it does not comply then the european commission could apply again to the european court ofjustice and that would take another ruling against the uk and theoretically, could issue a fine. now, there is an unresolved legal point as to whether britain outside the european bloc would have to pay that fine. 0ne the european bloc would have to pay that fine. one could imagine that ministers would probably decide to say that we are just not paying that now but it still has some way to go. roger, for the moment, thank you very much. in a moment, we'll be live in holyrood for first minister's questions. but first, nicola sturgeon, has insisted she had no motive, intention or desire to 'get�* her predecessor alex salmond. giving evidence to the inquiry into her government's handling of harassment allegations against mr salmond, she described claims of a plot against him as 'absurd.�*

0ur political correspondent nick eardley reports. after months of allegations, yesterday nicola sturgeon had her chance to make her case. i solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that i will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. scotland's first minister insists she followed the rules — that her government was right to investigate alex salmond, and that there was no plot to take him down. alex salmond has been, for most of my life, since i was about 20, 21 years old, not just a very close political colleague, a friend and, in my younger days, somebody i looked up to and revered. you know, i had no motive, intention, desire, to get alex salmond. this was a marathon session, more than seven hours of questioning. ms sturgeon apologised to women who were let down by the government, but she insisted all the decisions she made were for the right reasons. i have never claimed in this

or anything else to be infallible. i have searched my soul on all of this many, many times over. it may very well be that i didn't get everything right, that's for others to judge. but in one of the most invidious, political and personal situations i have ever faced, i believe i acted properly and appropriately, and that overall i made the best judgments that i could. this row isn't over, though. there could be more claims to come. and a report on whether ms sturgeon broke the rules ministers have to follow is expected this month. nick eardley, bbc news, holyrood. some breaking news, the metropolitan police have ruled out a criminal investigation into martin bashir�*s 1995 interview with diana princess of wales. princess

now, the metropolitan police are saying that they have received correspondence but they are carefully assessing it and they've obtained legal advice from the force's lawyers, independent counsel and from the crown prosecution service and the statement from alexander murray of the met, says, following the detail assessment and the advice we received we do not think it is appropriate to begin a criminal investigation into this. as in this matter, should any significant new evidence comes to we will reset it to “ assess —— assess it. cloudy and chilly over the next three days but there will be

sunshine at times. the wettest front sinking south bringing patchy rain across northern ireland, northern england and east anglia. it will break up however and see sunshine but ahead of it, a lot of cloud. temperatures between 5—10 c. 0vernight, the weather front sinks down and there will be some clearer skies and where we have got that clearance, in the highlands, temperatures will fall as low as minus four celsius. but generally, it is going to be a cold night. there will be some frost around. tomorrow we start off with a bit more sunshine than we have been used to but don't get too excited because the cloud will build up and expand across most of the uk. temperatures for tomorrow, five in the north to about 7—8 c in the south.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the duke of edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for a number of days. the duchess of sussex has accused the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and prince harry. the chancellor defends his plans to raise overall taxation to the highest level since the 1960s — as he faces criticism for doing too little to tackle inequality. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has insisted she had no motive, intention or desire to 'get�* her predecessor alex salmond. new coronavirus vaccines to fight variants — like the one from brazil — can be fast—tracked through the approval system,

the uk's medical regulator says. let's cross to holyrood now, where the first minister nicola sturgeon is taking questions from msps. she is beginning with coronavirus figures. she is beginning with coronavirus fiaures. . g she is beginning with coronavirus fiaures. . ~ ., ., , ., she is beginning with coronavirus fiuures. ., ~' .,., , ., , figures. talk to a number of people who have sadly _ figures. talk to a number of people who have sadly died _ figures. talk to a number of people who have sadly died using - figures. talk to a number of people who have sadly died using our - figures. talk to a number of people who have sadly died using our dailyj who have sadly died using our daily measure, is now 3798. once again i want to send my deepest condolences to all those who have lost a loved one. we will also publish the latest estimate of the r figure it later today and expect it to show, again, that the r value is below one and that the r value is below one and that reflects the best of trends we can say in the daily figures right now. i will alsojust can say in the daily figures right now. i will also just give a quick update on the vaccination programme. as of 8:30am, an increase of 26,729

cents yesterday. in addition, 100,058 people have also now receive their second dose. that is an increase of 7500 and 80 cents yesterday. which means that in total yesterday. which means that in total yesterday 34,230 people received vaccinations. 95% of 65—69 —year—olds have now had a first dose, as of 37% of 60—64 —year—olds. 31% of 55-59 dose, as of 37% of 60—64 —year—olds. 31% of 55—59 —year—olds and 26% of 50-54 31% of 55—59 —year—olds and 26% of 50—54 —year—olds, and each group thatis 50—54 —year—olds, and each group that is of particular interest to me, presiding officer. we still expect to be offer to first doses to everyone over 50, all unpaid carers and all adults with an underlying health condition by mid april. i think taking all of what i have just reported, there is little doubt that things are, at the moment, firmly heading in the right direction. the number of cases is falling, the numbers in hospital are falling and the vaccination programme is progressing extremely well. that is

why we are unable to set out the timetable for children's return to school. next week, i will outline any further changes we can make at this stage to the level for restrictions. the following week, i will provide more information about the timetable after the 26th of april for easing restrictions. the timetable after the 26th of aprilfor easing restrictions. there is much to feel optimistic about right now, but i want to stress that that should not see us throw caution to the wind. case numbers to remain high, and of course the new variant remains highly infectious, so for the moment, if we want to continue this progress, my advice to everyone is to continue to abide by the stay—at—home rule. stay—at—home, except for essential purposes, follow facts when you are out, and make sure that collectively we continue to keep everything going in the right direction. my thanks to everybody who is doing that and sticking with it during difficult times. . g sticking with it during difficult times. . ~' , ., , . sticking with it during difficult times. ., ,, , ., , . , times. thank you very much, first minister. could _ times. thank you very much, first minister. could i _ times. thank you very much, first minister. could i encourage - times. thank you very much, first minister. could i encourage any i minister. could i encourage any member— minister. could i encourage any member who wishes to ask a question

to press— member who wishes to ask a question to press the _ member who wishes to ask a question to press the button as soon as possible? _ to press the button as soon as possible? i call on ruth davidson? | possible? i call on ruth davidson? i want possible? i call on ruth davidson? want to ask possible? i call on ruth davidson? i want to ask the first minister possible? i call on ruth davidson? t want to ask the first minister about the legal advice from the salmond enquiry. despite this parliament voting for it to be released four months ago, it was only partially revealed this week. the ministerial code makes clear, in section 2.30, that ministers must act lawfully, informed of the legal considerations, and that the legal implications of any action are considered at the earliest opportunity. this part, acting early on legal implications, it is important. let's go through the timeline. nine weeks before conceding thejudicial timeline. nine weeks before conceding the judicial review, legal advice stated that the case was more likely to fail than succeed. the first minister chose to go forward. 0ne first minister chose to go forward. one month before conceding, legal advice said the least worst option was to stop because otherwise, and i quote, expenses will be far higher. the first minister chose the worst option. 19 days before conceding,

the lord advocate, government and external lawyers all said the case was not even stable minimum requirement. the first minister dug her heels in. will she tell us, to quote the words of her own legal counsel, why did the government try to defend the indefensible for so long? t to defend the indefensible for so lona ? g . to defend the indefensible for so lon? ~' , to defend the indefensible for so lonu? " ,., , ., to defend the indefensible for so lonu? ~ , ., long? i think, is anybody who paid any attention _ long? i think, is anybody who paid any attention to _ long? i think, is anybody who paid any attention to lengthy _ long? i think, is anybody who paid i any attention to lengthy proceedings yesterday, which clearly did not include ruth davidson, will have seen that is just simply not true. 0n seen that is just simply not true. on december 11, the law officers were very clear, the information on this has been published, and i think the quote from the law office are summarised in the note that was published in advance of yesterday was that there was no question that the case should be dropped on the contrary there were credible arguments to be made across the petition, including on the issue of the appointment of the investigating officer. that was the position of the law officers. things started to go wrong, seriously wrong in the case in the days that followed, and in due process was followed that lead to a decision on the part of the government to concede the case.

that is there for anybody with an open mind to look at. i think the deputy first minister is undertaken to provide further information to the committee, which will happen, and the parliament can look at that. i answered questions for eight hours on this yesterday. i answered every question that was put to me, and shall provide siding officer, i intend now to rest on that, allow both the committee and the enquiry on the ministerial code to conclude their work. on the ministerial code to conclude theirwork. in on the ministerial code to conclude their work. in the meantime, on the ministerial code to conclude theirwork. in the meantime, i on the ministerial code to conclude their work. in the meantime, i am going to get on with the job, i suspect, most were watching at home want me to get on with. which is meeting, leading this country through and out of a pandemic. i will leave ruth davidson and the conservatives to play the political games that they seem to prioritise over else. . ' . over else. presiding officer, the first minister _ over else. presiding officer, the first minister characterises - over else. presiding officer, the first minister characterises this| over else. presiding officer, the l first minister characterises this as political games, but i have never

forgotten, never forgotten the women who were failed at the heart of this enquiry. the thing... the thing that the first minister cannot get away from is that it was her government that failed them and that questions still require to be answered. first minister, it is not up to question if the government ignored legal advice and cost taxpayers money, what is being argued is how long and how much was wasted. this is what is truly incredible. the view of legal counsel was, and i quote, based on the facts as then known. first minister, this government did not even give its own lawyers the facts. advocates stated this, we have each experienced extreme professional embarrassment. 0n instruction, they made plainly and demonstrably untrue statements before a judge. documents were withheld from those qcs, which

were withheld from those qcs, which were highly relevant, yet undisclosed. they called that unexplained and frankly inexplicable. they refused to come and i quote, rehearse the regrettable way in which the document disclosure has unfolded. so i will ask the first minister to rehearse it for us now, will she confirm that the withheld documents were precisely the ones that made this case and is datable?— this case and is datable? firstly, i am auoin this case and is datable? firstly, i am going to _ this case and is datable? firstly, i am going to agree _ this case and is datable? firstly, i am going to agree with _ this case and is datable? firstly, i | am going to agree with something that ruth davidson's said. i agree that ruth davidson's said. i agree that she has not forgotten the women at the heart of this because i do not think ruth davidson ever remembered the women at the heart of this. the legal advice is there for everyone to see. people with an open mind, which does not include ruth davidson, can look at that. ruth davidson, can look at that. ruth davidson says that she is not playing political games. i beg to differ. i think we saw the true

colours of the conservatives yesterday. first of all, on tuesday night, they said, i do not know if ruth davidson approved this comment or not, but the conservative said, in terms that it did not matter what i said before a parliamentary committee yesterday because they had already made up their minds. it is not about due process, it is political desperation on the part of the conservatives. presiding officer, i think we also had a glimpse of some of the values at play with the conservatives yesterday, because during that committee session, one of the tory members on it seem to be suggesting that i should have intervened in the process to effectively sweep the allegations against mr salmond under the carpet. then the other conservative member asks me to apologise for the inappropriate behaviour of a man. there we have the tories, i think, demonstrating without any help from me that they

are indeed playing political games. while they do that, i say again, eight hours of evidence to a committee, it is time to allow the committee, it is time to allow the committee and the independent enquiry into the miz ministerial code to do theirjob. in the meantime, i'm going to get on with myjob of leading this country through covid and out of lockdown. presiding 0fficer,... through covid and out of lockdown. presiding officer,..._ through covid and out of lockdown. presiding officer,... order, please. the first minister _ presiding officer,... order, please. the first minister cannot _ presiding officer,... order, please. the first minister cannot get - presiding officer,... order, please. the first minister cannot get away. the first minister cannot get away from the fact that this chamber is an organ of this parliament. this chamber only saw the legal advice that this chamber voted for four months ago this week. we have every right to question a first minister is the head of the government, who failed these two women. first minister, i want everyone to understand how incompetent and secretive this government is. legal counsel was provided with one e—mail in a chain. it was a crucial element

to their defence, but they were not given the next e—mail, sent less than half an hour later in the same chain. it was withheld. and when it was finally handed over, it was one of the final straws, and her lawyers had to threaten to resign to force the government's hand. presiding officer, that information was 0fficer, that information was available to the whole time. the government could have passed it to their lawyers in september or october or november. but they withheld it. they kept it secret. it cost them months and all of us £500,000 of taxpayer's money. first minister, why was the crucial evidence withheld for months from the government on legal team. ? the case ultimately collapse because information came to light. i said that in the committee yesterday, and people can judge, that in the committee yesterday, and people canjudge, by that in the committee yesterday, and people can judge, by looking that in the committee yesterday, and people canjudge, by looking at that in the committee yesterday, and people can judge, by looking at the advice that was published, themselves. the committee will come to its conclusions, as will be independent enquiry on the ministerial code. i await the findings of both. again, if i can

try to strike a note of consensus, because i do believe in the importance of this democratic institution, the time i sit down after the session of first minister's questions today, i will have been subjected, rightly and properly, to ten hours of parliamentary scrutiny over the course of this week. that is me doing myjob in discharging their responsibilities. but can i gently point out to ruth davidson that this democratic institution that she extols the virtues of is the same democratic institution that she is about to depart, to take up a seat in the unelected house of lords. i think people across this country are becoming heartily sick of the soon baroness davidson lecturing anybody else on democracy.— else on democracy. presiding officer, because _ else on democracy. presiding officer, because of _ else on democracy. presiding officer, because of the - else on democracy. presiding officer, because of the legal| else on democracy. presiding - officer, because of the legal advice 0fficer, because of the legal advice that had to be dragged from this government, underthreat that had to be dragged from this government, under threat of a vote of no confidence, we know that for

weeks this government were definitively and beyond any doubt ignoring legal advice. but the case only became and is datable so late because this government withheld crucial documents for so long. the withheld documents from their own lawyers, they withheld them from the court, and they continue to withhold them from this cup parliament. what we have already seen shows that there is no argument if this government ignored legal advice, they did. the argument as if it did so for three weeks or for more than three months. there is no argument of the first minister was at fault for losing more than £500,000 of taxpayers money, the argument is only about how much is to blame for. there is no argument if nicola sturgeon broke the ministerial code, the argument is only about how badly she broke it. we believe that the sanction is to go, why doesn't she? i think ruth davidson has just shown her true colours and the conservative true colours all over again. she stands up your and says

scrutiny on democracy and due process is really important, but just as on tuesday night, the conservatives prejudge my evidence to the parliamentary enquiry, she hasjust prejudged the to the parliamentary enquiry, she has just prejudged the outcome of the independent enquiry into the ministerial code. this isjust about desperate political games for the conservatives. i suspect their private polling is even more desperate than the public polling right now, because remember, the people of scotland have been voting no confidence in the conservatives since the 1950s. i think we are about to see why. i will get on with myjob, i will let the enquiries do theirjob, i have not prejudge them, ruth davidson clearly has. but i will also, ruth davidson clearly has. but i willalso, in ruth davidson clearly has. but i will also, in a few weeks, subject myself to the ultimate scrutiny, the scrutiny and the verdict of the people of scotland, the verdict that matters most. as i do so, ruth davidson will be slinking off to the house of lords. flan

davidson will be slinking off to the house of lords.— house of lords. can i start by offerin: house of lords. can i start by offering my — house of lords. can i start by offering my condolences - house of lords. can i start by offering my condolences to i house of lords. can i start by| offering my condolences to all house of lords. can i start by - offering my condolences to all the families impacted by confident 19 and particularly those who have lost and particularly those who have lost a loved one. the exchanges we have just heard represent the worst of our politics. —— covid 19. just heard represent the worst of our politics. —— covid19. everyone of us come into this chamber and we sit in front of that mace, inscribed with the ideals of this parliament, wisdom, compassion, justice, and integrity. principles that have been undermined when the government felt the women who submitted claims of harassment. undermined by the government's refusal to hand over all documentation to the committee investigating these failures, and undermined by the government ignoring two votes of this parliament calling for all the legal advice to be published. the government keeps telling us they have nothing to hide. but when this parliament twice demanding legal

advice to be published, they refused. when it was finally released, it was partial and came just hours before the first minister's appearance. wisdom, compassion, justice, and integrity. first minister, why did it take the threat of a no—confidence vote in a deputy first minister for your government to act? the importance for all governments _ government to act? the importance for all governments that _ government to act? the importance for all governments that have - government to act? the importance for all governments that have been | for all governments that have been able to take proper legal advice i think should be understood by everybody across this chamber. the government rightly now given the allegations that have been levelled at it, have published that legal advice, and people can now look at that legal advice and draw their own conclusions. i say again, i sat in front of a parliamentary committee, i am not sure there's any other member of this chamber that has done likewise ever, i sat in front of a parliamentary committee for eight hours, as is my duty and obligation, answered questions that were put to me and put the case of the

government. i also apologised, as i will do again, to the women who were let down by the mistake that the gap permanent mate. i think it is right and proper and i think there's a line with the principles, which i hold dear, as we allow the enquiry to do its work, we allow the independent enquiry into the ministerial code to do its work and we allow me to get on with the job i believe the majority of the country want me to focus on now, which is to continue to steer this country through a global pandemic so that we can get through covid, come out of lockdown and get back to normality. that is what i intend to focus on while these enquiries conclude their work. . ~ . while these enquiries conclude their work. , ~ , ., work. first minister, that answer would have _ work. first minister, that answer would have more _ work. first minister, that answer would have more credibility - work. first minister, that answer would have more credibility if. work. first minister, that answer would have more credibility if all| would have more credibility if all of the legal advice was published before you gave evidence, not legal advice after you give evidence. the first minister has rightly had the opportunity to address the committee

yesterday, and i do agree with her, it is important that all parties are given due process and we do not prejudice the outcome of the enquiry. with that in mind, within the coming weeks, james hamilton qc will present his report on potential breaches of the ministerial code to the government. the outcome of this report will be crucial in establishing the facts about what happened. the wholly unacceptable and disgraceful situation we have had with the legal advice cannot be repeated with the hamilton report. can the first minister give the people of scotland a cast iron guarantee that the government will release the report without delay, or obstruction on the day it is handed over by james obstruction on the day it is handed over byjames hamilton qc? yes. i welcome that commitment from the first minister. but remember this, we will hold her to that promise. because the first minister is right, this is about transparency, and can be dull delay in publishing this

report. the ministerial code exists to uphold standards in public life. it is there to protect the integrity of the office of the first minister of the office of the first minister of all scottish ministers, and the whole of the scottish government. in her foreword to the ministerial code, the first minister says, and i quote, i will lead code, the first minister says, and i quote, iwill lead by code, the first minister says, and i quote, i will lead by example and following the letter and spirit of this code, and i expect all ministers and civil servants to do likewise. wisdom, compassion, justice, and integrity. in that light, does the first minister agree removing party and personality that a minister, any minister, who is found in breach of the ministerial code should resign? t radii found in breach of the ministerial code should resign?— found in breach of the ministerial code should resign? i will uphold my words in the — code should resign? i will uphold my words in the foreword _ code should resign? i will uphold my words in the foreword to _ code should resign? i will uphold my words in the foreword to the - words in the foreword to the ministerial code, i will uphold the principles on that mace, but i will also demand the right to due

process, which one party at least is not prepared to give me. let us wait and see what the outcome of the enquiries are. they will be published and then we can debate in this chamber the outcome of that. i sat before that committee, i answered every question, and i will give the committee and the enquiry the opportunity now to do their work. that is where we will leave first minister's questions for today. health officials are to examine whether paying people to exercise could help drive down levels of obesity. sir keith mills, who founded the air miles and nectar rewards programmes, is to advise the government on a new way to use incentives to support people who choose healthier diets and do more physical activity. let's discuss this further withjohanna ralston, ceo of the world 0besity federation, who joins us from boston, massachusetts. thank you very much forjoining us.

there is, it seems then, a connection between coronavirus and obesity in terms of its severity and fatality. can you explain what that connection seems to be?- fatality. can you explain what that connection seems to be? thank you so much, first connection seems to be? thank you so much. first of— connection seems to be? thank you so much, first of all, _ connection seems to be? thank you so much, first of all, it _ connection seems to be? thank you so much, first of all, it is _ connection seems to be? thank you so much, first of all, it is a _ connection seems to be? thank you so much, first of all, it is a pleasure - much, first of all, it is a pleasure to be here. the connections, there is definitely a biological association, yet also we think there is a relationship in terms of government policies and how those both protect people against coronavirus and protect them around obesity. we are going to do mac —— we did a study showing that 90% of coronavirus tests occurred in countries with high obesity rates. similarly, countries with low covid deaths occurred in countries with low obesity rates. there is clearly an association. there is some causation and some correlation. the causation, we note there is a greater inflammatory response,

various drivers there. it also there is a correlation, which we think goes to some of the other diseases that obesity drives, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, but also some of the policy of public health policies. some of the policy of public health olicies. ., , policies. the uk has the third-highest _ policies. the uk has the third-highest covid - policies. the uk has the l third-highest covid death policies. the uk has the - third-highest covid death rate in third—highest covid death rate in the world, the fourth obesity rate. are these two things inextricably linked? taste are these two things inextricably linked? ~ . , are these two things inextricably linked? ~ , , ., linked? we believe they are definitely — linked? we believe they are definitely connected. - linked? we believe they are definitely connected. the i linked? we believe they are | definitely connected. the uk linked? we believe they are - definitely connected. the uk has had opportunities in the past two have more of a robust response to obesity thanit more of a robust response to obesity than it may have had. but we do applaud the announcement today of £100 million investment. the uk is actually playing catch up and doing absolutely the right things in terms of a robust response, in terms of focusing on families and children, particularly in places where access to effective medical care and

healthy foods is less than it might be in other parts of the country. we have been reporting, as you heard in the introduction, health officials in the uk are looking at whether they could perhaps pay people to make healthier choices and to take more exercise. what is your view of that as a workable idea? t more exercise. what is your view of that as a workable idea?— that as a workable idea? i think it is erha -s that as a workable idea? i think it is perhaps necessary, _ that as a workable idea? i think it is perhaps necessary, but - that as a workable idea? i think it i is perhaps necessary, but absolutely not sufficient. why do they have to make these choices in the first place? because there is far too much thatis place? because there is far too much that is unhealthy that is available to people and at reduced cost. so personal incentives can be useful, but in some ways it places the onus on the individual and plays into a narrative that unfortunately has been prevalent for too long, that it is the individual who is at fault, thatis is the individual who is at fault, that is a narrative that we know is not true. people need to have, be living in environments which are healthier. that means fewer unhealthy choices, fewer unhealthy options and far more healthy

options. both in terms of food and physical activity, options. both in terms of food and physicalactivity, in options. both in terms of food and physical activity, in terms of other aspects of contributing to health. johanna ralston, thank you so much for your time. johanna ralston, thank you so much foryourtime— johanna ralston, thank you so much for your time. thank you so much. it has been a — for your time. thank you so much. it has been a pleasure. _ the prime minister says he wants to 'unite' and 'level—up' across the whole country. speaking on a visit to middlesbrough, borisjohnson said some places felt they had 'missed out�* and the government would address that. but yesterday's budget has been criticised by thinktanks and charities for doing little to address inequality. mrjohnson was asked what people working in the health and care sectors should do if they wanted to see a payrise. we are investing already in a health and social care sector, huge quantities, throughout the pandemic. i think the whole country is massively grateful to health care workers and social care workers for what they have done. so about 52 billion went into the nhs, just to help cope with the pandemic. 1.5

billion into social care. 35 million to support local councils and all sorts of ways. in one of the things that we have done, as we have gone with the vaccination programme, accelerated that, is concentrated on social care workers and care homes. we have, i think, vaccinated 94% of the elderly care home residents. we over three quarters of the staff now. we are doing everything we can to look after them, but we are massively, massively in their debt. still no pay rise for them in that the budget yesterday. a still no pay rise for them in that the budget yesterday. a lot still no pay rise for them in that the budget yesterday.— still no pay rise for them in that the budget yesterday. a lot of these are in the private _ the budget yesterday. a lot of these are in the private sector, _ the budget yesterday. a lot of these are in the private sector, the - the budget yesterday. a lot of these are in the private sector, the care i are in the private sector, the care home workers. what we have done is have a record investment, record increases in the living wage. again, living wage will be going up, which is brought on by the government, going up again in april. 0ur debt to those workers is massive.

now, stav has the weather high pressure is how we are going to end the week, high—pressure dominating the scene, but bringing in some cooler air to all areas. it will be chilly for the end of the week and indeed into the weekend, but with a lot of dry weather around. variable cloud, perhaps in sunshine. we have got this cold front spreading southwards across the country through today. high—pressure building in from the north. i'm that confident, you can see the colder air moving its way southwards. there will be a little bit of patchy rain on that front, affecting northern england, northern ireland. that is the midlands as we move towards the end of the day. i did, perhaps a few of but for most it is going to be rather grey and pretty damp. those temperatures, single figures, low single figures in the north, turning chilly here, and a chilly feel two things south too. as we head into this evening and overnight, that front spreads its way southwards, taking patchy rain with it. skies will tend to

clear behind it. we will see variable cloud and clear skies. with the skies are clear, it will turn cold with some frost across northern and western areas. an onshore breeze continuing to keep things a little less frosty across north sea coast. here for went a week with a big area of high pressure slap bang on top of the uk. hold erupt into it so it will feel quite chilly. we start off on a cold note, perhaps centring around, more than we have seen over the last few days, but through the afternoon there is a chance that cloud may tend to build up. some areas turning rare. just a chance of areas turning rare. just a chance of a shower affecting the north sea coast, being blown in that north sea wind. temperatures range from around 5-8. wind. temperatures range from around 5—8. friday night is going to be called, particularly where we have clear skies. called, particularly where we have clearskies. i called, particularly where we have clear skies. i think we will see more of a widespread frost to greet us for saturday morning. high—pressure still with us for the start of the weekend. it will be a cold start, but bright with some sunshine. again, through the day, we could see some cloud building up so

it could turn a little grey for many of us. a chilly day to come. temperatures generally 6—8. it is a similar story on sunday, chilly start, some sunshine around, mainly dry, but changes are starting to take place across the north and west, slightly more unsettled conditions here, weatherfronts pushing on. if you shower is at times, perhaps a little less culture than what it will be further south.

the duke of edinburgh has undergone a procedure for a pre—existing heart condition. buckingham palace says the operation was successful — prince philip is likely to stay in hospitalfor a number more days. it comes as the duchess of sussex tells american television she feels she has to speak out about how the palace treated her and prince harry. i don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still be just silent if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. we'll have the latest from our royal correspondent. also this lunchtime: more tax rises may be needed, says the institute for fiscal studies, as it warns the chancellor's spending plans don't look deliverable.

the number of coronavirus infections in england continues to fall,