was see you. it went so quickly. was that 0k? see you. it went so quickly. was that ok? we — see you. it went so quickly. was that ok? we are _ see you. it went so quickly. was that ok? we are still— see you. it went so quickly. was that ok? we are still on. - see you. it went so quickly. was that ok? we are still on. the i see you. it went so quickly. was i that ok? we are still on. the book is out today- _ this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling at westminster, where later this morning the chancellorjeremy hunt will say he will plug a £54 billion financial black hole by cutting spending and raising taxes in his autumn statement. jeremy hunt, has been very clear that difficult decisions are needed to get the uk economy back on track. he's expected to announce that taxes will go up by £24 billion. but he's also set announce a rise in benefits and state pensions in line with inflation. the chancellor will also outline plans to cut public spending and services by £30 billion. i'm annita mcveigh live in gloucester, we are here in

gloucester, we are here in gloucester throughout the day getting your reaction to the autumn statement, finding out what it means for you, as you tackle the cost of living crisis. hello and welcome. it's a huge day for the uk economy — and for the finances of people up and down the country — as the chancellorjeremy hunt prepares to deliver his autumn statement. i'm here in westminster and my colleague annita mcveigh is in gloucester, and between us we'll be crunching the numbers and bringing you lots of analysis about what the changes mean for you. i will be dealing with the politics here and annita mcveigh will be dealing with people in gloucester. good morning from gloucester, we are swapping around from a few weeks ago when i was in gloucester and we were

also in sunderland, as we get the reaction from westminster and take the conversation outside the political bubble as well and find out what it means for you. throughout the day we will talk to a range of people from the city of gloucester getting their reaction to what the chancellor has to say, what are they looking for, will they hear it from the chancellor this morning, what it means for their futures. joanna, back to you. almost everyone in society will be affected, from the lowest earner, to the highest paid. so, let's take a look at the measures we are expecting to be announced. the government plans to save around £30 billion through spending cuts, and raise £24 billion in tax rises, plugging a financial black hole of £54 billion. that will involve lowering the threshold the highest earners start paying the top rate of tax to £125,000 from £150,000. and there will be spending squeezes

across government departments, although health will be protected — with its money rising in line with inflation. support for energy bills will remain in place, but it will become less generous by april next year. that's expected to be financed by a significantly expanded windfall tax on the energy industry. let's go to our chief political correspondent nick eardley who is at downing street. in recent weeks we have got used to... i do apologise, we don't have nick. let's bring you this report. new chancellor, the fourth this year, and a new autumn statement. with inflation at its highest in 41 years, and warnings about the uk facing the longest recession since records began, the stakes are high, and around the uk people are already feeling it. what we usually buy for £2 is now £2.50. you start worrying how

it's going to impact immediately, you know, feeding, clothing and heating the house. me and my partner have said no presents for each other. - we've been together a number of years. l we've never not bought each other a christmas present. _ and this year we're not buying each other a christmas present - because we simply can't afford to. so what do we think the chancellor plans to do? firstly, he's expected to raise state pensions, benefits and tax credits in april, by september's inflation rate. that was 10.i%. 0n energy, there'll still be a price cap, but it will rise, so that the typical household will be paying just over £3,000 a year. currently, they're paying around £2,500. not everyone lives in a typical household, and the cap is on unit rates, not your hills, which means how much you pay will still depend on how much energy you actually use. and there will likely be tax rises. energy companies are expected to be hit by an expanded windfall tax.

the treasury are expected to say there needs to be cuts to spending plans, but those will be pushed back until after the general election. after liz truss and kwasi kwarteng's mini—budget, and the turmoil seen in the markets, the treasury feels under pressure to show that it can win credibility back, while trying to reassure the country as the economy struggles. caroline davies, bbc news. the chancellor said he will lean into the political storm, command here today it is quite stormy weather. it is going to be a defining moment for the chancellor and for the prime minister as they set out their vision for the economic immediate term and also the slightly longer term, and obviously it is about how the markets respond and it is most importantly going to be about the impact on people in their pockets at this time of high

inflation, ii.i% their pockets at this time of high inflation, 11.1% is the latest inflation, 11.1% is the latest inflation figures revealed yesterday, and there is negative growth and the prospect of being in recession by the end of the year. our chief political correspondent 0ur chief political correspondent nick eardley is at downing street. i mention how much of a defining moment this is for the prime minister and the chancellor. you and i have been using the word wow a lot in recent weeks and months when we are talking about politics, but they don't want any surprises today, do they? they don't want any sense of that. i they? they don't want any sense of that. ~ , ., ., they? they don't want any sense of that. ~ i. ., ., , , that. i think you are absolutely riaht, we that. i think you are absolutely right, we know _ that. i think you are absolutely right, we know pretty - that. i think you are absolutely right, we know pretty much . right, we know pretty much everything we are going to get this morning, for the simple reason that the treasury realises that it got it wrong last time, that there was a lot of unfunded tax cuts in the not so mini budget. so this time, the phrase often used at westminster, is rolling the pitch, basically telling us all what is coming to prepare the markets in particular for us all what is coming to prepare the markets in particularfor some really bad news. and i do think that

by the end of the day we are going to be talking about some pretty big squeezes on household incomes, particularly for the middle. for the simple reason that tax thresholds are going to be frozen. that means as pay goes up a bit people are paying more tax because more of the money they earn counts in different tax thresholds. there is going to be higher energy bills from april. there is still going to be government subsidy. it is still going to keep bills down from what they could have been but it is going to mean households are paying hundreds of pounds extra next year. there are going to be big spending squeezes that are going to have a real impact on government departments. the only one i know for sure that is going to continue to see real terms increases is health. other than that i think there is going to be a lot of bad news for government departments, and that will of course have a knock—on effect. now, it's not all bad news and the government is going to argue

today that it is prioritising the most vulnerable, and because of that we are going to see some cost of living support for our pensioners and for people on low incomes, and we are going to see, as we have been suggesting for the past couple of weeks, pensions and benefits go up by around 10%, the rate of inflation. so it is not all going to be terrible news. but i think for households, when the sums are done, when people start using those calculates like the one the bbc has, figuring out what the budget means for you, a lot of people will see that their incomes are squeezed to be next year. that their incomes are squeezed to be next year-— be next year. how much politics is there in what _ be next year. how much politics is there in what we _ be next year. how much politics is there in what we are _ be next year. how much politics is there in what we are going - be next year. how much politics is there in what we are going to - be next year. how much politics is there in what we are going to hear today rather than just pure economics? abs, today rather than 'ust pure economics?_ today rather than 'ust pure economics? ., , , ., economics? a lot is the short answer. the _ economics? a lot is the short answer. the longer _ economics? a lot is the short answer. the longer answer. economics? a lot is the short answer. the longer answer isj economics? a lot is the shortl answer. the longer answer is i economics? a lot is the short - answer. the longer answer is i do think the government's priority is economic, it is trying to get some stability and reliability back to the government's books after the turmoil we have seen in recent weeks. that is the crux of the

chancellor's argument he will use today. but then there is that the question about what should the uk economy look like? is it right to balance tax rises and spending cuts, there have been so many different policies this year it is easy to get lost sometimes, but tax increases and spending cuts. has the balance beam got right? i think labour will accept whatever the office for responsibility says needs to happen to balance the books. but they will have some different priorities for how you should do it. there are some people who reckon the fiscal black hole isn't as bad as it is going to be made out today. they reckon that if you did things slightly differently, calculated it slightly differently, calculated it slightly differently, then you would come to a different conclusion. there are tory mps who have been knocking on the chancellor's door over the last few days, or at least sending messages on whatsapp, saying, don't increase taxes because it will make growth slower and could make the

recession longer and deeper. so there is going to be real political debate about this. i think in some ways the chancellor wants to set up the next election by saying the conservatives can be trusted with the economy, and trying to set some traps for labour when it comes to public spending. but fundamentally, todayis public spending. but fundamentally, today is about one thing and one thing in particular. for the chancellor, setting out a plan which will try and get the economy back in a sounder place and trying to tackle those high inflation rates you are talking about a minute ago. it is a defining moment for number 11, number 10 up there and the prime minister, for this government it will help set the debates for the next election. crucially, it will also have a huge impact on household incomes and how we all live our lives and the whole economy for the next few years. lives and the whole economy for the next few veere— i'm joined by the conservative mp harriet baldwin, chair of

the treasury select committee. elected only seven days ago replacing mel stride. welcome. i was just talking to nick about the balancing act for the chancellor today in terms of what needs to be done. obviously we saw what happened last time when the markets did not like the growth strategy, and accompanied by how it would be paid for. what is your view of what the balance should be and what the strategy should be? what do you want to hear? fin strategy should be? what do you want to hear? ., . , to hear? on our cross-party committee _ to hear? on our cross-party committee we _ to hear? on our cross-party committee we have - to hear? on our cross-party committee we have been i to hear? on our cross-party - committee we have been calling all summerfor something we committee we have been calling all summer for something we will get today, which is the office for budget responsibility and it will publish a forecast and we will have them in front of our committee next week and we'll question some of the assumptions behind those forecasts. that's really important because it reassures the financial markets that there is someone marking the chancellor's homework. i think that's the first thing that i think will be very good about today's statement. the second thing we are looking for in today's statement is

obviously inflation is by far and away the worst economic problem that's affecting your view is at the moment. and we need get inflation back down to that 2% target the bank of england is responsible for achieving in an independent way. and so i think one of the things that we need to see into des's fiscal statement is something that goes with the grain of what the bank of england is trying to do in terms of reducing inflation. we have been hit by this massive energy price shock. putin has weaponised the cost of energy against western economies. but we need to also address the fact there is some underlying inflationary pressure quite apart from that, and today's fiscal statement needs to make sure we don't make inflation any worse. in trying to chase down inflation from 11% down to 2%, it is a long time in our history. {ti 1196 down to 2%, it is a long time in our history-— 1196 down to 2%, it is a long time in our history.- since - 1196 down to 2%, it is a long time in our history.- since that. our history. 41 years. since that was last the _ our history. 41 years. since that was last the political— our history. 41 years. since that was last the political game, - was last the political game,

effectively. in focusing of that, chasing down the inflation, what are the dangers in making the recession even worse? we the dangers in making the recession even worse?— even worse? we know that if we let inflation take _ even worse? we know that if we let inflation take hold _ even worse? we know that if we let inflation take hold how— even worse? we know that if we let inflation take hold how terrible - even worse? we know that if we let inflation take hold how terrible it i inflation take hold how terrible it is for particularly the poorest in society, it's the worst form of tax that we can impose on people. so we really do need to get inflation back to the target level. the bank of england governor was in front of our committee yesterday, and he is now raising rates, so rates have gone up to 3%. he thinks he's probably going to 3%. he thinks he's probably going to have to do a bit more to get inflation back to that target level. what we need to see from the fiscal side of things from the chancellor is that he's not doing anything to make things worse, that he is helping households with that cost of living shock in the short—term, but he is reassuring markets on the medium term that the uk can pay its way. we medium term that the uk can pay its wa . ~ ~ ., , . way. we know there will be tax increases. _ way. we know there will be tax increases, we _ way. we know there will be tax increases, we know— way. we know there will be tax increases, we know there - way. we know there will be tax increases, we know there will i way. we know there will be tax i increases, we know there will be spending cuts, we expect that there will be an increase in benefits and

pensions in line with inflation. but beyond that, there is absolutely no denying that households are going to be really, really squeezed. so what can be done to mitigate that and try to lessen the impact of the recession?— to lessen the impact of the recession? ., , , recession? your viewers will be feelin: recession? your viewers will be feeling that _ recession? your viewers will be feeling that impact, _ recession? your viewers will be j feeling that impact, particularly from inflation. a lot of that is coming from president putin, frankly, who has weaponised cost of energy against the uk economy and other western economies. we need to make sure that the most vulnerable constituents are protected against that rise in their energy bills. they have been a lot of things announced so far, so they should be £650 for those on benefits, £400 off everyone's bill, money off council tax and the overall cap saving every household £700. there has been lots of support so far. i wouldn't expect the chancellor to want to continue at that level of support once we get to the spring and energy prices, i hope, will be somewhat lower. but i do think he will continue to support

the most vulnerable households. one of the things we want to see on our committee is the things that will unlock growth in the economy in the medium term, steps that improve productivity, steps that improve investment in productive parts of our national infrastructure. all our national infrastructure. that's all bein: our national infrastructure. that's all being cut. _ our national infrastructure. that's all being cut, isn't _ our national infrastructure. that's all being cut, isn't it? _ our national infrastructure. that's all being cut, isn't it? it- our national infrastructure. that's all being cut, isn't it? it is- our national infrastructure. that's all being cut, isn't it? it is down | all being cut, isn't it? it is down to the chancellor— all being cut, isn't it? it is down to the chancellor to _ all being cut, isn't it? it is down to the chancellor to announce i all being cut, isn't it? it is down i to the chancellor to announce what he's going to do. one of the things our committee wants to see is where there is investment that will increase the productive capacity of the uk economy and we wouldn't want to see that reduced. just the uk economy and we wouldn't want to see that reduced.— to see that reduced. just a word on the office for— because you said you will question their assumptions when you speak to them. that's obviously coming after what we are going to hear today. how much is what is in the office for at responsibility, how much is the fact that there are fears around how the markets respond? how much are those factors central stage, and therefore how much room for manoeuvre does the chancellor really have? misfia how much room for manoeuvre does the chancellor really have?— chancellor really have? wissa what

ha--ens chancellor really have? wissa what ha ens in chancellor really have? wissa what happens in september _ chancellor really have? wissa what happens in september when - chancellor really have? wissa what happens in september when you i chancellor really have? wissa what i happens in september when you don't do these things. yesterday we heard from the governor that in terms of the markets where the government borrows, they are now pretty much back to normal and that any increase uri are paying in terms of our mortgage rates is now really down to what the bank of england has done rather than the impact on the borrowing markets itself. —— you or i are paying. that's because the bank of england has raised rates. i think in terms of the forecast, every forecast of course has assumptions in it, and it's down to our committee to drill down into those assumptions and see whether the chancellor has made the right call the chancellor has made the right cal . ~ , ., ., the chancellor has made the right cal . ~ i. ., ., the chancellor has made the right cal . ., ., , call thank you for 'oining us. harriett baldwin. i call thank you forjoining us. harriett baldwin. what i call thank you forjoining us. harriett baldwin. what have| call thank you forjoining us. i harriett baldwin. what have you call thank you forjoining us. - harriett baldwin. what have you been able to gauge about how people are feeling today and what they want to hearin feeling today and what they want to hear in gloucester? welcome back to gloucester, we are in the west of england near the cotswolds, i'm in gloucester quays, let me tell you about the area. behind me will have

the retail outlet that has high street stores, designer stores, and also lots of restaurants in this area, there is a cinema as well, it is part of the redevelopment of the wider gloucester docks area that has seen a huge amount of regeneration in recent years. so a realfocal point for the city. but today we are here to ask those questions about the real economy, what impact the cost of living crisis is having, what impact of rising inflation is having, and once the chancellor makes his autumn statement to get reaction from people, what do they make of it? how do they think it will affect their daily lives? they're spending decisions, what do they buy, do they have the money to buy the things they want or to go out? all of those things contribute to a local economy. joining me i have paul carter who is the asset manager, said director, beg you your pardon, to give you your proper title, of gloucester quays. how is the cost of living crisis affecting

footfall for gloucester quays? the number of people coming to the restaurants and going into the shops. restaurants and going into the sho s. ., , restaurants and going into the shos. ., , . . , shops. for us, footfall and sales are somewhat _ shops. for us, footfall and sales are somewhat similar— shops. for us, footfall and sales are somewhat similar to - shops. for us, footfall and sales are somewhat similar to last i shops. for us, footfall and sales l are somewhat similar to last year, they have not yet recovered to pre—covid levels but certainly we have been incredibly busy, certainly in the lead up to the mini budget and in preparation for christmas here. at the weekend, for example, we had over 70,000 people come to ourfirst we had over 70,000 people come to our first christmas market. we had over 70,000 people come to ourfirst christmas market. that christmas market is going to run every weekend up until christmas. gloucester quays specialises in offering discounts of up to 70% of the high street prices. we have found that to be a major attraction as people have emerged throughout the course of this year wanting a real day out or experience with their family real day out or experience with theirfamily and real day out or experience with their family and friends. cautiously optimistic about their spending. but again that plays into what we offer here. 50 again that plays into what we offer here, ., ., ., again that plays into what we offer here. ., ., . , again that plays into what we offer here. . , . here. so footfall is translating into sales. — here. so footfall is translating into sales, as _ here. so footfall is translating into sales, as far _ here. so footfall is translating into sales, as far as _ here. so footfall is translating into sales, as far as you i here. so footfall is translating into sales, as far as you can i here. so footfall is translating i into sales, as far as you can tell? it is for us here but we are

completely aware of the wider concerns, certainly in the city, and just the challenges, the cost of living challenges people are genuinely facing, restaurants here have been doing extremely well at this fabulous waterside historic setting in the docks, the christmas market, the ice rink. i think it's a great place for people to come and just interact with their friends and family again. just interact with their friends and family again-— just interact with their friends and famil aaain. �* , . . family again. anybody watching you toda from family again. anybody watching you today from wherever _ family again. anybody watching you today from wherever they _ family again. anybody watching you today from wherever they are i family again. anybody watching you today from wherever they are in i family again. anybody watching you j today from wherever they are in the uk will be able to name one, two, several local businesses that have unfortunately gone out of business or are about to close down because of this economic crisis. have any of the businesses here had to shut? yeah. we are just like every big shopping destination, we are exposed to business failure exactly the same as everyone else. we have had a major retailerjust as everyone else. we have had a major retailer just yesterday announced it is going into cva. we

have had quite a number of businesses going through corporate restructuring and reassessing their businesses. 50 restructuring and reassessing their businesses. . restructuring and reassessing their businesses-— restructuring and reassessing their businesses. . ., ~' businesses. so what would you like to hear from _ businesses. so what would you like to hear from the _ businesses. so what would you like to hear from the chancellor- businesses. so what would you like to hear from the chancellor today? | to hear from the chancellor today? he's talked about steadying the ship in terms of the economy, tackling inflation. he has said there are going to be spending cuts and tax rises. what could he do to help the businesses here?— rises. what could he do to help the businesses here? massive business su ort. businesses here? massive business sunport- energy. _ businesses here? massive business sunport- energy. for— businesses here? massive business support. energy, for all— businesses here? massive business support. energy, for all of - businesses here? massive business support. energy, for all of our i support. energy, for all of our retailers and food restaurants here, energy costs staff costs, interest, just investing in their businesses, refitting a store, that costs money, obviously with interest rate increases that is really affecting them. and just the huge inflationary pressures all around the entire cost of living, affecting staff recruitment in particular. we are a minimum wage employer, and we certainly need assistance, demanding assistance from the government to help in that minimum wage assistance. so yeah, absolute

support for businesses if we are going to see this growth that the economy has got to rely on. given what jeremy _ economy has got to rely on. given what jeremy hunt _ economy has got to rely on. given what jeremy hunt has _ economy has got to rely on. given what jeremy hunt has said, i economy has got to rely on. given whatjeremy hunt has said, though, do you think you will get everything on your wish list, paul? hie. do you think you will get everything on your wish list, paul?— do you think you will get everything on your wish list, paul? no, and we are auoin on your wish list, paul? no, and we are going to — on your wish list, paul? no, and we are going to monitor— on your wish list, paul? no, and we are going to monitor it _ on your wish list, paul? no, and we are going to monitor it closely. i on your wish list, paul? no, and we are going to monitor it closely. we| are going to monitor it closely. we are going to monitor it closely. we are able to flex here, so for our beloved dellit particular business we offer flexible leasing, low cost of entry to this particular destination —— so for our particular business. i think every support we can offer to our occupiers and tenants we are going to offer. tell us a bit more _ tenants we are going to offer. tell us a bit more about that. as the person who is dealing directly with these tenants, how much help are you actually able to give them, given that you yourselves will be under financial pressure?— that you yourselves will be under financial pressure? absolutely. one ofthe financial pressure? absolutely. one of the things— financial pressure? absolutely. one of the things we _ financial pressure? absolutely. one of the things we are _ financial pressure? absolutely. one of the things we are doing, - financial pressure? absolutely. one of the things we are doing, just i of the things we are doing, just behind you here is one of the biggest free events in the region, this is the biggest ice skating rink and christmas market in the south—west. we are expecting 30,000 people to come and skate at this ice

rink, and we have 70,000 people at the weekend coming to this destination. so in terms of driving footfall, hopefully securing that spend, we are doing everything we can to offer these free events for the general public here in gloucester.— the general public here in gloucester. . . ., gloucester. paul carter, as a directorfor— gloucester. paul carter, as a director for gloucester i gloucester. paul carter, as a l director for gloucester quays, gloucester. paul carter, as a - director for gloucester quays, thank you very much. local businesses are clearly trying to keep the local economy moving, growing even, if that's not too ambitious in the current economic climate. gloucester of course has a football team, gloucester city, but i think, if i'm not being too controversial here, it is definitely known as a rugby city and i'm joined by helen chu from the gloucester rugby foundation. lovely to have you with us as well. tell us about what the foundation does first of all. ., . ., , , about what the foundation does first ofall. ., . ., , , about what the foundation does first ofall. ., . ., , of all. the foundation uses sport as a tool to break— of all. the foundation uses sport as a tool to break down _ of all. the foundation uses sport as a tool to break down barriers i of all. the foundation uses sport as a tool to break down barriers to i a tool to break down barriers to participation. we work with all sorts of groups throughout the community as a way of bringing people together and feeling part of the wider community. you people together and feeling part of the wider community.—

people together and feeling part of the wider community. you do lots of trainin: as the wider community. you do lots of training as well, _ the wider community. you do lots of training as well, skills _ the wider community. you do lots of training as well, skills training, i training as well, skills training, tell us about that. we training as well, skills training, tell us about that.— tell us about that. we provide traineeships, _ tell us about that. we provide traineeships, we _ tell us about that. we provide traineeships, we do _ tell us about that. we provide traineeships, we do a - tell us about that. we provide traineeships, we do a lot i tell us about that. we provide traineeships, we do a lot of i traineeships, we do a lot of employability training skills, workshops, cv, job searches, cv writing, and just really help upskilled people so they feel confident and able to enter the job market because things have changed significantly. that market because things have changed sianificantl . . , ., market because things have changed sianificantl . . , . ., , significantly. that is a really crucial role, _ significantly. that is a really crucial role, isn't _ significantly. that is a really crucial role, isn't it? - significantly. that is a really crucial role, isn't it? if- significantly. that is a really crucial role, isn't it? if we i significantly. that is a really i crucial role, isn't it? if we had the unemployment stats earlier this week, the unemployment rate up a little bit, and if an economy is to grow, if inflation is to be tackled, you need everyone who can be economically active to actually be out there and working. what you do is a really essential part of getting the economy growing, isn't it? ., , ., ~ ., , getting the economy growing, isn't it? ., ~ . ., it? the job market has changed massively. _ it? the job market has changed massively, people _ it? the job market has changed massively, people are - it? the job market has changed massively, people are looking l it? the job market has changed | massively, people are looking at changing careers, and not everyone is confident that they have the skills to find a newjob. what we are really doing is giving them those real—life opportunities and transferable skills that they need to be able to go out and seek

employment. to be able to go out and seek employment-— to be able to go out and seek employment. to be able to go out and seek emlo ment. ., employment. you were telling me when we were chatting _ employment. you were telling me when we were chatting earlier _ employment. you were telling me when we were chatting earlier this _ employment. you were telling me when we were chatting earlier this is - employment. you were telling me when we were chatting earlier this is all- we were chatting earlier this is all privately funded by the rugby club. so if that didn't exist, with the state sector funding exist to do this sort ofjob you are doing and training people and giving them skills and making them more employable? irate skills and making them more employable?— skills and making them more employable? skills and making them more emlo able? ~ ., �* . , , . employable? we don't get any state fundin: , all employable? we don't get any state funding. all the _ employable? we don't get any state funding, all the funding _ employable? we don't get any state funding, all the funding is _ employable? we don't get any state funding, all the funding is raised i funding, all the funding is raised by individuals fundraising, so it is not state funded at all. and without people donating and supporting the work we do we wouldn't be able to offer this and we wouldn't be able to work with hardly any of the people that we do at the moment. band people that we do at the moment. and a final question to you as i put to paul, and i will be asking people throughout the day, what do you want to see from the autumn statement, from the government? what do you think would help what you do in the rugby club? what do you think would help gloucester? it is rugby club? what do you think would help gloucester?— help gloucester? it is that long-term _

help gloucester? it is that long-term support, i help gloucester? it is that l long-term support, helping help gloucester? it is that - long-term support, helping people long—term support, helping people with real skills and gaining real skills, and giving them that all round support they need rather than just little pockets. i think for gloucester there are lots of opportunities within gloucester and at the moment without the support of our local businesses local people are struggling. so it is long—term support for individuals to gain the skills they need to get into employment. skills they need to get into employment-— skills they need to get into employment. skills they need to get into emlo ment. a, ~ n skills they need to get into emlo ment. a, ~' ,, , employment. helen, thank you very much. employment. helen, thank you very much- helen — employment. helen, thank you very much. helen chu _ employment. helen, thank you very much. helen chu from _ employment. helen, thank you very much. helen chu from the - employment. helen, thank you very l much. helen chu from the gloucester rugby foundation. really interesting helen saying the rugby club is stepping in to do something that the state isn't. and whether the state can provide the sort of training that she is talking about, given we are hearing from the government are going to be lots of spending cuts and tax rises, there is a big, big question mark over that. let me leave you for the moment if we look behind me, that lovely shot of gloucester cathedral in the background. we will be here throughout the day building up to the autumn statement, and of course onceit the autumn statement, and of course once it has happened, getting

reaction to it. have people heard what they want to hear? thank you. let's talk more about the decisions that will be taken on public spending because we know there will be around £30 billion of public spending cuts announced by the chancellor today. just to put it in some sort of context, because there was the austerity drive of the government in 2010, and that was to cut the deficit when the debt was outstripping income for the government. since then, basically only two departments have more spending power than they had in 2010. it's the home office and department of health. let's talk more about health. i'm joined by sally warren director of policy at the king's fund — a think tank specialising in health care policy, and formerly director for social care. welcome, thank you forjoining us. you're expecting health to be protected again. but what are your

hopes and fears around what might come today? we hopes and fears around what might come today?— hopes and fears around what might come today? we have not seen the detail from — come today? we have not seen the detail from the _ come today? we have not seen the detail from the chancellor- come today? we have not seen the detail from the chancellor but - come today? we have not seen the detail from the chancellor but we i detail from the chancellor but we expect the budget for the nhs will be protected today. they have said that will be on top of increases in prices. that is really positive. if we look historically for the nhs it has on average needed around 3.7% on top of prices every year to keep up with demographic change, advances in technology. so if the nhs is protected but perhaps only to 1%, there is still a significant gap there is still a significant gap there so we will be looking to understand that. we will also be looking to understand what is included in the protection. in the previous austerity period it was the day to of the nhs that the bills, the wages, the medicine bill that was protected, the important budgets about the long—term, capital investment in buildings in the nhs, it investment command really importantly the budget to train our doctors and nurses were not protected and that meant we had to make difficult short—term decisions that really impact the quality and quantity of health care in future

years. quantity of health care in future ears. ~ . ~' quantity of health care in future ears. ~ . ~ . . years. when we talk about an increase. _ years. when we talk about an increase, we _ years. when we talk about an increase, we are _ years. when we talk about an increase, we are busy - years. when we talk about an increase, we are busy talking| years. when we talk about an - increase, we are busy talking about a tonne of inflation at 11% and you are talking about expecting a minimum of 12% today for health and that still would mean effective cuts. it that still would mean effective cuts. , ' . ., that still would mean effective cuts. , , . ., , cuts. it is difficult to believe they could _ cuts. it is difficult to believe they could find _ cuts. it is difficult to believe they could find 11% - cuts. it is difficult to believe they could find 11% or - cuts. it is difficult to believe they could find 11% or 12% i cuts. it is difficult to believe - they could find 11% or 12% because they could find 11% or 12% because the budget is 150 billion. this is where we need to look at it. we have to recognise the nhs has a real performance challenge at the moment, huge numbers of workforce challenges, performance that was struggling before covid, but now wedding lists of more than 7 million so there is a huge of the nhs must do to treat patients well and whether there is enough money for the nhs today to be able to do that as quickly as politicians and public would want them to do is a real challenge. would want them to do is a real challenge-— would want them to do is a real challenue. ., ., . challenge. you mentioned the waiting list. there are _ challenge. you mentioned the waiting list. there are record _ challenge. you mentioned the waiting list. there are record weights - challenge. you mentioned the waiting list. there are record weights for - list. there are record weights for care in all areas of health. we know that in hospitals there are so many people in beds who would be able to

leave but are unable to because of crisis elsewhere in terms of where to get them to. —— waits. is the health service effectively broken right now? the health service effectively broken riaht now? . , . , right now? the health service is under extreme _ right now? the health service is under extreme pressure - right now? the health service is under extreme pressure and - right now? the health service is under extreme pressure and wej right now? the health service is - under extreme pressure and we are seeing that under all parts of the system. it is also important to think the nhs relies on lots of other parts of the public service, is particularly delayed discharges, people in hospital beds who could be elsewhere, that's because there is quite often not enough social care in the community to look after people. one of the things we will look at today as well as whether the chancellor will support the social care sector that has 165,000 vacancies at the moment, so really difficult for it to provide enough good quality care for the people who need it. we will look at how all of the different features of today's announcement really support and integrated health care system and to be able to deliver the right amount of activity for their population whose health and care needs need to be met. ida whose health and care needs need to be met. ., ., . , be met. no government ever really wants to look _ be met. no government ever really wants to look at _ be met. no government ever really wants to look at tackling _

be met. no government ever really wants to look at tackling the - be met. no government ever really wants to look at tackling the scale l wants to look at tackling the scale in any grand sense. do you think it is time for that?— in any grand sense. do you think it is time for that? absolutely not. we have done a — is time for that? absolutely not. we have done a lot _ is time for that? absolutely not. we have done a lot of _ is time for that? absolutely not. we have done a lot of work _ is time for that? absolutely not. we have done a lot of work with - is time for that? absolutely not. we have done a lot of work with the - have done a lot of work with the public about their satisfaction with the nhs and we are seeing the public at low levels of satisfaction with services, particularly because they are finding it hard to access services but once they get in there they find good quality services. what is interesting is we also then say do still believe in the principles of? is this a model you still want? overwhelmingly more than 90% of the public say they support the nhs and just want the nhs to work better now, which is around giving it notjust enough money but enough certainty over the medium term to be able to make good decisions today that help ensure we have the right staff in the right place in good quality buildings to support people in future years. sally warren, director of policy at the king's fund, thank you for talking to us. we can see the door at number ten, that is where the chancellor will be leaving us, he heads to the commons for his autumn statement. statement is the that has

described the economic news that we have had from the government, in terms of policy and strategy. but what we have been hearing, what we heard from liz truss and kwasi kwarteng and what we will be hearing today goes beyond the scope of what we would normally expect from a statement, it feels more like a budget. it will be a big week at the chancellor has said these are extremely difficult decisions and it will have an enormous impact on everybody around the country. we will continue with coverage from here in westminster and gloucester. we will take a pause and go to the sports centre for an update from sarah. good morning. england have been settling in to life in qatar ahead of their world cup opener against iran on monday. all 26 players were able to take part in their first training session, including kyle walker and kalvin phillips, who are recovering from injury and today's session is about to get under way. the england squad were bonding here ahead of training, as they did a little yoga in the courtyard of their base in al wakrah.

plenty to keep them entertained, darts, pool tables, video games in the facility. media are also there, and leicester's attacking midfielder james maddison was first to speak, fresh from his recall to the national squad. i work very hard behind—the—scenes at leicester on how i can score more, how can i assist more, to almost try and force the manager's hand to not... so he can't leave me out, you know? and... but then on the balance of that, you've kind of always got to have that self belief and remind yourself of why you are where you are and why you're even in the picture and stuff, so it's about getting that balance, i'd say. england are currentlyjust abut to start training. 9:30am our time. three hours ahead, just half past midday there. their game against iran on monday will be

at 1pm local time, that should be similar conditions as they are coping with the temperatures of mid 30 degrees. declan rice, eric dier and conor coady, who have already made their way out on to the training field. wales have their moved their first full training session back today, to cope with the heat in qatar. they were due to train at lunchtime, but have pushed it now towards the evening, with temperatures over 30 degrees surprising the squad. some of the players joined local youngsters for a kickabout yesterday as rob page's team settled into their surroundings. wales take on usa in their opening match on monday. other teams are still arriving in qatar. one of the pre—tournament favourites argentina touched down overnight. here they are, with their superstar lionel messi one of the first out of the plane. the world cup is one of the few trophies missing from his pretty successful career to date. they've been preparing in abu dhabi where they beat united arab emirates

in theirfinal warm up match and that stretched their unbeaten run to 36 games. denmark have had a t—shirt urging action to be taken on human rights in qatar banned by fifa. speaking to the bbc denmarks' ceo says he respects fifa's decsion but insisted his team will keep on pushing through other channels to improve the conditions for migrant workers. there still a lot of room for improvement but it's also fair to say that many migrant workers have experienced improvements, a lot of legislation has been enacted. a lot of initiatives have been taken but there's still plenty of room for improvement and what we're doing is on the one hand side focusing on football for our players and on the second side, focusing on me as a ceo and the political leadership of the fa continuing with critical dialogue we've been having with qatari authorities and others since 2015 in order to improve the conditions of migrant workers further.

scotland aren't at the world cup, but they lost 2—1 in a friendly in turkey last night. the hosts were 2—0 up by early in the second half thanks to goals from former liverpool and norwich defender ozan kabak and marseilles forward cengiz under. john mcginn ran from the halfway line to hit back in style just after the hour mark with his 15th international goal, but scotland couldn't find an equaliser. england's cricketers look to be heading for a heavy defeat against australia in the first of three one—day internationals in adelaide. it's only four days since jos buttler�*s side won the t20 world cup and there seemed to be soem tiredness in their batting. buttler himself went for 29. dwid malan repaired things somewhat with a fine 134 which included four sixes but australia have so far been making light work of their target of 288.

a few moments ago they were 172—1 off 2a overs. you can follow that live text commentary on the bbc sport website. that's all the sport for now. thank you very much. we are here in westminster. at 11:30am, the chancellor will be announcing the details of his autumn statement. we know the key headlines, and that is that they will be around £30 billion of spending cuts announced. also £24 billion of tax rises. but beyond those basic headlines, we have read a lot of detail around what is expected to be in the statement because there have been a lot of leaks and i want to talk about some of that now. i'm joined by rosa prince, editor of house magazine. welcome. it used to be that a budget was absolutely sacrosanct and there were no leaks but they don't want any surprises so lots has been put out there. in any surprises so lots has been put out there. ' '

any surprises so lots has been put out there. " . . ., out there. in 1947, the chancellor huh out there. in 1947, the chancellor hugh dalton _ out there. in 1947, the chancellor hugh dalton had _ out there. in 1947, the chancellor hugh dalton had to _ out there. in 1947, the chancellor hugh dalton had to resign - out there. in 1947, the chancellor| hugh dalton had to resign because out there. in 1947, the chancellor - hugh dalton had to resign because as he wanted to the commons chamber he threw away one line to the budget of a generalist and it was on the evening standard before he sat down again and he had to go. in recent years, it was a little game that the chancellor would play, look, years, it was a little game that the chancellorwould play, look, i've got this, i've got that. everyone would be listening. what happened feels like a lifetime ago but it was only a few weeks ago with the many budget and kwasi kwarteng really spooked the markets with his very radical measures. in the aftermath of that, the postmortem inquiry said he didn't... of that, the postmortem inquiry said he didn't- - -— of that, the postmortem inquiry said he didn't. . ._ the - he didn't. .. interference the markets got — he didn't. . . interference the markets got spooked. - he didn't. .. interference the - markets got spooked. interference there were whispers _ markets got spooked. interference there were whispers and _ markets got spooked. interference there were whispers and rumours - markets got spooked. interference | there were whispers and rumours and reports. we know a lot about what will be in it. there might be surprises but the headlines have come out so he wants to make sure everyone is prepared and ready for it, notjust the markets but his own backbenchers and the public at

large. backbenchers and the public at [an e. ~ backbenchers and the public at larae. ~ ., ~ backbenchers and the public at larae. ~ . ~ . backbenchers and the public at lare. . ., ~ ., , ., large. we will talk about his own backbenchers _ large. we will talk about his own backbenchers in _ large. we will talk about his own backbenchers in a _ large. we will talk about his own backbenchers in a minute - large. we will talk about his own backbenchers in a minute but - backbenchers in a minute but firstly, run us through some of the key thing is that we are expecting, there is a long list!— there is a long list! exactly. some of them include, _ there is a long list! exactly. some of them include, as _ there is a long list! exactly. some of them include, as you _ there is a long list! exactly. some of them include, as you say, - there is a long list! exactly. some of them include, as you say, it. there is a long list! exactly. some| of them include, as you say, it will be a tough spending round. one thing to watch for, which we don't exactly know is what happens to the defence budget, whether that will be cut or not. there will be some tax rises. he doesn't want to... he has made clear he is not going to get rid of the pension is triple lock, there will be a big bump in pensions. and also in benefits. —— pensions triple lock. he will have to find wriggle room in stealth taxes as it were. we think he will lower the rate at which you start paying the top rate of tax to £125 per year, which is a complete reversal from where we were a few weeks ago with kwasi kwarteng, as you remember. they will be all sorts of fiddles, perhaps council tax will go up. there will be some measures on inheritance tax, i could

go on! open your paper this morning and you will see pages and pages of pre—briefing on what is likely to be in there. ihlat pre-briefing on what is likely to be in there. ., ., ., ., in there. not long to go until we hear from _ in there. not long to go until we hear from the _ in there. not long to go until we hear from the chancellor, - in there. not long to go until we i hear from the chancellor, 11:30am. we have our eyes on the door of downing street because rishi sunak will be speaking at 10:30am in the commons with a statement on the g20. we have just seen grant shapps leaving downing street. in terms of the party and how backbenchers are currently responding to the policies now that are coming out, we've seen a very rebellious party within the tory party in recent months. that 80 seat majority won at the last election was not enough, obviously, to save two prime ministers. what's the mood now amongst backbenchers? ben ministers. what's the mood now amongst backbenchers? even though we have 'ust amongst backbenchers? even though we have just seen — amongst backbenchers? even though we have just seen that, _ amongst backbenchers? even though we have just seen that, that _ amongst backbenchers? even though we have just seen that, that was _ amongst backbenchers? even though we have just seen that, that was cavet - have just seen that, that was cavet being held. the reason rishi sunak wanted to do that is to really bind his cabinet into this —— cabinet being held. the autumn statement.

that's because what happened with the mini budget last time. even the cabinet didn't really know what was coming down the track. the cabinet is squared off at the party knows what's coming. lots of them are not happy about the tax rises. obviously, no conservative likes tax rises but in particular that group who backed liz truss really feel unhappy about it and they feel that perhaps the presentation was wrong but actually the policy was right. what has happened in the last few weeks means that the party is desperate for some stability going into the election. i don't think that there will be any moves against rishi sunak but what you might see isjust a sort rishi sunak but what you might see is just a sort of bad mood, but of disillusionment particular among those that won't be standing again, what is in it for them to really go and bang the drum for this budget to this to this prime minister? i don't think the conservative party is a deeply happy place but i think it is certainly a calmer place than even a few weeks ago. certainly a calmer place than even a few weeks age-— certainly a calmer place than even a few weeks ago. thank you very much. a testina few weeks ago. thank you very much. a testing time. _ few weeks ago. thank you very much. a testing time, very _ few weeks ago. thank you very much. a testing time, very important -

few weeks ago. thank you very much. a testing time, very important time, | a testing time, very important time, for the prime minister and chancellor in terms of what they announced today. i'm joined by richard davies, professor of public understanding of economics at bristol university & director of the economics observatory. let's talk a bit more about the economics of it. it describes itself as a project that bridges the gap between academic research, government policy, and the general public. welcome. what, in your view, is the balancing act for the chancellor today? the is the balancing act for the chancellor today?- is the balancing act for the chancellor toda ? , , ., chancellor today? the big question for me is timing. _ chancellor today? the big question for me is timing. what _ chancellor today? the big question for me is timing. what we - chancellor today? the big question for me is timing. what we will - chancellor today? the big question for me is timing. what we will get | for me is timing. what we will get todayis for me is timing. what we will get today is a five year plan. we know that the chancellor has interpreted his challenge, some will debate this, of course, as balancing the books. and saving something like it or explaining something like 50 billion. we don't fully know. we got a forecast from the obr, that is good, it is independent. that looks likely to be very difficult to meet. what i mean by timing is when does he put in place the spending cuts? it looks likely from the briefing that it will actually come towards the back end of the five year

period. that's actually a pretty good thing because the economy at the moment is weakening. so, the downside scenario is that we have to have this tightening at a period where the economy is itself weakening. the more he can do to put things into the back end of the five years whilst still convincing the markets that this is a long—term credible plan, the better the outcome will be. 5m credible plan, the better the outcome will be.— credible plan, the better the outcome will be. so, that's the balancing _ outcome will be. so, that's the balancing act. _ outcome will be. so, that's the balancing act, basically - outcome will be. so, that's the balancing act, basically saying | outcome will be. so, that's the i balancing act, basically saying this is what is coming, we are absolutely being responsible around tackling the deficit, but right now there needs to be a bit of headroom. because of what is going on with the economy? already in negative territory, looking like recession almost certainly at the end of the and inflation 11%.— almost certainly at the end of the and inflation 11%. exactly that. his challenae and inflation 11%. exactly that. his challenge is _ and inflation 11%. exactly that. his challenge is to _ and inflation 11%. exactly that. his challenge is to be _ and inflation 11%. exactly that. his challenge is to be totally - and inflation 11%. exactly that. his challenge is to be totally clear - challenge is to be totally clear that he has a long—term credible plan. but, actually, to try and do as little of that today as possible

because the economy is weakening. in terms of the things you've already discussed, one of the things i would look out for, as economists, we call it a fiscal drag, ourjargon, you will see it reported as stealth taxes. in normal times, the treasury tends to put up the bands at which people pay taxes, the zero rated band, 20% band, 40% band. as wages go band, 20% band, 40% band. as wages 9° up band, 20% band, 40% band. as wages go up with inflation and wage inflation, we move those things up, so that people don't move between bands. actually, we've now got wages going up at 6%, that is lower than the rate of inflation but what he will try to do is keep those bands where they are, so that lots of people nudge up into a slightly higher band than they would have been. and will pay more tax. m been. and will pay more tax. of course that has an impact on spending power. what do you think, in terms of the impact of what happens today on the recession and

the risks of deepening it? the first thing to do is to make sure that we don't have the scenario that we had in the summer. with the mini budget. and the gilt yields. because it is absolutely essential that we aren't paying an unnecessary amount of interest. that is the risk we face in the country. we do have a relatively high debt and that will have an interest rate but the more you can do to keep that interest rate lower by convincing the markets that you have a credible plan, the better. because thatjust makes more money available for spending. his challenge is to cement the work that's been done in the past few weeks, which has seen gilt yields come down. but then to set out this clear plan for the next five years. and where does all of this leave growth? and where does all of this leave urowth? ,, ., and where does all of this leave erowth? , and where does all of this leave a rowth? ,, ., , , , growth? so, this is the big challenge- _ growth? so, this is the big challenge. the _ growth? so, this is the big challenge. the thing - growth? so, this is the big challenge. the thing i - growth? so, this is the big| challenge. the thing i hope growth? so, this is the big - challenge. the thing i hope we don't see too much of today, as an

economist, i would say that is infrastructure, capital spending. these things sometimes are easier to cut. let's take a complete counter example, the pensions triple look, you've mentioned that. that allegedly is very, very difficult to cut because it would affect so many people and so clearly and those people and so clearly and those people have a high propensity to vote. things like investments in our transport system, in our bus routes, and the general capital of the country are a little bit less easy to spot immediately. but as economists cover over time, know that those things generate growth in the economy. —— economists, over time, we know. debt divided by gdp, he needs to get down the other thing to do is get gdp up. and to have a really clear measures that will stimulus the economy and increase growth. stimulus the economy and increase urowth. . ~' ,. ,

stimulus the economy and increase urowth. . ~' , . stimulus the economy and increase urowth. . , . . . growth. thank you very much, richard davies. growth. thank you very much, richard davies- let's — growth. thank you very much, richard davies- let's go _ growth. thank you very much, richard davies. let's go back— growth. thank you very much, richard davies. let's go back to _ growth. thank you very much, richard davies. let's go back to gloucester. i my colleague annita mcveigh in is gloucester. joanna, thank you very much. throughout the day, we are looking ahead to the autumn statement and onceit ahead to the autumn statement and once it happens, we will get a reaction from people what they have heard from the chancellor and will it help them through this cost of living crisis? the chancellor has want of tough decisions that the government is having to make of spending cuts and tax rises —— has warned of. let me tell you about where i am, gloucester docksjust behind me, you can see an area which has had a huge amount of regeneration and investment over the last 20 years. you have a national waterways museum, some of these lovely old victorian warehouses converted into flats, as well. just as we around, gloucester quays, this is a retail outlet with high street stores, designer outlets and once it was built, it attracted a cinema, lots of restaurants, a place for

people to congregate and spend their money. obviously, in the current climate, there are some tough spending decisions to be made. steve knibbs is with me. everybody because you knibbsy, can i call you that as well? ~ , you knibbsy, can i call you that as well? �* . , a you knibbsy, can i call you that as well?_ a wonderful - you knibbsy, can i call you that as i well?_ a wonderful place well? absolutely. a wonderful place to send well? absolutely. a wonderful place to spend money _ well? absolutely. a wonderful place to spend money if _ well? absolutely. a wonderful place to spend money if you _ well? absolutely. a wonderful place to spend money if you have - well? absolutely. a wonderful place to spend money if you have the - well? absolutely. a wonderful place i to spend money if you have the money to spend money if you have the money to spend. it is tough for everyone, gloucestershire like the rest of the uk, they all had that in common. absolutely, we have done stories about this. look at where we are at the moment. we talked about the regeneration kicked in in the late 20005, regeneration kicked in in the late 2000s, a bad time but the hundreds of millions of pounds was allocated and it transformed the city. you talked about the docks leading into the city centre and that is still happening, the railway station being redeveloped, all that area. final part of that project. the city has really changed that people are still struggling and last week we spoke to

a big insurance company in gloucestershire called ecclesiastical and they are helping their staff and anybody earning under £50,000 will get £1000 bonus to help with the cost of living. care companies have been giving paid bonuses and fuel mileage bonuses to their staff right across the board to help out with what is happening at the moment.— at the moment. that's very interesting, _ at the moment. that's very interesting, how— at the moment. that's very interesting, how unusual i at the moment. that's very | interesting, how unusual do at the moment. that's very - interesting, how unusual do you think that is that companies are helping their staff in that way? there was one survey that showed about 10% of private companies in the sector are actually doing that at the moment. it was across the board. at ecclesiastical everybody under 50,000 was getting £500 now and £500 later with a promise that if things get worse or if it carries on they will get more money. lots of companies locally are looking at that to see what they can do to help their staff because they know they have got to help out that this sort of time. m have got to help out that this sort of time. . .. . have got to help out that this sort of time. .., , i. of time. of course, wherever you are, if of time. of course, wherever you are. if you _ of time. of course, wherever you are. if you have _ of time. of course, wherever you are, if you have seen _ of time. of course, wherever you. are, if you have seen development of time. of course, wherever you - are, if you have seen development go on in your city, something that makes your city better, you don't want to see that process in reverse. how difficult is it for businesses

in gloucestershire and here in this city to keep going through all of this? even if they have to reduce staff, reduce hours, opening hours and so forth, do you think they will try to do their very best to survive this crisis if they can?— this crisis if they can? they have too. this crisis if they can? they have too- what's _ this crisis if they can? they have too. what's really _ this crisis if they can? they have too. what's really interesting i this crisis if they can? they have i too. what's really interesting about this development is that this is great, the designer outlet village here, the docks, looking fantastic, and one of the big things when it was happening in the late 2000s what would happen to the city centre because gloucester city centre is based on a crossroads. there was a real worry that things were going to have a downturn there. what happened was there were lots of shops closing a menu —— new ones opened but in the last few months, established cafes that were on westgate street closed a couple of weeks ago, because it can carry on. it had been running for years. what is happening in the city centre, like many towns and city centre, like many towns and city centres have big department stores, debenhams, there was a worry about what would happen when that closed. last year, the university of

gloucestershire announced it would move in end and in a few years' time, we will have 3000—4000 students working and living in the city centre. stuff is happening over a long term. the people we are talking to say they are doing their very best but until we get the autumn statement today, we don't know how the impact is going to be. absolutely, people are doing their best to keep going and very difficult circumstances. what are people being same to you on the road reporting about what they want to see from the government? we had all the signals from the government that people are not going to get everything on their wish list. clearly, they will be cuts and tax rises. they said in gloucestershire about what they would like to see from the chancellor today? everybody sa s we from the chancellor today? everybody says we want — from the chancellor today? everybody says we want to _ from the chancellor today? everybody says we want to give _ from the chancellor today? everybody says we want to give as _ from the chancellor today? everybody says we want to give as much - from the chancellor today? everybody says we want to give as much money| says we want to give as much money in our pockets as we have got at the moment. like all of us. —— we want to keep. particularly amongst small independent companies, the concerns are that wejust independent companies, the concerns are that we just don't know at the moment how we can carry on with our energy bills going up. they want more support. we talked to a couple

of landlords and landladies in pubs and their energy bills are going up. there independent businesses and particularly pubs are at the heart of communities. they are really worried about the future, seeing their bills coming from a couple of thousand pounds a month to over 10,000, £20,000 a month. they want some security and they want to know that in the future they will be ok and supported. ihlat that in the future they will be ok and supported-— that in the future they will be ok and supported. not expecting the government _ and supported. not expecting the government to — and supported. not expecting the government to announce - and supported. not expecting the government to announce it - and supported. not expecting the government to announce it will i government to announce it will increase borrowing vast but would people here want to see the government to do that rather than look at the option of tax rises and spending cuts? would they prefer that? that creates issues further down the line. i that? that creates issues further down the line.— that? that creates issues further down the line. ., �* ~ . , down the line. i don't think anybody here would want _ down the line. i don't think anybody here would want to _ down the line. i don't think anybody here would want to pay _ down the line. i don't think anybody here would want to pay more - down the line. i don't think anybody| here would want to pay more taxes, like anybody of us. from my experience, people arejust like anybody of us. from my experience, people are just a very, very worried about the long—term future at the moment, they are waiting for today's autumn statement, they want the chancellor to do something that is in the interest of everybody and obviously interest of everybody and obviously in the interest of the country as a whole but in particular the independent businesses i think i'm really worried about the future. at the end of the day, if they haven't

got enough money to open their doors, they will have to close. we have seen several closures in the city. have seen several closures in the ci . ~ . have seen several closures in the ci . . ., ., ~' have seen several closures in the ci .~ . ., have seen several closures in the ci .~ . . ., have seen several closures in the city. we have talked a lot about businesses. _ city. we have talked a lot about businesses, what _ city. we have talked a lot about businesses, what about - city. we have talked a lot about i businesses, what about individuals who are in real need? what have you seenin who are in real need? what have you seen in your work?— seen in your work? we've seen --eole, seen in your work? we've seen people, particularly _ seen in your work? we've seen people, particularly isolated i seen in your work? we've seen people, particularly isolated in | people, particularly isolated in rural parts of the county, for example, who live on their own that perhaps are housebound through illness, they have carers coming in every day. we spoke to a care company last week, the lovely group of people, they spent their lives going out and talking to their clients, helping them 24 hours a day seven days a week and they are seeing people in their homes who are worried basically about whether they can turn their heating on. it is a big topic of conversation we all have at the moment, have you turned the heating on yet? it becomes a bit of a joke but for some people that we have met, it is a reality and a lot of people who haven't got the money are just not turning the heating on at the moment. you talk to the carers and you may be talking to the carers and you may be talking to one of them later, they are going into these people's homes and it is cold and they are worried about

whether they can survive the winter. it has got to that point where people are frightened.- it has got to that point where people are frightened. steve knibbs, bbc points people are frightened. steve knibbs, ssc points west — people are frightened. steve knibbs, bbc points west gloucestershire, i bbc points west gloucestershire, thank you to get your experience, telling the stories of the people of gloucestershire every day, every week, really great to get that local experience and those local stories from steve. we are in the heart of gloucester city, by gloucester quays, the retail outlet, the wider gloucester docks area, which has seen a huge amount of regeneration. those questions, as people wait from the autumn statement from the chancellor about whether this is the sort of place they can come and spend money, come and enjoy themselves, go to the cinema, do a bit of shopping, go to a restaurant for a nice meal. our correspondent phil mackie has been speaking to people in the city about what they are facing, as we wait for the chancellor's announcements:

takeit take it day of reckoning in gloucester as everywhere else, this is a city where the urban meets the rural and in matson, is a city where the urban meets the ruraland in matson, one is a city where the urban meets the rural and in matson, one of the poorest neighbourhoods, they are worried about the cost of living. bread? . �* , worried about the cost of living. bread? . �*, . ., , worried about the cost of living. bread? . 2 . ., , {1,50 bread? oh, that's ridiculous. £1.50 for a decent _ bread? oh, that's ridiculous. £1.50 for a decent loaf _ bread? oh, that's ridiculous. £1.50 for a decent loaf of _ bread? oh, that's ridiculous. £1.50 for a decent loaf of bread. - bread? oh, that's ridiculous. £1.50 for a decent loaf of bread. this - for a decent loaf of bread. this su ort for a decent loaf of bread. this support group _ for a decent loaf of bread. this support group and _ for a decent loaf of bread. this support group and lots of other activities here.— activities here. now change direction — activities here. now change direction for _ activities here. now change direction for me, _ activities here. now change direction for me, go - activities here. now change direction for me, go the - activities here. now change i direction for me, go the other activities here. now change - direction for me, go the other way round _ direction for me, go the other way round. lt— direction for me, go the other way round. , . direction for me, go the other way round. . . ., , .,, round. it is a lifeline for people of all ages- _ round. it is a lifeline for people of all ages. they _ round. it is a lifeline for people of all ages. they have - round. it is a lifeline for people of all ages. they have been - round. it is a lifeline for people - of all ages. they have been watching very closely to know if spending cuts are on the way. we very closely to know if spending cuts are on the way.— very closely to know if spending cuts are on the way. we need to stay 0 en. cuts are on the way. we need to stay open- with — cuts are on the way. we need to stay open- with a — cuts are on the way. we need to stay open. with a first _ cuts are on the way. we need to stay open. with a first port _ cuts are on the way. we need to stay open. with a first port of— cuts are on the way. we need to stay open. with a first port of call- cuts are on the way. we need to stay open. with a first port of call for- open. with a first port of call for people to come in when they are in need. —— we are the first port of call. we need to be here with them. what i would say is if somebody comes through this door, myself and my staff do ourjob, right? and we do ourjob and we look after people. and we make sure that people are developing and surviving. what i say is the people in london need to do the same thing. they now need to do theirjob, right? and look after us all. and do it properly! do you know

what i mean? let's stop messing about and do it from the ground, look at the people who actually are suffering, right, from all these cuts and everything else.- cuts and everything else. carol hardman doesn't _ cuts and everything else. carol hardman doesn't earn - cuts and everything else. carol hardman doesn't earn a - cuts and everything else. carol hardman doesn't earn a lot - cuts and everything else. carol hardman doesn't earn a lot as| cuts and everything else. caroll hardman doesn't earn a lot as a supervisor at the cavern, a community cafe in the city centre. yet his girlfriend are worried they won't be able to afford the rent. i am very much paycheque to paycheque, i can't _ am very much paycheque to paycheque, i can't save _ am very much paycheque to paycheque, i can't save at _ am very much paycheque to paycheque, i can't save at the moment. my ican't save at the moment. my priority— ican't save at the moment. my priority is— i can't save at the moment. my priority is trying to learn how to drive _ priority is trying to learn how to drive on — priority is trying to learn how to drive on driving lessons are extremely expensive. from trying to push myself to get all those boxes ticked, _ push myself to get all those boxes ticked, i_ push myself to get all those boxes ticked, i won't have money by the end of— ticked, i won't have money by the end of the — ticked, i won't have money by the end of the month, really. when i'm trying _ end of the month, really. when i'm trying to— end of the month, really. when i'm trying to sort of progress myself and learn — trying to sort of progress myself and learn to drive and these extra thinge— and learn to drive and these extra things that — and learn to drive and these extra things that are quite normal and should _ things that are quite normal and should really be sort ofjust staples, _ should really be sort ofjust staples, quality of life, when that is so _ staples, quality of life, when that is so difficult, i think that is where — is so difficult, i think that is where the problems lie. we've got this thermal _ where the problems lie. we've got this thermal foil _ where the problems lie. we've got this thermal foil behind _ where the problems lie. we've got this thermal foil behind each - this thermal foil behind each radiator, _ this thermal foil behind each radiator, to _ this thermal foil behind each radiator, to reflect— this thermal foil behind each radiator, to reflect the - this thermal foil behind each radiator, to reflect the heat. this thermal foil behind each - radiator, to reflect the heat back into the — radiator, to reflect the heat back into the room _ radiator, to reflect the heat back into the room.— radiator, to reflect the heat back into the room. like the rest of us, jane's had — into the room. like the rest of us, jane's had to _ into the room. like the rest of us, jane's had to tighten _ into the room. like the rest of us, jane's had to tighten her - into the room. like the rest of us, jane's had to tighten her belt. -

jane's had to tighten her belt. hello, claude, all right, my love? yeah, _ hello, claude, all right, my love? yeah, come — hello, claude, all right, my love? yeah, come in— hello, claude, all right, my love? yeah, come in the _ hello, claude, all right, my love? yeah, come in the kitchen... - hello, claude, all right, my love? yeah, come in the kitchen... herl hello, claude, all right, my love? yeah, come in the kitchen... her and husband john — yeah, come in the kitchen... her and husband john are _ yeah, come in the kitchen... her and husband john are pensioners. - yeah, come in the kitchen... her and husband john are pensioners. john i husband john are pensioners. john bouiht husband john are pensioners. john bought this _ husband john are pensioners. john bought this because we've read about them and _ bought this because we've read about them and you — bought this because we've read about them and you can— bought this because we've read about them and you can do _ bought this because we've read about them and you can do one _ bought this because we've read about them and you can do one cup, - bought this because we've read about them and you can do one cup, for- them and you can do one cup, for example — them and you can do one cup, for example. they've _ them and you can do one cup, for example. they've managed - them and you can do one cup, for example. they've managed to - them and you can do one cup, for| example. they've managed to cut them and you can do one cup, for- example. they've managed to cut how much _ example. they've managed to cut how much energy— example. they've managed to cut how much energy they _ example. they've managed to cut how much energy they use _ example. they've managed to cut how much energy they use but _ example. they've managed to cut how much energy they use but think - example. they've managed to cut how much energy they use but think the i much energy they use but think the power— much energy they use but think the power companies _ much energy they use but think the power companies should _ much energy they use but think the power companies should pay- much energy they use but think the power companies should pay morel much energy they use but think the. power companies should pay more in tax. power companies should pay more in tax~ '— power companies should pay more in tax ithink— power companies should pay more in tax i think it's— power companies should pay more in tax. i think it's horrendous— power companies should pay more in tax. i think it's horrendous that - tax. i think it's horrendous that the tax. ! think it's horrendous that the fat— tax. i think it's horrendous that the fat cats _ tax. i think it's horrendous that the fat cats are _ tax. i think it's horrendous that the fat cats are always - tax. i think it's horrendous that the fat cats are always getting. tax. i think it's horrendous that. the fat cats are always getting lots of cream — the fat cats are always getting lots of cream and _ the fat cats are always getting lots of cream. and the _ the fat cats are always getting lots of cream. and the people - the fat cats are always getting lots of cream. and the people that - the fat cats are always getting lots i of cream. and the people that really need to— of cream. and the people that really need to help — of cream. and the people that really need to help don't _ of cream. and the people that really need to help don't get _ of cream. and the people that really need to help don't get enough - of cream. and the people that really need to help don't get enough help. j need to help don't get enough help. i need to help don't get enough help. i know— need to help don't get enough help. i know quite — need to help don't get enough help. i know quite a — need to help don't get enough help. i know quite a few _ need to help don't get enough help. i know quite a few people _ need to help don't get enough help. i know quite a few people who - i know quite a few people who struggle. _ i know quite a few people who struggle. you _ i know quite a few people who struggle, you know, _ i know quite a few people who struggle, you know, and - i know quite a few people who struggle, you know, and it's i i know quite a few people who i struggle, you know, and it's hard for them — struggle, you know, and it's hard for them and _ struggle, you know, and it's hard forthem. and i— struggle, you know, and it's hard forthem. and i think— struggle, you know, and it's hard for them. and i think they- struggle, you know, and it's hard for them. and i think they get . for them. and i think they get massive — for them. and i think they get massive bonuses _ for them. and i think they get massive bonuses and - for them. and i think they get massive bonuses and they. for them. and i think they get massive bonuses and they alll for them. and i think they get i massive bonuses and they all get for them. and i think they get - massive bonuses and they all get too much _ massive bonuses and they all get too much. , . massive bonuses and they all get too much. . . . .,, massive bonuses and they all get too much. . . . , ., much. keeping a close eye on the bills has become _ much. keeping a close eye on the bills has become a _ much. keeping a close eye on the bills has become a national- much. keeping a close eye on the i bills has become a national pastime, which means there will be even more attention on today's chancellor's statement. phil mackie, bbc gloucester. people are realistic at the moment and don't think rabbits will be pulled out of the hat to improve the

situation. they know the situation is tough but they are figuring out ways to survive this financial crisis. when it comes to even the very fundamental things, as phil was reflected, such as spending money on food or heating their homes. we will be in gloucester throughout the day building up to the statement, which is happening very soon from the chancellor and getting reaction from people to whatjeremy hunt has to say. right now, this is the weather forecast with carol. fox hello, again, we have watched _ with carol. fox hello, again, we have watched large _ with carol. fox hello, again, we have watched large rainfall - with carol. fox hello, again, we. have watched large rainfall totals mount up in the last few hours. as we go through the next few days, these totals will get higher. as we continue with wet and windy conditions for most of us. this has all been driven along by an area of low pressure that came into the south—west yesterday. it has been drifting steadily east, north and today as it pushes north, it will edge further west. a weather front bringing in showers to the west. by

tomorrow, a ridge of high pressure builds in from the west and it will settle things down for some of us. today, the scent of low pressure here and you can see the inner circle moving north, taking its rain with it. wet across northern england, centraland with it. wet across northern england, central and eastern scotland with showers coming from the west. after the fog this morning, lifting in northern ireland, it should brighten up for you and a few showers across southern parts of england. gusty winds, once again and the strongest in the english channel, the north sea and shetland. the evening and overnight, that band of rain continues across northern england, eventually easing is the heaviest rain moves into eastern scotland. still showers coming in from the west and a fair bit of cloud. not anticipating any issues with frost tomorrow morning. this is the area of low pressure tomorrow. it is still with us and moving north. a bit further west. you can see this ridge of high pressure building on from the west. we start off with the

heaviest rain is still swelling around the low pressure, still seeing some of that getting into northern england and the north midlands and then we have the north midlands and then we have the showers coming in on the wind towards the west. brighter skies as this builds in in northern ireland, wales, central and southern england. temperatures 9—13 north to south. saturday, low pressure is with us but starting to weaken. they knew where front coming in drifting steadily east —— a new weather front. overnight on saturday. behind that, things are quieter. saturday morning starts off on a frosty night for southern england and northern ireland and we have that patchy rain in the east, brighter skies behind with some snow on the mountains of scotland and northern england on sunday.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling at westminster, where later this morning the chancellorjeremy hunt will say he will plug the £54 billion financial black hole by cutting spending and raising taxes in his autumn statement. the chancellorjeremy hunt has been very clear that difficult decisions are needed to get the uk economy back on track. he's expected to announce taxes will go up by £24 billion. he's also set to announce a rise in benefits and state pensions in line with inflation. he will also outline plans to cut public spending and services by £30 billion. i'm annita mcveigh live in

gloucester where we are live throughout the day building up to