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 19505 and predicted house prices will drop by 10%. tonight we'll look at the key measures unveiled by the chancellor. as he tries to get more people into work 30 hours of free childcare is one of them. it's being expanded in england to cover one and two—year—olds. we can't afford to be able to put her in nursery for several days a week, so i can go back to work. so it is quite difficult really. this announcement sounds promising. there'll be changes to the benefit system with tougher sanctions for claimants who won't get a job. promoting nuclear energy — it's being reclassified as "environmentally sustainable" to drive more investment in the sector. and stay with us on bbc news for continuing coverage and and coming up on the bbc news channel: he admits that chances are

channel: he admits that chances are wafer thin, butjurgen klopp says liverpool will have a go at overturning a 5—2 deficit in their champions league last the chancellor, jeremy hunt, has pledged to "build for the future" in his first budget, promising it will deliver growth. he told mps that the economic forecast has improved, the economy will shrink slightly but avoid going into recession this year with inflation predicted to fall to just under 3% by the end of the year. the big focus was on getting more people into work with changes to childcare, benefits and pensions. in england free childcare will be expanded to one and two—year—olds, with up to 30 hours a week for eligible households. there'll be money for schools to provide wraparound childcare outside the school day from september. on benefits there are plans to apply universal credit sanctions for those refusing to work "more rigorously".

on pensions, changes to tax rules to encourage people, particularly doctors, to return to work. but the government's independent forecasters, the obr, says we still face the sharpest fall in living standards since the 19505. and labour accused the government of sticking plaster politics. our first report tonight is from our political editor, chris mason. when will things actually get better, chancellor?- when will things actually get better, chancellor? ., , better, chancellor? there have been rather a few — better, chancellor? there have been rather a few chancellors _ better, chancellor? there have been rather a few chancellors of _ better, chancellor? there have been rather a few chancellors of late, - rather a few chancellors of late, here is the current one, jeremy hunt, the fourth in a year in a big moment. at one end of downing street, his wife and children. at the other end out on whitehall and beyond, this again. striking workers, schools closed, demonstrations. d0

workers, schools closed, demonstrations.- workers, schools closed, demonstrations. ., ., , ., demonstrations. do you have money to end the strikes. — demonstrations. do you have money to end the strikes, chancellor? _ demonstrations. do you have money to end the strikes, chancellor? the - end the strikes, chancellor? the answers or _ end the strikes, chancellor? the answers or lack _ end the strikes, chancellor? the answers or lack of _ end the strikes, chancellor? the answers or lack of them would come down the road in parliament. the overall message, things are tough but improving. i overall message, things are tough but improving-— but improving. i report today on a british economy _ but improving. i report today on a british economy which _ but improving. i report today on a british economy which is - but improving. i report today on a british economy which is proving l but improving. i report today on a i british economy which is proving the doubters wrong. the uk will not now enter a technical recession this year. enter a technical recession this ear. ,, ., ., enter a technical recession this ear, ,, ., ., , enter a technical recession this ear. , , , ., enter a technical recession this ear. i, , ., , year. soaring energy bills have been a massive factor _ year. soaring energy bills have been a massive factor in _ year. soaring energy bills have been a massive factor in crippling - year. soaring energy bills have been a massive factor in crippling family | a massive factor in crippling family finances in the last year. the government was much help to ease the burden is to be extended until the summer. , ., , burden is to be extended until the summer. , . , summer. this measure will save the avera . e summer. this measure will save the average family _ summer. this measure will save the average family a _ summer. this measure will save the average family a further— summer. this measure will save the average family a further £160 - summer. this measure will save the average family a further £160 on - summer. this measure will save the i average family a further £160 on top of the energy support measures already announced.— of the energy support measures already announced. here is another choice the chancellor _ already announced. here is another choice the chancellor has _ already announced. here is another choice the chancellor has made, i choice the chancellor has made, maintaining the 5p a litre cut in fuel duty and not putting it up in line with the rise in prices. that saves the _ line with the rise in prices. that saves the average _ line with the rise in prices. trust saves the average driver £100 next year and around £200 since the 5p cut was introduced. the

year and around £200 since the 5p cut was introduced.— cut was introduced. the headline rate of corporation _ cut was introduced. the headline rate of corporation tax _ cut was introduced. the headline rate of corporation tax is - cut was introduced. the headline rate of corporation tax is going i cut was introduced. the headline l rate of corporation tax is going up, not popular among all his mps. businesses will pay less if they put money into their future growth. that means with every _ money into their future growth. trust means with every single pound company invests in it equipment, plant or machinery can be deducted in full and immediately from taxable profits. b. in full and immediately from taxable rofits. �* , ., ,, profits. a big part of this budget is caettin profits. a big part of this budget is getting more _ profits. a big part of this budget is getting more people - profits. a big part of this budget is getting more people into - profits. a big part of this budget. is getting more people into work. there are measures to help those with disabilities and 50 and 60 somethings tempted to retire. now they will be able to save more in a pension tax free every year and the chancellor will. .. pension tax free every year and the chancellor will. . ._ chancellor will... abolish the lifetime allowance. - chancellor will... abolish the lifetime allowance. it - chancellor will... abolish the lifetime allowance. it is - chancellor will... abolish the lifetime allowance. it is a - chancellor will... abolish the - lifetime allowance. it is a pension tax reform that will stop over 80% of nhs doctors from receiving a tax charge. it will incentivise our most experienced and productive workers to stay in work for longer. icritics

to stay in work for longer. critics sa it will to stay in work for longer. critics say it will help — to stay in work for longer. critics say it will help the _ to stay in work for longer. critics say it will help the already - to stay in work for longer. critics say it will help the already very i say it will help the already very well off. childcare has become a big political battleground between labour and the conservatives. mr hunt said this about his plans for england. we hunt said this about his plans for encland. ~ ., . ;;:: ., , england. we will introduce 30 hours of free childcare _ england. we will introduce 30 hours of free childcare not _ england. we will introduce 30 hours of free childcare not just _ england. we will introduce 30 hours of free childcare not just for - england. we will introduce 30 hours of free childcare not just for three i of free childcare not just for three and four—year—old, but for every single child over the age of nine months. it is a package worth on average £6,500 every year and reduces their childcare costs by nearly 60%. but reduces their childcare costs by nearly 6096-— reduces their childcare costs by nearl 60%. �* ., , , nearly 60%. but it will not be fully u . nearly 60%. but it will not be fully u- and nearly 60%. but it will not be fully up and running — nearly 60%. but it will not be fully up and running for _ nearly 60%. but it will not be fully up and running for two _ nearly 60%. but it will not be fully up and running for two and - nearly 60%. but it will not be fully up and running for two and a - nearly 60%. but it will not be fully up and running for two and a half. up and running for two and a half years. in the round, ministers want this to be seen as a steady as you go budget. this to be seen as a steady as you go budget-— go budget. those who decline are wron: and go budget. those who decline are wrong and the — go budget. those who decline are wrong and the optimists - go budget. those who decline are wrong and the optimists are - go budget. those who decline are| wrong and the optimists are right. we stick to the plan because the plan is working and i commend this statement to the house. in response the opposition _ statement to the house. in response the opposition parties _ the opposition parties were scathing. the opposition parties were scathinu. ., .

the opposition parties were scathin.. . . �* . scathing. managed decline, britain auoin scathing. managed decline, britain going backwards. _ scathing. managed decline, britain going backwards, the _ scathing. managed decline, britain going backwards, the sick- scathing. managed decline, britain going backwards, the sick man - scathing. managed decline, britain going backwards, the sick man of i going backwards, the sick man of europe _ going backwards, the sick man of europe once again. that is the britain — europe once again. that is the britain they have created and they should _ britain they have created and they should look it in the eye.- should look it in the eye. as the uk's performance _ should look it in the eye. as the uk's performance deteriorated i should look it in the eye. as the - uk's performance deteriorated after the brexii— uk's performance deteriorated after the brexit referendum _ uk's performance deteriorated after the brexit referendum both- uk's performance deteriorated after the brexit referendum both in- the brexit referendum both in absolute _ the brexit referendum both in absolute and _ the brexit referendum both in absolute and relative - the brexit referendum both in absolute and relative terms. i the brexit referendum both in. absolute and relative terms. and the brexit referendum both in- absolute and relative terms. and the country. _ absolute and relative terms. and the country. the — absolute and relative terms. and the country. the only— absolute and relative terms. and the country, the only one _ absolute and relative terms. and the country, the only one in the - absolute and relative terms. and the country, the only one in the g7, - country, the only one in the 67, where _ country, the only one in the 67, where the — country, the only one in the 67, where the economy— country, the only one in the 67, where the economy has - country, the only one in the 67, where the economy has not - country, the only one in the g7, - where the economy has not returned to its _ where the economy has not returned to its pre—pandemic_ where the economy has not returned to its pre—pandemic level. _ where the economy has not returned to its pre-pandemic level.— to its pre-pandemic level. mortgage bills are op. — to its pre-pandemic level. mortgage bills are up. the _ to its pre-pandemic level. mortgage bills are up, the cost _ to its pre-pandemic level. mortgage bills are up, the cost of _ to its pre-pandemic level. mortgage bills are up, the cost of the - to its pre-pandemic level. mortgage bills are up, the cost of the weekly i bills are up, the cost of the weekly shop is up, energy prices are up, or because of conservative chaos. iloathed because of conservative chaos. what ou sa to because of conservative chaos. what you say to people — because of conservative chaos. what you say to people who _ because of conservative chaos. what you say to people who say this is a budget for the rich, allowing people who are already well off or who are in a lot set more into their pensions? {lit in a lot set more into their pensions?— in a lot set more into their ensions? _, , ., ., in a lot set more into their ensions? , ., ., , pensions? of course we want to help older people — pensions? of course we want to help older people who _ pensions? of course we want to help older people who want _ pensions? of course we want to help older people who want to _ pensions? of course we want to help older people who want to stay - pensions? of course we want to help older people who want to stay in - older people who want to stay in work and by definition they will generally be on higher salaries, but nearly five times more help is going to young parents. nearly five times more help is going to young parents-— to young parents. your official forecasters — to young parents. your official forecasters say _ to young parents. your official forecasters say the _ to young parents. your official forecasters say the freezing i to young parents. your official forecasters say the freezing of to young parents. your official - forecasters say the freezing of the income tax threshold over six years is the equivalent to putting 4p on

income tax. you are clobbering people. i income tax. you are clobbering --eole. ., ., , ., , people. i thought conservatives were meant to out — people. i thought conservatives were meant to cut taxes. _ people. i thought conservatives were meant to cut taxes. conservatives i meant to cut taxes. conservatives cut taxes when they can. today i cut corporation tax by £9 billion, but remember this... and raised the headline rate. in the pandemic we spent £400 million to support businesses and families. hoop spent £400 million to support businesses and families. how much of toda is businesses and families. how much of today is still— businesses and families. how much of today is still about _ businesses and families. how much of today is still about shovelling - businesses and families. how much of today is still about shovelling up - today is still about shovelling up the mess of your conservative predecessors? it the mess of your conservative predecessors?— predecessors? it is not. the financial— predecessors? it is not. the financial statistics _ predecessors? it is not. the financial statistics about - predecessors? it is not. the financial statistics about the j financial statistics about the country say they have completely recovered from that. today is about long—term growth. long-term growth. conservative o - inion long-term growth. conservative opinion poll— long-term growth. conservative opinion poll ratings _ long-term growth. conservative opinion poll ratings have - long-term growth. conservative opinion poll ratings have not. opinion poll ratings have not recovered. he and they have a lot of persuading to do. the real scrutiny is beginning this evening as the documents, and there are hundreds of pages of them, are poured over. a couple of things worth highlighting from my initial flick through them, a prediction that net migration will be nearly a quarter of a million

people a year. remember the context of this is the conservatives are promising at the last election that immigration would come down. a quick prediction as well about the political row to come. it is going to be, i think, about pensions and those perks for those who are in the most. labourwill those perks for those who are in the most. labour will go after the government on this and force it to a vote at the beginning of next week. the independent watchdog the office for budget responsibilty predicts the uk economy will shrink this year, but would avoid a technical recession. that's when it shrinks for two quarters in a row. it warned of a big drop in living standards over the next two years, the sharpest since records began in the 19505. and house prices are predicted to fall by 10%. 0ur economics editor, faisal islam, has been looking at the numbers behind today's budget. what we want? fair pay. the chancellor called it a comprehensive plan for growth, but the backdrop is

of a flat economy, of widespread strikes even today, of declining living standards, and some concerns going forward. this is what the government independent forecaster thinks is going to happen with the economy, better up front next year, not a recession, but still down and a touch worse in future years. broadly speaking, the forecast looks better this year, that is mostly luck, the economy doing a bit better, energy prices going up less than expected. 0ver better, energy prices going up less than expected. over the medium term a little bit of the additional growth according to the office for budget responsibility, down to some of the measures we have seen in particular and we are expecting to get more people into work. the chancellor's _ get more people into work. the chancellor's central aim is a plan for growth that stops the lack of workers and very low investment. the obr workers and very low investment. the 0br has given an early bird that it could boost the workforce by 55 and 250,000 and look at the new

corporation tax break, new alliances lead to a boom in investment now and a sharp correction as a policy and endorsement years with no overall increase. the big picture is that the fall in global gas prices has improved the short—term picture and helped the chancellor have some options. he has chosen to carry on borrowing in order to deal with two longer term economic problems, the shortage of workers and the poor business investment. but he has done so with dozens of smaller policies aimed to boost growth longer term and a couple of big bets on corporation tax and on childcare. but will the impact on the hit to households that has been so profound over the past couple of years? this shows a post—inflation disposable income per household. it was already predicted to fall sharply over two years, while it falls less now than predicted in november, the official forecasters says this is an historic fall in living standards. in

november we thought living standards will fall by 7% because inflation would outstrip growth in earnings this year and next. because we are now seeing lower inflation and slightly higher wage deal, the fall in living standards will only be 6%, but that is still an historic two year fall in living standards in the uk and not something we have seen since we started records in 1950. the so called back to work budget came on a day of strikes in schools and the wider public sector planting their flag outside the treasury. for now, no extra money for that, but i hope that settlements are on the way. above all, the chancellor stressed the need for economic and financial stability. the ftse 100, financial stability. the ftse100, the uk stock market had its biggest one day drop since the pandemic mainly because of fears of european banks are suffering in the us bank failures earlier this week. sterling and the government borrowing rates were normal today, but everyone is waiting to see if the plan for

growth really does get people back to work and deliver a jump to growth. the uk has one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world. free childcare is in england is now being expanded to encourage more parents to return to work. if both parents are in work and earning at least £152 per week they will be eligible for 30 free hours of childcare per week from the age of 9 months. this announcement is for england with equivalent funding given to the other nations. the scheme will be phased in from next april, with eligible two—year—olds getting 15 hours and all measures are expected to be in place by september 2025. each staff member in england will also be able to look after five two—year—olds instead of four, as is already the case in scotland. the 700,000 families on universal credit will get childcare support paid upfront instead of claiming it back and they'll also be able to claim for more help if they are moving into work or increasing their hours.

the government also said they'd work with local councils to ensure all schools in england will offer wraparound care between 08:00 and 18:00 by september 2026. 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth has been meeting parents in the west midlands to see what they think of the announcement. few parents would have been jumping forjoy over the cost of childcare of late. so, at this baby sensory group in west bromwich, today's announcement was broadly welcomed. # say hello... many women here who want to work know the struggle ofjuggling that with childcare costs. i worked out that to go back three days i couldn't actually afford the childcare for three days, so i had to go back four to put her in nursery forfour, but then i had that mum guilt of leaving her. so hopefully, it will actually help. but sarah, a teacher keen to return to herjob, is frustrated that she will have to wait until next september before she sees any benefit. in that year, however

we going to afford to be able to put her in nursery for some days a week so i can go back to work? so, it's quite difficult, really. but announcing this sounds really promising. in nearby wasall, this nursery is working out what the change will mean for them. this is already a sector under strain, facing rising costs and staff shortages. director debbie is concerned that even though the government is increasing the funding for free childcare hours by 30%, they will be left short. i think it will close more nurseries than it will save, because they won't be able to afford to keep running. even with that extra money that the chancellor... ? not enough, 30% will not cover the costs. she has already decided that here they won't reduce the number of staff for younger children, one option announced today to try to ease pressures. they're very vulnerable at two and it's going to affect the workforce as well,

it's extra pressure, having that one extra child per adult. not far away, this town was named by the chancellor as one of those in line for regeneration. cutting childcare costs was one element of a budget meant to boost the stagnant economy. the wider west midlands was given special status to attract investment. but at this martial arts club in west bromwich, some challenges feel more immediate. here, the extended help with energy bills is welcome, as is the promise of falling inflation, but the reality now is still tough. we've ended up paying £575 and gone up to £1,100 a month in rent. so your rent has doubled? yeah. how is that affecting you? hard work at the minute because i can't afford to eat. i feel like sometimes a lot of the food at college is also quite expensive so i am struggling moneywise in that situation because things have gone up in price. the club leaders are hopeful for the future, however. we try to create an environment where people see opportunity, i

even when you're in an area such as west bromwich in the west i midlands which does not have a lot of prosperity compared _ to some other areas. some economic optimism might have been the tone the chancellor was trying to strike. the question, though, is whether his budget leaves people feeling better off. alex forsyth, bbc news, west bromwich. there were significant changes announced to a range of benefits to encourage people back into work today. 0ur social affairs correspondent michael buchanan is with me now. explain what these changes will mean? ., , ., , ., ,. mean? the government plans to scrap the work capability _ mean? the government plans to scrap the work capability assessment, - the work capability assessment, which is a test used to prove that people are too ill to work, and from 2026, the only people who will get that extra money will be those who qualify for the main disability benefit, pip, meaning they won't have to take two tests. they will also keep that top—up if they move into work, unlike the situation at the moment. however, there are a

large group of people who qualify for the top—up at the moment, but not for the disability benefit, so for new claimants, when these changes come in, if they don't get the disability benefit, they will not get the top—up and they will be expected to work. ministers are also expected to work. ministers are also expected to work. ministers are also expected to bring in artificial intelligence to automatically cut people's benefits if they fall foul of the system, particularly if they turn down a job offer. it is worth pointing out that sanctions at the moment are at near record levels and the academic literature suggests they do not work in moving people into a job. and finally on the word on those over 50 is that everybody keeps talking about the extent to which the benefits system can get them to move into a job. the resolution foundation has calculated thatjust resolution foundation has calculated that just one resolution foundation has calculated thatjust one in ten of those aged 55 to 59 who stopped working at the start of the pandemic rely on benefits to get by.— start of the pandemic rely on benefits to get by. michael booker and, thank you. _ so, how will the chancellor's announcements today affect people in wales, scotland and northern ireland?

in a moment we'll hear from emma vardy in belfast and tomos morgan in cardiff, but first to alexandra mackenzie in glasgow. many of today's announcements don't apply here in scotland. instead, the scottish and will get £320 billion as part of the block grant and could choose, for example, to extend three childcare. the freeze on the energy price cap does apply to scotland, that has been extended until the end ofjune, and the freezing fuel duty for another year. ofjune, and the freezing fuel duty foranotheryear. up ofjune, and the freezing fuel duty for another year. up to £8.6 million has been given directly to the edinburgh festivals come of this has been welcomed by the scottish tourism sector. the snp say this is yet another wasted opportunity by the uk government to help businesses and households through the cost of living crisis. {in and households through the cost of living crisis-— living crisis. on jeremy hunt's first headline _ living crisis. on jeremy hunt's first headline announcement i living crisis. on jeremy hunt's i first headline announcement on childcare, the welsh labour government is already coming under pressure from opposition parties to follow suit. the phased expansion of

childcare for two—year—olds is already being rolled out across wales, and the cabinet here say they will consider how best to spend the extra money from this year's budget. 0n jeremy extra money from this year's budget. 0njeremy hunt's second major announcement, the expansion of the energy price cap guarantee, that is important for two reasons here in wales. firstly, because generally homes are older here and less energy efficient. and secondly, because wages are lower, which means a higher percentage of household income goes towards fuel payments compared to more affluent parts of the uk. and lastly it is worth mentioning something that wasn't in the budget, no extra funding towards the budget, no extra funding towards the public sector. this is something the public sector. this is something the welsh labour government have been calling for, for some time, because almost a third of wales works in the public sector, and the welsh labour government's response to this is that this is a budget which prioritises petrol and potholes over investment in the public sector. potholes over investment in the public sector-—

potholes over investment in the ublic sector. . ., , , public sector. overall, the treasury sa s public sector. overall, the treasury says northern _ public sector. overall, the treasury says northern ireland _ public sector. overall, the treasury says northern ireland is _ public sector. overall, the treasury says northern ireland is getting - public sector. overall, the treasury says northern ireland is getting an| says northern ireland is getting an extra _ says northern ireland is getting an extra £130 million in funding over the next — extra £130 million in funding over the next couple of years. it is not going _ the next couple of years. it is not going to — the next couple of years. it is not going to feel like an awful lot here, — going to feel like an awful lot here, because local finances are under— here, because local finances are under extreme pressure. that free childcare _ under extreme pressure. that free childcare won't apply to northern ireland _ childcare won't apply to northern ireland because that is something for the _ ireland because that is something for the devolved government at stormont to decide whether to follow, — stormont to decide whether to follow, and there is no government sitting _ follow, and there is no government sitting here — follow, and there is no government sitting here at the moment because of divisions — sitting here at the moment because of divisions over brexit. as for the energy— of divisions over brexit. as for the energy price cap, well, customers in northern— energy price cap, well, customers in northern ireland already had a little _ northern ireland already had a little more generous relief from energy— little more generous relief from energy bills earlier on this winter, so in _ energy bills earlier on this winter, 5° in effect — energy bills earlier on this winter, so in effect energy prices here will increase _ so in effect energy prices here will increase slightly. there were one or two other— increase slightly. there were one or two other pots of money for specific things— two other pots of money for specific things in northern ireland, one of them _ things in northern ireland, one of them being northern ireland's tackling — them being northern ireland's tackling paramilitary activity programme, it is something unique to this place. _ programme, it is something unique to this place, to help communities deal with the _ this place, to help communities deal with the effect of the armed gangs that still— with the effect of the armed gangs that still operate here. let's have a look at some of the other measures in today's budget. the energy price guarantee

in england, wales and scotland will remain until the start ofjuly. those on pre—payment meters will be charged the same as those on direct debit. to help pubs the tax on a typical pint of draught beer will be frozen from august 1st. and cigarette duty will increase by 15%. for drivers, fuel duty has been frozen for another year. and there's £200 million for pothole repairs in england. here's our business editor, simonjack, on what it all means for business. thank you, sophie. the chancellor branded this budget a budget for growth, and he will need businesses to help him deliver on that. something many businesses were hoping the government might reverse is the rise in corporation tax, from 19% to 25%, scheduled from 1st april, on profits over £250,000. the government says only 10% of companies will pay that rate. but to soften the blow, the chancellor will allow companies to deduct every

pound they invest in new it, plant and machinery from their profits, meaning the more companies invest, the less tax they will pay. but that is replacing a more generous scheme which ends this month. and this new scheme is only promised for three years. the government also wants to help some of those who have left theirjobs back into the workforce. we have heard something about childcare measures but there are also measures aimed at older workers. the cap on the amount workers. the cap on the amount workers can accumulate in their pension pot over their lifetime before having to pay extra tax is currently just over £1 before having to pay extra tax is currentlyjust over £1 million, that will be abolished entirely, so that if you keep working, you keep saving. and the amount workers and employers can put in pension pots tax—free every year will be raised from £40,000 to £60,000. 0pposition parties say these are tax cuts for the very highly paid. and to further tackle labour shortages, immigration rules will also be relaxed for certain roles in the construction

sector including bricklayers, roofers and carpenters. 0ther sector struggling to recruit including retail and hospitality are disappointed they were not included in that. 0verall disappointed they were not included in that. overall the budget watchdog thinks these measures will boost growth or at least help the economy not shrink so much, but the impact will fade if those investment incentives aren't permanent. another si . nificant incentives aren't permanent. another significant focus _ incentives aren't permanent. another significant focus was _ incentives aren't permanent. another significant focus was on _ incentives aren't permanent. another significant focus was on energy. - the chancellor also announed plans to ensure a quarter of britain's energy will come from nuclear power. they are reclassifiying nuclear energy as environmentally sustainable to drive more investment in the sector. it's already met with some opposition, as our climate editor justin rowlatt reports. nuclear is big and it is expensive. the new reactor being built here at hinkley point in somerset is the largest construction site in europe. but nuclear power does deliver dependable energy 24/7, and the chancellor confirmed today it will be a key tool for achieving the uk's ambition of reducing

greenhouse gas emissions so they reach net zero. it's absolutely essential that we have nuclear as part of britain's energy mix if we are to meet the net zero targets that the government has set and which can tackle the climate change emergency. we know the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine, so, renewables can do most of it but if we are to meet the net zero targets, we absolutely need new nuclear. and if you thought this is what green power looks like, think again. nuclear power is to be classified as environmentally sustainable alongside wind and solar, the chancellor said. re—designating it as green means it will get the same investment incentives as renewable power, despite the long—term risks from nuclear waste. i mean, is it april fools' day? this is utterly ludicrous, how can an energy source be green when, for example, there is a huge amount of nuclear waste, we still don't know what to do with it, it remains radioactive for hundreds

and hundreds of years. nevertheless, we can expect to see new kinds of reactors in future, including smaller—scale plants that could look a bit like this. we learned today that a new company, great british nuclear, will help drive investment in these and other nuclear technologies. justin rowlatt, bbc news. if you go to bbc online you can find out plenty more about what today's budget means for you and your money. that's bbc.co.uk/news, or use the bbc news app. the budget was announced against a backdrop of widespread public sector strikes in england. thousands of teachers, civil servants and other workers held a rally in trafalgar square today. teaching unions want above—inflation increases. but the government says it will only hold formal talks if the national education union

calls off its strikes. shares in the troubled swiss banking giant credit suisse have plunged to a record low after the collapse of silicon valley bank in the united states. the swiss bank shares sank by 30% at one point after comments by its biggest investor that it couldn't provide the bank with more funding. credit suisse insisted its financial position was not a concern. but the worries spread across share markets with all major indexes falling sharply. a number of cliff—side homes in norfolk 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 seaside resort of hemsby. 0ne resident is even trying to save his property by physically moving it. as our east of england correspondentjo black reports, the council is hoping to use tonnes of rock to shore up the coastline. for decades, this part

of the norfolk coast has been slipping away. but the recent bad weather and high tides caught residents in hemsby by surprise. over the weekend, chalet—style houses started to crumble or were totally demolished before the water could take them. sue lost her home. she knew erosion was a problem but didn't think this would happen so soon. the benefits of seeing that every day, the sun and the water... and like i said, 99% of the time, the erosion was very, very slow. it was a very unique place to be. when lance martin moved here in 2017, he had 50 metres of sand dune behind his property. a year later, he dragged his house forward, but it's still unclear if he can do this again to escape the threat of the sea. if this goes... mm. ..this is a devastating moment, isn't it? it will be devastating, and i'll shed a tear for a minute or two,

then i'll pack my bags and move on. we're actually demolishing people's homes, you know, whether it be your second home oryour main home. and i do really feel sorry for these people, but obviously, you know, safety comes into play. in the last ten years, around 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, with a bigger wall of rock 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. time for a look at the weather, here's tomasz schafernaker. hello and a very good evening to

you. it is a very rainy picture out there at the moment for most of us but very mild air is coming our way and temperatures in some spots will be in the mid—teens over the next couple of days. the satellite picture shows low—pressure out in the atlantic, the weather coming in from the south—west, there is a lot of soggy cloud and can see this bulge of warmth over the atlantic, this is the temperature of the atmosphere, the yellow colours, indicating the mild air and you can see the rain spreading across the uk, with some snow across the highlands at least for a time this evening. but by the end of the night it is mild pretty much across the board, all but the very far north of scotland. 10 degrees in london and belfast, and that is early in the morning. tomorrow, there will be some heavy showers in these areas across northern ireland, and there could even be some thunderstorms, but look at those temperatures, 14

in london, 13—14