this is bbc news. the headlines. tens of billions of pounds in tax rates to congaree global economic crisis. our plan also leads to a shallower downturn, lower energy bills, higher growth and a stronger nhs and education system. spending on public services to rise more slowly than planned. labour says people are not better off after today's annoucements growth, dismal. investment, down. wages squeezed, public services crumbling. and what does the chancellor have to offer today?

more of the same. three suspects accused of mass murder over the downing of a malaysia airlines plane in 2014 have been found guilty by a court in the netherlands. a fourth was acquitted. in ukraine, the bodies of more than 60 people, with signs of torture, have been found in the newly liberated regions of kherson. in the commons delivering his in the commons delivering his autumn in the commons delivering his autumn statement and unveiling a host of measures. some of them rather widely

expected, the chancellor confirmed that the uk is in recession. but insisted his economic plan will rebuild the economy and reduce public debt. there'll be a freeze in income tax thresholds, meaning millions will pay more tax as their wages rises. and the point at whcih the highest tax earners start paying and the point at which the highest tax earners start paying the top rate of tax, has been lowered, to £125,000. households will pay more in energy bills from april, with typical bill rising from £2,500 to £3,000, as the government reduces the amount of support it gives. the state pension, benefits and tax credits will rise by over 10%, that's in line with inflation. health, education and defence budgets will be maintained, but other departments are likely to squeezed. capital spending will be frozen, but not for a couple of yet,

or after the next general election. and bad news if you own an electric car. up till now, you've had that tax free. from april 2025, you'll be liable to excise duty. labour's rachel reeves accused the conservative�*s of "picking the pockets and purses and wallets of the entire country". those are some of the main headlines and there's plenty more besides. throughtout the afternoon we'll be unpicking the detail with our correspondents, and experts. our first report is from our political correspondent damian grammaticus. after the last tory budget brought chaos, what's in that little blue book is meant to stabilise things. the photos released by his team are meant to be reassuring. this is a chancellor who needs to win back trust in the financial market and in his own party's ability to manage the economy. is austerity coming back? the cabinet know that, and it must all be done in the face of soaring inflation,

looming recession, stretched government budgets. who's responsible for this mess, mr hunt? the answer is, of course, in part his own predecessor. jeremy hunt says his task now is to tackle inflation, meaning that is the biggest threat we face. high inflation is the enemy of stability. it means higher mortgage rates, more expensive food and fuel bills, businesses failing and unemployment rising. it erodes savings, causes industrial unrest and cuts funding for public services. it hurts the poorest the most and eats away at the trust upon which a strong society is built. so he said just over half the measures he's planning will be tax increases. every earner will be affected, the thresholds at which tax is paid frozen for five years, but he highlighted that unlike liz truss�*s budget, taxes are not being cut for the richest. asking more from those who have more

means that the first difficult decision i take on tax is to reduce the threshold at which the 45p rate becomes payable from £150,000 to £125,140. those earning £150,000 or more will payjust over £1,200 more in tax every year. and something called for by the opposition — there will be more windfall taxes on energy firms. i've decided that from january 1st until march 28th, we will increase the energy profits levy from 25% to 35%. the structure of our energy market also creates windfall profits for low carbon electricity generation, so from january 1st, we've decided to introduce a new temporary 45% levy on electricity generators. together, these measures raise £14 billion next year. the other half of his plan is for spending restraint — discipline and efficiency, he called it. but there will be more

than £2 billion a year put into schools and money for the nhs too. i will increase the nhs budget in each of the next two years by £3.3 billion. the chief executive of the nhs, amanda pritchard, has said that this should provide sufficient funding for the nhs to fulfil its key priorities. she said it shows the government is serious about its commitment to prioritise our nhs. 3.3 billion for the nhs. £4.7 billion for social care, a record £8 billion package for our health and care system. that is a conservative government putting the nhs first. mr hunt said pensions and benefits will go up in line with inflation, so he said this was a plan to help protect the vulnerable and return to growth. labour's shadow chancellor rachel reeves wasn't impressed.

all the country got today was an invoice for the economic carnage that this government has created. never again can the conservatives be seen as the party of economic competence. the combination of tax rises and a hit from inflation means people will face real falls in their disposable income. in the last hour, the conservatives have picked the pockets or purses and wallets of the entire country as the chancellor has deployed a raft of stealth taxes, taking billions of pounds from ordinary working people, a conservative double whammy that sees frozen tax thresholds and double—digit inflation erode the real value of people's wages. so people face a real squeeze and the opposition parties want to to much of the blame on the government. not international factors like the pandemic or the law in ukraine.

the pandemic or the war in ukraine. this conservative government has plunge the economy into chaos and forcing ordinary families to pay for their incompetence. for an average family this will mean thousands of pounds in increased taxes and bills. yet their local services are being cut while their real terms pay is decreasing. the reality is we will all be living with the disastrous consequences of trussonomics for some time to come. he has created new targets because he has failed to meet the old one. and his difficult choices are nothing compared to what our constituents face. it all means a tough winter and a hard couple of years are coming. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. first, let's hear a little bit more from first, let's hear a little bit the office for budget responsibility says that despite the provision by the government of more than £100 billion of additional support over the next two years, the economy will still fall into recession, wiping out

eight years of growth. earlier, the 0br's professor david miles explained how today's forecast works, what it could mean for households over the next year and ultimately why we could see accelerated growth from 2024. what happens in the forecast, what is likely to happen is that in the very near term, it is going to be a year of squeezed budgets for households, companies won't be doing as much investment, we are still dealing with this huge increase in energy costs and interest rates going up. so, quite likely we have a year of mildly declining gdp. and that opens up an amount of spare capacity in the economy which means that we move from the situation in which we have been in recently, we are going to return to events in this country but as you see, right now, we are in capitol hill in washington, dc and we are expecting to hear from washington, dc and we are expecting to hearfrom nancy pelosi eminently, is what i'm told. and this, you

might know there's been some speculation in the us about what she might do politically now, whether she will remain in politics, perhaps it to say one of the most famous women in us politics at the moment but following on from the midterms, some suggestion that she may be telling lawmakers on capitol hill that perhaps she is reflecting now on whether she wants to remain in politics. i should see that a speculation but, there has been a lot of talk that she may decide to do but she is at an injury she may want to retire, far be it for me for her to suggest that she should do this. that'sjust her to suggest that she should do this. that's just speculation there in the us. not quite clear the session is at the moment but i cannot enlighten you. perhaps we can

hear a little and get a sense of what is happening. a£111" hear a little and get a sense of what is happening. our veterans face immense challenges _ what is happening. our veterans face immense challenges when _ what is happening. our veterans face immense challenges when returning | immense challenges when returning home and our women veterans are often afraid to speak up about their experiences. they may feel like the experiences. they may feel like the experience was not worthy and less likely to seek the care that they have earned. but christine is working to write this wrong but sharing her story. she has championed women veterans disability and empowering his sisters to talk about their service and seek the health care benefits they deserve. thank you for your service and commitment to empower women. we will return to washington _ commitment to empower women. we will return to washington as _ commitment to empower women. we will return to washington as soon _ commitment to empower women. we will return to washington as soon as - commitment to empower women. we will return to washington as soon as we - return to washington as soon as we see nancy pelosi, actually because it is a very busy day here and there is much to discuss here following the champions autumn statement. we will keep an eye on that feed their but let's return to the autumn statement from now and will head straight to westminster right now

injuring a political correspondent. 0ur political correspondent leila nathoo is in westminster central lobby. what responses and reactions are you picking up on after a raft of measures and some mooring figures and stats about the economy that we are all going to be living through for the next few years? it’s are all going to be living through for the next few years? it's worth ickin: u- for the next few years? it's worth picking up on _ for the next few years? it's worth picking up on what _ for the next few years? it's worth picking up on what you _ for the next few years? it's worth picking up on what you heard - for the next few years? it's worth i picking up on what you heard briefly that from the office for budget responsibility and those that the main aspect of getting those independent forecasts for the economic picture of the next few years that we did not have and the many budget under list trusts in the office painting a pretty bleak picture of a recession in the highest tax burden and decades, and living standards falling dramatically —— liz truss, that was the bad news in the context of which jeremy hunt was delivering the statement but also talking about growth and picking up in the next

couple of years, projecting inflation falling dramatically in the next couple of years and that, i think is whatjeremy hunt is banking on because he delayed perhaps many of the painful decisions that he was alluding to before his autumn statement down the line and in time for the next general election. that squeeze in departments or budgets, spending not going up as much is planned, the squeeze on capital spending and all of those decisions were deferred down the line by which growth could've picked up an inflation picked up and could be very different and of course, there could even be a different government that's when different aspect in terms of the main measures that were announced byjeremy hunt, yes, there are clearly some nerves in the tory back benches around tax rises because he did raise taxes although he was trying to sweeten the pill by giving money for education and health. people are going to find themselves paying more taxes through those freeze and the tax threshold meaning that tax thresholds are not being increased by inflation and if

you will find their wages rise, they will find them paying taxes for the first time in getting the tax brackets so they have less to come pay and jeremy hunt was very keen to stress that will be paying more tax because the threshold for the highest tax rate is going to come down in a big windfall taxes going to bring in a big chunk of the money thatjeremy hunt is relying on but there will be some unease among the tory back benches in the tax raises are not very conservative and they may add to the sense of the recession, really and the main challenges of balance how to tackle the recession at the moment while also trying to persuade the markets that credibility has been restored having taken such a hit from the previous budget and i don't think we'll have any sense of a widespread unease among tory mps over what it was announced but there will be people in picking the details in various different camps that say we need to watch out with what we're doing here or competing pressures very difficult for the chancellor to

please everyone in the room party. referring to global issues, russia's recession and the impact of the war on ukraine and so on and there is some tension, of course there are some tension, of course there are some big global issues like the war in ukraine, obviously. but there was also a many budget a few weeks ago the cost absolute market meltdown caused by someone else and his party. there is a balance there. absolutely and this is a balance there. absolutely misses the right of the story to talk about where we are today and very keen to point out that if the tories had been in power for the last 12 years, pointing the finger very much at liz truss policies that caused chaos in the financial markets in government borrowing costs to increase in trying to draw that narrative those connections between policies that have come before and jeremy hunt very keen to paint a picture is of this is a new administration coming in. yes, there's a new prime

minister in a relatively new chancellor and appointed under liz truss to try to stabilise things after her many budget. but there is an attempt to really generate the story and we are at the mercy of global forces story and we are at the mercy of globalforces and it story and we are at the mercy of global forces and it is true that energy price shock has been caused by the war in ukraine and that is something that we will hear over and over again from the government as we go into the impact of these measures that have been announced in the global forests have forced the government in this position and we look at the situation around the world, it's not the clearest picture of the economies and not being forced into similar measures when such dramatic measures are in place for real belt—tightening and in the coming weeks i'll be an argument. why have we gotten to where we are at and why is the uk acting different from other economies. thank you very much. the division

bell. let's turn to let's our economics correspondent andy verity is here. the bottom line for all of us as everyone is kicked in some way in the years to come. figs everyone is kicked in some way in the years to come.— the years to come. as if that's the most important — the years to come. as if that's the most important thing, _ the years to come. as if that's the most important thing, a _ the years to come. as if that's the most important thing, a lot - the years to come. as if that's the most important thing, a lot of- the years to come. as if that's the most important thing, a lot of our| most important thing, a lot of our viewers, theirfinances, their viewers, their finances, their household viewers, theirfinances, their household finances are the most important thing. and it's not the public finance that is most alarming it's household finances. we are looking at a 7% drop in income over the past two years. that's bigger than anything the softer the global financial crisis. the biggest drop in real incomes and living standards and generations and that follows on from ten years following the global financial crisis me at the worst decades for improvements in living standards and 200 years. if economic success is improving peoples living

standards, this is not a very happy record. sometimes the economy can grow and it doesn't do anything to improve peoples living standards, it is adding people would only improve the living standards of people at the living standards of people at the very top of the wealth pile, if you like. this is disappointing for people who have to face not only what we know are facing now, higher bills, highershopping prices, but also an ongoing deterioration of their living standards through 2025. will be back with you but we are going to return to capitol hill and here is nancy pelosi.— here is nancy pelosi. american democracy- i— here is nancy pelosi. american democracy. i would _ here is nancy pelosi. american democracy. i would never- here is nancy pelosi. american. democracy. i would never forget here is nancy pelosi. american - democracy. i would never forget the first time i saw the capital. he is on a cold january day six years old and my father was about to be sworn in for his fifth term in congress. representing our beloved hometown of baltimore. i was writing in the car with my brothers and be refilled and jumping up and down and saying,

nancy, nancy, look, there's the capital! and every time, i would say, i don't see any capital. is it a a, b or a c? say, i don't see any capital. is it aa, bora c? and say, i don't see any capital. is it a a, b or a c? and finally, i saw it. a stunning white building with a magnificent dome. i believed then as i believe today, this is the most beautiful building in the world because of what it represents. the capital is the temple of our democracy and of our constitution and of our highest ideals. 0n democracy and of our constitution and of our highest ideals. on that day,... day, . .. applause. on that day,... applause. on that day, i stood with my father on this floor as he took the sacred oath to support and defend the constitution of the

united states against all enemies foreign and domestic. you will make all of us who have served in this house of taken that hallowed oath of office. and it is the oath that stops us together and office. and it is the oath that stops us togethe- office. and it is the oath that stops us together and along in street heritage _ stops us together and along in street heritage and _ stops us together and along in street heritage and served - stops us together and along in i street heritage and served before us. colleagues like abraham lincoln, daniel webster, shirley chisholm, patsy manning and our beloved john lewis. and a colour to my father, a proud new deal congressman, the earliest italian americans to serve in the congress. and this is an oath we are duty—bound to keep an linksys with the highest aspirations of the ages. and this but their colleagues have abolished slavery, granted

women the right to vote, establish social security and medicare, offers a hand to the week and the sick and education to the young and hope to the many. indeed, it is here under the many. indeed, it is here under the gaze of a picture of george washington and the peoples house that we have done the peoples work. my that we have done the peoples work. my colleagues, i stand before you as speaker of the house, as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a devout catholic, a proud democrat and a patriotic american, a citizen of the greatest republic in the history of the world. applause which president lincoln called the last best hope on earth and indeed in the words attributed to the

legendary daniel webster, he said hold on my friends, hold on to the constitution of your country and the government established under it. miracles do not cluster, that which is happening but once in 6000 years cannot be expected to happen often. indeed, american democracy is majestic, but it is fragile. and many have witnessed its fragility first—hand, tragically in this chamber. democracy must be forever defended from forces that we should harm. last week, the american people spokein harm. last week, the american people spoke in their voices were raised in defence of liberty, the rule of law and of democracy itself.

applause with these elections, they repelled the assault on democracy. davis sounded leave project violence and insurrection and in doing so, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. applause and now, we would to the american people are very best to deliver on their faith. people are very best to deliver on theirfaith. to people are very best to deliver on their faith. to forever reach for their faith. to forever reach for the more perfect union, the glorious horizon that our founders promised. the questions before this congress and of this moment are urgent. questions about the ideals of this houseis questions about the ideals of this house is charged by the constitution

to preserve and protect. establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and her prosperity. 0ur to ourselves and her prosperity. our children. babies born today will live into the next century and our decisions will determine their future for generations to come. but we will have our disagreements on policy, we must remain fully committed to our shared fundamental mission. to hold strong to my most treasured democratic ideals to have the spark of divinity in each and every one of us and to always put our country first. in their infinite wisdom, ourfounders gave our country first. in their infinite wisdom, our founders gave us their guidance. they could not have

mentioned how larger country would've become and how differently would've become and how differently would be from each other. but they knew we had to be united as one. we the people, one country, one destiny. with great pride in her 35 years in the house, i have seen this body grow more reflective of our great nation. 0ur beautiful nation. applause 0ur beautiful nation. applause when it came to the congress in 1987, there were 12 democratic women. now, there are over 90 and we want more. applause

the newest members of the democratic caucus will be 75% women, people of colour and lgbt and we have brought more voices to the decision—making table when i introduce leadership in 2002 there were eight of us in today, there are 17 members of the leadership. when i first came to the floor at six years old, i never thought someday i would go from homemaker to house speaker. in fact, i never... applause in fact, i never intended to run for public office. mummy and daddy taught us through example the public service is a noble _ taught us through example the public service is a noble calling _ taught us through example the public service is a noble calling and - taught us through example the public service is a noble calling and we - service is a noble calling and we all have a responsibility to help others and my family, my brother became mayor of baltimore. in my privilege to play a part in forging

extraordinary progress for the american people i have enjoyed working with three presidents achieving historic investments and clean energy with president george bush. applause clean energy with president george bush. applause transformative health tra nsformative health care transformative health care with president barack 0bama. applause transformative health care with president barack 0bama. applause and forging the future from infrastructure to health care to climate action with presidentjoe biden. now, we must move boldly into the

future, granted by the principles that propelled us this far and open to fresh possibilities for the future. scripture teaches us that for everything, there is a season. a time for every purpose under heaven. my time for every purpose under heaven. my friends, no matter what title my call bestowed upon me, speaker, leader, whip, there is no greater official on earth that for me to stand on this floor and to speak for the people of san francisco. this i will continue to do is member of the house, speaking for the people of san francisco and serving the great state of california and defending our constitution. and with great confidence in our caucus, i will not seek reelection to democratic leadership in the next congress. for me, the hour has come for a new generation to leave the democratic caucus that i so deeply respect. and

i'm grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility. met them speaker, standing here today i am in the sleek grateful for all of flex blessings, from our democratic colleagues his courage and commitment and support of your families have made many of these accomplishments possible. in fact, they could not have been done without you. for my dear husband paul, who has been my beloved partner in life and my pillar of support, thank you. we are all gratefulfor support, thank you. we are all grateful for all the prayers and well wishes as he continues his recovery. thank you so much. applause thank you so much. applause

to our darling children and our grandchildren, they are the joys of our lives. grandchildren, they are the 'oys of our lives. ~ ., , grandchildren, they are the 'oys of our lives. ~ . , ., _ grandchildren, they are the 'oys of our lives. ~ ., _ our lives. well, as nancy pelosi. is our lives. well, as nancy pelosi. is nancy _ our lives. well, as nancy pelosi. is nancy pelosi _ our lives. well, as nancy pelosi. is nancy pelosi lists - our lives. well, as nancy pelosi. is nancy pelosi lists her - is nancy pelosi lists her sizeable family, let's pull away from the scenes on capitol hill and reflect on what has been said. an extraordinarily well—known figure in us politics, nancy pelosi, speaker of the us house of representatives, confirming she will not seek

re—election as speaker of the house. this follows on from the results of the midterms, of course. let's get the midterms, of course. let's get the thoughts of our correspondent in washington. several standing ovations already, and just a reminder of what a very well known figure she is in us political circles. ~ , , , circles. absolutely, she is the hi . hest circles. absolutely, she is the highest ranking _ circles. absolutely, she is the highest ranking woman - circles. absolutely, she is the highest ranking woman to - circles. absolutely, she is the highest ranking woman to say circles. absolutely, she is the i highest ranking woman to say of circles. absolutely, she is the - highest ranking woman to say of in us government, speaker of the house is second in line to the us presidency. and also, probably the most influential member of the united states congress, the speaker of the house. the speaker has incredible powers nancy pelosi has been able to wield very effectively in the most recent four year term she spent as speaker of the house and also from 2006 to 2010. as you might, she helped usher in emma sheppard through the legislature to a barack 0bama's health care reforms

—— usher in and shepherd in. that was perhaps the most significant piece of legislature in the past 30 years. nancy pelosi's speech was definitely historical in scope and there were reports she had a sister is writing the speech withjohn meacham, a historian who has helped many democrats and republicans craft their speeches —— she had assistance. he has contributed to joe biden�*s prominent speeches. she referenced george washington and daniel webster, she talked about the founding fathers and the importance of congress and her role in it. it was interesting to hear her paint a much bigger picture in addition to her personal story about growing up and moving from a housekeeper to a member of the house of representatives.- member of the house of representatives. member of the house of reresentatives. �* . ., representatives. and a quick thought about her party _ representatives. and a quick thought about her party more _ representatives. and a quick thought about her party more broadly. - representatives. and a quick thought about her party more broadly. this i about her party more broadly. this is largely as a result of the midterms and her party the democrats holding on to their majority in the senate, but not where she is. you might be in line, who is coming up

through the ranks of the democrats and your thoughts about how fractious or otherwise things can be for the next couple of weeks, given the midterm results? == for the next couple of weeks, given the midterm results?— for the next couple of weeks, given the midterm results? -- who might be in line. the midterm results? -- who might be in line- there — the midterm results? -- who might be in line. there was _ the midterm results? -- who might be in line. there was talk _ the midterm results? -- who might be in line. there was talk about _ in line. there was talk about whether nancy pelosi would name a successor or resign entirely from congress, she is becoming a backbencher and not retiring from congress, but so far, she has not specifically spoken about anyone she wants to succeed. the second ranking member of the house of representatives for the democrats is also in his late 70s so he is an older member of congress, the next generation by and large is viewed as people like 52—year—old hakeem jeffries from new york, who is the highest ranking in the democratic leadership but black bend and viewed to be the heir apparent by many, although it will be interesting if there is conflict about who can position themselves now is the minority leader and hope they can become speaker of the democrats take

that house in two years. thank become speaker of the democrats take that house in two years.— that house in two years. thank you very much. — that house in two years. thank you very much. lots _ that house in two years. thank you very much, lots of— that house in two years. thank you very much, lots of us _ that house in two years. thank you very much, lots of us networks - very much, lots of us networks staying with those images of nancy pelosi. if she have to kiss everything a person on the cheek as she will be there for a very long time. 82—year—old pelosi saying she will not seek re—election as speaker of the house of representatives. i think we can say that is the end of the political era, although as anthony zurcher was explaining, going to be on the backbenches, it doesn't look like she is leaving politics altogether. those are the scenes on capitol hill. in congress. and there will doubtless be more on that over the course of the evening and perhaps a reaction from the states to that announcement from nancy pelosi. it is 5:34pm. as we were reflecting it has been a very busy day at westminster as well, it is the day of the autumn statement,

and we have had those forecasts from the obr, and we have had those forecasts from the 0br, the office for budget responsibility, very tough times economically, that the country is in. let's get reaction to the measuresjeremy hunt in. let's get reaction to the measures jeremy hunt announced in. let's get reaction to the measuresjeremy hunt announced in the commons earlier today. let's talk to the shadow business secretary, labour'sjonathan secretary, labour's jonathan reynolds. secretary, labour'sjonathan reynolds. good evening. many thanks for your patients, i know you have been sitting listening to nancy pelosi as we'll have so thanks for staying with us. your thoughts about what has been unveiled, given the backdrop, the economic situation the country was in, the task facing jeremy hunt, your thoughts. it is another month, _ jeremy hunt, yourthoughts. it 3 another month, another conservative budget and another budget where people at home will look at it and ask, am i better off, worse off? i am afraid there will be worse off. the frustration for me is the shadow —— a shadow business secretary, eye nicely see some of the most brilliant companies in this country and some of the most exciting

innovation and i struggle to reconcile the amazing opportunities i know we have ahead of us as a country with a kind of depressing prospectus we had. of course, what was announced today is a reflection on the last 12 weeks of absolute chaos. the reasonjeremy hunt is chancellor is because of that. but it was also a reflection, frankly, of 12 years of conservative failure, on the poor growth on the economy and the difficult decisions that have accrued because of that. and frankly, nothing i heard gave me a sense this is the level of reset and ambition that i think we need and off you see what i really want is a general election where we can put ourideas general election where we can put our ideas forward and let the public decide on the way forward. but our ideas forward and let the public decide on the way forward.- decide on the way forward. but the chancellor called _ decide on the way forward. but the chancellor called this _ decide on the way forward. but the chancellor called this russia's - chancellor called this russia's recession. there are outside global factors that are playing a part in all this, nobody knew vladimir putin was going to invade ukraine and the knock—on it would have on all our energy bills. knock-on it would have on all our energy bills-— knock-on it would have on all our energy bills. knock-on it would have on all our ener: bills. ., ., , , ., energy bills. no-one denies when you have an illegal— energy bills. no-one denies when you have an illegal invasion _ energy bills. no-one denies when you have an illegal invasion of _ energy bills. no-one denies when you have an illegal invasion of ukraine - have an illegal invasion of ukraine by russia and what that means for

energy prices and food prices given ukraine's role in the economy, no—one denies that has had a significant impact, but let's be clear. two or three months ago if we had this interview we would not talk about how big spending cuts might need to be, it was the watership down that cause a lack of confidence in the british economy and budget and the ramifications that lead to part of this, but the biggest criticism is there will be international crises, but the resilience and strength of the country going into those cases is the responsibility of the government —— it was the mini—budget. the economy has grown since 2010 about half as fast as it did under the last labour government or the historical rate of growth, whatever you look to ask a comparator, it has been really poor, and that's why there are so many tensions in terms of public services and living standards. of 38 countries, developed countries in the 0ecd, we are set to grow the lowest in the next two years, we are the only country that has not returned to an economy greater than where it was

pre—pandemic, so of course there are international factors, pre—pandemic, so of course there are internationalfactors, but fundamentally, the state of the economy, living standards, wages, public services, have to be the responsibility of the party in power for 12 years and it is not a good story and they have to be accountable.— story and they have to be accountable. ~ ., ., ,., accountable. where would labour find the money to — accountable. where would labour find the money to do _ accountable. where would labour find the money to do anything _ the money to do anything differently? some groups are being protected. pensioners, the triple—lock, some groups protected. pensioners, the triple—lock, some grouszeremy hunt said will be, the vulnerable, he said, will be protected and how would you do that differently? idietitian would you do that differently? when we performed _ would you do that differently? when we performed day-to-day _ would you do that differently? bn�*ué�*i we performed day—to—day spending plans, we always hype of the cake where the revenue would come from. on expanding the nhs workforce, we 0n expanding the nhs workforce, we would abolish the non—dom ruled that would abolish the non—dom ruled that would bring up three point £2 billion to do that. but the big question has got to be, what other policies to improve the growth rate in this country, the british economy, by higher than the 1% and 1.5% we see? it is things like long—term industrial strategy to drive up business investment, going for energy security so we are never

again dependent also exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices. expanding the nhs workforce because if we get more people into work, the labour supply and number of people who could go to work is fundamental to the health of the economy. making brexit work by having better trading terms with the european union and single market than the government achieved. the fundamental things. of course we want to do things differently on public services and spending and that's why we say where the money would come from, but we have a better plan for the growth of the economy and until any government improves on the performance of the last 12 years, the decisions we see in budgets year and yet again will only get harder, that's why that is so important. only get harder, that's why that is so important-— so important. jonathan reynolds, thanks very _ so important. jonathan reynolds, thanks very much, _ so important. jonathan reynolds, thanks very much, for _ so important. jonathan reynolds, thanks very much, for labour, i so important. jonathan reynolds, thanks very much, for labour, of| thanks very much, for labour, of course. we have been up and down the country all day getting reaction from communities in many different areas. let's return to gloucester and rejoin my colleague who has been talking to people they're finding out what they make of it. hello again. hello, thank you very much. welcome back to gloucester city, the

gloucester docks area where i have been all day talking to a range of people in different assessments of what i have heard, i have heard some pensioners say they were pretty happy with linking their pension to inflation, i have heard from a food writer who described the situation is bleak and spoke of some of the truly tragic circumstances and stories people have been telling her. one mother watering down her baby's formula, and otherfamily creating a rota, one child would have dinner one day and another child the next day. it is a really tough story. a welcome for the increase in the living wage, but look at the other side of that coin and you have business owners saying to me, yes, they want to pay their staff more, but they don't want to charge their? more, so they are getting squeezed by that as well. my colleague has been a shortjourney away at the indoor market and she has been chatting to people to get their reaction to the autumn statement. their reaction to the autumn statement-— their reaction to the autumn statement. ., , ., , . ., statement. people have been coming u . statement. people have been coming u- to us all

statement. people have been coming up to us all day— statement. people have been coming up to us all day getting _ statement. people have been coming up to us all day getting their- up to us all day getting their reaction to today's budget, talking to us about the difficult decisions they have been making, whether that be at home or in the workplace. and they have been giving us a sense of how much of a difference this could make and how much this could affect their futures. make and how much this could affect theirfutures. let's make and how much this could affect their futures. let's talk to it be, a working student. you are juggling threejobs as well a working student. you are juggling three jobs as well studying for your drama degree, you are interested in the energy announcements today, tell us about your circumstances —— ibby. i live in a shared student house where _ i live in a shared student house where energy, wolves —— energy bills are covered _ where energy, wolves —— energy bills are covered to an extent, but that is not _ are covered to an extent, but that is not the — are covered to an extent, but that is not the case for all students and not for— is not the case for all students and not for next — is not the case for all students and not for next year so a lot of students _ not for next year so a lot of students are finding houses no longer— students are finding houses no longer cover energy bills and on top of increased rents, they also have to pay— of increased rents, they also have to pay their — of increased rents, they also have to pay their bills, which will be a lot of— to pay their bills, which will be a lot of money our maintenance loans may not _ lot of money our maintenance loans may not cover. lot of money our maintenance loans may not cover-— may not cover. that will be another wor for may not cover. that will be another worry for you _ may not cover. that will be another worry for you next _ may not cover. that will be another worry for you next year. _ may not cover. that will be another worry for you next year. yes, - worry for you next year. yes, definitely. and you say many people in your situation prioritising work i've actually studying. yes. i've actually studying. yes, definitely. _ i've actually studying. yes, definitely. i _ i've actually studying. yes, definitely, i know-

i've actually studying. yes, definitely, i know quite - i've actually studying. yes, definitely, i know quite a i i've actually studying. yes, l definitely, i know quite a few students _ definitely, i know quite a few students that have to go to work, whether— students that have to go to work, whether that is because they need a certain— whether that is because they need a certain amount of hours to pay for food _ certain amount of hours to pay for food or— certain amount of hours to pay for food or heating or theirjobs are putting — food or heating or theirjobs are putting them on for hours that clash with university and they have to prioritise — with university and they have to prioritise it or they will lose their— prioritise it or they will lose theiriob _ prioritise it or they will lose theirjob— prioritise it or they will lose their 'ob. ~ . , ., ., ,, prioritise it or they will lose their 'ob. ~ . .,~ ., theirjob. what did you make of toda 's theirjob. what did you make of today's statement? _ theirjob. what did you make of today's statement? as - theirjob. what did you make of today's statement? as a - theirjob. what did you make of l today's statement? as a student, theirjob. what did you make of - today's statement? as a student, it wasn't brilliant. _ today's statement? as a student, it wasn't brilliant. there _ today's statement? as a student, it wasn't brilliant. there was - today's statement? as a student, it wasn't brilliant. there was nothing l wasn't brilliant. there was nothing about— wasn't brilliant. there was nothing about an _ wasn't brilliant. there was nothing about an emergency increase in maintenance loans in line with inflation — maintenance loans in line with inflation which we have not got in the last— inflation which we have not got in the last few years. i am a third—year student and my maintenance loan has not gone up by that much— maintenance loan has not gone up by that much compared to the minimum wage. minimum wage, i am happy with, but there _ wage. minimum wage, i am happy with, but there was not a lot for students. but there was not a lot for students-— but there was not a lot for students. , ., ., _, . students. do you have confidence about how _ students. do you have confidence about how to _ students. do you have confidence about how to navigate _ students. do you have confidence about how to navigate work - students. do you have confidence about how to navigate work after| about how to navigate work after finishing your degree and what lies out there for you in the future? to some extent, i am studying drama so the arts _ some extent, i am studying drama so the arts industry is not in a great spot— the arts industry is not in a great spot so— the arts industry is not in a great spot so i— the arts industry is not in a great spot so i am _ the arts industry is not in a great spot so i am looking at taking my studies _ spot so i am looking at taking my studies further or not working in the arts — studies further or not working in the arts industryjust because i don't _ the arts industryjust because i don't know if i can get a job in that— don't know if i can get a job in that industry. until it is back on

its feet — that industry. until it is back on its feet. ., ., that industry. until it is back on itsfeet. ., ., ., its feet. you are saying at the moment you _ its feet. you are saying at the moment you have _ its feet. you are saying at the moment you have to - its feet. you are saying at the moment you have to work - its feet. you are saying at the l moment you have to work three differentjobs in order to survive. yes, in order to pay my rent, to pay for my— yes, in order to pay my rent, to pay for my food — yes, in order to pay my rent, to pay for my food shop, not for my bills, but for— for my food shop, not for my bills, but for living, yes. 50 for my food shop, not for my bills, but for living, yes.— but for living, yes. so the reality is that if you _ but for living, yes. so the reality is that if you did _ but for living, yes. so the reality is that if you did not _ but for living, yes. so the reality is that if you did not work, - but for living, yes. so the reality is that if you did not work, you l is that if you did not work, you would not be able to study. hat would not be able to study. not reall , i would not be able to study. not really, i would _ would not be able to study. not really, i would have to take a full-time _ really, i would have to take a full—time job. really, i would have to take a full-time job.— really, i would have to take a full-time 'ob. ., ,, , ., , . full-time 'ob. thank you very much, ibb . , full-time job. thank you very much, my . people _ full-time job. thank you very much, ibby. , people here _ full-time job. thank you very much, ibby. , people here in _ full-time job. thank you very much, ibby. , people here in gloucester, i ibby. , people here in gloucester, they are going to be watching very closely to see how much their budgets and spending is going to be squeezed over the coming months, but people here really looking for more stability and more security. —— people here. stability and more security. -- people here-— stability and more security. -- --eole here. ~ �*, ., people here. well, let's get more reaction to _ people here. well, let's get more reaction to today's _ people here. well, let's get more reaction to today's autumn - reaction to today's autumn statement, joining me here, two representatives of the charity young gloucestershire, amy pickford is a community delivery manager with the charity and charlie is a community youth worker. thanks so much for your time. amy, tell us more about what you do. brute your time. amy, tell us more about what you do— what you do. we are a youth organisation _ what you do. we are a youth organisation and _ what you do. we are a youth

organisation and we - what you do. we are a youth organisation and we work i what you do. we are a youth i organisation and we work with what you do. we are a youth - organisation and we work with 11 to 25—year—olds. and we help upscale and motivate and empower them to make changes in their lives. so we are really pleased to hear that the income for some of our young people will increase. however, those younger than 23 still living in poverty will continue to struggle. tell us about the struggles the young people have been having here. because of this cost—of—living crisis. because of this cost-of-living crisis. ~ ., , ., , ., , crisis. we deal with young people who struggle _ crisis. we deal with young people who struggle with _ crisis. we deal with young people who struggle with mental- crisis. we deal with young people who struggle with mental health, j crisis. we deal with young people i who struggle with mental health, so the barriers they face in their day—to—day lives. they can be huge, that can just be from not being able to afford to go on public transport or evenjust able to to afford to go on public transport or even just able to get themselves out of the door because of social anxiety. the current climate we are in right nowjust intensifies all of those problems for them and it really sets them back on the progress they have made. charlie, the ouna progress they have made. charlie, the young people _ progress they have made. charlie, the young people you _ progress they have made. charlie, the young people you work- progress they have made. charlie, the young people you work with, l the young people you work with, what have they been saying about the cost—of—living crisis and the impact that has on them and their hopes and ambitions and what they want to do? i think from the young people i am

talking _ i think from the young people i am talking to, — i think from the young people i am talking to, it isjust a case of they— talking to, it isjust a case of they have _ talking to, it isjust a case of they have nowhere to go any more. they really— they have nowhere to go any more. they reallyjust want a warm space where _ they reallyjust want a warm space where they— they reallyjust want a warm space where they can sit and have fun with their friends. where they can sit and have fun with theirfriends. but where they can sit and have fun with their friends. but because of the cost of— their friends. but because of the cost of living at the moment, it is really— cost of living at the moment, it is really hard — cost of living at the moment, it is really hard for spaces to open and provide _ really hard for spaces to open and provide that for them. was really hard for spaces to open and provide that for them.— provide that for them. was there alread a provide that for them. was there already a squeeze _ provide that for them. was there already a squeeze on _ provide that for them. was there already a squeeze on that - provide that for them. was there already a squeeze on that kind i provide that for them. was there j already a squeeze on that kind of venue, that kind of forum, youth centres, community centres, other places where people might gather? yes, there was already a squeeze, but even _ yes, there was already a squeeze, but even more so now. with inflation and obviously the cost of energy bills and — and obviously the cost of energy bills and everything, people just cannot— bills and everything, people just cannot afford to keep it open to help other young people and itjust means— help other young people and itjust means young people either have to stay in _ means young people either have to stay in or— means young people either have to stay in or stay out in the cold on the streets. _ stay in or stay out in the cold on the streets, which becomes anti—social behaviour and it causes more _ anti—social behaviour and it causes more complaints. anti-social behaviour and it causes more complaints.— anti-social behaviour and it causes more complaints. amy, it sounds so simle more complaints. amy, it sounds so simple talking _ more complaints. amy, it sounds so simple talking about _ more complaints. amy, it sounds so simple talking about a _ more complaints. amy, it sounds so simple talking about a place - more complaints. amy, it sounds so simple talking about a place to - simple talking about a place to gather, doesn't it? but clearly, it is not something people can take for granted is there.— granted is there. yes, as a charity, we have not _ granted is there. yes, as a charity, we have not seen _

granted is there. yes, as a charity, we have not seen our— granted is there. yes, as a charity, we have not seen our income - we have not seen our income increased so the funding that comes through is not matching that so it means we are restricted in terms of what we can do and provide in terms of the service for our young people and we are seeing youth clubs deteriorate and that is not a lot of them around as much.— deteriorate and that is not a lot of them around as much. where does your fundin: them around as much. where does your funding come — them around as much. where does your funding come from? _ them around as much. where does your funding come from? -- _ them around as much. where does your funding come from? -- there _ them around as much. where does your funding come from? -- there is - them around as much. where does your funding come from? -- there is not - them around as much. where does your funding come from? -- there is not a i funding come from? -- there is not a lot. funding come from? -- there is not a lot- heritage — funding come from? -- there is not a lot. heritage lottery _ funding come from? -- there is not a lot. heritage lottery fund, _ funding come from? -- there is not a lot. heritage lottery fund, we - funding come from? -- there is not a lot. heritage lottery fund, we get. lot. heritage lottery fund, we get it from gloucestershire county council and sometimes, we have other external parties that supporters and donate our charity.— donate our charity. councils have talked a lot _ donate our charity. councils have talked a lot about _ donate our charity. councils have talked a lot about the _ donate our charity. councils have talked a lot about the squeeze i donate our charity. councils have i talked a lot about the squeeze they are under in terms of where they can deliver services so how's your council funding deliver services so how's your councilfunding being cut or is it holding steady so far? that council funding being cut or is it holding steady so far?— holding steady so far? at the moment. _ holding steady so far? at the moment. it _ holding steady so far? at the moment, it is _ holding steady so far? at the moment, it is seaming - holding steady so far? at the moment, it is seaming ok. i holding steady so far? at the - moment, it is seaming 0k. however, we do manage holidays and activities food programme which is funded by the department for education and the county council and we are already seeing a restriction on funding for those so that is targeted for free school meals children and there is also funding for those not on free school meals. but we have to pull

back and provisions, we have to cut providers that run those provisions because we just, there providers that run those provisions because wejust, there is not providers that run those provisions because we just, there is not the funding out there to support a wide variety of service. gm? funding out there to support a wide variety of service.— funding out there to support a wide variety of service. amy and charlie, thank ou variety of service. amy and charlie, thank you so _ variety of service. amy and charlie, thank you so much. _ variety of service. amy and charlie, thank you so much. amy _ variety of service. amy and charlie, thank you so much. amy pickford i variety of service. amy and charlie, i thank you so much. amy pickford and charlie what from the young gloucestershire charity. i talked to a number of people today who have told me about how that squeeze in funding is really having an impact on their lives, on what they are trying to do, the work they are trying to do, the work they are trying to do, including charities like young gloucestershire. a mixed reaction at —— to this budget today. but i think a recognition across the board that people are still facing very tough times ahead. thank you so much. in fact, in the next few minutes, i will be talking to an energy charity as well, so some of that will tie in with what

we were hearing. first, let's get a bit more little reaction. let's talk to the co—leader of the green party, caroline lucas, mp for brighton and kemptown. your thoughts on a budget in whichjeremy hunt said he would still protect the vulnerable? weill. still protect the vulnerable? well, the stories you _ still protect the vulnerable? well, the stories you have _ still protect the vulnerable? well, the stories you have just - still protect the vulnerable? well, the stories you have just been - the stories you have just been hearing from gloucester, i think just demonstrate how desperate people are and frankly, how this girl —— this budget is not going to help them. i am deeply concerned we have a government yet again pushing us into more austerity in the name, frankly, a political ideology rather than economic necessity. because there are political choices here. i lost count of the number of times the chancellor talked about making difficult decisions. that is just code for hitting the poorest people hardest. political choices meant he could for example have chosen to levy a wealth tax on 1% of the richest people, the 1% who are the richest people, the 1% who are the richest people, the 1% who are the richest people, that could have

raised around £70 billion. he could have put in place a proper windfall tax, without the big loopholes which essentially mean oil and gas companies get given lots of that money back if they invest in more oil and gas. it money back if they invest in more oil and gas-— oil and gas. it is going up to 3596, sor to oil and gas. it is going up to 3596, sorry to interrupt, _ oil and gas. it is going up to 3596, sorry to interrupt, the _ oil and gas. it is going up to 3596, sorry to interrupt, the un - oil and gas. it is going up to 3596, sorry to interrupt, the un full - oil and gas. it is going up to 3596, sorry to interrupt, the un full taxj sorry to interrupt, the un full tax will go up to 35%. but sorry to interrupt, the un full tax will go up to 3596.— sorry to interrupt, the un full tax will go up to 3596. but a lot of that money will — will go up to 3596. but a lot of that money will get _ will go up to 3596. but a lot of that money will get given _ will go up to 3596. but a lot of that money will get given back - will go up to 3596. but a lot of that money will get given back to - will go up to 3596. but a lot of that money will get given back to oil. will go up to 3596. but a lot of that l money will get given back to oil and gas companies if they invest in further oil and gas in the north sea, which could not be more perverse if you are trying to make up perverse if you are trying to make up the most perverse thing you could. essentially, you are not taking the tax take which you should from those unexpected windfall profits, plus you are incentivising one of the most damaging ways of creating energy, which is driving the climate emergency. so it was such a wasted opportunity that he didn't close that loophole. not only that, but he's going to throw yet more money at a nuclear white elephants, sizewell c. we know that is going to take years and years, 12, 15 years to come online so it

certainly won't help with the energy security right now. it will be massively expensive. he is prioritising that instead of for example onshore winds, which we know is the cheapest form of energy, it is the cheapest form of energy, it is popular. i don't understand why he would deliberately choose one of the most expensive energy forms that is not going to come online anywhere nearsoon is not going to come online anywhere near soon enough, rather than maximising renewables which are nine times cheaper than gas right now. some sectors are being looked after, pensions benefits going up 10%. i’m pensions benefits going up 1096. i'm lad pensions benefits going up 10%. my glad pensions are going to keep pace with inflation and similarly with the benefits. but if you look at what is happening to public spending overall, the fact that is going to be going down in real terms because evenif be going down in real terms because even if it is not a cut, the fact it is not being increased will mean that essentially, there is less money on those public services, that is what people depend on more than ever at times of difficulty. and

there is simply not going to be the money there for them, the money going into the nhs and social care is nowhere near what is being said we need to do. so again, political choices here. not to levy the wealth taxes, the proper windfall taxes which could properly give us the money we need to invest in public services right now. instead of that, we have got a government frankly thatis we have got a government frankly that is pursuing political ideology, not economic necessity.— not economic necessity. caroline lucas, not economic necessity. caroline lucas. thank _ not economic necessity. caroline lucas, thank you _ not economic necessity. caroline lucas, thank you very _ not economic necessity. caroline lucas, thank you very much, - not economic necessity. caroline lucas, thank you very much, the j lucas, thank you very much, the co—leader of the green party and a brighton mp. i promised we would talk about energy specifically, let's do that. i am joined by chief executive of national energy action, adam scorer. thank you for waiting to to us. there will still be some help on the energy front with energy bills, so your thoughts on what you heard in the autumn statement? you're right, there is some relief benefits have been updated in line with inflation, the targeted package

for people eligible for means—tested benefits is there so there is a bit of relief, but it doesn't really disguise the fact, the hard fact that for millions of people of the cost of their energy bills will get much worse in april for people on low incomes, people are not eligible for means—tested benefits, there is no support for them really, the really vulnerable people, carers, families with young children, people with medical conditions which leave them particularly vulnerable to the cold, they don't get means—tested benefits for those circumstances. so it will be really tough. there's no getting away from the fact the today announcements are an indication people's energy bills will rise and the levels of protection for people on means—tested benefit is welcome, but i know my charity still going to get the same cases in the same sorts of volumes of people just desperate and not knowing what to do to get through the winter and then how to have a sustainable, affordable level of warmth and power in their homes. but tell us about the cases people

contact you about, what are they asking for, what you say to them, how does it work?— asking for, what you say to them, how does it work? well, it is really tou~h. how does it work? well, it is really tough- people _ how does it work? well, it is really tough. people come _ how does it work? well, it is really tough. people come in _ how does it work? well, it is really tough. people come in with - how does it work? well, it is really tough. people come in with a - tough. people come in with a fundamental point, which is they just do not see any way of being able to afford a decent level of heat and power without going into serious problem debt and we know there are some really dangerous coping mechanisms. for instance, one family phoned up saying they were shipping their children to their aunt because they cannot face the fact bringing them up in a cold home. are going foraging for wet pellets over the winter, borrowing from loan sharks and using scratch cards and borrowing from family, so desperate coping medicines —— desperate coping medicines —— desperate coping medicines —— desperate coping mechanisms because they see no way forward. the announcement means—tested benefits announcement mea ns—tested benefits and announcement means—tested benefits and pensions is useful, but it is the edge cases, people not eligible and still on low incomes, they are really going to feel the pain when we get through the winter and into april. i5

we get through the winter and into aril. , ., ., ., a april. is that month of april crucial? no-one _ april. is that month of april crucial? no-one is - april. is that month of april - crucial? no-one is underestimating crucial? no—one is underestimating the challenges and you have described them very well, but we get into april and hopefully very slightly better weather and we don't all need the heating on as much. you are shaking — all need the heating on as much. gm, are shaking your head. that is very true, but we are talking about a typical bill of £2,500 through the winter and not many of us are typical, there are lots of low—income households whose bill would be much bigger than a typical one. you get through that experience carrying debt, not having heated your homes, not sure what the future is going to beat come at next winter is going to beat come at next winter is going to beat come at next winter is going to be tough as well. so there is no real light at the tunnel and i do not expect the volumes of calls into my organisation to let up any time soon. calls into my organisation to let up any time soon-— calls into my organisation to let up any time soon. adam scorer, thank ou so any time soon. adam scorer, thank you so much. _ any time soon. adam scorer, thank you so much. i— any time soon. adam scorer, thank you so much, i can _ any time soon. adam scorer, thank you so much, i can predict - any time soon. adam scorer, thank you so much, i can predict we - any time soon. adam scorer, thank you so much, i can predict we will. you so much, i can predict we will be talking again, but thank you for now. adam scorer is the chief executive of the fuel poverty

charity national energy action. with his response to the changes announced on the measures announced in the autumn statement. continuing coverage of all the measures announced here on bbc news. right now, we will say farewell to viewers watching us around the world. but we are staying, of course, with our coverage of everything the chancellor outlined in the commons this morning. we are trying to get reaction from all different walks of life. let's get some more reaction now and speak to craig bunting, the co—founder of the independent coffee brand bear. he can talk to us about the impact on a business owner such as yourself, i assume you deal with the energy issues we were touching on, but i don't want to put words in your mouth, please tell me what your situation is and whether you have heard anything that can help you. for me, i started bear in 2016 with

my best friend from school so we are two regular guys that wanted to start a business and help grow and create something we love. myjob is to manage the costs coming into our business to make sure the wages can be paid, the goods can be brought, food prices going up so i want to make sure the numbers are covered so we are still here in the future. so what was announced today, elements of it could be a light at the end of the tunnel, the rates reform, there was some loose language around things that could be good there, but thatis things that could be good there, but that is in march and april so who is bridging the gap and getting us from christmas to march and april? what does that look like? there was not enough for me that would say that the government are interested in supporting a sector such as hospitality, which is in my opinion fabric to society. haifa hospitality, which is in my opinion fabric to society.— hospitality, which is in my opinion fabric to society. how many people do ou fabric to society. how many people do you employ _ fabric to society. how many people do you employ and _ fabric to society. how many people do you employ and have _ fabric to society. how many people do you employ and have you - fabric to society. how many people do you employ and have you beenl fabric to society. how many people - do you employ and have you been able to retain all your staff, or have

rising bills and all the things we know about pushed you into having to lay people off? give us a sense of how you have been managing the last few months. brute how you have been managing the last few months-— few months. we employ around 100 --eole, few months. we employ around 100 people. which _ few months. we employ around 100 people. which is— few months. we employ around 100 people, which is for _ few months. we employ around 100 people, which is for me, _ few months. we employ around 100 people, which is for me, i _ few months. we employ around 100 people, which is for me, i am - few months. we employ around 100 people, which is for me, i am a - people, which is for me, i am a normal guy with a best friend that started a business and we have 100 staff, that is a huge responsibility and a huge weight to carry. we have not had to lay anyone off and we have hired more people because we are going into what could be a busy season into christmas. but it is knowing what will happen after christmas as costs start to pinch even harder, as heating has to go up and people do maybe decide to cut back on football drops, what happens then with the staff we have got? we always do whatever we can to retain as many people as possible because we want to invest and grow and the government need to recognise our sector, businesses like mine and my best friend michael, we started it from nothing, we have created over 100 jobs and these jobs for such an array of people, people that will be

lawyers in the future. they are at university doing law degrees and earning money, people that will have careers in hospitality, it is such a beautiful industry that the government, i don't think they recognise how fundamental it is to economic growth at all. it is recognise how fundamental it is to economic growth at all.— economic growth at all. it is really lovel to economic growth at all. it is really lovely to talk _ economic growth at all. it is really lovely to talk to _ economic growth at all. it is really lovely to talk to you _ economic growth at all. it is really lovely to talk to you and _ lovely to talk to you and interesting to talk to someone who has started a business from the ground up, thank you so much. no pun intended, you work on coffee! no pun intended, you work on coffee! no pun intended, i promise you, i do love coffee! perhaps we'll talk again, thank you very much indeed, craig bunting is the co—founder of the independent coffee brand bear. employing around 100 people and the challenges facing a business of that sort of size. hopefully, we will talk to him again. much more coverage coming up of course in the six o'clock news. we were just take a look at the weather prospects, also very important.

the heaviest of the rain wilful in eastern scotland overnight. there is an amber warning for aberdeenshire, around the cairngorm. so the forecast for tomorrow morning shows plenty of bright and generally dry weather across the bulk of southern england, wales and northern ireland, but the wet weather remains in scotland. eventually, the amber warning expires from eastern scotland as the rain eases, but you can see still rain around through the afternoon. temperatures on friday typically around nine to 12 celsius. how about the weekend? it is going to be a bit of a mixed bag. i think on saturday, many of us should have a decent day, but rain eventually reaches belfast on saturday. goodbye.

tonight at 6:00pm, millions of people will pay more in tax and for their energy as the chancellor unveils his plans for the economy. jeremy hunt say the most vulnerable will be protected as the uk faces its highest level of tax since world war ii and the biggest fall in living standards on record. tonight at 6:00pm, millions of people will pay more in tax i have tried to be fair by following two broad principles. firstly, we ask those with more to contribute more. and secondly, we avoid the tax rises that damage growth. the conservatives have picked the pockets of purses and wallets of the entire country, as the chancellor has deployed a raft of stealth taxes taking billions of pounds from ordinary working people. help with energy bills will be cut back —

from april typical bill will rise from £2,500 to £3,000 a year.