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 as investors remain worried after the collapse of silicon valley bank. 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. conflicting accounts from washington and moscow as a us drone crashes into the black sea after an encounter with russian fighter jets. and a small number of wolves settle in belgium for the first time in more than 100 years as numbers rise across europe. hello. we start here in the uk — where 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". 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. i'm joined now by david milne, financial adviser at invest south west. hello to you. thank you forjoining us. can we talk specifically about pensions? you give financial advice to people who help handle their pensions and their retirement plans. what do you make of the proposals in the budget? it what do you make of the proposals in the budaet? ., , what do you make of the proposals in the budaet? . , . what do you make of the proposals in the budet? . , . , , , the budget? it was quite a surprise. i did meet — the budget? it was quite a surprise. i did meet an _ the budget? it was quite a surprise. i did expect an increase _ the budget? it was quite a surprise. i did expect an increase in _ the budget? it was quite a surprise. i did expect an increase in the - i did expect an increase in the lifetime allowance, but i was very surprised when it scrapped entirely. but the increase in the annual allowance is good as well, and a significant change. not ones that

were widely anticipated. how significant change. not ones that were widely anticipated.- significant change. not ones that were widely anticipated. how do you think peeple — were widely anticipated. how do you think peeple you _ were widely anticipated. how do you think people you are _ were widely anticipated. how do you think people you are advising - were widely anticipated. how do you think people you are advising are - think people you are advising are going to react to this news? what sort of extra flexibility or leeway does give them?— does give them? well, it's quite broad. there _ does give them? well, it's quite broad. there are _ does give them? well, it's quite broad. there are certainly - broad. there are certainly implications for tax planning. i can see why the government are doing this, they're desperate to get people back to work, particularly in medical professions. i did wonder why they didn't specifically target this at the medical profession and were so broad here. the amount you can put into a pension over a lifetime is unlimited, so there's big implications of. but lifetime is unlimited, so there's big implications of.— lifetime is unlimited, so there's big implications of. but we know what the chancellor _ big implications of. but we know what the chancellor and - big implications of. but we know what the chancellor and the - what the chancellor and the government are trying to do, they want to get older people to stay in work and they want to attract people out of retirement. they're targeting the higher earning doctors who said

they have been retiring early because it's not worth their while to go on working. are these measures going to get them to stay in work for longer?— for longer? that's a very good question- _ for longer? that's a very good question- i — for longer? that's a very good question. i think— for longer? that's a very good question. i think and - for longer? that's a very good question. i think and act - for longer? that's a very good i question. i think and act notably, the kind of people i'm seeing in their 50s and 60s, they've been in work a long time. they might be leaning towards working less, not have the stress of a full—time employment, and the motivation to earn high again is maybe not there. so, that's my feeling, but we clearly got a massive labour shortage. we need to get people back in work. i can understand why the government have done this and the implications. they're trying to get people back in work. i can see it's a good thing. in people back in work. i can see it's a good thing-— a good thing. in all your years of advisin: a good thing. in all your years of

advising people. _ a good thing. in all your years of advising people, has _ a good thing. in all your years of advising people, has anybody i a good thing. in all your years of i advising people, has anybody ever said to you, "i can't pay any more into my pensions when i retire"? very few! but i probably got a very small sample size compared to the rest of the uk. i don't know if that's necessarily the case, but i think, when i read about the implications, there's a lot of doctors who retire early because of this reason. they were working and being taxed putatively on their pensions, so there was no motivation there. what they've done today is eradicate it, so that is a good thing. eradicate it, so that is a good thin. ., , . ., thing. thanks very much for speaking to us, thing. thanks very much for speaking to us. david — thing. thanks very much for speaking to us, david milne _ thing. thanks very much for speaking to us, david milne from _ thing. thanks very much for speaking to us, david milne from invest - thing. thanks very much for speaking to us, david milne from invest south| to us, david milne from invest south west. thank you. we are nowjoined by brett wigdortz, ceo and co—founder of childminding agency tiney.

eye—catching proposal here. it's to be expanded to cover one and two—year—old. visit deliverable? first of all, it's hugely exciting, and i'm a father of three and i think any parent out there would be really excited to hear this. it's really excited to hear this. it's really important to so many children out there and parents. that's really positive to see this long overlooked area. that's fantastic. i think for it to be deliverable, the next step is to ensure there is a great supply of earlier as educated or —— early educators out there. there's a real sordid of child minders, educators who do great work and follow there curriculum, but numbers have been

dropping. how they'll ensure there will be more nursery spaces and the supply of early educators out there to meet the demand of parents. they're saying there will be around £4 billion for this scheme. it will come in and in stages, so by 2027 — 28, the government will provide £4 billion. does that sound enough to you, because it has been criticised? it's hard to know the exact amount. there are two problems. the earliest entitlement up until now, the hours that parents and for young children get, isn't enough. 0ur child minders have to subsidise the government—funded hours from other children or parents. it's not enough

for earlier educators to survive. i understand today that they've agreed to raise those rates. i haven't looked at the details, but we hope thatis looked at the details, but we hope that is up to market rates, otherwise early educators will suffer. i think the other part is there needs to be an effort to grow simply, there needs to be an effort to grow supply, and they mentioned agencies today which is great, but the more they can work with child mind or agencies to grow the number and turnaround the decrease, i think that's also really important. there's one more move that they are wanting to bring in which is to change the ratio of staff to child and move it from one carerfor every four children to one to five. as i concern you —— does that? four children to one to five. as i concern you -- does that? i think it should be an _ concern you -- does that? i think it should be an option. _ concern you -- does that? i think it should be an option. i _ concern you -- does that? i think it should be an option. i think- concern you -- does that? i think it should be an option. i think for- concern you -- does that? i think it should be an option. i think for our| should be an option. i think for our child minders, most of them are very happy with the current ratio and

wouldn't want extra children, but there are certainly some who would if they can do that safely. i think that's really up to the child minder. ., ~ , ., that's really up to the child minder. . ~' , ., , that's really up to the child minder. ., ~ , ., , . minder. 0k, thank you very much indeed, minder. 0k, thank you very much indeed. brett _ minder. 0k, thank you very much indeed, brett wigdortz _ minder. 0k, thank you very much indeed, brett wigdortz from - minder. 0k, thank you very much indeed, brett wigdortz from the l indeed, brett wigdortz from the agency tiney. let's go to pakistan, where authorities have temporarily stopped the operation to arrest the former prime minister imran khan. police have clashed with his supporters outside his unrest has continued through the night after the authorities 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 warrant in connection with a corruption case. the bbc�*s pakistan correspondent, carrie davies, has the latest. it felt very much like a carnival or a festival atmosphere throughout 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. 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 was because the police arrived yesterday afternoon, saying they intended to arrest mr khan, and that is because they say that he didn't turn up to multiple court appearances. now, imran khan has said he didn't appear because of security concerns. 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. kerry davis. uzair younus is the director of the pakistan initiative at the atlantic council in washington. he says cricket often dictates the tempo of political 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 rise to the military, they are tried 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's 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. it's been a turbulent day for credit suisse. its shares plunged, ending the day down almost 25%. the swiss bank's fall came after the saudi national bank — credit suisse's largest investor — said it could not provide any more financial assistance. the swiss bank has struggled with scandals, legal issues, and leadership changes in recent weeks. the substantial fall in its share price has led to renewed worries about the european banking sector after the collapse of let's speak to fiona cincotta, market analyst at the trading brokerage, city index.

fiona, plunging 30% earlier, ending the day almost 25%, it looks like it's in real trouble. the day almost 25%, it looks like it's in realtrouble._ it's in real trouble. that's right, it's in real trouble. that's right, it's definitely _ it's in real trouble. that's right, it's definitely been _ it's in real trouble. that's right, it's definitely been a _ it's in real trouble. that's right, it's definitely been a rough - it's in real trouble. that's right, it's definitely been a rough day| it's in real trouble. that's right, i it's definitely been a rough day for credit suisse. we know it's a move towards banking stocks souring this week after the collapse of svp in america. people are looking up which will be next to go, and the comments by the saudi national banks have raised fears that may be credit suisse �*s next in line. this is a measure of the cost that it is to ensure the bank's bonds

this isn't just about what's this isn'tjust about what's been happening in the banking world this week. with credit suisse, and has been struggling over the past year. this seems to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. silicon valley bank. — breaks the camel's back. silicon valley bank. a _ breaks the camel's back. silicon valley bank, a very _ breaks the camel's back. silicon valley bank, a very new- breaks the camel's back. silicon valley bank, a very new bank. breaks the camel's back. silicon l valley bank, a very new bank that late to startu ps, valley bank, a very new bank that late to startups, but credit suisse which has been going since the 19th century, what links them? why would it be credit suisse nuts vulnerable? —— that is vulnerable. these are two very, very different banks and there is a fear about the banking system. those things are unable to support the clients they've had. we've seen with silicon valley bank, wasn't

able to handle the withdrawals. their clients, which were tech clients, were looking to take out their money and they were trying to sell these bonds that they had, their treasuries, which had fallen considerably in order to plug that hole. it wasn't working. a similar thing is happening in credit suisse. their clients are looking to withdraw their funds for different reasons. there is the same problems of the bond holdings that are not enough that will be able to plug that hole. there are concerns over liquidity. this is all the result of these high interest rates that we've seen. we've seen central bank in europe and the federal reserve hiking interest rate that historically fast rates. those concerns that have been lingering about, can the financial systems cope with this? starting to show there are some cracks now appearing in the system. there are some cracks now appearing in the system-— in the system. thank you very much for that. that's _ in the system. thank you very much for that. that's fiona _ in the system. thank you very much

for that. that's fiona cincotta - for that. that's fiona cincotta there. 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 — but moscow denies this. a senior official in washington says the us is also assessing whether it can retrieve the drone, which is in very deep waters. 0ur diplomatic correspondentjames landale reports from kyiv. this is the kind of unmanned aircraft that crashed. and in few nine reaper patrolling the skies. gathering information about the one below flown will remotely. this is the type of russian warplane the us claims struck the drone — two of which encounter the aircraft yesterday. us commanders said the

russian planes flew in front of the drones several times and dumped fuel over it. afterwards, the drone's propeller was struck, spinning out of control. , ., , , propeller was struck, spinning out of control. , , , ., of control. this has episode is a art of a of control. this has episode is a part of a pattern _ of control. this has episode is a part of a pattern -- _ of control. this has episode is a part of a pattern -- hazard - of control. this has episode is a part of a pattern -- hazard s . part of a pattern —— hazard s episode by russian pilots. make no mistake, the united states will continue to fly and operate wherever international law allows. but continue to fly and operate wherever international law allows.— international law allows. but russia denies causing _ international law allows. but russia denies causing the _ international law allows. but russia denies causing the crash, _ international law allows. but russia denies causing the crash, saying . international law allows. but russia| denies causing the crash, saying the drone was approaching russian territory when it lost control due to what a spokesman described as sharp manoeuvres. translation: i want to underline, russian fighter 'ets i want to underline, russian fighter jets did _ i want to underline, russian fighter jets did not — i want to underline, russian fighter jets did not use their onboard weapons, _ jets did not use their onboard weapons, did not come into contact with the _ weapons, did not come into contact with the unmanned aerial vehicle and returned _ with the unmanned aerial vehicle and returned safely to base.—

returned safely to base. ukraine's foreian returned safely to base. ukraine's foreign minister _ returned safely to base. ukraine's foreign minister played _ returned safely to base. ukraine's foreign minister played down - returned safely to base. ukraine's foreign minister played down the| foreign minister played down the risk of an escalating combination between two of the world's nuclear superpowers. $5 between two of the world's nuclear supernovae-— superpowers. as long as russia controls crimea, _ superpowers. as long as russia controls crimea, this _ superpowers. as long as russia controls crimea, this kind - superpowers. as long as russia controls crimea, this kind of. controls crimea, this kind of incident _ controls crimea, this kind of incident will— controls crimea, this kind of incident will be _ controls crimea, this kind of incident will be inevitable, l controls crimea, this kind of. incident will be inevitable, and controls crimea, this kind of- incident will be inevitable, and the black_ incident will be inevitable, and the black sea — incident will be inevitable, and the black sea wiii— incident will be inevitable, and the black sea will not _ incident will be inevitable, and the black sea will not be _ incident will be inevitable, and the black sea will not be a _ incident will be inevitable, and the black sea will not be a safe - incident will be inevitable, and the black sea will not be a safe place. | black sea will not be a safe place. the only— black sea will not be a safe place. the only way— black sea will not be a safe place. the only way to _ black sea will not be a safe place. the only way to prevent _ black sea will not be a safe place. the only way to prevent such - the only way to prevent such incidents _ the only way to prevent such incidents is— the only way to prevent such incidents is actually- the only way to prevent such incidents is actually to - the only way to prevent such incidents is actually to kick. the only way to prevent such - incidents is actually to kick russia out of _ incidents is actually to kick russia out of crimea _ incidents is actually to kick russia out of crimea. do _ incidents is actually to kick russia out of crimea.— out of crimea. do you fear escalation? _ out of crimea. do you fear escalation? no, _ out of crimea. do you fear escalation? no, i- out of crimea. do you fear escalation? no, ithink- out of crimea. do you fearj escalation? no, i think it's out of crimea. do you fear l escalation? no, ithink it's a routine incidents. _ escalation? no, ithink it's a routine incidents. it's- escalation? no, i think it's a - routine incidents. it's happening from _ routine incidents. it's happening from time — routine incidents. it's happening from time to— routine incidents. it's happening from time to time. _ routine incidents. it's happening from time to time. lis— routine incidents. it's happening from time to time. ,, , ., from time to time. us spokesman said ste -s are from time to time. us spokesman said steps are being — from time to time. us spokesman said steps are being taken _ from time to time. us spokesman said steps are being taken to _ from time to time. us spokesman said steps are being taken to protect - steps are being taken to protect the wreckage, but expected it might be too deep underwater. russian officials expressed confidence they could discover was left. protestors, including thousands of members of the national education union, which represents teachers and school workers, have been taking part in a demonstration in london over demands for higher pay. it's part of a wave of strike action on wednesday and thursday, in england. our reporter nickjohnson sent this

from trafalgar square. what has felt like ground zero here in central london. 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 in the future of the classroom. with with me is teacher eve from a primary school in south—east london. tell me why you're here today. i'm striking because we deserve to be paid better than we are. the government have made choices about how to spend money. why should i have a pay cut because of that, real terms pay cut? also, our schools need to be funded better. i explained my year five class that for the pay rise we just got, that means they get less money which is unfair and they understood that he had five children. so the schools need to be funded better and we need to be paid better. the government l says it is committed to funding l 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 well, that neu had to go through a lot of work to get to this point with the strikes and i think they would be wrong to pause it without

any commitment from the government that they will actually talk about what we want them to talk about. and talk about things that matter, not just what's going to you talked about pay, but it's notjust about pay but about resources. tell me a little bit about one of the most important things in your school at the moment well, about pay, sorry, what you well, about pay, sorry, what you mentioned earlier, the reason they're are investing so much as the cuts they chose to make during austerity 13 years ago. that's why the funding is going up, because they brought it down so low. at our school, we are seeing tas, not as many in classrooms. just generally, there seems to be less money around. we have a very committed senior leadership team, teaching staff, tas and all the other people who work in a school who just want to go in and do ourjobs. but it is getting harder. what do you say to the 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 covid? i haven't had conversations like that with any of my parents, it's only been positive of that one of my parents is on the march today. i was hoping i would bump into them but i haven't. i nuts one of the messages here today, one of pay, but also of the future of the classroom. we've heard that parents who are not teachers have been to the march day as well as young people. ijust want to read some of the placards. "you can't put pupils first if you put teachers last." "we ran out of glue six, but we're sticking together." nickjohnson reporting from trafalgar square. at least 17 people have died in iran while celebrating a fire festival. 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 countrys 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.

i'll be back with the headlines in just a few moments. you've been watching bbc news. it's been a week of big swings. tuesday and wednesday was quite cold but milderair milder air will be pushing back in for tomorrow. this area of cloud you can see working in across lincolnshire, and that picture with that cloud pushing in across the uk. that's going to come our way overnight tonight and into tomorrow as well. maximum temperatures are going tojump expert —— jump upwards. ajump of around seven celsius for some, so you will notice that change to much milder weather. it takes place overnight tonight and could bring a bit of hill snow. the

snow lasting longest over the hills to the north of the central lowlands and could cause one or two issues. otherwise, any snow will turn back to rain. by the end, temperatures 8-10 to rain. by the end, temperatures 8—10 celsius widely, and thursday will continue that flow of south—westerly winds. weather fronts will bring some outbreaks of rain. the brightest weather in northern ireland here will see some heavy and fun showers pushing in it but a bit of sunshine. —— thundery. one thing you'll really notice is the big jump in temperatures. highs of around ia or 15 celsius through thursday afternoon. friday, we may well see the area of rain linger across south east england, but either way, it looks pretty unsettled. some of that rain potentially thundery but very

mild again, but temperatures could hit 16 celsius in newcastle. for the weekend, the same area of low pressure with us. something of a drier and brighter slice of weather ahead of the next weather system that comes in through sunday afternoon. expect further outbreaks of rain at times with a lot of cloud around on saturday, sunday morning before rain returns, and looking at the weather prospects into next week, it looks like we'll start to see colder air sink southwards.

this is bbc news, welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm reeta chakrabarti. 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 following the collapse of silicon valley bank and signature bank in the us. 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 fighter jets. ukraine's foreign minister says incidents like this are inevitable until russia leave crimea. sport now — and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. thank you very much. we'll start with another big evening ahead in the champions league, where liverpool have a huge job on their hands to stay in the competition. they face the current holders real madrid, with the spanish side 5—2 up from the first leg, and have home advantage later at the bernabeu. liverpool bossjurgen klopp says they have a tiny chance, but will look for any opportunity they can. if there is only 1% chance, i would like to give it a try. so, we are here to play an extremely strong opponent and trying to win the game.

the other match on wednesday will see napoli aiming to reach the champions league last eight for the first time. the runaway serie a leaders have a 2—0 advantage at home against eintract frankfurt, and italian football writer nicky bandini says their "organised chaos" approach this season is doing them a lot of favours. that's an interesting way to put it, because the managers have talked about this not having a fixed system or one sort of tactical approach and relying on that so much the way that napoli players almost feel like putting opponents out and finding spaces and attacking those spaces. and you see a game to game, week to week how they find different ways of doing that — eintracht frankfurt was mentioned in the first leg of this league, because they built this cage, and barrett on a thought that he would be the one picking up that mantle as they win this title this

season. two games in the english premier league on wednesday night. brighton can gain ground on european places — and move level on points with liverpool in sixth, with a win at home to crystal palace. we are ready to play. we want to win, to reach liverpool at a2 points on the table. but we know the difficulty of the game, and we expect palace. i hope we start the game with the frustration of saturday. palace are just three points above relegation in one of the tightest battles to beat the drop in recent years. right at the bottom of the table are southampton, who could go as high as 15th, if they beat brentford at home. in the month i've been in charge, i've been proud of what the boys have been doing. and we've had some ups and downs, but we are strong. in the reality is the reality, and we

still need to fight the relegation battle. so it's good that we've made points in the last four games. we've had very good performances and some of the games. but we still have a long way to go. at the cheltenham festival, energumene has won the day's big race, the queen mother champion chase — defending his title in some style earlier. ridden by paul townend, the favourite came through ten lengths clear to give willie mullins his 92nd festival victory. captain guinness was second to energumene, who carries the blue and white colours of brighton and hove albion owner, tony bloom. in tennis, cam norrie remains in the hunt to win at indian wells in california — a title he won in 2021. he plays frances tiafoe later for a place in the semi—finals. norrie came through his fourth round tie in straight sets against the higher seed andrey rublev. after that, a tie to look forward to — coco gauff and aryna sabalenka aim to make the last four.

and great britain's first appearance at the world baseball classic is over. it's a national team event likened to a world cup of baseball. they have, however, been knocked out after losing 2—1 to mexico, in phoenix. but they could still come away with something from their debut at the tournament. if the united states beats colombia later today, britain would earn an automatic spot in the 2026 event. all is well they could potentially end well for _ all is well they could potentially end well for them. _ and that is all the sport for now. here in the uk, the chancellor has been setting out his tax and spending plans for the coming year. jeremy hunt says the government is taking steps to help people deal with the cost of living crisis, and trying to get more people into work. measure include increasing the provision of free childcare, reforming tax on pension contributions, and continuing to subsidise household energy bills for a further three months. let's hear a little of whatjeremy hunt had to say. we tackle the two biggest barriers that stop businesses growing — investment incentives and labour supply.

the best investment incentives in europe, the biggest ever employment package. for disabled people, more help. for older people, barriers removed. for families feeling the pinch, fuel duty frozen, beer duty cut, energy bills capped. and for parents, 30 hours of free childcare for all under fives. today we build for the future, with inflation down, debt falling and growth up — the declinists are wrong, and the optimists are right. we stick to the plan because the plan is working, and i commend the statement to the house. and here's what the leader of the opposition, keir starmer, said in response to the announcements after 13 years of tory sticking—plaster politics, 13 years of no growth for the many, 13 years of being asked to pay, working people are entitled to ask, "am i any better off than i was before?"

and after 13 years with no excuses left, nobody left the blame, no ambition or answers, the resounding answer is no, and they know it! 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.

57 people died here, many of them teenagers and young people with their lives ahead of them and what was the worst train crash greece has ever seen. was the worst train crash greece has everseen. how was the worst train crash greece has ever seen. how could this happen? the question bring thousands of people onto the how could this happen? the question, bringing thousands of people onto the streets of greece. among the protests, this in athens. 12,000 people angry and demanding this never happens again on the country's railways. they're afraid of a government cover up and say the country's rail infrastructure is old and dangerous. gunfire a week ago, these protests in the capital turned violent. greek police using tear gas. passenger and freight services on the route linking athens and the northern city of thessaloniki have been halted since the crash between the passenger train and freight train on the same piece of track two weeks ago.

the transport minister has confirmed the route will reopen gradually next week. four railway officials have been charged over the disaster, but more protests are planned. on thursday, flights to and from greek airports will be grounded as air traffic controllers join a 2a—hour nationwide strike over the crash, which many feel was a disaster waiting to happen. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. the greek government says rail traffic will resume "gradually" from next week, more than three weeks after the deadliest train crash in the country's history. let's go back to our main story, which is the government budget.

let's go live to our uk political correspondent rob watson — he's on college green, outside parliament. thank you very much, so you couldn't come to us minutes ago, but you're with us now — and most importantly, i have two senior conservatives with me to chew over the budget and the state of the uk economy. let me introduce you to baroness nikki morgan — i should mention the loud music, if you can hear it, is the match of the day theme tune, which is connected to a certain issue concerning the bbc and some politicians, and a famous presenter, but we will move on from that. i also have robin walker, a conservative mp — and for our purposes, importantly the chairman of the education committee amongst mps. i want to begin by asking, used to be in the chair to make a treasury, on days like this do you miss it? , �*, ., . miss it? sometimes, it's an exciting day in westminster, _ miss it? sometimes, it's an exciting day in westminster, lots _ miss it? sometimes, it's an exciting day in westminster, lots of- miss it? sometimes, it's an exciting day in westminster, lots of news . day in westminster, lots of news going _ day in westminster, lots of news going on. — day in westminster, lots of news going on, it's exhausting to work on

the package — going on, it's exhausting to work on the package for many weeks. but i also used — the package for many weeks. but i also used to tear the house, and select— also used to tear the house, and select committee, which... and explain — select committee, which... and explain his— select committee, which... and explain his dishes and. that select committee, which... and explain his dishes and. that was a soft question _ explain his dishes and. that was a soft question to _ explain his dishes and. that was a soft question to get _ explain his dishes and. that was a soft question to get you _ explain his dishes and. that was a soft question to get you all - soft question to get you all are last. the one thing i must ask before we get into the detail is the big picture, and jeremy hunt, the chancellor and chief finance minister here, he talked about the decline missed narrative, but actually it's the figures that are worrying and not a narrative —— declinist. the forecast is very anaemic compared to other wealthy countries, and there'll also be another massive squeeze on public spending, and living standards are following the micro falling in a way they haven't since the 1950s. it's not a pretty picture, is it? it’s they haven't since the 1950s. it's not a pretty picture, is it?- not a pretty picture, is it? it's a very difficult — not a pretty picture, is it? it's a very difficult picture _ not a pretty picture, is it? it's a very difficult picture for- not a pretty picture, is it? it's a very difficult picture for the - very difficult picture for the treasury— very difficult picture for the treasury and the chancellor. good news _ treasury and the chancellor. good news in _ treasury and the chancellor. good news in the — treasury and the chancellor. good news in the sense that the office for budget responsibility, it's good they were involved in this budget,

very important think tank who pass judgment _ very important think tank who pass judgment on the budget, they say we will avoid _ judgment on the budget, they say we will avoid a _ judgment on the budget, they say we will avoid a technical recession and inflation _ will avoid a technical recession and inflation will go down. and that's why overall the budget, it was very steady— why overall the budget, it was very steady as— why overall the budget, it was very steady as she goes, the chancellor will not _ steady as she goes, the chancellor will not announce big tax cuts because — will not announce big tax cuts because that's not what we are as a country _ because that's not what we are as a count . ., , because that's not what we are as a count . ., _ ',-_ ., , because that's not what we are as a count . ., _ ',-_ .,, country. robyn, 13 years in power, it's not a country. robyn, 13 years in power, its not a great _ country. robyn, 13 years in power, it's not a great record, _ country. robyn, 13 years in power, it's not a great record, let's - country. robyn, 13 years in power, it's not a great record, let's be - it's not a great record, let's be honest. ~ �* , ,., it's not a great record, let's be honest. ~ �* , , ., ., honest. we've seen some phenomenal headwinds in — honest. we've seen some phenomenal headwinds in the _ honest. we've seen some phenomenal headwinds in the last _ honest. we've seen some phenomenal headwinds in the last few _ honest. we've seen some phenomenal headwinds in the last few years, - honest. we've seen some phenomenal headwinds in the last few years, and l headwinds in the last few years, and it's headwinds in the last few years, and its welcome — headwinds in the last few years, and it's welcome. the _ headwinds in the last few years, and it's welcome. the prime _ headwinds in the last few years, and it's welcome. the prime minister- headwinds in the last few years, andi it's welcome. the prime minister and chancellor— it's welcome. the prime minister and chancellor have _ it's welcome. the prime minister and chancellor have set _ it's welcome. the prime minister and chancellor have set out _ it's welcome. the prime minister and chancellor have set out to _ it's welcome. the prime minister and chancellor have set out to half - chancellor have set out to half inflation, _ chancellor have set out to half inflation, and _ chancellor have set out to half inflation, and it— chancellor have set out to half inflation, and it looks - chancellor have set out to half inflation, and it looks like - chancellor have set out to half inflation, and it looks like it'sl chancellor have set out to halfl inflation, and it looks like it's a third of— inflation, and it looks like it's a third of what _ inflation, and it looks like it's a third of what it _ inflation, and it looks like it's a third of what it was _ inflation, and it looks like it's a third of what it was earlier. - inflation, and it looks like it's a . third of what it was earlier. that's the enemy— third of what it was earlier. that's the enemy of— third of what it was earlier. that's the enemy of living _ third of what it was earlier. that's the enemy of living standards - third of what it was earlier. that'sj the enemy of living standards and third of what it was earlier. that's - the enemy of living standards and we must see _ the enemy of living standards and we must see progress— the enemy of living standards and we must see progress made _ the enemy of living standards and we must see progress made on- the enemy of living standards and we must see progress made on that. - the enemy of living standards and we must see progress made on that. sol must see progress made on that. so far so— must see progress made on that. so far so good — must see progress made on that. so far so good on— must see progress made on that. so far so good on that _ must see progress made on that. so far so good on that front, _ must see progress made on that. so far so good on that front, but - must see progress made on that. so far so good on that front, but also i far so good on that front, but also there _ far so good on that front, but also there are — far so good on that front, but also there are always _ far so good on that front, but also there are always important - far so good on that front, but also i there are always important spending decisions _ there are always important spending decisions to — there are always important spending decisions to he — there are always important spending decisions to be taken _ there are always important spending decisions to be taken in— there are always important spending decisions to be taken in a _ there are always important spending decisions to be taken in a budget, i decisions to be taken in a budget, and i'm _ decisions to be taken in a budget, and i'm very— decisions to be taken in a budget, and i'm very glad _ decisions to be taken in a budget, and i'm very glad that— decisions to be taken in a budget, and i'm very glad that the - and i'm very glad that the chancellor decided - and i'm very glad that the chancellor decided to- and i'm very glad that the| chancellor decided to take and i'm very glad that the - chancellor decided to take one of them _ chancellor decided to take one of them today, _ chancellor decided to take one of them today, investing _ chancellor decided to take one of them today, investing in- chancellor decided to take one of. them today, investing in childcare, which _ them today, investing in childcare, which i _ them today, investing in childcare, which i think— them today, investing in childcare, which i think is— them today, investing in childcare, which i think is genuinely- them today, investing in childcare, which i think is genuinely a - them today, investing in childcare, which i think is genuinely a good i which i think is genuinely a good long-term — which i think is genuinely a good long—term investment _ which i think is genuinely a good long—term investment for - which i think is genuinely a good long—term investment for the i which i think is genuinely a good - long—term investment for the whole educational— long—term investment for the whole educational fee. _ long—term investment for the whole educational fee. so _ long—term investment for the whole educational fee. so following - long—term investment for the whole educational fee. so following in - educational fee. so following in

autumn — educational fee. so following in autumn statement _ educational fee. so following in autumn statement in _ educational fee. so following in autumn statement in which - educational fee. so following in autumn statement in which we | educational fee. so following in - autumn statement in which we saw a much _ autumn statement in which we saw a much needed — autumn statement in which we saw a much needed funding _ autumn statement in which we saw a much needed funding for— autumn statement in which we saw a much needed funding for schools, . autumn statement in which we saw a much needed funding for schools, i. much needed funding for schools, i and various— much needed funding for schools, i and various others _ much needed funding for schools, i and various others across _ much needed funding for schools, i and various others across parties i and various others across parties took— and various others across parties took the — and various others across parties took the view— and various others across parties took the view that _ and various others across parties took the view that the _ and various others across parties took the view that the place - and various others across parties took the view that the place that| took the view that the place that needed — took the view that the place that needed it— took the view that the place that needed it was— took the view that the place that needed it was early— took the view that the place that needed it was early years. - took the view that the place that needed it was early years. and l took the view that the place that - needed it was early years. and we've seen a package — needed it was early years. and we've seen a package on— needed it was early years. and we've seen a package on that _ needed it was early years. and we've seen a package on that front - seen a package on that front which is very— seen a package on that front which is very needed _ seen a package on that front which is very needed and _ seen a package on that front which is very needed and welcome. - seen a package on that front which is very needed and welcome. onel seen a package on that front which is very needed and welcome. one of the thins is very needed and welcome. one of the things everyone _ is very needed and welcome. one of the things everyone in _ is very needed and welcome. one of the things everyone in this - is very needed and welcome. one of the things everyone in this country l the things everyone in this country has agreed on is that our growth rates have been slower over the last 15 years since the financial crisis. what do you think is at the bottom of low growth, and what would you point to in this budget that tackles that? ., ., , . that? there are two things which the bud . et that? there are two things which the budget tried — that? there are two things which the budget tried to _ that? there are two things which the budget tried to tackle _ that? there are two things which the budget tried to tackle today. - that? there are two things which the budget tried to tackle today. one - that? there are two things which the budget tried to tackle today. one is. budget tried to tackle today. one is business _ budget tried to tackle today. one is business investment, businesses needing — business investment, businesses needing to invest in it, people, machinery _ needing to invest in it, people, machinery. in the second thing is about— machinery. in the second thing is about productivity, we know that there _ about productivity, we know that there are — about productivity, we know that there are millions ofjob vacancies, 600,000 people missing from the labour— 600,000 people missing from the labour workforce, potentially due to ill health. _ labour workforce, potentially due to ill health, so people facing mental health— ill health, so people facing mental health challenges, i don't think

health challenges, idon't think you'll— health challenges, i don't think you'll hear a chance or talk about it before — you'll hear a chance or talk about it before, but also other barriers are trying — it before, but also other barriers are trying to work, child care being one of— are trying to work, child care being one of those, but also returning which _ one of those, but also returning which is — one of those, but also returning which is good news. of one of those, but also returning which is good news.— one of those, but also returning which is good news. of course people want me to — which is good news. of course people want me to ask— which is good news. of course people want me to ask - _ which is good news. of course people want me to ask - on _ which is good news. of course people want me to ask - on the _ which is good news. of course people want me to ask - on the issue - which is good news. of course people want me to ask - on the issue of- want me to ask — on the issue of productivity, the obr have said a chunk of that is down to brexit. is that something britain just has to take on the chin?! that something britain 'ust has to take on the chimh that something britain 'ust has to take on the chin? i think the people made their decision _ take on the chin? i think the people made their decision about _ take on the chin? i think the people made their decision about brexit, . take on the chin? i think the people | made their decision about brexit, we now need _ made their decision about brexit, we now need to — made their decision about brexit, we now need to make _ made their decision about brexit, we now need to make sure _ made their decision about brexit, we now need to make sure it— made their decision about brexit, we now need to make sure it works. - now need to make sure it works. i think— now need to make sure it works. i think some — now need to make sure it works. i think some of— now need to make sure it works. i think some of the _ now need to make sure it works. i think some of the opportunities i now need to make sure it works. i. think some of the opportunities the chancellor— think some of the opportunities the chancellor is — think some of the opportunities the chancellor is taking _ think some of the opportunities the chancellor is taking are _ think some of the opportunities the chancellor is taking are about - think some of the opportunities the chancellor is taking are about that. | chancellor is taking are about that. like chancellor is taking are about that. like medicine — chancellor is taking are about that. like medicine regulation, - chancellor is taking are about that. like medicine regulation, where i chancellor is taking are about that. | like medicine regulation, where we can make _ like medicine regulation, where we can make our— like medicine regulation, where we can make our economy— like medicine regulation, where we can make our economy more - can make our economy more competitive _ can make our economy more competitive and _ can make our economy more competitive and attractive. l can make our economy more - competitive and attractive. we've already— competitive and attractive. we've already done _ competitive and attractive. we've already done that _ competitive and attractive. we've already done that in _ competitive and attractive. we've already done that in areas - competitive and attractive. we've already done that in areas like . competitive and attractive. we've already done that in areas like all already done that in areas like ai and digital. — already done that in areas like ai and digital, and _ already done that in areas like ai and digital, and i— already done that in areas like ai and digital, and i think— already done that in areas like ai and digital, and i think there - already done that in areas like ai and digital, and i think there are| and digital, and i think there are obvious— and digital, and i think there are obvious the _ and digital, and i think there are obvious the things _ and digital, and i think there are obvious the things we _ and digital, and i think there are obvious the things we need - and digital, and i think there are obvious the things we need to l and digital, and i think there are . obvious the things we need to take on that— obvious the things we need to take on that front, — obvious the things we need to take on that front, but _ obvious the things we need to take on that front, but we _ obvious the things we need to take on that front, but we need - obvious the things we need to take on that front, but we need —— - obvious the things we need to take on that front, but we need —— havej on that front, but we need —— have seen _ on that front, but we need —— have seen huge — on that front, but we need —— have seen huge progress _ on that front, but we need —— have seen huge progress due _ on that front, but we need —— have seen huge progress due to - on that front, but we need —— have seen huge progress due to rishi i seen huge progress due to rishi sunak— seen huge progress due to rishi sunak wanting _ seen huge progress due to rishi sunak wanting to _ seen huge progress due to rishi sunak wanting to get _ seen huge progress due to rishi sunak wanting to get the - seen huge progress due to rishi sunak wanting to get the detaili seen huge progress due to rishi . sunak wanting to get the detail like when _ sunak wanting to get the detail like when it— sunak wanting to get the detail like when it comes _ sunak wanting to get the detail like when it comes to _ sunak wanting to get the detail like when it comes to things _ sunak wanting to get the detail like when it comes to things like - sunak wanting to get the detail like

when it comes to things like the - when it comes to things like the windsor framework. _ when it comes to things like the windsor framework. there's - when it comes to things like the . windsor framework. there's other issues _ windsor framework. there's other issues with— windsor framework. there's other issues with exiting _ windsor framework. there's other issues with exiting the _ windsor framework. there's other issues with exiting the eu, - windsor framework. there's other issues with exiting the eu, and - windsor framework. there's other issues with exiting the eu, and wej issues with exiting the eu, and we need _ issues with exiting the eu, and we need to— issues with exiting the eu, and we need to allow— issues with exiting the eu, and we need to allow ourselves _ issues with exiting the eu, and we need to allow ourselves to - issues with exiting the eu, and we need to allow ourselves to have i issues with exiting the eu, and we i need to allow ourselves to have more constructive _ need to allow ourselves to have more constructive conversations _ need to allow ourselves to have more constructive conversations with - need to allow ourselves to have more constructive conversations with our. constructive conversations with our european _ constructive conversations with our european neighbours— constructive conversations with our european neighbours about - constructive conversations with our european neighbours about issuesl european neighbours about issues such as _ european neighbours about issues such as defence _ european neighbours about issues such as defence and _ european neighbours about issues such as defence and others. - european neighbours about issues such as defence and others. i- european neighbours about issues| such as defence and others. i want to see _ such as defence and others. i want to see from — such as defence and others. i want to see from progress _ such as defence and others. i want to see from progress on _ such as defence and others. i want to see from progress on that - such as defence and others. i want| to see from progress on that front. we're _ to see from progress on that front. we're running _ to see from progress on that front. we're running out _ to see from progress on that front. we're running out of— to see from progress on that front. we're running out of time - to see from progress on that front. we're running out of time so - to see from progress on that front. we're running out of time so i - to see from progress on that front. | we're running out of time so i must ask a question for viewers in the country, and this is about childcare. is there enough money being put towards this, and what about the issue of the ratio going from 1—a to potentially 1—5? 50 about the issue of the ratio going from 1-4 to potentially 1-5? from 1-a to potentially 1-5? so the mone from 1-4 to potentially 1-5? so the money really _ from 1-4 to potentially 1-5? so the money really matters, _ from 1-4 to potentially 1-5? so the money really matters, we - from 1-4 to potentially 1-5? so the money really matters, we seen - from 1-4 to potentially 1-5? so the money really matters, we seen a l money really matters, we seen a commitment _ money really matters, we seen a commitment of _ money really matters, we seen a commitment of ea _ money really matters, we seen a commitment of ea billion - money really matters, we seen a commitment of ea billion over. money really matters, we seen a i commitment of ea billion over the period _ commitment of ea billion over the period in— commitment of ea billion over the period in this _ commitment of ea billion over the period in this budget _ commitment of ea billion over the i period in this budget announcement today, _ period in this budget announcement today, which— period in this budget announcement today, which is— period in this budget announcement today, which is very _ period in this budget announcement today, which is very welcome - today, which is very welcome investment, _ today, which is very welcome investment, and _ today, which is very welcome investment, and crucially- today, which is very welcome investment, and crucially it's| today, which is very welcome - investment, and crucially it's part of raising — investment, and crucially it's part of raising some _ investment, and crucially it's part of raising some of— investment, and crucially it's part of raising some of the _ investment, and crucially it's part of raising some of the funding - investment, and crucially it's part . of raising some of the funding rates for the _ of raising some of the funding rates for the existing _ of raising some of the funding rates for the existing entitlements. - of raising some of the funding rates for the existing entitlements. i- for the existing entitlements. i think— for the existing entitlements. i think that _ for the existing entitlements. i think that was _ for the existing entitlements. i think that was necessary, - for the existing entitlements. i think that was necessary, what for the existing entitlements. i- think that was necessary, what we've heard _ think that was necessary, what we've heard from _ think that was necessary, what we've heard from the — think that was necessary, what we've heard from the secretary— think that was necessary, what we've heard from the secretary is _ think that was necessary, what we've heard from the secretary is that - think that was necessary, what we've heard from the secretary is that is i heard from the secretary is that is needed _ heard from the secretary is that is needed right— heard from the secretary is that is needed right now. _ heard from the secretary is that is needed right now. but— heard from the secretary is that is needed right now. but we - heard from the secretary is that is needed right now. but we also. heard from the secretary is that is l needed right now. but we also need to make _ needed right now. but we also need to make sure — needed right now. but we also need to make sure that _ needed right now. but we also need to make sure that we _ needed right now. but we also need to make sure that we work - needed right now. but we also need to make sure that we work with - needed right now. but we also need to make sure that we work with the| to make sure that we work with the secretary _ to make sure that we work with the secretary on — to make sure that we work with the secretary on getting _ to make sure that we work with the secretary on getting this _ to make sure that we work with the secretary on getting this right. - to make sure that we work with the secretary on getting this right. so i secretary on getting this right. so if we _ secretary on getting this right. so if we want — secretary on getting this right. so if we want to— secretary on getting this right. so if we want to roll _ secretary on getting this right. so if we want to roll childcare - secretary on getting this right. so if we want to roll childcare out. secretary on getting this right. so if we want to roll childcare out to| if we want to roll childcare out to more _ if we want to roll childcare out to more children, _ if we want to roll childcare out to more children, the _ if we want to roll childcare out to more children, the 1—2_ if we want to roll childcare out toi more children, the 1—2 —year—olds who haven't — more children, the 1—2 —year—olds who haven't been _ more children, the 1—2 —year—olds who haven't been awarded - more children, the 1—2 —year—olds who haven't been awarded by- more children, the 1—2 —year—olds who haven't been awarded by the| who haven't been awarded by the government— who haven't been awarded by the government previously, - who haven't been awarded by the government previously, that's . government previously, that's fantastic— government previously, that's fantastic but _ government previously, that's fantastic but we _ government previously, that's fantastic but we need - government previously, that's fantastic but we need to - government previously, that'sj fantastic but we need to make government previously, that's - fantastic but we need to make sure it works _

fantastic but we need to make sure it works we — fantastic but we need to make sure it works. i've heard _ fantastic but we need to make sure it works. i've heard that _ fantastic but we need to make sure it works. i've heard that the - fantastic but we need to make sure it works. i've heard that the ratiosl it works. i've heard that the ratios are not— it works. i've heard that the ratios are not what— it works. i've heard that the ratios are not what the _ it works. i've heard that the ratios are not what the secretary- it works. i've heard that the ratios are not what the secretary or - are not what the secretary or parents — are not what the secretary or parents are _ are not what the secretary or parents are asking _ are not what the secretary or parents are asking for. - are not what the secretary or parents are asking for. the . parents are asking for. the government— parents are asking for. the government is— parents are asking for. the government is saying - parents are asking for. the government is saying it- parents are asking for. the - government is saying it should be optionat — government is saying it should be optional~ so— government is saying it should be optional~ so i _ government is saying it should be optional. so i think— government is saying it should be optional. so i think personally, i optional. so i think personally, it's a _ optional. so i think personally, it's a red — optional. so i think personally, it's a red herring, _ optional. so i think personally, it's a red herring, what - optional. so i think personally, it's a red herring, what we - optional. so i think personally, l it's a red herring, what we need optional. so i think personally, - it's a red herring, what we need to focus _ it's a red herring, what we need to focus on _ it's a red herring, what we need to focus on is — it's a red herring, what we need to focus on is making _ it's a red herring, what we need to focus on is making the _ it's a red herring, what we need to focus on is making the system - it's a red herring, what we need toi focus on is making the system work and making — focus on is making the system work and making checks _ focus on is making the system work and making checks free _ focus on is making the system work and making checks free childcare i and making checks free childcare work. _ and making checks free childcare work. making— and making checks free childcare work, making sure _ and making checks free childcare work, making sure it's— and making checks free childcare work, making sure it's properlyi work, making sure it's properly funded, — work, making sure it's properly funded, and _ work, making sure it's properly funded, and then— work, making sure it's properly funded, and then supporting i work, making sure it's properly. funded, and then supporting more parents _ funded, and then supporting more parents some _ funded, and then supporting more parents. some of— funded, and then supporting more parents. some of those _ funded, and then supporting more parents. some of those haven't. funded, and then supporting more . parents. some of those haven't been able to— parents. some of those haven't been able to get— parents. some of those haven't been able to get out — parents. some of those haven't been able to get out from _ parents. some of those haven't been able to get out from under— parents. some of those haven't been able to get out from under the - able to get out from under the government— able to get out from under the government before _ able to get out from under the government before and - able to get out from under the government before and now. able to get out from under the . government before and now they able to get out from under the - government before and now they will. those _ government before and now they will. those are _ government before and now they will. those are welcome _ government before and now they will. those are welcome stats _ government before and now they will. those are welcome stats and - those are welcome stats and something _ those are welcome stats and something that _ those are welcome stats and something that my— those are welcome stats and something that my select - those are welcome stats and - something that my select committee has been _ something that my select committee has been calling _ something that my select committee has been calling for. _ something that my select committee has been calling for. i— something that my select committee has been calling for.— has been calling for. i know you're both supporters — has been calling for. i know you're both supporters of _ has been calling for. i know you're both supporters of the _ has been calling for. i know you're i both supporters of the government, doug, your both conservatives, but if there is one thing you think the government could do that it hasn't done, what would it be? i government could do that it hasn't done, what would it be?— government could do that it hasn't done, what would it be? i would say business rates, _ done, what would it be? i would say business rates, i've _ done, what would it be? i would say business rates, i've been _ done, what would it be? i would say business rates, i've been banging . done, what would it be? i would say| business rates, i've been banging on about— business rates, i've been banging on about that _ business rates, i've been banging on about that for — business rates, i've been banging on about that for years _ business rates, i've been banging on about that for years and _ business rates, i've been banging on about that for years and i'd - business rates, i've been banging on about that for years and i'd love - business rates, i've been banging on about that for years and i'd love to l about that for years and i'd love to see more — about that for years and i'd love to see more reform _ about that for years and i'd love to see more reform of— about that for years and i'd love to see more reform of business - about that for years and i'd love toi see more reform of business rates. and for— see more reform of business rates. and for those — see more reform of business rates. and for those that _ see more reform of business rates. and for those that don't _ see more reform of business rates. and for those that don't know, - and for those that don't know, that's a tax businesses have to pledge based on the rental value. what about you? i pledge based on the rental value. what about you?— pledge based on the rental value. what about you? i think support for household living _ what about you? i think support for

household living costs, _ what about you? i think support for household living costs, whether- what about you? i think support for| household living costs, whether that is again _ household living costs, whether that is again an _ household living costs, whether that is again an increase in the income tax threshold or the energy price cap continuing for three months today _ cap continuing for three months today. but clearly households are finding _ today. but clearly households are finding it — today. but clearly households are finding it very challenging, so all support— finding it very challenging, so all support is— finding it very challenging, so all support is welcome. the finding it very challenging, so all support is welcome.— support is welcome. the kind of auestion support is welcome. the kind of question you — support is welcome. the kind of question you get _ support is welcome. the kind of question you get after - support is welcome. the kind of question you get after 13 - support is welcome. the kind of question you get after 13 years | question you get after 13 years in government, some of the measures today that you praised, incentives for businesses — the obvious question is, if you've been in power for 13 years, why are things like this not done before? the economy chances, this not done before? the economy changes. so — this not done before? the economy changes, so don't _ this not done before? the economy changes, so don't forget _ this not done before? the economy changes, so don't forget that - this not done before? the economy changes, so don't forget that in - changes, so don't forget that in 2010, _ changes, so don't forget that in 2010, it — changes, so don't forget that in 2010, it was a different economy, different— 2010, it was a different economy, different issues that had to be sorted — different issues that had to be sorted in _ different issues that had to be sorted in terms of sorting out the public— sorted in terms of sorting out the public finances, getting in charge of departmental spending, cutting out waste, and i think everyone agrees — out waste, and i think everyone agrees there was a lot of spending not working at the time. businesses change _ not working at the time. businesses change so — not working at the time. businesses change, so the chancellor today talked _ change, so the chancellor today talked about the tech sector — there wasn't _ talked about the tech sector — there wasn't such— talked about the tech sector — there wasn't such a thing he would've talked — wasn't such a thing he would've talked about 13 years, now a sector that needs — talked about 13 years, now a sector that needs a lot of support. and it's doing — that needs a lot of support. and it's doing really well in the uk. final— it's doing really well in the uk.

final word, the labour charge it's doing really well in the uk. finalword, the labour charge is an final word, the labour charge is an obvious one, 13 years of conservative government, people aren't better off. is there an answer to that charge? i aren't better off. is there an answer to that charge? i got more eo - le in answer to that charge? i got more people in my _ answer to that charge? i got more people in my work _ answer to that charge? i got more people in my work -- _ answer to that charge? i got more people in my work -- and work i answer to that charge? i got more people in my work -- and work in | answer to that charge? i got more i people in my work -- and work in my people in my work —— and work in my constituency — people in my work —— and work in my constituency with— people in my work —— and work in my constituency with better _ people in my work —— and work in my constituency with better wages, - constituency with better wages, better _ constituency with better wages, better skills _ constituency with better wages, better skills and _ constituency with better wages, better skills and investment - constituency with better wages, i better skills and investment then constituency with better wages, - better skills and investment then we saw under— better skills and investment then we saw under labour. _ better skills and investment then we saw under labour. i— better skills and investment then we saw under labour. i think— better skills and investment then we saw under labour. i think we - better skills and investment then we saw under labour. i think we have i better skills and investment then we saw under labour. i think we have a| saw under labour. i think we have a very saw under labour. ! think we have a very strong answer— saw under labour. i think we have a very strong answer to _ saw under labour. i think we have a very strong answer to that, - saw under labour. i think we have a very strong answer to that, but i saw under labour. i think we have a very strong answer to that, but we. very strong answer to that, but we need _ very strong answer to that, but we need to keep — very strong answer to that, but we need to keep forward _ very strong answer to that, but we need to keep forward on _ very strong answer to that, but we need to keep forward on some i very strong answer to that, but we need to keep forward on some of. very strong answer to that, but we i need to keep forward on some of the issues _ need to keep forward on some of the issues like _ need to keep forward on some of the issues like affordable _ need to keep forward on some of the issues like affordable childcare. i issues like affordable childcare. the government— issues like affordable childcare. the government has— issues like affordable childcare. the government has extended. issues like affordable childcare. i the government has extended the reach _ the government has extended the reach of— the government has extended the reach of childcare, _ the government has extended the reach of childcare, we _ the government has extended the reach of childcare, we need - the government has extended the reach of childcare, we need to i the government has extended the. reach of childcare, we need to work with sector— reach of childcare, we need to work with sector to — reach of childcare, we need to work with sector to make _ reach of childcare, we need to work with sector to make sure _ reach of childcare, we need to work with sector to make sure it's - reach of childcare, we need to work with sector to make sure it's reallyl with sector to make sure it's really working _ with sector to make sure it's really working and — with sector to make sure it's really working and we _ with sector to make sure it's really working and we are _ with sector to make sure it's really working and we are delivering i with sector to make sure it's really working and we are delivering for i working and we are delivering for parents _ working and we are delivering for parents and — working and we are delivering for parents and the _ working and we are delivering for parents and the affordable - parents and the affordable high-quality_ parents and the affordable high—quality childcare i parents and the affordable high—quality childcare that j parents and the affordable i high—quality childcare that our parents — high—quality childcare that our parents want _ high—quality childcare that our parents want and _ high—quality childcare that our parents want and need - high—quality childcare that our parents want and need to. i high-quality childcare that our parents want and need to. thank you both very much. _ parents want and need to. thank you both very much, and _ parents want and need to. thank you both very much, and for _ parents want and need to. thank you both very much, and for dealing - parents want and need to. thank you both very much, and for dealing with i both very much, and for dealing with the music as well. there we go, match of the day music going on in the background, back to you. thanks so much, the background, back to you. thanks so much. rob _ the background, back to you. thanks so much, rob watson _ the background, back to you. thanks so much, rob watson there. -

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. but now, this determined group of young musicians are back on the international stage fighting to keep afghan music alive. 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.

now 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. 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. 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 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. temperatures in tokyo have been unseasonably mild in recent days. authorities have temporarily stop the arrest of former prime minister in ronkonkoma after they clashed

with his supporters after attempts to take him in on an arrest warrant, which mr concepts of politically motivated imran khan. hello there. it's been a week of big temperature swings. we started off monday with very mild air. tuesday and wednesday it's been quite cold — but milder air will be pushing back in for tomorrow. first signs of change — this area cloud you can see working in across lincolnshire, and that weather watch picture, well, that's this cloud pushing in across the uk at the moment. and the air is particularly mild to our southwest — that's going to be coming our way overnight tonight and into tomorrow, as well. now, maximum temperatures willjump upwards from the 7—8 celsius many of us saw today to around 111—15 celsius tomorrow, a jump of around seven celsius for some. so you will notice that change

to much milder weather. transition takes place overnight tonight and could bring a bit of snow to parts of northern england and scotland, the snow lasting longest over the hills to the north of the central lowlands and could causejust1—2 issues. otherwise, any snow will turn back to rain as that next batch of milder air pushes in across northern ireland, england, and wales. by the end of the night, temperatures 8—10 celsius quite widely. no chance of seeing any snow with that. now for thursday, we'll continue that flow of southwesterly winds. weatherfronts, though, will be bringing some outbreaks of rain and some of the rain could be heavy enough to cause some localised surface waterflooding issues. the brightest weather in northern ireland here will see some heavy thundery showers pushing in through the afternoon, but at least there'll be a bit of sunshine. maybe a bit of brighter weather as well for a time across east anglia and the southeast of england. but probably one thing you'll really notice is the big jump in temperatures — highs of around 111—15 celsius through thursday afternoon. friday, we may well see an area of rain linger across east anglia and southeast england, but either way, further west, it looks pretty unsettled. a lot of cloud around with some heavy bursts of rain,

some of that rain potentially thundery, but it'll be very mild. again, temperatures could hit 16 celsius in newcastle now for the weekend. the same area of low pressure withers initially — something of a drier, brighter slice of weather for sunday morning, ahead of the next weather system that comes in through sunday afternoon. so i think over the weekend expect further outbreaks of rain at times. there'll be a lot of cloud around on saturday. best chance is seeing something a bit drier and brighter, sunday morning before rain returns. and then, looking at the weather prospects into next week, it looks like we'll start to see colder air sink southwards again. so a return of some hill snow in northern scotland.

at six, the chancellor unveils his first budget with big changes to childcare, pensions and benefits. jeremy hunt says the economy is on the right track and the plan is working but labour said the uk was on a path of managed decline. 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. the government's independent forecaster warned of the sharpest fall in living standards

since the 1950s and predicted house