this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm maxine croxall. our top stories: a high court in pakistan orders police to halt their operation to arrest former prime minister imran khan until thursday following clashes between police and his supporters. shares in the swiss banking giant credit suisse fall to a record low as investors remain worried after the collapse of silicon valley bank. the uk chancellor sets out his spring budget in parliament. extra help for childcare and scrapping the limit on tax—free pension savings are part of the government's plans. conflicting accounts from washington and moscow as a us drone crashes into the black sea, after an encounter with a russian fighter jet.

and a small number of wolves settle in belgium for the first time in more than 100 years, as numbers rise across europe. hello and welcome to bbc news. in pakistan, authorities have temporarily stopped the operation to arrest the former prime minister imran khan. police have clashed with his supporters outside his residence in lahore. unrest has continued through the night, after the authoroities made another attempt to arrest him, enforcing a court order. imran kahn accused the authorities, of acting outside the law. pakistan's information minister said the government had nothing to do with the move, but the court was only trying to enforce the arrest warant in connection with a corruption case.

carrie davies reports. police have now left the stretch by zaman park. the police might have left but the remnants of what happened here have not lost can see the charred remains of burned chairs, rocks on the floor. we know from eyewitnesses that there were rocks and sticks used by the pti supporters. we also know the supporters used water cannon and tier gas and it is that tear gas you can still sense in the air, you can feel it in the back of your eyes and throat. this is because the police arrived yesterday afternoon, saying they intended to arrest mr khan and that is because they say he did not turn up to multiple court appearances. imran khan has said he didn't appear because of security concerns. he was worried about his own safety, turning up to those caught appearances. we had from the minister of information the police operation has been temporarily

suspended and that is because the pakistan super league, cricket tournament, is ongoing and there is due to be a semifinal happening in lahore tonight. at the moment, there is a lot of disruption has meant the city... supporters who have not suggested... inaudible carrie davies reporting from pakistan. financial markets are down across europe, as turmoil continues in the banking sector. shares in credit suisse have fallen as much as 25% to a record low, for the second consecutive day. investors remain on edge after the collapse of silicon valley bank. this, after credit suisse�*s largest investor, saudi national bank, said it could not provide the swiss bank with any further financial assistance. let's get more on this with our business presenter ben thompson. let's wind back a bit and remind ourselves what happened last week? banking on the financial services industries in the spotlight because of those problems of silicon valley

bank. that essentially was caused by a run. many people remember similar scenes at northern rock which prompted the financial crisis of 2008. they're some of the largest bank to collapse since 2008, the 19th largest bank in the us. this time it is very different, we should be clear. this is a very specific set of circumstances but it is all related to the fact interest rates are rising. we know that. central banks around the world are raising interest rates to try and keep a lid on rising prices, to keep inflation down. that essentially causes problems for how banks operate. what banks tend to do is borrow in the short term and are lending the long term. they make money by paying a certain amount of interest on what we save with them and charge interest on what you might borrow from them. as soon as the gap starts to narrow, it causes problems for their business model. so there is a lot of attention on the banking industry right now. that was one of the problems but silicon valley bank. we should be clearfor

the problems but silicon valley bank. we should be clear for credit suisse, it is a different set of problems. they have been facing issues for a number of years. this relates to some of their investments, some mismanagement. they were caught up in a money—laundering scandal is that they made record losses in 2022. the bus is midway through a big restructuring, they have laid off 9000 staff and forced to sell off some of their crown jewel assets to pay for it. credit suisse is in a different position but all of this, as you rightly said, related to the fact banks are suddenly under scrutiny and if people want to take their money out, those that are already looking a bit dicey might find it a bit difficult. but already looking a bit dicey might find it a bit difficult.— find it a bit difficult. but if credit suisse's _ find it a bit difficult. but if credit suisse's largest - find it a bit difficult. but if - credit suisse's largest investor is saying don't look to us, what are they supposed to do? that saying don't look to us, what are they supposed to do?— saying don't look to us, what are they supposed to do? that is the issue. they supposed to do? that is the issue- saudi _ they supposed to do? that is the issue. saudi national— they supposed to do? that is the issue. saudi national bank - they supposed to do? that is the l issue. saudi national bank bought they supposed to do? that is the i issue. saudi national bank bought a 10% stake in credit suisse in october of last year. what they have said as they are not prepared to put more money in to increase their state. so it is very difficult to see where we go because the swiss

government, the swiss central bank, might decide it needs to prop up if it needs to step in to save the bank. you will be aware of the phrase too big to fail. we are not at that stage yet but nonetheless, the scrutiny right now is what happens to it? and whether they have enough cash ready cash, and that is theissue enough cash ready cash, and that is the issue here, liquid cash, to meet their obligations should people want their obligations should people want their money. that is when this all starts to fall apart, is of investors start going to the bank and asking for their money. they are not at that stage yet but there is a lot of scrutiny in credit suisse and thatis lot of scrutiny in credit suisse and that is why we have seen their shares fall, at one point down about 25%. i looked at the numbers, they are about 18% lower on the day but it sort of gets us to a very difficult position and there will be now people looking for a lot of answers. we have heard from the chief executive of credit suisse who says they are stable and can meet their demands but nonetheless, none of this looks good right now when there is a lot of nervousness by the banking industry. ben there is a lot of nervousness by the banking industry.— banking industry. ben thompson, thank yom _

the us and russia are giving conflicting accounts about how an american surveillance drone plunged into the black sea. washington says two russian jets tried to intercept the drone, before striking a propeller. russia's ambassador to the us has denied any collision took place and claimed the aircraft's presence was a provocation. here's our north america correspondent, peter bowes. an american mq—9 drone and two russian fighterjets. their encounter, according to the pentagon, lasted up to a0 minutes in international airspace. they were over the black sea, where tensions have risen ever since russia's annexation of crimea in 2014. and where us surveillance airdraft have been flying regularly since the start of the war last year. the pentagon says one of the russian jets moved in front of the drone and eventually forced the unmanned aerial vehicle, or uav, to crash into the sea. it was a complete loss of the aircraft. we are continuing to assess exactly what happened but i think, based on the actions of the russian

pilots, it was clear it was unsafe, unprofessional and i think the actions speak for themselves. what we saw, again, were fighter aircraft dumping fuel in front of this uav and then getting so close to the aircraft that it actually damaged the propeller on the mq-9. we assess that it likely caused some damage to the russian aircraft as well. russia's ambassador to the us called the drone's presence a provocation. he said the aircraft's transponder, which is used to avoid mid—air collisions, was switched off and it had violated what russia calls the temporary airspace regime, established since it attacked ukraine. the us says the russian pilots were reckless. but was it deliberate or a careless mistake that caused the drone to crash into the sea? an error that risks escalating tensions between washington and moscow.

the pentagon is engaging in diplo speak here, but it's clear that if you are flying in front of the drone, slowing down to match speed, dumping fuel on it, this is a deliberate attempt to bring down the drone, absolutely. the pentagon announced with this that this isn't first time they've had these kind of incidents but it seems to be the worst, the first time the russians have attempted to bring the drone at all the way down instead ofjust harassing it. so i think it is a serious escalation at this point. this is the first publicly acknowledged confrontation between the us and russia since its invasion of ukraine. for now, it's led to a war of words but the longer—term consequences are far from clear. peter bowes, bbc news. robert fox, defence editor at the evening standard newspaper in london says it's difficult to determine at this stage what to believe. the fact is the american account has been consistent and the russians

have changed their version. first of all, they seemed to admit that there had been a contact and damaged the propeller of the drone and then that there hadn't been. but i think there's something rather ominous in the russian statement, in that they are saying this is a temporary violation of their temporary regime of airspace which they have declared over crimea and its adjacent waters. more problems could be on their way. how great is the activity at the moment in this part of the world and by whom? really huge. it's pretty huge. there's a lot of surveillance activity. we know that the raf has been down there with aircraft. electronic warfare facilities. they are watching all the time. there is a very well organised nato patrol along the borders of confrontation with russia,

and i think that there is a sense of paranoia on the part of moscow, in that they are being continually restricted and looked at and the sense of paranoia will be reinforced if finland joins nato, which is expected very soon. so how does this situation get de—escalated and by whom? well, i think it's very difficult to see because there is no doubt that things like the drone are very important in building up the intelligence and the digital picture of what's going on in a hot conflict, in ukraine. this is the way intelligence is gathered, coordinates are gathered, so they can see where reinforcements are coming up to the russian forces, along that area which is terribly and bitterly contested at the moment, the donbas, and two or three other battle grounds as well, they can look at that and i think it's pretty clear they're passing on the information.

it's a vital intelligence asset to the ukrainians, so i think they will try to avoid from this a further confrontation because it does mean a nato military piece of military equipment being damaged or attacked or aggressed, one might say, by russia. and that really is very risky. just finally and briefly, robert, what are you hearing in terms of the varying political views of how this should be approached in the united states? i think it's going to be quite cool in the united states because i know that the military command is concerned at the change of complexion, particularly in the lower house, the house of representatives, where you are getting an almost isolationist wing of the new republican right, so it will be softly softly from here. robert fox, the defence editor at

the london evening standard newspaper. it's a big day in uk politics with the country's spring budget unveiled in the house of commons by the chancellorjeremy hunt, the first since the political turmoil that proceeded rishi sunak becoming prime minister. mr hunt said the uk will avoid a recession and he hailed a british economy that he said is "proving the doubters wrong". for more on this, i'm joined by sir steve webb, former minister of state for pensions under the coalition government. thank you very much for coming in. the reason we have invited you in is there has been a bit of a shock on pensions today in the budget. just explain if you would what has been announced. explain if you would what has been announced-— explain if you would what has been announced. that is right, there is a lifetime limit _ announced. that is right, there is a lifetime limit on _ announced. that is right, there is a lifetime limit on how _ announced. that is right, there is a lifetime limit on how much - announced. that is right, there is a lifetime limit on how much you - announced. that is right, there is a lifetime limit on how much you can j lifetime limit on how much you can build up in a pension and enjoy tax relief on your pension contributions. it was rumoured that would be increased after a decade of cuts and the chancellor said i am not going to increase it but scrap it altogether. so there is now no lifetime limit, only an annual limit and that has gone up as well. what and that has gone up as well. what is the reaction _

and that has gone up as well. what is the reaction been _ and that has gone up as well. what is the reaction been in _ and that has gone up as well. what is the reaction been in the - and that has gone up as well. what is the reaction been in the industry and politically?— and politically? over the last 24 hours this has _ and politically? over the last 24 hours this has been _ and politically? over the last 24 hours this has been trailed - and politically? over the last 24 hours this has been trailed in i hours this has been trailed in particular today, people have been shocked. we got so used to the idea tax breaks on pensions would be cut every year. will he cut tax free lump sums? after successive chancellors have done this year after year, this is a screeching u—turn, some would say 18 months before an election but partly driven by the doctors. there is an argument that says senior nhs doctors had been retiring early because of tax limits and he seems to have dealt with that problem. but limits and he seems to have dealt with that problem.— limits and he seems to have dealt with that problem. but that will not 'ust benefit with that problem. but that will not just benefit doctors, _ with that problem. but that will not just benefit doctors, will— with that problem. but that will not just benefit doctors, will it? - with that problem. but that will not just benefit doctors, will it? they . just benefit doctors, will it? they headline reason for this is from a uk economy point of view, the government says they want to get more economically inactive people back into the workforce. how likely is it that this measure will do that, do you think? i is it that this measure will do that, do you think?— is it that this measure will do that, do you think? i think with the exce tion that, do you think? i think with the exception of _ that, do you think? i think with the exception of doctors _ that, do you think? i think with the exception of doctors who _ that, do you think? i think with the exception of doctors who are - that, do you think? i think with the exception of doctors who are a - exception of doctors who are a specifics case, the evidence is people who are retired don't want to come back. they are so said, no, no.

the people who are out of work and want to be back at the long term sick and disabled and although there were some budget members for that group, £1 billion spent. 50 were some budget members for that group, £1 billion spent.— group, £1 billion spent. so the beneficiaries _ group, £1 billion spent. so the beneficiaries are _ group, £1 billion spent. so the beneficiaries are people - group, £1 billion spent. so the beneficiaries are people who l group, £1 billion spent. so the l beneficiaries are people who are already quite well off that might not come back to work but what is the impact on the treasury come on us, the taxpayer? the impact on the treasury come on us. the taxnayer?— us, the taxpayer? ultimately it will be £1 us, the taxpayer? ultimately it will be it billion _ us, the taxpayer? ultimately it will be £1 billion less _ us, the taxpayer? ultimately it will be £1 billion less tax _ us, the taxpayer? ultimately it will be £1 billion less tax revenue. - us, the taxpayer? ultimately it will be £1 billion less tax revenue. if. be £1 billion less tax revenue. if people shovel money back into their pensions, that money that doesn't get taxed and that is less money for the general population and for younger people in particular, who in a sense are subsidising relatively well off people, shovelling more money into their pensions. sir steve webb, thank — money into their pensions. sir steve webb. thank you — for your time. at at least 17 people have died in iran while celebrating a fire festival which the authorities disapprove of. the authorities say the deaths were caused by home—made fireworks. parham ghobadi reports. "forfreedom", they sing, burning their headscarves.

this is the fire festival in iran, an ancient persian ritual. a chance to dance. but this year, to also protest. scenes like these can potentially lead to your arrest in iran. dancing in public, especially without a hijab, is not tolerated by the islamic regime. like these girls, who were immediately arrested last week when their video went viral. they were released after making a public apology. but iran's generation z, who has been at the forefront of anti—government protest which swept the country in september, has shown no fear. in this video, verified by bbc persian, protesters in the capital, tehran, threw handmade fireworks at the riot police as they tried to move in. the iranian authorities have given a muted response,

focusing on the number of dead from the fireworks. translation: this year, - at least 26 people were killed, which is five more than last year. the protests started after the death of a young kurdish woman, mahsa amini, in police custody for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. "woman, life, freedom" is the chant. young people have not forgiven or forgotten. here in a northern city, they shout that iran's supreme leader, ayatollah khomeini, will be overthrown this year. they say they want an end to the clerical establishment. parham ghobadi, bbc news. more than 200 people

are now known to have been killed in malawi — in one of the most powerful storms to ever hit southern africa. dozens of children are among the dead, and almost 20,000 people have been displaced. the country's already battling one of the worst cholera outbreaks in two decades, with warnings it could now get worse. in an unusual weather pattern — it's the second time in a month that storm freddy has struck southern africa — previously hitting neighbouring mozambique and madagascar before reaching malawi. the rain is expected to continue for a few days still, hampering the efforts of aid organisations. human rights watch says the united arab emirates is arbitrarily detaining up to 2,700 afghan asylum seekers in increasingly miserable conditions. the campaign group says many afghans are suffering from psychological problems and their children lack adequate education. interviewed detainees complained of overcrowding in insect—infested makeshift housing, with strict limits on their mobility. to get more on this, i am joined by aalia farzan of the bbc afghan service.

you have been speaking to some of the refugees, what have they been telling you? 50 the refugees, what have they been telling you?— telling you? so as i spoke to some ofthe telling you? so as i spoke to some of the refugees _ telling you? so as i spoke to some of the refugees from _ telling you? so as i spoke to some of the refugees from the _ telling you? so as i spoke to some of the refugees from the camp, i telling you? so as i spoke to some i of the refugees from the camp, they told us the same exact stories. they told us the same exact stories. they told us the same exact stories. they told us that they are living in a prison, as they describe. they say that we do not have the permission to get out of the camp and whenever we want to go to do shopping, get groceries or whenever we want to go and have fresh air, they do not let us. also, as i spoke to one mother who has been living there for more than a year, she said that she has been very worried about her children's education and in that camp they do not have access to any proper educational courses or centres. also, as it came in the report, she said they are living in small rooms with bugs and insects, that she was very worried about her children. also as i spoke to another person in the camp, he said that

they have been dealing with anxiety and stress. it is all because their situation is not clear and they do not know what comes next. moise situation is not clear and they do not know what comes next. now this is not 'ust not know what comes next. now this is notjust happening _ not know what comes next. now this is notjust happening in _ not know what comes next. now this is notjust happening in the - not know what comes next. now this is notjust happening in the uae, - not know what comes next. now this is notjust happening in the uae, is l is notjust happening in the uae, is it, where else are afghans finding they are stuck? liihie it, where else are afghans finding they are stuck?— it, where else are afghans finding they are stuck? uae is not the only country that _ they are stuck? uae is not the only country that afghans _ they are stuck? uae is not the only country that afghans fled _ they are stuck? uae is not the only country that afghans fled to. - they are stuck? uae is not the only country that afghans fled to. so . they are stuck? uae is not the only country that afghans fled to. so as| country that afghans fled to. so as their country collapsed, many people, thousands of afghans fled to neighbouring countries, iran and pakistan. i have been speaking to them like every day and they have terrible stories. they are short on money, they cannot find a proper job. even they cannot rent homes because most of their visas have been expired and they do not have the access to renew their visas. yes, they are living in tough situations.— yes, they are living in tough situations. ., i, i, situations. you evacuated from afghanistan —

situations. you evacuated from afghanistan only _ situations. you evacuated from afghanistan only last _ situations. you evacuated from afghanistan only last august. | situations. you evacuated from - afghanistan only last august. when you hear these stories, what does it remind you of, what memories does it bring up for you? remind you of, what memories does it bring no for you?— bring up for you? actually, it is very sad- _ bring up for you? actually, it is very sad. sometimes _ bring up for you? actually, it is very sad. sometimes i - bring up for you? actually, it is very sad. sometimes i think. bring up for you? actually, it is very sad. sometimes i think if| bring up for you? actually, it isj very sad. sometimes i think if i didn't have the privilege to work with the bbc and been evacuated to the uk, that could be me and i would be hanging out with those people in refugee camps. the sad thing is when you speak with them, as i have with my family back in afghanistan, even though they are living in tough situations, they think about their families back in afghanistan. i spoke to one of them, a gentleman who had been evacuated without his family. he said, i don't care what i am doing here and what i am going through, i think about my family backin through, i think about my family back in afghanistan. it's very sad and it kind of makes me feel about the situation in afghanistan, the tough situation of those people. finally, what are the host countries where this is happening, what are

they saying about why they are not giving them more freedom? actually, ma be it is giving them more freedom? actually, maybe it is their _ giving them more freedom? actually, maybe it is their own _ giving them more freedom? actually, maybe it is their own policies - giving them more freedom? actually, maybe it is their own policies that - maybe it is their own policies that so far what happens to the people in uae, they are waiting for their cases to be improved or they are waiting for the un to respond to them and pave the way for their evacuation and evacuate them to other countries. tibia evacuation and evacuate them to other countries.— evacuation and evacuate them to other countries. ok, aalia farzan from the bbc _ other countries. ok, aalia farzan from the bbc afghan _ other countries. ok, aalia farzan from the bbc afghan service, - other countries. ok, aalia farzan i from the bbc afghan service, thank you for bringing it to our attention. this may surprise you. the number of wolves in europe and the area that they roam in is growing. some people, such as conservationists, welcome the news. others, including farmers, say it's deeply alarming. around 19,000 wolves are thought to be living across 27 european countries. the impact on farmers has led some members of the european parliament to push to reduce the legal protections presently in place for wolves. this report from our correspondent, jessica parker. 0n heathland in the east of belgium, a pack of wolves is on patrol,

curious about a camera set up to track them. searching for signs of wolves in the area, jan, a researcher, knows exactly what to look for. so, this is wolf faeces? this is wolf faeces, yeah. what remains after the rain is just some hairs of the prey. why are their numbers growing in europe and why are they back in belgium — for the first time in over 100 years? the reason they are back is mainly legal protection. from the early �*90s, really a lot has happened in europe and the wolves really started to disperse all over the continent. the wolves sometimes roam here in this forest, and this is one of the cameras that is keeping an eye on them. there's up to 40 of these across this part of eastern belgium and it tracks the wolves' movements, their well being, whether they might have been injured, as well as their numbers throughout the year. but also traceable are the rising attacks on livestock that's led eu lawmakers to challenge the wolves' protected status.

joan, a farmer, says he's lost dozens of sheep and that current compensation fails to cover the true cost. every morning when we look through the field, you are afraid to find some sheep killed. some people might say you just need to build a betterfence. yes, we can use more wires, use more sticks, but i don't think — a wolf—proof fence exists. the wolf is so smart, he over runs every fence. here, in its jaws, a wolf holds a baby wild boar. its mother gives chase but it's too late. wolves are predators, with warnings their growing numbers in europe cannot go unchecked. here we have another wolf print. but why are they a positive thing? why is it positive that they're back? well, first of all, of course, you need to maybe also ask if everything has to have a positive

effect on the way we see it as humans. some animals alsojust have a right to exist, notjust because we find them useful. these evasive creatures can be hard to spot, but across this densely—populated region, their presence is getting noticed. jessica parker, bbc news, belgium. let's just remind you of the big political news here in the uk. the chancellorjeremy hunt has been setting out his budget in his spring statements. he has delivered it to the house of commons in parliament, saying that it will draw people back into the workforce. the emphasis here on growth. the opposition, for their part, have responded by saying their part, have responded by saying the government is out of touch and putting the country on a path of managed decline. the chancellor disagrees, though. he is trying to draw people back by offering more

tax—free pension contributions and free childcare for parents. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @martinebbc thank you for watching. hello. this week we are seeing some big swings in temperature from one day to the next. and we've got more of the same just around the corner. we had a very cold start to the morning with temperatures down at minus ten. but over the next 24 hours or so, milder air will be pushing right the way across the uk, bringing a bigjump in our temperatures. today, though, quite cold, temperatures around seven or eight degrees celsius pretty widely. but if you take a look at the highs in londonderry, we're going from eight today to about 15 degrees celsius tomorrow. so you will notice that change to much milder weather. before we get there, though, as i say, today is a relatively cold day with temperatures below average, a sunny and frosty start. but now things are starting to cloud over.

and in northern ireland, we're seeing rain moving in, and there have been a few flakes of snowjust on the leading edge of this weather front across some of the hills in northern ireland. but during this evening, as that weather system bumps into the cold air, we could see a spell of snow across the hills of northern england and scotland, the snow lasting longest to the north of the central lowlands and could bring some localised areas of disruption. but then later in the night, there'll be another push of much milder air as the next band of rain works in. and so temperatures will be climbing significantly. by the end of the night, nine or ten degrees celsius pretty widely and even across northern scotland will see temperatures climbing well above freezing. now for thursday, we've got that mild flow of southwesterly winds, but it will be quite a wet and quite a windy kind of day. the rain heavy enough to cause some localised surface waterflooding issues, the weather slowly brightening up in northern ireland i think as we go through the afternoon, but with the risk of some heavy and thundery showers later in the day. temperatures 14, 15 degrees celsius. so it will be a lot milder. even northern scotland, ten in aberdeen, still relatively cold though in lerwick. for friday, we might see some fairly prolonged outbreaks of rain affecting eastern areas of england.

otherwise, i think it's going to be a cloudy day with some heavy bursts of rain around, the heaviest probably across western areas of the uk, maybe even a bit of thunder mixed in. still mild, temperatures could go as high as 16 degrees in newcastle as we end the week. and then for the weekend, still lots of cloud around on saturday with bursts of rain, sunday probably showers, a few brighter spells in between, but still overall, quite a lot of cloud expected. and then if we take a quick look at the weather into next week, well, it looks like for some of us the colder air will return.

this is bbc news, the headlines... a high court in the pakistani city of lahore has ordered police to halt their operation to arrest main opposition leader and former prime minister imran khan until thursday following clashes between police and his supporters. shares in the troubled swiss banking giant credit suisse fall to a record low as investors remain worried about the problems it faces following the fallout from the collapse of silicon valley bank and signature bank. the uk chancellorjeremy hunt sets out his spring budget in parliament — extra help for childcare and scrapping the limit on tax—free pension savings are part of the government's

plans to draw people back into the workforce. conflicting accounts from washington and moscow as a us drone crashes into the black sea after an encounter with russian fighterjets — ukraine's foreign minister says incidents like this are inevitable until russia leave crimea. you're watching bbc news. let's return to one of our top stories. the chancellorjeremy hunt has been setting out his budget — pledging to "build for the future". the uk economy is set to shrink this year — but it is no longer expected to enter a recession. mr hunt also says the inflation forecast is to fall from above 10% — to just under 3% by the end of 2023. but the labour leader, sir keir starmer, accuses the government of "dressing up stagnation as stability". well, let's look at some of the key moments of the budget: energy bills for a typical household in britain will continue to be capped at £2,500 until the end ofjune. the 5p cut to fuel duty on petrol

and diesel has been frozen for another year. the duty on draught pints has also been frozen to help — in the words ofjeremy hunt — "the great british pub". but people drinking at home will see tax on other alcohol products — like wine and spirits — soar by 10.1% in august — in line with inflation during the peak of the cost—of—living crisis. the lifetime limit on tax—free pensions savings will be abolished. in addition, the annual tax—free pension allowance will rise to £60,000. and free childcare of 30 hours a week for working parents in england is being expanded to cover one and two—year—olds — but will only be fully implemented by september 2025. let's get more on this with shaun ley who's outside westminster, at college green. welcome to you and everybody watching at westminster. the big uestion watching at westminster. the big question is. _ watching at westminster. the big question is, did _ watching at westminster. the big question is, did it _ watching at westminster. the big question is, did it deliver - watching at westminster. the big question is, did it deliver is - watching at westminster. the big question is, did it deliver is back| question is, did it deliver is back to work budget, a for growth? carrie rutland is a partner in bdo, an accountancy and business advisory firm.

let's deal with a couple of points. 0n the taxation side, the changes he made to taxation, some of which he said were designed to encourage people back into the workforce, or to discourage them from leaving altogether, senior doctors were used as an example, retiring from the nhs, it is a massive disadvantage to them if they carry on because there pension will be penalised. i them if they carry on because there pension will be penalised.— pension will be penalised. i don't think oeoole _ pension will be penalised. i don't think people actually _ pension will be penalised. i don't think people actually retire - pension will be penalised. i don't i think people actually retire because of their pension pot, i think people retire because of the pressure and stress in the nhs if we are picking doctors, or because they want to do other things, so it is a nice measure but i do not think it will solve the problem. the measure but i do not think it will solve the problem.— measure but i do not think it will solve the problem. the other focus is on the abolition _ solve the problem. the other focus is on the abolition of _ solve the problem. the other focus is on the abolition of the _ solve the problem. the other focus is on the abolition of the lifetime . is on the abolition of the lifetime pension allowance which presumably is again hoping to make sure some of the discrepancies caused by the taxation system interact are

eliminated and labour will clearly attack this as a thing which will favour the wealthiest people. does it have any other impact on public finances? ., , i finances? one of the things which the government _ finances? one of the things which the government announced - finances? one of the things which the government announced and l finances? one of the things which i the government announced and they are doing it in the autumn is allowing pension companies to invest more in high—tech companies and in the economy, so that will boost growth in the economy and that was a long—term good measure, and allowing people to put more into the pension pot will trickle down to those high—tech companies who need the funding. high-tech companies who need the fundin. �* i, funding. between the long-term measures. _ funding. between the long-term measures. in — funding. between the long-term measures, in a _ funding. between the long-term measures, in a sense _ funding. between the long-term measures, in a sense this - funding. between the long-term measures, in a sense this is - funding. between the long-term measures, in a sense this is the| measures, in a sense this is the problem that the chancellor has, growth has been anaemic, he is going, well, we avoided recession, but the growth figures are pretty anaemic, and the economy will shrink very slightly, although not hit the technical measure of two quarters in succession of restriction which would make it a recession. but the growth pencilled in is not that strong and it is not that strong

when you get beyond the next election in 18 months' time? the key thin that election in 18 months' time? the key thing that businesses _ election in 18 months' time? the key thing that businesses want _ election in 18 months' time? the key thing that businesses want is - thing that businesses want is stability and there was a lot of talk about a road map for reducing taxes but it looks like we are in a high tax economy and incentives and relief designed to encourage innovation and capital spend, so we have ended up with a more complex tax system it when we are not necessarily —— and not necessarily the stability and certainty that businesses were looking for. the chancellor _ businesses were looking for. the chancellor in _ businesses were looking for. the chancellor in 2010 talked about tax simplification and a flatter system of taxation where basically everybody knew where they stood and a lot of these wrinkles were eliminated. we seem to have added more wrinkles into the system. definitely there's more complexity and the budget adds to that. good news for accountants! _ and the budget adds to that. good news for accountants! keeps - and the budget adds to that. good news for accountants! keeps us i and the budget adds to that. good news for accountants! keeps us in | news for accountants! keeps us in business! the _ news for accountants! keeps us in business! the government - news for accountants! keeps us in i business! the government documents are talk about simplification so if you look at tax regimes aligned into one regime, but we are a long way

from getting there, so may be in the future. ~ ., i, from getting there, so may be in the future. ~ ., ., ,~ from getting there, so may be in the future. ~ ., i, m i, from getting there, so may be in the future. ~ ., i, , i, ., ~ future. what would you have liked the chancellor _ future. what would you have liked the chancellor to _ future. what would you have liked the chancellor to do _ future. what would you have liked the chancellor to do today? i future. what would you have liked the chancellor to do today? you i future. what would you have liked i the chancellor to do today? you are impartial and you do not care who is in government, as long as there is a government and they are making decisions, so what would you have liked to have seen that he did not do this year and he might consider doing further down the line? in the autumn or the last budget before they face the voters again? more funding for _ they face the voters again? more funding for innovation _ they face the voters again? more funding for innovation and i funding for innovation and early—stage companies because ai, vinter, life sciences, they are the heart blood of the uk economy —— for intact. i think a more targeted relief in those areas.— intact. i think a more targeted relief in those areas. thanks for “oinin relief in those areas. thanks for joining ns- _ relief in those areas. thanks for joining ns- we _ relief in those areas. thanks for joining us. we are _ relief in those areas. thanks for joining us. we are going - relief in those areas. thanks for joining us. we are going to i relief in those areas. thanks for joining us. we are going to talk| relief in those areas. thanks for l joining us. we are going to talk to our political correspondent now. the chancellor spoke for an hour, and he gave all those statistics, but he

stressed that it was a budget of good news and that the fact is, since october things are heading down again, but it looks better than it would have looked before october, and what he forgot to explain, i'm sure he did not forget, but what he chose not to explain is the reason that borrowing costs spike is the so—called fiscal and —— event delivered by his predecessor, which the markets reacted to, and then liz truss was driven from office. less than six months ago those extraordinary political events that made it the shortest serving prime minister of modern times, and saw a spike in borrowing costs, mortgage cost, orthe spike in borrowing costs, mortgage cost, or the extra pressures that were added to the other things like the war and inflation. things have calmed down but, waters are not necessarily leaving the government in a happier political position? ——

calm waters. in a happier political position? -- calm watere— in a happier political position? -- calm waters. they are still wading in the oroblem — calm waters. they are still wading in the problem is _ calm waters. they are still wading in the problem is if _ calm waters. they are still wading in the problem is if you _ calm waters. they are still wading in the problem is if you like, i calm waters. they are still wading in the problem is if you like, to i in the problem is if you like, to extend your metaphor, and what this was about, cast your mind back, you had the big problem, the big mess with the kamikaze budget, it was called, jeremy hunt brought in to stabilise things, this is about continuing that to try to say, we are getting back on course, trying to start to deliver, so you see things on child care and trying to get people into the workforce or keep them in the workforce, but essentially the figures are not pretty. you look at what has been talked about, living standards, incomes, still far out, 2027, looking like we still won't be any better off than back in 2020 according to the figures that came out with this budget. the 0br figures, the pamphlet that comes alongside it.

figures, the pamphlet that comes alongside it— figures, the pamphlet that comes alonside it. :: :: i, i, i, alongside it. 2022-2024, on average incomes will — alongside it. 2022-2024, on average incomes will have _ alongside it. 2022-2024, on average incomes will have fallen _ alongside it. 2022-2024, on average incomes will have fallen in _ alongside it. 2022-2024, on average incomes will have fallen in real i incomes will have fallen in real terms by about 5.8% which is a big hit to people already being hit by other things like inflation. yes. other things like inflation. yes, exactl , other things like inflation. yes, exactly. and — other things like inflation. yes, exactly, and that _ other things like inflation. yes, exactly, and that is _ other things like inflation. yes, exactly, and that is what i other things like inflation. yes, exactly, and that is what is i other things like inflation. me: exactly, and that is what is driving it. right now what people are feeling is the hit. that will be, things will be slightly better, but not much better, so the question is going to be for people at home, around the uk, they are not going to feel very different, really, in a couple of years down the line, and the measures in this, they might have some impact, in terms of getting people into the workforce, but even those will take time, so the childcare thing is a big deal, of course. it the childcare thing is a big deal, of course. , ., ,., the childcare thing is a big deal, of course. , i, i, of course. it is also about getting enou:h of course. it is also about getting enough oeoole — of course. it is also about getting enough people into _ of course. it is also about getting enough people into the _ of course. it is also about getting enough people into the childcare | enough people into the childcare business, as well, and we will hear more about that shortly. those over

the age of 50, trying to tempt them back in, that is another issue, and the opposition parties will focus everything in on the abolition of the limits on lifetime, the amount of money can pay into your pension pot, which affects a relatively small proportion of the population but presumably they will say, you are doing something for them, what are doing something for them, what are you doing for everybody else? that is the difficulty with that because that particular bit of the changes we are seeing, the ability to remove or limits you can pay into your pension pot for later in life, that was designed to fix one problem which is senior doctors who are leaving the profession because they have reached the limit and it is not worth them staying on because any more they put into the pension pot is taxed, so they are out. the question is, changing that, it benefits doctors and the very rich at the expense of others and only a very small number of people really

overall so question there, should they have designed something specifically for the medical profession? forthe specifically for the medical profession? for the older age groups, the criticism has been, that is a fairly limited measure, what about everyone else? the childcare staff at the other end of the age spectrum for new parents will take until beyond the next election to really put that into place —— the childcare stuff. and where are the childcare stuff. and where are the childcare places going to be? it is already difficult to find anywhere if you are a parent. so big problems in terms of delivering this. it can bring people back into work but the figures that were produced alongside it, the number crunches, saying the number of people who could end up backin number of people who could end up back in work is really uncertain from theirs, anywhere from 50,000 up to 250,000. -- from theirs, anywhere from 50,000 up to 250,000. —— uncertain from this. the economically inactive of the working age group, is what 7 million

plus? working age group, is what 7 million lus? , , i, working age group, is what 7 million elus? , , ., ., working age group, is what 7 million lus? , ,, i, i, working age group, is what 7 million lus? , i, i, plus? yes, if you do not count students. _ plus? yes, if you do not count students. i— plus? yes, if you do not count students, i think, _ plus? yes, if you do not count students, ithink, because i plus? yes, if you do not countl students, ithink, because they plus? yes, if you do not count i students, i think, because they add another couple of million. real uncertainty and that is where you then get the opposition criticism which is, where is the big vision and the big transfer made —— big transformation behind this? they do not see one and they say there should be a bigger shift that the government could be doing, bringing to the economy, not these measures, but this is a big thing, they are big things that will impact on working parents and many people will welcome them. working parents and many people will welcome them-— welcome them. thanks for “oining us. one of the other i welcome them. thanks forjoining us. one of the other challenges _ welcome them. thanks forjoining us. one of the other challenges the i one of the other challenges the chancellor was trying to address was the long—term challenge of reforming and changing the way the economy

functions, growth to come from new industries, new energy opportunities industries, new energy opportunities in terms of renewables or also nuclear because he talked about the new programme the government will invest in for small modular nuclear power stations rather than the kind of giant stations that we have at sizewell or hinkley point. carla denyer is co—leader of the green party in england. there is a green mp down in brighton, of course, with caroline lucas, and i would like to have several more at the next election. there was a rallying cry for renewables from the chancellor and he talked about the world leading position of the uk in terms of offshore wind. but he did not talk about onshore wind which has been a difficult issue for the conservatives and the situation has changed but planning opportunities may take years to work through although he did talk about nuclear and trying to find ways to speed up

the nuclear energy programme. i did not think there _ the nuclear energy programme. i c c not think there was much in the budget for the environment, actually. a lot of overreliance on technologies like carbon capture and storage which is not commercially viable yet rather than for example, a nationwide home insulation scheme as we have pushed for over many years. as we have pushed for over many ears. ., as we have pushed for over many ears, ., ., , as we have pushed for over many ears. . . , if z: years. that was in there until 2010 but it died a _ years. that was in there until 2010 but it died a death _ years. that was in there until 2010 but it died a death because - years. that was in there until 2010 but it died a death because of- but it died a death because of austerity. but it died a death because of austeri . but it died a death because of austerity-— but it died a death because of austeri . ., , ., , ~ austerity. the conservatives killed it and the result _ austerity. the conservatives killed it and the result is _ austerity. the conservatives killed it and the result is that... - austerity. the conservatives killed it and the result is that... the i it and the result is that... the conservatives _ it and the result is that... the conservatives and _ it and the result is that... the conservatives and the liberal democrat coalition, to be fair. lii< democrat coalition, to be fair. uk has ot democrat coalition, to be fair. uk has got the bleakest homes in europe, we could have an insulation to reduce carbon emissions but also bring down bills —— leakiest. you bring down bills -- leakiest. you have ot bring down bills -- leakiest. you have got to _ bring down bills -- leakiest. you have got to spend _ bring down bills —— leakiest. you have got to spend the money first? yes, but the government could have chosen to do that using effective technologies but they are putting their hopes on carbon capture and storage which is not politically viable for the but nuclear is

viable? ., ., ~' viable for the but nuclear is viable? ., ., , ., viable for the but nuclear is viable? . ., , ., , viable? look at the deal george is bonded at the _ viable? look at the deal george is bonded at the start _ viable? look at the deal george is bonded at the start of— viable? look at the deal george is bonded at the start of the - viable? look at the deal george is | bonded at the start of the coalition government and it now looks like he did a good deal in terms of how much the government would pay in terms of what we are getting from hinkley point —— the deal george osborne did at the start of the correction. nuclear is very slow to get off the ground and you can be a lot quicker with wind and solar projects and there are hundreds of projects that already have planning permission. 80% came about because of the conservative government, he said. that is the stage of the technological developer, they cannot play much personal responsibility for that. in play much personal responsibility for that. , ., , ., for that. in terms of your orosoectsi _ for that. in terms of your orosoectsi yon _ for that. in terms of your prospects, you want i for that. in terms of your prospects, you want to i for that. in terms of your i prospects, you want to change for that. in terms of your - prospects, you want to change the way politics is done in this country and also change the economy at the same time. does this help you, the sense of what the government has been doing, does it help in the run into the next election? we been doing, does it help in the run into the next election?— into the next election? we are finding that — into the next election? we are finding that voters _ into the next election? we are finding that voters have i into the next election? we are finding that voters have had i into the next election? we are i finding that voters have had enough of the conservatives and they do not really see much promising from what

the labour party are offering either and so on the doorsteps people are turning to the green party in great numbers and we are looking forward to the local elections in may where we are defending more seats than ever and we are expecting to make gains. going back to the budget, i was disappointed, as well as not much on the environment, there was also not much on public sector pay and i really wanted to see an inflation matching pay rise for public sector workers but we did not get that. for public sector workers but we did not et that. ., ., ., ., get that. for now, thanks for “oinin get that. for now, thanks for joining us — get that. for now, thanks for joining us. we _ get that. for now, thanks for joining us. we have - get that. for now, thanks for joining us. we have a - get that. for now, thanks for joining us. we have a couple| get that. for now, thanks for l joining us. we have a couple of get that. for now, thanks for i joining us. we have a couple of gas now who can talk about the impact of pay and the impact of the incentives that exist as a result of the decisions that the chancellor makes —— we have a couple of guests now. torsten bell is chief executive at the resolution foundation, which focuses on ways to improve the living standards of people on low and middle incomes. in the past, he's worked at the treasury and

for the labour party. you are starting to see promises of the universal childcare is system that will kick in as maternity comes to an end. we that will kick in as maternity comes to an end. ~ ., that will kick in as maternity comes to an end. ~ . , ., , to an end. we have been asking this for many years _ to an end. we have been asking this for many years and _ to an end. we have been asking this for many years and we _ to an end. we have been asking this for many years and we had - to an end. we have been asking this for many years and we had these i for many years and we had these conversations for many years but now we have seen it as one of the most significant parts of the spring budget and that is such a sea change and we know that parents are going to be so happy to see this commitment so they can work and their children can get a good education. their children can get a good education-— their children can get a good education. ., . ., education. the chancellor said there has been a 996 _ education. the chancellor said there has been a 996 decline _ education. the chancellor said there has been a 996 decline in _ education. the chancellor said there has been a 996 decline in the - education. the chancellor said there has been a 996 decline in the space i has been a 9% decline in the space of the year in terms of the number of the year in terms of the number of people working as childminders and he wants to create an incentive for them to register and therefore come into the workforce. if you add

that together with the wraparound schemes to make sure that schools help parents from eight in the morning until six at night, talking about dropping them off and picking them up, taken altogether, do you know how many numbers of people that would bring back into work? it is hard to say- _ would bring back into work? it 3 hard to say. childminders are on poverty wages because itjust does not make sense financially which is why we have seen it so many leave the workforce are giving them this one—off payment of £600 is not going to change a lifetime of poverty wages so i'm not too convinced that is really going to change the dynamics in terms of the number childminders we are seeing. tail your organisation tries to come up with ideas for improving the quality—of—life and living standards for low and middle, families, did you see much to help that the budget? it you see much to help that the budet? , ., , you see much to help that the budet? ,. , , , budget? it is a very big budget with a slihtl

budget? it is a very big budget with a slightly better _ budget? it is a very big budget with a slightly better forecast _ budget? it is a very big budget with a slightly better forecast even i budget? it is a very big budget with a slightly better forecast even if. a slightly better forecast even if they are — a slightly better forecast even if they are a — a slightly better forecast even if they are a bit grim on public finances. _ they are a bit grim on public finances, so it is good news to avoid — finances, so it is good news to avoid a — finances, so it is good news to avoid a technical recession, and the child measure stands up as being the area where _ child measure stands up as being the area where we have progress, but the bit you _ area where we have progress, but the bit you are _ area where we have progress, but the bit you are focusing on, the free hours _ bit you are focusing on, the free hours of— bit you are focusing on, the free hours of childcare will mainly benefit — hours of childcare will mainly benefit middle and higher income households but it is a good focus nevertheless.— households but it is a good focus nevertheless. some people take a career break _ nevertheless. some people take a career break and _ nevertheless. some people take a career break and they _ nevertheless. some people take a career break and they never- nevertheless. some people take a career break and they never come | career break and they never come back. we invest in training people and then we kind of forget them. absolutely. a lot of people do continue — absolutely. a lot of people do continue working but they are paying through— continue working but they are paying through the nose for childcare but the more — through the nose for childcare but the more important thing for poorer households is changes to universal credit, _ households is changes to universal credit, paying up the childcare support— credit, paying up the childcare support rather than arrears which many— support rather than arrears which many people find to be a big barrier _ many people find to be a big barrier. ~ . ., , ., barrier. what about in terms of the im act. .. barrier. what about in terms of the impact... there _ barrier. what about in terms of the impact... there was _ barrier. what about in terms of the impact... there was nothing - barrier. what about in terms of the impact... there was nothing on, i barrier. what about in terms of the l impact... there was nothing on, the big debate we are having at the

moment, public sector pay, i am off on a train to devon tonight because there is no way i can get there tomorrow to visit my elderly father because there are no trains, and this is the same for everyone around the country, but there was not much in this debate on these issues? slightly unusual budget which is that the — slightly unusual budget which is that the country is wrestling with short—term problems, really big energy— short—term problems, really big energy costs, squeezes on living standards — energy costs, squeezes on living standards and wages falling, and the chancettor— standards and wages falling, and the chancellor is more focused on longer—term term reforms to boost growth, _ longer—term term reforms to boost growth, by — longer—term term reforms to boost growth, by getting activity down or activity _ growth, by getting activity down or activity up. — growth, by getting activity down or activity up, and there was some short-term _ activity up, and there was some short—term help, the delay in the energy— short—term help, the delay in the energy price guarantee happening in july, which _ energy price guarantee happening in july, which will make a difference to households and fuel duty has been scrapped. _ to households and fuel duty has been scrapped, the increase. to to households and fuel duty has been scrapped, the increase.— scrapped, the increase. to both of ou, scrapped, the increase. to both of you. thanks _ scrapped, the increase. to both of you. thanks for — scrapped, the increase. to both of you, thanks forjoining _ scrapped, the increase. to both of you, thanks forjoining us. -

scrapped, the increase. to both of you, thanks forjoining us. by - scrapped, the increase. to both of you, thanks forjoining us. by the | you, thanks forjoining us. by the way, how old is the baby now? eight ears. way, how old is the baby now? eight years- that — way, how old is the baby now? eight years. that tells _ way, how old is the baby now? eight years. that tells you _ way, how old is the baby now? eight years. that tells you how _ way, how old is the baby now? eight years. that tells you how long - way, how old is the baby now? eight years. that tells you how long it - years. that tells you how long it has been going _ years. that tells you how long it has been going on. _ years. that tells you how long it has been going on. thank - years. that tells you how long it has been going on. thank you. | to england's black country now, the birth place of the industrial revolution. where once there was coal dust and furnaces — why the us consul described the region as black by day and red by night — now there is the haden hill leisure centre in cradley heath and my colleague phil mackie. we have been here all day talking to a lot of people initially with their hopes and fears of the budget and now we are talking about reactions. we are here in one of these important election battlegrounds because although labour have held it for a long time, two of its pounds constituencies voted conservative for the first time in living memory the last time —— two of its four constituencies. labour would want to win it back if they are to win the next election so it is interesting to see what i have to say about the budget and so far are fairly mixed

reaction. —— what they have to say about the budget. you run a nursery. a big announcement about nurseries, of course, and the first thing is, can you cope with this massive influx of parents with children who you might have because of the new free provision? mat you might have because of the new free provision?— free provision? not really. there will be a massive _ free provision? not really. there will be a massive influx - free provision? not really. there will be a massive influx and - free provision? not really. there| will be a massive influx and there is no _ will be a massive influx and there is no room — will be a massive influx and there is no room for extension, we would need _ is no room for extension, we would need extra — is no room for extension, we would need extra funding which is not there. — need extra funding which is not there. but— need extra funding which is not there, but the extra funded places nreans— there, but the extra funded places means it _ there, but the extra funded places means it will not cover the costs of running _ means it will not cover the costs of running the — means it will not cover the costs of running the nursery either. nurseries are suffering, the funding it does— nurseries are suffering, the funding it does not— nurseries are suffering, the funding it does not cover the staffing costs. — it does not cover the staffing costs, and resources we need, to educate _ costs, and resources we need, to educate the — costs, and resources we need, to educate the children, all of this will have — educate the children, all of this will have a _ educate the children, all of this will have a negative impact on how a nursery— will have a negative impact on how a nursery can — will have a negative impact on how a nursery can run. will have a negative impact on how a nursery can run-— nursery can run. business said it will help if— nursery can run. business said it will help if we _ nursery can run. business said it will help if we can _ nursery can run. business said it will help if we can get _ nursery can run. business said it will help if we can get more - nursery can run. business said it i will help if we can get more people into the workplace because their nursery costs are going down for them because it will be cheaper but you are saying that the problem is

there's not the infrastructure in there's not the infrastructure in the first place to there isn't. it the first place to there isn't. it is great that this is helping families— is great that this is helping families and people back into work but if— families and people back into work but if nurseries have to close, there — but if nurseries have to close, there will— but if nurseries have to close, there will not be anybody to even run these — there will not be anybody to even run these places, so it is a bit pointless— run these places, so it is a bit pointless really. at my nursery it is predominantly a privately paid nursery. — is predominantly a privately paid nursery, so if i take on more funded places. _ nursery, so if i take on more funded places. i_ nursery, so if i take on more funded places. i lose — nursery, so if i take on more funded places, i lose money. the nursery loses _ places, i lose money. the nursery loses money. businesses have already been shouting, especially around sandwell, they cannot sustain the costs _ sandwell, they cannot sustain the costs -- _ sandwell, they cannot sustain the costs —— already been shouting. —— shutting~ _ costs -- already been shouting. -- shuttinu. . costs -- already been shouting. -- shuttinu. , ., ., shutting. tell us about what you make of the _ shutting. tell us about what you make of the budget. _ shutting. tell us about what you make of the budget. you - shutting. tell us about what you make of the budget. you are - shutting. tell us about what you make of the budget. you are a l make of the budget. you are a start—up and you are doing quite well locally, what will you take from the budget? figs well locally, what will you take from the budget?— well locally, what will you take from the budget? as an industry we are a manufacturing _

from the budget? as an industry we are a manufacturing company, - from the budget? as an industry we are a manufacturing company, and l from the budget? as an industry we l are a manufacturing company, and we are a manufacturing company, and we are reasonably small, so the key points are the physical ones, the corporation tax going from 19 to 25 is a small company is neither here nor there and the recovery of capital investment is a restatement of what was there before and repackaged holding what was the super deduction from the previous two years so no change, helpful, no change. from the excise point of view, that is good for beers in pubs but it does not help anybody else and the rest of the hospitality industry did not get a lot of the other benefits it was looking for, the support it was looking for like support with engaging practices. so not a great budget? everything - not a great budget? everything de-ends not a great budget? everything depends on _ not a great budget? everything depends on what _ not a great budget? everything depends on what people - not a great budget? everything depends on what people feel. l not a great budget? everything i depends on what people feel. you wanted a bigger boost for the hospitality industry?- wanted a bigger boost for the hospitality industry? yes. you know a lot of hospitality industry? jazz you know a lot of businesses in hospitality industry? i9; you know a lot of businesses in the black country and you had a few bullet

points right up the dna of the region is export, but we did not hear— region is export, but we did not hear export— region is export, but we did not hear export much, _ region is export, but we did not hear export much, where - region is export, but we did not hear export much, where are l region is export, but we did not. hear export much, where are the export— hear export much, where are the export market _ hear export much, where are the export market is _ hear export much, where are the export market is going _ hear export much, where are the export market is going to - hear export much, where are the export market is going to be? i hear export much, where are the l export market is going to be? with brexit. _ export market is going to be? with brexit, immigration, _ export market is going to be? with brexit, immigration, hospitality, . brexit, immigration, hospitality, people _ brexit, immigration, hospitality, people say— brexit, immigration, hospitality, people say they— brexit, immigration, hospitality, people say they cannot - brexit, immigration, hospitality, people say they cannot get - brexit, immigration, hospitality, people say they cannot get the l people say they cannot get the people. — people say they cannot get the people. no— people say they cannot get the people, no mention _ people say they cannot get the people, no mention of- people say they cannot get the - people, no mention of immigration or a reduction _ people, no mention of immigration or a reduction ofm — people, no mention of immigration or a reduction of... potholes, _ people, no mention of immigration or a reduction of... potholes, that- people, no mention of immigration or a reduction of... potholes, that was. a reduction of... potholes, that was interesting — a reduction of... potholes, that was interesting i— a reduction of... potholes, that was interesting. i don't— a reduction of... potholes, that was interesting. idon't know— a reduction of... potholes, that was interesting. idon't know how- a reduction of... potholes, that was interesting. i don't know how that l interesting. i don't know how that will interesting. idon't know how that will affect— interesting. i don't know how that will affect anyone, _ interesting. i don't know how that will affect anyone, but _ interesting. i don't know how that will affect anyone, but the - interesting. i don't know how that will affect anyone, but the other. will affect anyone, but the other bil will affect anyone, but the other big thing. — will affect anyone, but the other big thing. getting _ will affect anyone, but the other big thing, getting people - will affect anyone, but the other big thing, getting people into i will affect anyone, but the other. big thing, getting people into work, and he _ big thing, getting people into work, and he referred _ big thing, getting people into work, and he referred to _ big thing, getting people into work, and he referred to the _ big thing, getting people into work, and he referred to the nhs, - big thing, getting people into work, i and he referred to the nhs, doctors and he referred to the nhs, doctors and increasing — and he referred to the nhs, doctors and increasing their— and he referred to the nhs, doctors and increasing their pension- and increasing their pension contributions, _ and increasing their pension contributions, that - and increasing their pension contributions, that was - and increasing their pension- contributions, that was interesting, but in _ contributions, that was interesting, but in terms — contributions, that was interesting, but in terms of— contributions, that was interesting, but in terms of levelling _ contributions, that was interesting, but in terms of levelling up, - contributions, that was interesting, but in terms of levelling up, i- but in terms of levelling up, i heard — but in terms of levelling up, i heard the _ but in terms of levelling up, i heard the word _ but in terms of levelling up, i heard the word bidding - but in terms of levelling up, i heard the word bidding pick. but in terms of levelling up, ii heard the word bidding pick —— but in terms of levelling up, i- heard the word bidding pick —— but that is— heard the word bidding pick —— but that is not— heard the word bidding pick —— but that is not a — heard the word bidding pick —— but that is not a word _ heard the word bidding pick —— but that is not a word i— heard the word bidding pick —— but that is not a word i like _ heard the word bidding pick —— but that is not a word i like because i that is not a word i like because that is not a word i like because that means _ that is not a word i like because that means competition - that is not a word i like because that means competition and - that is not a word i like because that means competition and we| that is not a word i like because - that means competition and we lost out in _ that means competition and we lost out in that— that means competition and we lost out in that regard _ that means competition and we lost out in that regard last— that means competition and we lost out in that regard last time - that means competition and we lost out in that regard last time out. - out in that regard last time out. there _ out in that regard last time out. there was— out in that regard last time out. there was good _ out in that regard last time out. there was good news _ out in that regard last time out. there was good news for- out in that regard last time out. | there was good news for tipton. out in that regard last time out. - there was good news for tipton. yes, that is good- —

there was good news for tipton. yes, that is good. and _ there was good news for tipton. yes, that is good. and there are devolved powers. _ that is good. and there are devolved powers. but— that is good. and there are devolved powers, but where _ that is good. and there are devolved powers, but where is _ that is good. and there are devolved powers, but where is the _ that is good. and there are devolved powers, but where is the detail- that is good. and there are devolved powers, but where is the detail or. powers, but where is the detail or the devil— powers, but where is the detail or the devil is — powers, but where is the detail or the devil is in _ powers, but where is the detail or the devil is in the _ powers, but where is the detail or the devil is in the detail. - powers, but where is the detail or the devil is in the detail. we - powers, but where is the detail or the devil is in the detail. we heard about the promise _ the devil is in the detail. we heard about the promise from _ the devil is in the detail. we heard about the promise from the - about the promise from the chancellor that inflation will be below 3% by the end of the year but i have not heard from anyone who believes he can do that.— believes he can do that. various commentators _ believes he can do that. various commentators have _ believes he can do that. various commentators have said, - believes he can do that. various commentators have said, and i believes he can do that. various| commentators have said, and for business. — commentators have said, and for business. we _ commentators have said, and for business, we cannot— commentators have said, and for business, we cannot predict- commentators have said, and fori business, we cannot predict three months _ business, we cannot predict three months down _ business, we cannot predict three months down the _ business, we cannot predict three months down the road, _ business, we cannot predict three months down the road, so - business, we cannot predict three months down the road, so how. business, we cannot predict three. months down the road, so how you business, we cannot predict three - months down the road, so how you can predict _ months down the road, so how you can predict the _ months down the road, so how you can predict the end — months down the road, so how you can predict the end of— months down the road, so how you can predict the end of the _ months down the road, so how you can predict the end of the year, _ months down the road, so how you can predict the end of the year, what - months down the road, so how you can predict the end of the year, what it - predict the end of the year, what it looks— predict the end of the year, what it looks like. — predict the end of the year, what it looks like, interest _ predict the end of the year, what it looks like, interest rates, - predict the end of the year, what it looks like, interest rates, how- predict the end of the year, what it looks like, interest rates, how can| looks like, interest rates, how can you predict— looks like, interest rates, how can you predict that? _ looks like, interest rates, how can you predict that? business - looks like, interest rates, how can you predict that? business wantsi you predict that? business wants certainty— you predict that? business wants certainty but _ you predict that? business wants certainty but i'm _ you predict that? business wants certainty but i'm not— you predict that? business wants certainty but i'm not sure - you predict that? business wants certainty but i'm not sure there l you predict that? business wants i certainty but i'm not sure there was certainty— certainty but i'm not sure there was certainty and — certainty but i'm not sure there was certaintyand i— certainty but i'm not sure there was certainty and i think— certainty but i'm not sure there was certainty and i think today - certainty but i'm not sure there was certainty and i think today was - certainty but i'm not sure there was| certainty and i think today was more about— certainty and i think today was more about pragmatic— certainty and i think today was more about pragmatic rather— certainty and i think today was more about pragmatic rather than - certainty and i think today was more about pragmatic rather than a - about pragmatic rather than a visionary— about pragmatic rather than a visionary budget. _ about pragmatic rather than a visionary budget.— about pragmatic rather than a visionary budget. inflation, if that dro - , that visionary budget. inflation, if that drop, that would _ visionary budget. inflation, if that drop, that would help, _ visionary budget. inflation, if that drop, that would help, wouldn't l visionary budget. inflation, if that i drop, that would help, wouldn't it? it calms emotions and it gives people a bit more hope that there is more stability. iii people a bit more hope that there is more stability-— more stability. if they can get it done, more stability. if they can get it done. that _ more stability. if they can get it done, that might _ more stability. if they can get it done, that might help? - more stability. if they can get it done, that might help? yes, i more stability. if they can get it i done, that might help? yes, that more stability. if they can get it - done, that might help? yes, that is the nature of— done, that might help? yes, that is the nature of the _ done, that might help? yes, that is the nature of the beast. _ done, that might help? yes, that is the nature of the beast. but - done, that might help? yes, that is the nature of the beast. but the - the nature of the beast. but the roblem the nature of the beast. but the problem for _ the nature of the beast. but the problem for you _ the nature of the beast. but the problem for you is _ the nature of the beast. but the problem for you is that - the nature of the beast. but the

problem for you is that you - the nature of the beast. but the| problem for you is that you need more investment? we problem for you is that you need more investment?— problem for you is that you need more investment? ~ :, :, , more investment? we need more money into the business _ more investment? we need more money into the business to _ more investment? we need more money into the business to stay _ more investment? we need more money into the business to stay open _ more investment? we need more money into the business to stay open and - into the business to stay open and to pay— into the business to stay open and to pay for— into the business to stay open and to pay for the lots of costs, staff training. — to pay for the lots of costs, staff training, getting quality staff, and we are _ training, getting quality staff, and we are education, we educate the children— we are education, we educate the children we need to have resources but it _ children we need to have resources but it is— children we need to have resources but it is not— children we need to have resources but it is not there. and it is not going _ but it is not there. and it is not going to — but it is not there. and it is not going to come if we have to provide more _ going to come if we have to provide more funded places.— going to come if we have to provide more funded places. mixed emotions from everyone _ more funded places. mixed emotions from everyone today. _ more funded places. mixed emotions from everyone today. a _ more funded places. mixed emotions from everyone today. a bit _ more funded places. mixed emotions from everyone today. a bit of - more funded places. mixed emotions from everyone today. a bit of good, l from everyone today. a bit of good, bit of bad, bit of uncertainty. after the last year with three prime ministers and a number of chancellors, you are looking for stability? he chancellors, you are looking for stabili ? . . chancellors, you are looking for stabili ? . , .. ., stability? he has achieved that in terms of the _ stability? he has achieved that in terms of the fact _ stability? he has achieved that in terms of the fact it _ stability? he has achieved that in terms of the fact it is _ stability? he has achieved that in terms of the fact it is a _ stability? he has achieved that in terms of the fact it is a standstill| terms of the fact it is a standstill budget, not an electioneering budget, not an electioneering budget, that is for next year, where he will happily give that away if he has another 15 billion.— has another 15 billion. from an entrepreneurial— has another 15 billion. from an entrepreneurial perspective, i has another 15 billion. from an - entrepreneurial perspective, there was not _ entrepreneurial perspective, there was not much _ entrepreneurial perspective, there was not much there, _ entrepreneurial perspective, there was not much there, but— entrepreneurial perspective, there was not much there, but maybe i entrepreneurial perspective, there l was not much there, but maybe that is for— was not much there, but maybe that is for next _ was not much there, but maybe that is for next year _ was not much there, but maybe that is for next year-— is for next year. thanks for 'oining us. those doing *

is for next year. thanks for 'oining us. those doing the i is for next year. thanks forjoining us. those doing the exercises - is for next year. thanks forjoining i us. those doing the exercises behind us, we have really worn them out! more coming up on the budget by now we have the weather forecast. we continue to see some big swings in temperatures from one day to the next this week, and there's more of that to come. today is a relatively cool day. sunny skies still hanging on across eastern areas, but in the west, cloud thickening. outbreaks of rain pushing into northern ireland. temperatures for most around seven or eight degrees celsius today. that is below average for march. but then overnight tonight, we'll see that rain push into the cold air. a spell of snow over the high ground in northern england and scotland could bring one or two localised disruption issues, the snow lasting longest to the north of the central lowlands. but the rain will eventually spread to all of us during the night time and will be bringing much milder weather conditions. so temperatures overnight around 8—10c, still a little bit cooler across the very far north of scotland. now for thursday, we've got some

heavy outbreaks of rain around that could bring some localised surface water flooding issues, some brighter weather for northern ireland for a time. but there will be some heavy showers working in through the afternoon. a mild day tomorrow with highs up to 15 degrees.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm martine croxall. our top stories: a high court in pakistan orders police to halt their operation to arrest former prime minister imran khan until thursday — following clashes between police and his supporters. shares in the swiss banking giant credit suisse fall to a record low as investors remain worried after the collapse of silicon valley bank. the uk chancellor sets out his spring budget in parliament — extra help for childcare and scrapping the limit on tax—free pension savings are part of the government's plans. conflicting accounts from washington and moscow as a us drone crashes into the black sea, after an encounter with russian fighter jets. a small number of wolves settle

in belgium for the first time in more than 100 years — as numbers rise across europe. hello and welcome. we begin in pakistan — where authorities have temporarily stopped the operation to arrest the former prime minister imran khan. police have clashed with his supporters outside his residence in lahore. unrest has continued through the night, after the authoroities made another attempt to arrest him — enforcimng a court order. imran kahn accused the authorities, of acting 'outside the law'. pakistan's information minister said the government had nothing to do with the move — but the court was only trying to enforce the arrest warant in connection with a corruption case. our pakistan correspondent carrie davies reports.

police have now left the stretch just outside zaman park, which is imran khan's home. the police might have left but the remnants of what happened here have not. you can see the charred remains of burned chairs, you can see rocks on the floor. we know from eyewitnesses that there were rocks and sticks used by the pti, which is imran khan's party, supporters. we also know the police used water cannon and tear gas and it's that tear gas you can still sense in the air, you can feel it in the back of your eyes and throat. this is because the police arrived yesterday afternoon, saying they intended to arrest mr khan and that is because they say that he did not turn up to multiple court appearances. now imran khan has said he didn't appear because of security concerns. he was worried about his own safety, turning up to those courts. we've heard today from the minister of information for punjab, that the police operation has been temporarily suspended and that is because the pakistan super league, which is a cricket tournament, is ongoing and there's due to be a semifinal happening in lahore tonight.

at the moment, this sort of disruption has meant the city... inaudible. protestors chant. the supporters here have not suggested that they intend to go anywhere. carrie davies reporting. uzair younus is the director of the pakistan initiative at the atlantic council in washington. he says cricket often dictates the tempo of politicial events in pakistan. cricket has become a convenient excuse over the last few days in lahore, first to stop imran khan and his political party from having their rallies, which is their constitutional and democratic right, and now to pull back the police. the police has been pulled back primarily because of the court's interventions and also because of the fact that over the last 2a hours or so, their ineptitude and their repression was on full public display so it became very challenging for the government to maintain this stance. but more importantly, we should not lose sight of the fact that this ongoing repression and attempts to arrest imran khan are part of a long—standing issue

in pakistani politics, which has to do with the military�*s role in politics, it picking favourites, and then when these politicians become too good for their own good, in the sense that they start showing their eyes to the military, they are tried to be cut down to size. what imran khan right now is basically showing is that he is resisting these attempts and has popularity in punjab, the heartland of pakistan, and pakistan's government in islamabad and its military establishment are finding it very difficult to bring and cut down imran khan to size. uzair younus from the atlantic council in washington. financial markets are down across europe, as turmoil continues in the banking sector. shares in credit suisse have plunged to record lows, after the bank's auditors warned they had serious concerns over its financial reporting, saying they had found "material weaknesses". the saudi national bank — credit suisse's largest investor — said it could not raise its stake in the bank any further.

stock markets are worrying about the health of the weakest banks, following the collapse of two us institutions, silicon valley bank and signature bank. let's bring in our international business correspondent, theo leggett. what is happening, it was different banks last week and now it is here in europe?— in europe? basically it is the week as bank coming — in europe? basically it is the week as bank coming under— in europe? basically it is the week as bank coming under the - in europe? basically it is the week. as bank coming under the spotlight, one of the weakest. trouble is that credit suisse are nothing new. this is a financial institution, even though it's the second biggest in switzerland, it's been three scandal after scandal. switzerland, it's been three scandal afterscandal. it lost switzerland, it's been three scandal after scandal. it lost money in the collapse of the us fund. it was caught up in the fallout from the collapse of greensill capital, a british financial institution, that trashed its reputation more than hold already been the case. it got caught up in a bond selling scandal in mozambique and was fined hundreds of thousands of dollars by regulators and so on. so this is no stranger to trouble. it lost $8 billion last year, so financially it is not the healthiest and that is

the concern at the moment. because what has happened is we have had the collapse of silicon valley bank and signature bank in the united states, that came out of the blue, it was unexpected, and it focused attention on the underlying health of banks in general. it caused a certain lack of confidence among investors and indeed among the depositors at these banks about their financial help. the problem with the banking sector is when people think something is going wrong, they withdraw money, they take away their investments and it can rapidly become a serious problem. that is the concern, really, concerning credit suisse at the moment. it is seen as a weak bank. there are concerns about the health of the banking sector in general and therefore credit suisse is seen as a target. haifa general and therefore credit suisse is seen as a target.— is seen as a target. how is it shored up — is seen as a target. how is it shored up if— is seen as a target. how is it shored up if the _ is seen as a target. how is it shored up if the saudi - is seen as a target. how is it i shored up if the saudi national is seen as a target. how is it - shored up if the saudi national bank saying, we can help you any further? at the moment, there is no real reason to say it desperately needs those funds. the problem with the saudis are saying they will not intervene is if credit suisse is seen to need money in the coming

days, weeks or months, the saudi national bank is no longer there is a potential pillar of support. it says it doesn't want to increase its shareholding for regulatory reasons. that undermines confidence a little bit more. so now reportedly, credit suisse has asked the swiss national bank to make an expression of support, to try and rebuild some sort of confidence, to say there are bowl walks there in case they are needed and that people shouldn't panic about the health of credit suisse. because as i said, the problem with banking is that if people think there is a problem, very rapidly you can get a problem. so somebody needs to steady the ship with some wise words.— with some wise words. absolutely and it is because — with some wise words. absolutely and it is because this _ with some wise words. absolutely and it is because this general— with some wise words. absolutely and it is because this general lack- with some wise words. absolutely and it is because this general lack of- it is because this general lack of confidence we are seeing that shares are down notjust that credit suisse but hsbc, barclays, across the board today we are seeing banking shares having a really bad day.— today we are seeing banking shares having a really bad day. theo, thank ou ve having a really bad day. theo, thank you very much- _ the head of russia's security council says moscow will try to retrieve the wreckage of the american surveillance

drone that crashed into the black sea on tuesday. the us says russian fighterjets intercepted the drone, causing it to crash — something moscow denies. nikolai patrushev says he isn't sure russia can recover the high—tech drone, but hopes it can. a senior official in washington says the us is also assessing whether it can retrieve the drone — which is in very deep waters. our correspondent in kyiv — james landale — has been speaking the foreign minister of ukraine, dmytro kuleba, about this incident. as long as russia controls crimea these kinds of incidents will be inevitable and the black sea will not be a safe place. so the only way to prevent such incidents is actually to kick russia out of crimea. do you fear escalation? because of this specific incident? no, i think it'sjust routine incidents that is happening from time to time. but you don't fear it might make

the west a little bit more cautious, that the americans might think we've really got to avoid this thing getting out of control? well, if the west wants to demonstrate its weakness, it should certainly demonstrate its cautiousness after an incident like this. but i don't have a feeling this is the mood in key capitals. the mood is not to escalate, right, but nor is the mood to lean under the pressure, physical pressure of russia. let's get more from dr patricia lewis, international security research director at chatham house. good to see you, thank you very much forjoining us. to what extent was a matter of time that something like this happened in this region of the world? . this happened in this region of the world? , :,, :, , , , this happened in this region of the world? , :, , , , ., world? yes, obviously there is a hue world? yes, obviously there is a huge amount — world? yes, obviously there is a huge amount of— world? yes, obviously there is a

huge amount of activity. - world? yes, obviously there is a huge amount of activity. it - world? yes, obviously there is a huge amount of activity. it is i world? yes, obviously there is a i huge amount of activity. it is right on the edge of the war zone. there is a lot of data collection going on. there is a lot of normal shipping as well, once you have that sort of level of activity you are bound to get accidents. but in this case, it might not have been an accident. it might have been a deliberate interference with the zone or an inadvertent interference with the zone and i distinguish between accident and inadvertent. how helpful would it be to the russians if they managed to retrieve this drone? ~ ., :, , , this drone? well, that would be very unfortunate — this drone? well, that would be very unfortunate for _ this drone? well, that would be very unfortunate for the _ this drone? well, that would be very unfortunate for the united _ this drone? well, that would be very unfortunate for the united states. i unfortunate for the united states. there is a huge amount... this is a surveillance drone, right? so a massive amount of surveillance technology which is highly secret on board these drones. so the race to recover is now another potential spot, if you like, for escalation.

and in terms of the significance of this diplomatically, how problematic is it, given what is going on in ukraine? i is it, given what is going on in ukraine? . , , ukraine? i mean, it is... the very senior ambassador _ ukraine? i mean, it is... the very senior ambassador in _ ukraine? i mean, it is... the very| senior ambassador in washington, ukraine? i mean, it is... the very - senior ambassador in washington, the russian ambassador, has been in direct discussions with the us state department. so i don't think it is true there is in any high—level discussion going on, there really is. there are lots of back channels that the united nation's in new york, geneva and vienna on all of these issues, all of the time. i think that where this gets difficult is it also is in terms of consistency. when iran shot down a drone, for example, there were sanctions pressed on iran. there were cyber attacks against the capabilities of iran to be able to launch missiles. so what does the us do here? and i think a great deal

depends on how they interpret what happened. was this the mistake of a rookie pilot in training? getting too close? was it a deliberate back off manoeuvre, as they are doing all the time, just a neck escalation a back off move question what was it because there was something very sensitive going on which meant there was heightened tension? all of these things have to be factored into any highly calibrated response. dr patricia lewis from chatham house, thank you very much for your time. now it's a big day in uk politics. the spring budget has been unveiled in the house of commons by the chancellorjeremy hunt — the first since the political turmoil that proceeded rishi sunak becoming prime minister. mr hunt said the uk will avoid a recession and he hailed a british economy that he said is "proving the doubters wrong". i spoke to the former ministerfor pensions, sir steve webb, who explained exactly what's been announced.

there is a lifetime limit on how much you can build up in a pension and still enjoy tax relief on your pension contributions. it had been rumoured that would be increased after a decade of cuts and the chancellor stood up and said, i'm not going to increase it, i'm going to scrap it altogether. so there is now no lifetime limit on the pension pot you can build up and still enjoy a tax break, only an annual limit and that's gone up as well. what's the reaction been in the industry and politically? over the last 2a hours that this has been trailed and particular today, people have been quite shocked because we got so used to the idea that tax breaks on pensions would be cut every year. prior to every budget, there was speculation — will he scrap tax—free lump sums? will he cut the limits and so on, and after successive chancellors have done that year after year, this is a sort of screeching u—turn. some would say 18 months before an election, perhaps, but partly driven by the doctors. so there is an argument that says senior nhs doctors had perhaps been retiring early because of tax limits and he seems to have dealt with that problem. but that isn'tjust going to benefit doctors, is it? the sort of headline reason for this is that from a uk economy point of view,

the government says they want to get more economically inactive people back into the workforce. how likely is it that this measure will do that, do you think? i think with the exception of doctors, who are a specifics case, the evidence is people who have already retired don't want to come back. they're surveyed and they say, no, thank you very much. i've worked this out, it works for me. the evidence is the people who are out of work who want to be back are generally the long term sick and disabled and although there were some budget measures for that group, clearly £1 billion spent on tax breaks on pensions is £1 billion not available for cutting mental health waiting lists and all those kind of things. so the beneficiaries are people who are already quite well off and might not come back to work but what's the impact on the treasury, on us, the taxpayer? well, ultimately, it'll be £1 billion less tax revenue. so if people shovel money back into their pensions, that money that doesn't get taxed — it certainly doesn't get taxed now — and therefore that's less money for the general population and for younger people in particular, who in a sense are subsidising relatively well off people, shovelling more money into their pensions.

former pensions minister, sir steve webb. well, whilejeremy hunt handing down that budget, protestors including thousands of members of the neu teachers union have been taking part in a demonstration in central london over demands for higher pay. it's part of a strike today and tomorrow in england. our reporter nickjohnson sent this from trafalgar square. it has felt very much like a carnival or a festival atmosphere throughout the heart of central london to teachers we understand in their tens of thousands gathering at hyde park a little earlier today, then walking en masse through the heart of central london, making a lot of noise, waving flags and placards to demonstrate their point until they culminated here in trafalgar square. what has felt like ground zero for industrial action here in central london today. not only have we had members from the national educational union but the pcs union and of course junior doctors have also been scattered among the crowd to lend their support to the cause here. but it is

teachers who have made up that most of the crowd here today and they come with a very important message and that is the government needs to invest in the future of teaching and invest in the future of teaching and in the future of the classroom. with me is teacher eve from a primary school in south—east london. tell me why you are here today. i am strikin: why you are here today. i am striking because _ why you are here today. i am striking because we - why you are here today. i am striking because we deserve | why you are here today. i am striking because we deserve to be paid better than we are. the government have made choices about how to _ government have made choices about how to spend money. why should i have a _ how to spend money. why should i have a pay— how to spend money. why should i have a pay cut because of that, real terms _ have a pay cut because of that, real terms pay _ have a pay cut because of that, real terms pay cut? also, our schools need _ terms pay cut? also, our schools need to— terms pay cut? also, our schools need to be — terms pay cut? also, our schools need to be funded better. i explained my year five class that for the _ explained my year five class that for the pay rise we just got, that means— for the pay rise we just got, that means they get less money which is unfair— means they get less money which is unfair and _ means they get less money which is unfairand they means they get less money which is unfair and they understood that he had five _ unfair and they understood that he had five children. so the schools need _ had five children. so the schools need to — had five children. so the schools need to be — had five children. so the schools need to be funded better and we need to be paid _ need to be funded better and we need to be paid better. the need to be funded better and we need to be paid better.— to be paid better. the government sa s it is to be paid better. the government says it is committed _ to be paid better. the government says it is committed to _ to be paid better. the government says it is committed to funding - says it is committed to funding schools saying it puts in an extra £2 billion into schools and has also said it has asked the any you to pause its strike action so it can start real and proper negotiations

and the neu is determined to strike? well, that neu had to go through a lot of— well, that neu had to go through a lot of work— well, that neu had to go through a lot of work to get to this point with— lot of work to get to this point with the — lot of work to get to this point with the strikes and i think they would _ with the strikes and i think they would be — with the strikes and i think they would be wrong to pause it without any commitment from the government that they— any commitment from the government that they will actually talk about what _ that they will actually talk about what we — that they will actually talk about what we want them to talk about. and talk about _ what we want them to talk about. and talk about things that matter, not 'ust talk about things that matter, not just what— talk about things that matter, not just what is going to grab the headlines. just what is going to grab the headlines— just what is going to grab the headlines. :, ., ., ,, ., headlines. you have talked about pay but it is not just _ headlines. you have talked about pay but it is notjust about _ headlines. you have talked about pay but it is notjust about pay _ headlines. you have talked about pay but it is notjust about pay but - but it is notjust about pay but about resources. tell me a little bit about one of the most important things in your school at the moment in terms of how it is struggling. well, about pay, sorry, what you mentioned earlier, the reason they are investing so much as the cuts they chose to make during austerity 13 years ago. they chose to make during austerity 13 years ago-— 13 years ago. that is why the fundin: 13 years ago. that is why the funding is — 13 years ago. that is why the funding is going _ 13 years ago. that is why the funding is going up, - 13 years ago. that is why the funding is going up, because 13 years ago. that is why the - funding is going up, because they brought— funding is going up, because they brought it — funding is going up, because they brought it down so low. at our school. — brought it down so low. at our school. we _ brought it down so low. at our school, we are seeing tas, not as many— school, we are seeing tas, not as many in _ school, we are seeing tas, not as many in classrooms. just generally there _ many in classrooms. just generally there seems to be less money around. we have _ there seems to be less money around. we have a _ there seems to be less money around. we have a very committed senior

leadership— we have a very committed senior leadership team, teaching staff, tas and all— leadership team, teaching staff, tas and all the _ leadership team, teaching staff, tas and all the other people who work in and all the other people who work in a school— and all the other people who work in a school whojust want and all the other people who work in a school who just want to go in and do our— a school who just want to go in and do ouriobs~ — a school who just want to go in and do ourjobs. but it is getting harder _ do ourjobs. but it is getting harder. ~ ., :, :, harder. what do you say to the arents harder. what do you say to the parents and — harder. what do you say to the parents and the _ harder. what do you say to the parents and the children - harder. what do you say to the parents and the children who i harder. what do you say to the i parents and the children who are having to face two days of disruption this week after a couple of years worth of disruption because of years worth of disruption because of covid? i of years worth of disruption because of covid? . �* ., of covid? i haven't had conversations - of covid? i haven't had conversations like - of covid? i haven't had conversations like that j of covid? i haven't had - conversations like that with any of covid? i haven't had _ conversations like that with any of my parents, it's only been positive of that— my parents, it's only been positive of that one — my parents, it's only been positive of that one of my parents is on the march— of that one of my parents is on the march today. i was hoping i would bump— march today. i was hoping i would bump into — march today. i was hoping i would bump into them but i haven't. i haven't— bump into them but i haven't. i haven't had _ bump into them but i haven't. i haven't had any negativity from any parents _ haven't had any negativity from any parents or— haven't had any negativity from any parents or children. gk, haven't had any negativity from any parents or children.— parents or children. 0k, well, that is one of the _ parents or children. 0k, well, that is one of the messages _ parents or children. 0k, well, that is one of the messages here - parents or children. 0k, well, that| is one of the messages here today, is one of the messages here today, is one of pay but also the future of the classroom. and we have heard as well that parents who are not teachers have been to the march today, as well as young people. i want to read some of the placards we have seen today, if few examples of that you can't put pupils first if you put teachers last. another one, we have run out of glue sticks but we have run out of glue sticks but we are sticking together. the resources in the classroom another

big sticking issue here today. hick big sticking issue here today. nick johnson reporting from trafalgar square. since the taliban takeover in august 2021, playing and listening to music in public in afghanistan has been banned. the taliban say it is "un—islamic" and they locked the doors of the afghanistan national institute of music in kabul when they returned to power in 2021, forcing the students of the music school to flee the country. now, this determined group of young musicians are back on the international stage fighting to keep afghan music alive. shekiba habib reports. these are the students of afghanistan's most prestigious music institute, after fleeing from their country. this is the start of their 2023 tour of europe. translation: i never imagined the taliban could take over - and ban music within a day. tanslation: when the taliban came, i was sad because i wasn't able - to continue studying. i was a prisoner at home.

back home, they had freedom to perform in public and status as professionals. but when the taliban returned, everything regressed. after breaking all their instruments, the taliban locked the doors to their music school. years of dedication and passion were destroyed in seconds. but the school's former students are far from defeated. translation: we won't let their actions go unnoticed. i we will play our music even louder. these musicians flourished in afghanistan before the taliban cut short their career. they might have lost their stage, their music school and their musical instruments but what's remaining is their art and their resilience. now living as refugees in portugal, the students have revived

their orchestra and their mission. how do you feel before going to the stage? excited. which piece do you like the most? the one that's about afghanistan? it's good. the first concert of the tour and it's a sell—out show. applause translation: the taliban wanted young girls and boys _ to bejust like them — uneducated and without progress. without a future. translation: when the taliban are gone, i will go _ to afghanistan to teach

music to girls and boys. a number of cliff—side homes in norfolk in the uk have been lost to the sea because of coastal erosion — just this weekend three houses were demolished after high tides — and two more are earmarked to be pulled down in the sea—side resort of hemsby. on wednesday, around 2,000 tonnes of rock are expected to arrive to try to shore up the coastline, asjo black reports. for decades, this part of the norfolk coast has been slipping away. for the residents here in hemsby, coastal erosion is nothing new. but sometimes mother nature can be unpredictable and the recent bad weather and high tides have made their mark. over the weekend, sections of these chalet style houses started to go into the water and some were totally

demolished before that could happen. school teacher sue saw her house pulled down at the weekend. she knew erosion was a problem and couldn't get insurance for the property, but loved living in this location. the benefits of seeing that every day, the sun, the water, like i said, 99% of the time the erosion was very, very slow. it was a very unique place to be. lance martin moved here in 2017. at that point, he had 50 metres of sand dune behind his property. a year later, he dragged his house forward and now he's hoping to do it again to escape the threat of the sea. i've heard this morning that i've been put down as number one on the demolishing list, which is a bit worrying and upsetting, obviously. i can only work as fast as people can get the machinery to me. i can't do anything else, so i am at their behest at the moment.

we are actually, at the moment, demolishing people's homes. - whether it be a second i home or your main home, and the devastation that causes, the upset and everything, i do i really feel sorry for these people. but obviously, safety comes into play. - in the last ten years, 20 properties have gone from these dunes and now access to another 20 homes could be under threat if the damage to this road gets any worse. 1,900 tonnes of rock will be brought in to slow the erosion. a temporary measure and a bigger wall of rock is planned for the future. the government has allocated £36 million over six years in places like north norfolk to help communities adapt to a changing climate. but for some, the dream of living next to the sea is now over. jo black, bbc news, in hemsby. the queen guitarist brian may has received a knighthood for services to music and charity. he was given the honour by king charles

at buckingham palace. it comes less than a year after the late-queen elizabeth appeared on screen tapping out the beat of we will rock you over tea with paddington bear — the song was famously written by brian may. and before we go, an early spring treat for visitors at tokyo's ueno park — who have been enjoying cherry flowers blooming early in the season. japan announced the official start of tokyo's cherry blossom season on tuesday — ten days earlier than usual. in past years, the country's meteorologists have linked the increasingly early blooms to climate change, and temperatures in tokyo have been unseasonably mild in recent days. much more on our main stories, the situation in pakistan, where the authorities have halted the arrest of the former prime minister imran khan. also, if you are interested in the uk budget, plenty more on our

website as well after the chancellor jeremy hunt announced plans to try to boost the uk economy. you are watching bbc news. hello there. this week we're seeing some big swings in temperature from one day to the next, and we've got more of the same just around the corner. we had a very cold start to the morning with temperatures down at minus ten. but over the next 2a hours or so, milder air will be pushing right the way across the uk, bringing a bigjump in our temperatures. today, though, quite cold, temperatures around seven or eight degrees celsius pretty widely. but if you take a look at the highs in londonderry, we're going from eight today to about 15 degrees celsius tomorrow. so you will notice that change to much milder weather. before we get there, though, as i say, today is a relatively cold day with temperatures below average, a sunny and frosty start. but now things are starting to cloud over. and in northern ireland, we're seeing rain moving in, and there have been a few flakes of snowjust on the leading edge of this weather front across some of the hills in northern ireland.

but during this evening, as that weather system bumps into the cold air, we could see a spell of snow across the hills of northern england and scotland, the snow lasting longest to the north of the central lowlands and could bring some localised areas of disruption. but then later in the night, there'll be another push of much milder air as the next band of rain works in. and so temperatures will be climbing significantly. by the end of the night, nine or ten degrees celsius pretty widely and even across northern scotland will see temperatures climbing well above freezing. now for thursday, we've got that mild flow of southwesterly winds, but it will be quite a wet and quite a windy kind of day. the rain heavy enough to cause some localised surface waterflooding issues, the weather slowly brightening up in northern ireland i think as we go through the afternoon, but with the risk of some heavy and thundery showers later in the day. temperatures ill, 15 degrees celsius. so it will be a lot milder. even northern scotland, ten in aberdeen, still relatively cold though in lerwick. for friday, we might see some fairly prolonged outbreaks of rain affecting eastern areas of england.

otherwise, i think it's going to be a cloudy day with some heavy bursts of rain around, the heaviest probably across western areas of the uk, maybe even a bit of thunder mixed in. still mild, temperatures could go as high as 16 degrees in newcastle as we end the week. and then for the weekend, still lots of cloud around on saturday with bursts of rain, sunday probably showers, a few brighter spells in between, but still overall, quite a lot of cloud expected. and then if we take a quick look at the weather into next week, well, it looks like for some of us the colder air will return.

this is bbc news. our top stories: a high court in the pakistani city of lahore has ordered police to halt their operation to arrest main opposition leader and former prime minister imran khan until thursday — following clashes between police and his supporters. shares in the troubled swiss banking giant credit suisse fall to a record low as investors remain worried about the problems it faces following the fallout from the collapse of silicon valley bank and signature bank. the uk chancellorjeremy hunt sets out his spring budget in parliament — extra help for childcare and scrapping the limit on tax—free pension savings are part of the government's plans to draw people back into the workforce. conflicting accounts from washington and moscow as a us drone crashes into the black sea

after an encounter with russian fighterjets — ukraine's foreign minister says incidents like this are inevitable until russia leave crimea. we start here in the uk — where the british finance minister or chancellor, has been setting out his tax and spending plans, amidst what's thought to be the biggest day of strikes since a wave of industrial action began last year. chancellorjeremy hunt handed down his spring budget — saying the government was taking steps to help people deal with the cost of living crisis — increasing the provision of free childcare and continuing to subsidise household energy bills for a further three months. mr hunt says high inflation was the root cause of the current strikes. hundreds of thousands of workers in britain are holding mass walkouts on wednesday over pay and other issues.

let's go live to our uk political correspondent rob watson. he's on college green outside the parliament. thank outside the parliament. you. i was about to make a small thank you. i was about to make a small suggestion that maybe they could hold budgets at a different time of year, maybe when it was a bit less bad with the wind and rain but let's crack on any way with the budget. i'mjoined by but let's crack on any way with the budget. i'm joined byjonathan reynolds, budget. i'mjoined byjonathan reynolds, the senior spokesman for the main opposition labour party. if you win power, you could hold it at a different time of year? its, you win power, you could hold it at a different time of year? b. 11th you win power, you could hold it at a different time of year?— a different time of year? a lot of thins a different time of year? a lot of things would _ a different time of year? a lot of things would be _ a different time of year? a lot of things would be better _ a different time of year? a lot of things would be better under - a different time of year? a lot of things would be better under a i things would be better under a labour— things would be better under a labour government! | things would be better under a labour government!— things would be better under a labour government! i gave you at a railway line — labour government! i gave you at a railway line with _ labour government! i gave you at a railway line with that _ labour government! i gave you at a railway line with that one. - labour government! i gave you at a railway line with that one. what - labour government! i gave you at a railway line with that one. what is i railway line with that one. what is your main critique with what you had today? —— a throwaway line. {jut today? -- a throwaway line. our --eole today? -- a throwaway line. our people are _ today? -- a throwaway line. our people are better— today? —— a throwaway line. our people are better off than they were 13 years _ people are better off than they were 13 years ago and the answer for most people _ 13 years ago and the answer for most people is— 13 years ago and the answer for most people is no — 13 years ago and the answer for most people is no. —— are people that

are _ people is no. —— are people that are the — people is no. —— are people that are. the chancellor says we are not going _ are. the chancellor says we are not going to _ are. the chancellor says we are not going to accept being the worst performing major economy in the g7, and we _ performing major economy in the g7, and we recognise the fact we are the only major— and we recognise the fact we are the only major economy that has not grown _ only major economy that has not grown to— only major economy that has not grown to its pre—pandemic level we are going _ grown to its pre—pandemic level we are going to correct that and they will be _ are going to correct that and they will be hope and ambition but it is more _ will be hope and ambition but it is more of— will be hope and ambition but it is more of the same. we will be hope and ambition but it is more of the same.— will be hope and ambition but it is more of the same. we will come onto our more of the same. we will come onto your ambition — more of the same. we will come onto your ambition in _ more of the same. we will come onto your ambition in a _ more of the same. we will come onto your ambition in a second _ more of the same. we will come onto your ambition in a second but - more of the same. we will come onto your ambition in a second but when i your ambition in a second but when there was nothing about what you heard which picked your interest? what about the tax incentives for business to invest and some of the measures encouraging people who are of working age but not working? figs measures encouraging people who are of working age but not working? $5 i of working age but not working? as i sat there on — of working age but not working? as i sat there on the front bench, there were _ sat there on the front bench, there were a _ sat there on the front bench, there were a few— sat there on the front bench, there were a few ideas that felt that had been _ were a few ideas that felt that had been burgled from the next labour manifesto, the points on childcare and prepayment meters, we wanted that support with people's bills to begin— that support with people's bills to begin with, but on business investment and this is top of my

list because the country has the lowest — list because the country has the lowest rate of business investment in the _ lowest rate of business investment in the g7 _ lowest rate of business investment in the g7 is — lowest rate of business investment in the g7 is the direct cause of the low productivity and high taxes and poor public services that has been the story— poor public services that has been the story of the last decade, so i watched — the story of the last decade, so i watched with interest on what has been _ watched with interest on what has been announced but of course what stands _ been announced but of course what stands out. — been announced but of course what stands out, announced for three years— stands out, announced for three years so— stands out, announced for three years so that will bring forward investment decisions, according to modelling, but for most businesses, their investment outline is longer than three — their investment outline is longer than three years, you need the stability — than three years, you need the stability. 22 changes over the corporation tax regime in this parliament alone and that is not good _ parliament alone and that is not good enough and it holds us back, the lack— good enough and it holds us back, the lack of— good enough and it holds us back, the lack of stability is the number one complaint for business in the uk. . :, one complaint for business in the uk. . ., :, one complaint for business in the uk. . :, ., ., one complaint for business in the uk. :, ., ., ., one complaint for business in the uk. what a lot of people struggle to understand is _ uk. what a lot of people struggle to understand is what _ uk. what a lot of people struggle to understand is what exactly - uk. what a lot of people struggle to understand is what exactly is - uk. what a lot of people struggle to understand is what exactly is it - understand is what exactly is it that labour would do differently? after all as far as i know, you are not suggesting something radically different about the size of the state or the role of the state and you are not suggesting we rejoin the

eu single market, even though one of the things that the 0br constantly refers back to, as one of the causes of the albums for the uk and why we are under it's the fact we are out of the eu —— one of the causes of the performance by the uk. why would it be different under labour? irate it be different under labour? we will be focused on jobs and wages and energy bills and crucially, a much _ and energy bills and crucially, a much better and more competitive uk that will— much better and more competitive uk that will attract the investment so for instance, look at the big industrial— for instance, look at the big industrial news, job cuts at ford and british— industrial news, job cuts at ford and british steel and astrazeneca has gone — and british steel and astrazeneca has gone to ireland so our growing prosperity— has gone to ireland so our growing prosperity plan is a big response to the inflation reduction act which we have seen— the inflation reduction act which we have seen in the us and the net zero act in _ have seen in the us and the net zero act in the _ have seen in the us and the net zero act inthe eu. — have seen in the us and the net zero act in the eu, and we are not for rejoining — act in the eu, and we are not for rejoining the eu because the

instability will cause further instability, although we would improve — instability, although we would improve the deal.— instability, although we would improve the deal. brexit is a hit that uk has _ improve the deal. brexit is a hit that uk has got _ improve the deal. brexit is a hit that uk has got to _ improve the deal. brexit is a hit that uk has got to take - improve the deal. brexit is a hit that uk has got to take the - improve the deal. brexit is a hit. that uk has got to take the chin? the decision has been made, but we can reioin _ the decision has been made, but we can rejoin the horizon science programme, and improved exports to and from _ programme, and improved exports to and from the single market, making sure mutual— and from the single market, making sure mutual professional qualifications are recognised, that can be _ qualifications are recognised, that can be made better with a stronger employment rates during rights, and ithink— employment rates during rights, and i think it _ employment rates during rights, and i think it is _ employment rates during rights, and tthink it is a — employment rates during rights, and i think it is a comprehensive and much _ i think it is a comprehensive and much better offer to invest in business _ much better offer to invest in business already here and that is the change of direction we need. i am overrunning whatever time we have been allocated but let me ask you about the public sector, and one of the things we see in the forecasts is a five year squeeze on public spending, which means will be spent on education and health, and that is at a time when we note there are

large numbers of strikes today, so if you were to win the next election, it would be tricky, would you go ahead and implement what might be called austerity light? we would not be for austerity but whilst — would not be for austerity but whilst growth is low it means the burden— whilst growth is low it means the burden of— whilst growth is low it means the burden of taxation is high and public— burden of taxation is high and public services are not performing to our— public services are not performing to our conception of high standard but if— to our conception of high standard but if you — to our conception of high standard but if you look at the nhs, what we would _ but if you look at the nhs, what we would have — but if you look at the nhs, what we would have had in the budget, is the abolition _ would have had in the budget, is the abolition of — would have had in the budget, is the abolition of the non—dom rule, over £3 abolition of the non—dom rule, over 5 billion— abolition of the non—dom rule, over 5 billion of— abolition of the non—dom rule, over £3 billion of revenue, which we would — £3 billion of revenue, which we would spend on more doctors and nurses. _ would spend on more doctors and nurses, getting people the health care they— nurses, getting people the health care they need but also getting more people _ care they need but also getting more people back to work, that is the real answer to labour market inactivity. _ real answer to labour market inactivity, making sure people get the treatment they need if they are ill and _ the treatment they need if they are ill and getting back into work. we have ill and getting back into work. have got to ill and getting back into work. 9 have got to wrap up but thank you very much for your time. there we are. that is the word from the main opposition labour party.—

opposition labour party. these noises in your _ opposition labour party. these noises in your head _ opposition labour party. these noises in your head can - opposition labour party. these noises in your head can be - opposition labour party. these| noises in your head can be very annoying at times! rob watson there at the houses of parliament. in iran, at least17 people have died in iran — while celebrating a fire festival. authorities say the deaths were caused by home—made fireworks. parham ghobadi reports. "forfreedom", they sing, burning their headscarves. this is the fire festival in iran, an ancient persian ritual. a chance to dance. but this year, to also protest. scenes like these can potentially lead to your arrest in iran. dancing in public, especially without a hijab, is not tolerated by the islamic regime. like these girls, who were immediately arrested last week when their video went viral.

they were released after making a public apology. but iran's generation z, who has been at the forefront of anti—government protest which swept the country in september, has shown no fear. in this video, verified by bbc persian, protesters in the capital, tehran, threw handmade fireworks at the riot police as they tried to move in. the iranian authorities have given a muted response, focusing on the number of dead from the fireworks. translation: this year, - at least 26 people were killed, which is five more than last year. the protests started after the death of a young kurdish woman, mahsa amini, in police custody, for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. "woman, life, freedom" is the chant. young people have not forgiven or forgotten.

here in a northern city, they shout that iran's supreme leader, ayatollah khomeini, will be overthrown this year. they say they want an end to the clerical establishment. parham ghobadi, bbc news. let's return to college green with rob watson — who's got more on the uk budget. ijust wish i had a better coat on. anyway, what can you do? i'm going to get to my next couple of guests. antoniojennings from the scent of the local economic strategists and ben lake from plaid cymru —— antonia jennings from the centre. and for our overseas viewers, plaid cymru believes in welsh independence.

first of all, can you explain what the centre does, and i gather you are not a great fan of the government?— are not a great fan of the government? are not a great fan of the covernment? 9 ., ., :, government? we advocate for progressive — government? we advocate for progressive local _ government? we advocate for| progressive local development government? we advocate for- progressive local development and we see what— progressive local development and we see what can happen on a local level and what _ see what can happen on a local level and what can happen if good public services _ and what can happen if good public services are funded well and councils— services are funded well and councils really work their policies to benefit — councils really work their policies to benefit the community. politics 101 in this country _ to benefit the community. politics 101 in this country is _ to benefit the community. politics 101 in this country is an _ 101 in this country is an uncontroversial thought that what the uk needs is more equal development than london and the south—east, which has been richer for some time, so what do you make of the budget? does it address this? it doesn't, it does not make up for years— it doesn't, it does not make up for years of— it doesn't, it does not make up for years of underdevelopment and underinvestment and local government has had _ underinvestment and local government has had cuts to the tune of £15 billion— has had cuts to the tune of £15 billion since 2010 if you are just that for— billion since 2010 if you are just that for inflation that is £40 billion _ that for inflation that is £40 billion. what we have seen with levelling — billion. what we have seen with levelling up is £2 billion offered it so that —

levelling up is £2 billion offered it so that is like me offering you £20. _ it so that is like me offering you £20. you — it so that is like me offering you £20, you taking a pound back and then us— £20, you taking a pound back and then us trying to figure out whether i can then us trying to figure out whether i can be _ then us trying to figure out whether i can be in— then us trying to figure out whether i can be in the same position that i was ten _ i can be in the same position that i was ten minutes before the exchange, so n0. _ was ten minutes before the exchange, so no, nothing goes anywhere close to making _ so no, nothing goes anywhere close to making up for those years of underinvestment. is to making up for those years of underinvestment.— to making up for those years of underinvestment. is there anything that the government _ underinvestment. is there anything that the government could - underinvestment. is there anything that the government could do - underinvestment. is there anything that the government could do now| that the government could do now within the financial envelope that the uk faces that would make a difference? ids, the uk faces that would make a difference?— difference? a lot of things, if delivered. — difference? a lot of things, if delivered, could _ difference? a lot of things, if delivered, could make - difference? a lot of things, if delivered, could make a - difference? a lot of things, if- delivered, could make a difference, and we _ delivered, could make a difference, and we saw— delivered, could make a difference, and we saw trailblazer devolution deal is _ and we saw trailblazer devolution deal is announced and we saw the announcement of the 12 investment zones _ announcement of the 12 investment zones and _ announcement of the 12 investment zones and i— announcement of the 12 investment zones and i think if the investment zones _ zones and i think if the investment zones turn — zones and i think if the investment zones turn out to be along the lines of canary— zones turn out to be along the lines of canary wharf which is what jeremy hunt suggested. that of canary wharf which is what jeremy hunt suggested-— hunt suggested. that is a financial district in london. _ hunt suggested. that is a financial district in london. that _ hunt suggested. that is a financial district in london. that will - hunt suggested. that is a financial district in london. that will not i hunt suggested. that is a financial district in london. that will not do | district in london. that will not do an hint district in london. that will not do anything for _ district in london. that will not do anything for the — district in london. that will not do anything for the kid _ district in london. that will not do anything for the kid in _ district in london. that will not do anything for the kid in tower- anything for the kid in tower hamlets _ anything for the kid in tower hamlets who is in poverty but if they— hamlets who is in poverty but if they make sure of good quality local 'obs they make sure of good quality local jobs and _ they make sure of good quality local jobs and make sure that the businesses within them procured from the local— businesses within them procured from the local community then possibly.

we have _ the local community then possibly. we have got our competing umbrellas here, tangling up. you are no friend of the government, what is your friend of the government? i of the government, what is your friend of the government?- friend of the government? i was hoinu friend of the government? i was hoping there _ friend of the government? i was hoping there might _ friend of the government? i was hoping there might have - friend of the government? i was hoping there might have been more decisive _ hoping there might have been more decisive action _ hoping there might have been more decisive action with _ hoping there might have been more decisive action with measures - hoping there might have been more decisive action with measures to - decisive action with measures to tackle _ decisive action with measures to tackle the — decisive action with measures to tackle the cost _ decisive action with measures to tackle the cost of— decisive action with measures to tackle the cost of living - decisive action with measures to tackle the cost of living crisis. i decisive action with measures to| tackle the cost of living crisis. do tackle the cost of living crisis. opposition party politicians tackle the cost of living crisis.“ opposition party politicians really hope that? we opposition party politicians really hoe that? ~ ., opposition party politicians really hoethat? 9 :, ., , opposition party politicians really hoethat?9 :, ., , , , hope that? we do, actually, because we cannot afford _ hope that? we do, actually, because we cannot afford this _ hope that? we do, actually, because we cannot afford this in _ hope that? we do, actually, because we cannot afford this in action - hope that? we do, actually, because we cannot afford this in action and i we cannot afford this in action and we cannot afford this in action and we have _ we cannot afford this in action and we have heard _ we cannot afford this in action and we have heard a _ we cannot afford this in action and we have heard a lot— we cannot afford this in action and we have heard a lot of— we cannot afford this in action and| we have heard a lot of government spin saying — we have heard a lot of government spin saying that _ we have heard a lot of government spin saying that the _ we have heard a lot of government spin saying that the retention - we have heard a lot of government spin saying that the retention of i spin saying that the retention of the energy— spin saying that the retention of the energy price _ spin saying that the retention of the energy price cap— spin saying that the retention of the energy price cap is- spin saying that the retention of the energy price cap is a - spin saying that the retention of the energy price cap is a good i the energy price cap is a good thing. — the energy price cap is a good thing. and _ the energy price cap is a good thing. and yes. _ the energy price cap is a good thing, and yes, of— the energy price cap is a good thing, and yes, of course, - the energy price cap is a good thing, and yes, of course, it i the energy price cap is a good| thing, and yes, of course, it is welcome — thing, and yes, of course, it is welcome but _ thing, and yes, of course, it is welcome but do _ thing, and yes, of course, it is welcome but do not _ thing, and yes, of course, it is welcome but do not forget, i thing, and yes, of course, it is welcome but do not forget, iti welcome but do not forget, it maintains— welcome but do not forget, it maintains prices— welcome but do not forget, it maintains prices at _ welcome but do not forget, it maintains prices at an - welcome but do not forget, it| maintains prices at an already heightened _ maintains prices at an already heightened level— maintains prices at an already heightened level that- maintains prices at an already heightened level that many. maintains prices at an already- heightened level that many people are finding — heightened level that many people are finding unaffordable _ heightened level that many people are finding unaffordable and - heightened level that many people are finding unaffordable and if - heightened level that many people are finding unaffordable and if youl are finding unaffordable and if you represent — are finding unaffordable and if you represent a — are finding unaffordable and if you represent a place _ are finding unaffordable and if you represent a place that _ are finding unaffordable and if you represent a place that has - are finding unaffordable and if you represent a place that has 74% - are finding unaffordable and if you represent a place that has 74% of| represent a place that has 74% of households — represent a place that has 74% of households not _ represent a place that has 74% of households not connected - represent a place that has 74% of households not connected to - represent a place that has 74% of households not connected to the | households not connected to the mains _ households not connected to the mains gas— households not connected to the mains gas grid _ households not connected to the mains gas grid like _ households not connected to the mains gas grid like myself, - households not connected to the | mains gas grid like myself, there not that— mains gas grid like myself, there not that much _ mains gas grid like myself, there not that much support _ mains gas grid like myself, there not that much support for - mains gas grid like myself, there not that much support for this, i mains gas grid like myself, therei not that much support for this, so there _ not that much support for this, so there is— not that much support for this, so there is disappointment— not that much support for this, so there is disappointment on- not that much support for this, so there is disappointment on that i there is disappointment on that front— there is disappointment on that front but— there is disappointment on that front but also _ there is disappointment on that front but also in _ there is disappointment on that front but also in terms - there is disappointment on that front but also in terms of- there is disappointment on that front but also in terms of the i front but also in terms of the longer— front but also in terms of the longer term _ front but also in terms of the longer term perspective, - front but also in terms of the i longer term perspective, there front but also in terms of the - longer term perspective, there was an opportunity— longer term perspective, there was an opportunity for— longer term perspective, there was an opportunity for the _

longer term perspective, there was an opportunity for the government i longer term perspective, there was i an opportunity for the government to set out _ an opportunity for the government to set out a _ an opportunity for the government to set out a vision — an opportunity for the government to set out a vision for _ an opportunity for the government to set out a vision for the _ an opportunity for the government to set out a vision for the uk, _ set out a vision for the uk, levelling _ set out a vision for the uk, levelling up. _ set out a vision for the uk, levelling up, where - set out a vision for the uk, levelling up, where was . set out a vision for the uk, i levelling up, where was that? set out a vision for the uk, - levelling up, where was that? where was the _ levelling up, where was that? where was the bold — levelling up, where was that? where was the bold thinking _ levelling up, where was that? where was the bold thinking in— levelling up, where was that? where was the bold thinking in terms - levelling up, where was that? where was the bold thinking in terms of- was the bold thinking in terms of renewable — was the bold thinking in terms of renewable energy? _ was the bold thinking in terms of renewable energy? we _ was the bold thinking in terms of renewable energy? we have - was the bold thinking in terms of. renewable energy? we have great potential— renewable energy? we have great potential in — renewable energy? we have great potential in wales _ renewable energy? we have great potential in wales for _ renewable energy? we have great potential in wales for offshore - renewable energy? we have great. potential in wales for offshore wind and the _ potential in wales for offshore wind and the cross—party _ potential in wales for offshore wind and the cross—party committee - potential in wales for offshore wind and the cross—party committee has| and the cross—party committee has made _ and the cross—party committee has made a _ and the cross—party committee has made a lot— and the cross—party committee has made a lot of— and the cross—party committee has made a lot of recommendations . and the cross—party committee has. made a lot of recommendations that would _ made a lot of recommendations that would unlock— made a lot of recommendations that would unlock a — made a lot of recommendations that would unlock a lot _ made a lot of recommendations that would unlock a lot of _ made a lot of recommendations that would unlock a lot of that _ would unlock a lot of that development _ would unlock a lot of that development and - would unlock a lot of that| development and produce would unlock a lot of that - development and produce green would unlock a lot of that _ development and produce green and secure _ development and produce green and secure energy— development and produce green and secure energy sources _ development and produce green and secure energy sources for _ development and produce green and secure energy sources for the - development and produce green and secure energy sources for the uk - development and produce green and secure energy sources for the uk for the next _ secure energy sources for the uk for the next 50 — secure energy sources for the uk for the next 50 years. _ secure energy sources for the uk for the next 50 years. there _ secure energy sources for the uk for the next 50 years. there was - secure energy sources for the uk for the next 50 years. there was no - the next 50 years. there was no mention— the next 50 years. there was no mention of— the next 50 years. there was no mention of that. _ the next 50 years. there was no mention of that.— the next 50 years. there was no mention of that. one of the unifying thins in mention of that. one of the unifying things in british _ mention of that. one of the unifying things in british politics— mention of that. one of the unifying things in british politics is— mention of that. one of the unifying things in british politics is that - things in british politics is that the country faces a problem with growth and people say that the uk is not growing as well as some of the eurozone countries and the us and other g7 countries, we have not bounced back from the pandemic, so what holds growth back? you bounced back from the pandemic, so what holds growth back?— what holds growth back? you could break it down _ what holds growth back? you could break it down into _ what holds growth back? you could break it down into a _ what holds growth back? you could break it down into a couple - what holds growth back? you could break it down into a couple of - break it down into a couple of issues. — break it down into a couple of issues, productivity— break it down into a couple of issues, productivity problem i break it down into a couple of - issues, productivity problem when it comes— issues, productivity problem when it comes to _ issues, productivity problem when it comes to the — issues, productivity problem when it comes to the productivity _ issues, productivity problem when it comes to the productivity of - issues, productivity problem when it comes to the productivity of labour. comes to the productivity of labour and also _ comes to the productivity of labour and also the — comes to the productivity of labour and also the productivity _ comes to the productivity of labour and also the productivity of - and also the productivity of capitat~ _ and also the productivity of caital. �* , . 9. and also the productivity of caital. , , . : , capital. but why is that? because we have more services _ capital. but why is that? because we have more services rather— capital. but why is that? because we have more services rather than - have more services rather than making stuff? it

have more services rather than making stuff?— have more services rather than making stuff? it is the lack of a coherent plan. _ making stuff? it is the lack of a coherent plan. look— making stuff? it is the lack of a coherent plan. look at - making stuff? it is the lack of a coherent plan. look at the - coherent plan. look at the productivity _ coherent plan. look at the productivity of _ coherent plan. look at the productivity of labour - coherent plan. look at the productivity of labour as i coherent plan. look at the| productivity of labour as an example. _ productivity of labour as an example. you _ productivity of labour as an example, you have - productivity of labour as an example, you have the - productivity of labour as an i example, you have the home productivity of labour as an _ example, you have the home secretary who was— example, you have the home secretary who was insistent _ example, you have the home secretary who was insistent on _ example, you have the home secretary who was insistent on reducing - example, you have the home secretary who was insistent on reducing net - who was insistent on reducing net migration— who was insistent on reducing net migration and _ who was insistent on reducing net migration and talking _ who was insistent on reducing net migration and talking potentially. migration and talking potentially reducing — migration and talking potentially reducing the _ migration and talking potentially reducing the number— migration and talking potentially reducing the number of- migration and talking potentially - reducing the number of international students _ reducing the number of international students studying _ reducing the number of international students studying in _ reducing the number of international students studying in the _ reducing the number of international students studying in the uk - students studying in the uk universities _ students studying in the uk universities and _ students studying in the uk universities and on - students studying in the uk universities and on the - students studying in the uki universities and on the other students studying in the uk - universities and on the other hand you have — universities and on the other hand you have the — universities and on the other hand you have the treasury _ universities and on the other hand you have the treasury wishing - universities and on the other hand i you have the treasury wishing they could _ you have the treasury wishing they could increase _ you have the treasury wishing they could increase growth _ you have the treasury wishing they could increase growth in _ you have the treasury wishing they could increase growth in the - you have the treasury wishing they could increase growth in the labour market. _ could increase growth in the labour market. so — could increase growth in the labour market. so you _ could increase growth in the labour market, so you have _ could increase growth in the labour market, so you have different - market, so you have different departments _ market, so you have different departments of _ market, so you have different departments of state - market, so you have different i departments of state competing market, so you have different - departments of state competing in different— departments of state competing in different ways _ departments of state competing in different ways on _ departments of state competing in different ways on this _ departments of state competing in different ways on this major- departments of state competing in different ways on this major issue i different ways on this major issue and it— different ways on this major issue and it stems _ different ways on this major issue and it stems because _ different ways on this major issue and it stems because of— different ways on this major issue and it stems because of the - and it stems because of the government— and it stems because of the government does— and it stems because of the government does not - and it stems because of the government does not havel and it stems because of the| government does not have a and it stems because of the - government does not have a coherent plan of— government does not have a coherent plan of what _ government does not have a coherent plan of what it — government does not have a coherent plan of what it once _ government does not have a coherent plan of what it once the _ government does not have a coherent plan of what it once the economy- government does not have a coherent plan of what it once the economy to i plan of what it once the economy to look like _ plan of what it once the economy to look like. levelling _ plan of what it once the economy to look like. levelling up _ plan of what it once the economy to look like. levelling up at _ plan of what it once the economy to look like. levelling up at least - look like. levelling up at least offered — look like. levelling up at least offered some _ look like. levelling up at least offered some sort— look like. levelling up at least offered some sort of- look like. levelling up at least offered some sort of outline i look like. levelling up at least| offered some sort of outline of look like. levelling up at least - offered some sort of outline of what they could _ offered some sort of outline of what they could do — offered some sort of outline of what they could do in _ offered some sort of outline of what they could do in terms _ offered some sort of outline of what they could do in terms of _ offered some sort of outline of what| they could do in terms of addressing this regional— they could do in terms of addressing this regional inequality— they could do in terms of addressing this regional inequality but - they could do in terms of addressing this regional inequality but that - this regional inequality but that has now— this regional inequality but that has now been— this regional inequality but that has now been cast _ this regional inequality but that has now been cast asunder- this regional inequality but that has now been cast asunder and| this regional inequality but that - has now been cast asunder and thrown overboard _ has now been cast asunder and thrown overboard and — has now been cast asunder and thrown overboard and we _ has now been cast asunder and thrown overboard and we have _ has now been cast asunder and thrown overboard and we have nothing - has now been cast asunder and thrown overboard and we have nothing left. i overboard and we have nothing left. great _ overboard and we have nothing left. great slogan. — overboard and we have nothing left. great slogan, though, _ overboard and we have nothing left. great slogan, though, levelling - overboard and we have nothing left. great slogan, though, levelling up, i great slogan, though, levelling up, nobody could disagree with it. we are probably running out of time, but if there was one thing that you

could do for growth, something that made the uk grow like other countries, what would it be? the debate around _ countries, what would it be? the debate around growth has been reductive — debate around growth has been reductive and simplistic and growth does not _ reductive and simplistic and growth does not tell you anything about poverty— does not tell you anything about poverty levels or anything about the spread _ poverty levels or anything about the spread of— poverty levels or anything about the spread of growth and we really need to be unpacking in light of the climate — to be unpacking in light of the climate emergency what is growing in the future _ climate emergency what is growing in the future and who is benefiting from _ the future and who is benefiting from that — the future and who is benefiting from that growth and what democratic mechanisms are behind it what we want _ mechanisms are behind it what we want to— mechanisms are behind it what we want to grow. mechanisms are behind it what we want to grow— want to grow. thank you both very much and l — want to grow. thank you both very much and i am _ want to grow. thank you both very much and i am now— want to grow. thank you both very much and i am now going - want to grow. thank you both very much and i am now going to - want to grow. thank you both very much and i am now going to hand | want to grow. thank you both very - much and i am now going to hand back to the studio. there we are. thank ou ve to the studio. there we are. thank you very much- — to the studio. there we are. thank you very much. we _ to the studio. there we are. thank you very much. we are _ to the studio. there we are. thank you very much. we are impressed| to the studio. there we are. thank you very much. we are impressed that you very much. we are impressed that you have got matching umbrellas. rob watson in the rain, as you would expect in the spring in the uk.

the creators of the viral artifiical intelligence platform, chatgpt, have unveiled its latest version — called gpt—4. the upgrade means it can respond to images as well as words, suggesting recipe ideas from a picture of ingredients as well as writing captions and descriptions. millions of people around the the world have used the original chat gpt since it was launched late last year. popular requests have included asking it to write songs, poems, website copy and even school essays. it will initially be available through subscription from microsoft which has invested billions in the new technology. let's catch up on the latest business news now. it will be doing all of ourjobs soon! laughter let's start with credit suisse, because the bank's shares have fallen as much as 30% to a record low, for the second consecutive day. this — after credit suisse's largest investor — saudi national bank, said it could not provide the swiss bank with any further financial assistance. credit suisse has its own unique issues — but the banking sector across europe is under pressure.

with other major banks like ubs and societe general suffering falls. all adding to downward pressure on markets stilljittery from the fallout from the collapse of silicon valley bank. michelle fleury is in new york for us. there are still jitters there are stilljitters even though central banks and we have heard from credit suisse's boss today saying everything is fine but the worries persist? it everything is fine but the worries ersist? . everything is fine but the worries ersist? , .,, :, , ., persist? it is astonishing and it shows you _ persist? it is astonishing and it shows you the _ persist? it is astonishing and it shows you the volatility - persist? it is astonishing and it shows you the volatility we - persist? it is astonishing and it shows you the volatility we are j shows you the volatility we are seeing in the banking sector. yesterday we spoke about the rebound in the stocks in us regional banking shares and to date we haven't seen those jitters returning shares and to date we haven't seen thosejitters returning —— and shares and to date we haven't seen those jitters returning —— and today we have seen those jitters returning especially in europe and we are talking about credit suisse with the share price down around 20%. earlier it was down 30%. the situation is such that apparently management at credit suisse have appealed to the

swiss central bank to issue some sort of statement reassuring investors about the health of this bank. it gives you a sense of how rapidly things can move. the stocks rebound in yesterday and today, yet again, we are talking about the bank stocks under pressure. irate again, we are talking about the bank stocks under pressure.— again, we are talking about the bank stocks under pressure. we have done this for far too _ stocks under pressure. we have done this for far too long _ stocks under pressure. we have done this for far too long and _ stocks under pressure. we have done this for far too long and we _ this for far too long and we remember the 2008 financial crisis which was brought about by similar reasons but this time it is different because this is about interest rates going up which means the banks are finding it hard to make the numbers add up. explain the correlation. ids, make the numbers add up. explain the correlation. : 9, make the numbers add up. explain the correlation. : ., ., make the numbers add up. explain the correlation. : :, :, :, correlation. a lot of banks hold assets which _ correlation. a lot of banks hold assets which have _ correlation. a lot of banks hold assets which have lost - correlation. a lot of banks hold assets which have lost value i correlation. a lot of banks hold - assets which have lost value because of the recent increase in interest rates and typically banks will hedge their risk and they can buy a product and protect them against that but as customers rushed to the

banks to take out their money, they are forced to raise more capital so they sell some of the assets at a loss and in the case of silicon valley bank they were not good at protecting themselves against such a scenario and that is why they ran into trouble. investors have been looking around since casting their eye across the banking sector, say, who else has got these problems with unrealised losses? attention has focused on credit suisse. what is interesting is that we have had comments from the chair today saying, we have strong capital base, we have a strong regulation, we are in a good position, but the fact you have these comments from its biggest backer saying it will not be able to lend backer saying it will not be able to [end it any more money if it runs into trouble, that has spooked investors right now and it will be interesting to see how central bankers respond because you have got the ecb meeting and expected to raise rates by 50 basis points tomorrow, which was before this

happened, and then the federal reserve in the us having its policy rate setting meeting next week. by]!!! rate setting meeting next week. all of this is happening amid an environment where central banks are saying they had got to raise rates to keep a lid on prices and to keep inflation down. so there are two conflicting demands and it is hard to know which one they will pay most attention to. ii to know which one they will pay most attention to-— attention to. if you look at what is ha enin: attention to. if you look at what is happening in _ attention to. if you look at what is happening in the _ attention to. if you look at what is happening in the us, _ attention to. if you look at what is happening in the us, the - attention to. if you look at what is i happening in the us, the expectation now is that the federal reserve will probably pause raising interest rates and there is talk about christine lagarde at the ecb tomorrow, she had hinted that it was likely you could see a 50 basis point increase but now there's talk of can she do that in the face of what is happening to banking stocks? will she scale back or even hit the pause button? but the panic continues to spread and if you want to draw parallels to 2008, one of the things we talked about then was

an instrument which made sure against bank losses and in the case of the insurance policy regarding credit suisse, the prices for those products are at levels not seen really since the last financial crisis, that indicates that there is a level of panic right now. i'm hoping you can hear me now. michelle, thank you. we cut you off in your prime but thanks forjoining us. i'm hoping you can hear me at home. to the uk now, where the chancellorjeremy hunt has been unveiling his first budget. billed as the back to work budget, mr hunt offered up extra childcare provision and pension tax changes — among other incentives to get britain growing again. but another tool in his box was an eye catching move

towards a high tech future for the uk, with the pharmaceutical sector getting particular attention. let's have a listen. we are lucky with the mhra to have one of the most respected drugs regulators in the world. indeed the very first anywhere to license a covid vaccine. from 2024 they will move to a different model, which will allow rapid, often near automatic signoff for medicines and technologies already approved by trusted regulators in other parts of the world, such as the united states, europe and japan. at the same time, they will set up a swift new approval process for the most cutting edge medicines and devices to ensure the uk becomes a global centre for their development. joining me now is hugo fry — chief executive of medicine developer r0 biotechnology. thanks forjoining us. we heard from

the chancellor, enhanced tax relief rate, what does this mean for you? good afternoon. for a small research base but a very ambitious company like ourselves where we are really focused on the research in the field of infectious diseases for vulnerable populations, we develop antibodies, and companies like ours really welcome this boost. because tax relief which is essentially a government reinvestment in what we do, in our sector, allows us to go deeper into the science, longer into the science and it allows us to employ more scientists and it gives a high probability of success in reaching our goal which is developing these very innovative medicines for vulnerable populations. it medicines for vulnerable populations.— medicines for vulnerable populations. medicines for vulnerable --oulations. , ., :, populations. it is the idea of incentivising _ populations. it is the idea of incentivising risk-taking - populations. it is the idea of incentivising risk-taking andj incentivising risk—taking and normally we might be averse to risk taking part in an industry like yours that is crucial that is how

yours that is crucial that is how you will find the big thing and it may be that your research does not pay off but when it does it can be life changing, can't it? it absolutely can. the infectious diseases that we are focused on are covid and flu and we have seen the devastating effects of those diseases especially on those where vaccines have limited value and sometimes not at all because the populations do not have the right immune response so you have to put an antibody in them. we are successful, we hope that there will be far fewer patients being hospitalised these infectious diseases, so you can imagine the impact this can have. what the tax relief does, it gives us a longer runway and a higher probability of success and of succeeding.- runway and a higher probability of success and of succeeding. hugo, so aood to success and of succeeding. hugo, so good to talk — success and of succeeding. hugo, so good to talk to _ success and of succeeding. hugo, so good to talk to you. _ success and of succeeding. hugo, so good to talk to you. thanks - success and of succeeding. hugo, so good to talk to you. thanks for- good to talk to you. thanks for joining us. the weatherforecast

good to talk to you. thanks for joining us. the weather forecast and headlines coming up for you very shortly. that is all from me. goodbye. hello there. this week we're seeing some big swings in temperature from one day to the next, and we've got more of the same just around the corner. we had a very cold start to the morning with temperatures down at minus ten. but over the next 24 hours or so, milder air will be pushing right the way across the uk, bringing a bigjump in our temperatures. today, though, quite cold, temperatures around seven or eight degrees celsius pretty widely. but if you take a look at the highs in londonderry, we're going from eight today to about 15 degrees celsius tomorrow. so you will notice that change to much milder weather. before we get there, though, as i say, today is a relatively cold day with temperatures below average, a sunny and frosty start. but now things are starting to cloud over. and in northern ireland, we're seeing rain moving in, and there have been a few flakes

of snowjust on the leading edge of this weather front across some of the hills in northern ireland. but during this evening, as that weather system bumps into the cold air, we could see a spell of snow across the hills of northern england and scotland, the snow lasting longest to the north of the central lowlands and could bring some localised areas of disruption. but then later in the night, there'll be another push of much milder air as the next band of rain works in. and so temperatures will be climbing significantly. by the end of the night, nine or ten degrees celsius pretty widely and even across northern scotland we'll see temperatures climbing well above freezing. now for thursday, we've got that mild flow of southwesterly winds, but it will be quite a wet and windy kind of day. the rain heavy enough to cause some localised surface waterflooding issues, the weather slowly brightening up in northern ireland as we go through the afternoon, but with the risk of some heavy and thundery showers later in the day. temperatures 14—15c, so it will be a lot milder. even northern scotland, ten in aberdeen, still relatively

cold though in lerwick. for friday, we might see some fairly prolonged outbreaks of rain affecting eastern areas of england. otherwise, i think it's going to be a cloudy day with some heavy bursts of rain around, the heaviest probably across western areas of the uk, maybe even a bit of thunder mixed in. still mild, temperatures could go as high as 16 degrees in newcastle as we end the week. and then for the weekend, still lots of cloud around on saturday with bursts of rain, sunday probably showers, a few brighter spells in between, but still overall, quite a lot of cloud expected. and then if we take a quick look at the weather into next week, well, it looks like for some of us the colder air will return.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm reeta chakrabarti. our top stories. the uk chancellor sets out his spring budget in parliament. extra help for childcare and scrapping the limit on tax—free pension savings are part of the government's plans. our top stories. today, we build for the future. with inflation down, debt falling and growth up, the declinists are wrong and the optimists are right. like millions across our country, this budget leaves us stuck in the waiting room with only a sticking plaster to hand. a country set on a path of managed decline, falling behind our competitors, the sick man of europe once again. shares in the swiss banking giant credit suisse fall to a record low