michael gove and the chancellor rishi sunak. yes, i think this has been _ chancellor rishi sunak.his has been a fairly _ chancellor rishi sunak. yes, i think this has been a fairly consistent - this has been a fairly consistent difference of opinion over the whole course of the covid crisis. michael gove has been quite hawkish. he's been leading, really, alongside matt hancock, the health secretary, very cautious about government policy ends unlocking, fearful that if there is a premature unlocking, we will see the kind of upsurge in infections that we are all too familiar with from last year. rishi sunak, the chancellor, of course, he is more willing to take the risk on it covid because he is worried about the other big risk, and of course, we are notjust facing a covid challenge, we are facing an economic challenge, we are facing an economic challenge, and many people are worried about theirjobs if we don't get the economy started again, and rishi sunak is championing that's perspective. as well, of course, the other risk is that we have a massive backlog in the national health

_ and or should it be a global tax and rishi sunak— and or should it be a global tax and rishi sunakble up all that tax revenue. both rishi sunak recently has announced that the uk government will raise _ has announced that the uk government will raise corporation text up the 25%~ _ will raise corporation text up the 25%~ it— will raise corporation text up the 25%~ it will— will raise corporation text up the 25%. it will see how this plays out. his plans— 25%. it will see how this plays out. his plans to — 25%. it will see how this plays out. his plans to tax the tech giants. we will his plans to tax the tech giants. will leave it his plans to tax the tech giants. - will leave it there for now. more stories and front pages in the next edition. lizzy buchan and matt dathan will be back at 11.30 for another look at the papers. goodbye for now. next up it's click. welcome to click. we're outside again. great to see you in the flesh again. and you. i can't believe it. no matter how long it is since i've seen people, as soon as i see friends and family again, it's like we've never been ap

rishi sunak is very good crisis in the _ that.ood crisis in the furlough - that. rishi sunak is very good crisis in the furlough skiing. l that. rishi sunak is very good i crisis in the furlough skiing. gdp in 01 contracted a lot less than even the bank of england was predicting. consumers have bounced back, people want to spend, this pent up demand there. unemployment is falling, mortgage great at an all—time high. tax receipts to holding up well. it's working ok at the moment. holding up well. it's working ok at the moment-— the moment. thank you both very much. ithink— the moment. thank you both very much. i think matt _ the moment. thank you both very much. i think matt at _ the moment. thank you both very much. i think matt at slope - the moment. thank you both very much. i think matt at slope last . much. i think matt at slope last word in the telegraph. he said a burglar talking to a homeowner say i'm confused, are you going to portugal next week or not? that's it for the papers this evening. thanks to rachel and iforjoinin

he really sidesteps saying anything critical about rishi sunak for example, sidesteps saying anythingu take a step back from the soap opera nature of who said what when you know, the charges leveled against the prime minister are so serious, and they stack up. it's his senior former adviser saying this guy is not fit to lead the country. he took terrible decisions. in fact, he swerved all over the place like a supermarket shopping trolley. he was swayed by newspaper editorials rather than the scientific evidence. but that is good news for your profession, his dick was mellow well, look, ithink, righti profession, his dick was mellow well, look, ithink, right- well, look, ithink, right i write newsuaper_ well, look, ithink, right i write newspaper editorials... - newspaper editorials... you hope they're influential, yes. but do i think the prime ministers should be looking at one newspaper's at a trail and taking decisions about a global pandemic based on that? or do i thank you should be listening to scientific advisers? obviously... i listening to scientific advisers? obviously- - -—

one he sent to rishi sunak reads, hi, david cameron here, can i have a very quick word at some point?aid to michael gove, i am now speaking to rishi first thing tomorrow morning. if i am still stuck, can i call you then? and a frustrated one to a senior civil servant saying, again, greensill have got, i know, iam servant saying, again, greensill have got, i know, i am genuinely baffled. despite his intense efforts, the bank of england on the treasury turned him down. we got a rare public view of the man that was paying him to do this lobbying. please understand that i bear complete responsibility for the collapse of greensill capitai _ i am desperately saddened that more than 1,000 very hard—working people have lost theirjobs at greensill. it is not just it is notjust the 1000 people at greensill, the collapse of him as middlemen between investors on one side and customers on the other have left both in the lurch, including the uk's third largest steel maker, liberties deal. he said he could not comment on the relationship between greensill and liberty steel, because there is an inves

they think rishi sunak it might be the next prime minister, but who knows? was quite an extraordinary experience with multinational and brimstone raining down all over whitehall and all these different targets. the analogies are endless, really, but, certainly, it was some sub spectacle. certainly, it was some sub spectacle-— certainly, it was some sub sectacle. ., . ., ., ., spectacle. could include a cameo for jack spectacle. could include a cameo for jack russell — spectacle. could include a cameo for jack russell barking. _ spectacle. could include a cameo for jack russell barking. it _ spectacle. could include a cameo for jack russell barking. it fits - spectacle. could include a cameo for jack russell barking. it fits in - jack russell barking. it fits in with the theme, doesn't that? a lot of not terribly flattering pictures of not terribly flattering pictures of dominic cummings. he is certainly more expressive than the average select committee witness. sonia, what do you make of the coverage? he rains fire on number ten, but one of the things that s

food and water supplies we also need to sort out documentation and fix our catamaran we're on the rishis now going through the usual document checks it's here that we switch from a catamaran to a trauma and. should be a big. customer but when you. get to new levels. it was that i. would always call for example if you feel you. want to lose my. place he still must. i said before when you came to see me you see you were crazy and i thought you know we obviously see you i don't. believe in you you know today you don't find you feel are so nice but i don't really know because that's what you are like why you maybe you know when they should go it was for you know the boss though it seems you crazy some didn't so much assume the meeting was just what the book does begin with i don't want to show you some of it i would say should that one you be. able to live with do this because it's 1st of all just court savvy but that's beside me but if i see that kind of test every machine is going to be able to shoot it down to one of the suit grounds if that's true i said well a simple mockery but simply

and water supplies we also need to sort out documentation and fix our catamaran and we're on the rishis now going through the usual document checks it's here that we switch from a catamaran to a tremor and you. should really think you could hear what i'm going to. say. if you want to. close. with the was the 1st. one. who's. listening still must. i said before when you came to see me you see you were crazy and i think you know we often do even you i don't. believe in your you know they give their don't find you feel they are so nice but i don't really know because that's for you to morrow blame you it's your own that should go it was for you at the last though it seems you crazy some village must assume the way because this is what they look like the good people you don't want to show you some of it i would say shit man what made you. believe. this will do little to schools its 1st ever just court etc but that's beside the very 1st meeting and it's just a bit much and it's going to be civil the city government of the state grant it that's where i said i was simple my very 1st city to go

and water supplies we also need to sort out documentation and fix our catamaran and we're on the rishis now going through the usual document checks it's here that we switch from a catamaran to a tremor and. should be a picture customer but if so many. i. continue. to. do. it's always full force if. you. want to lose by. which he still must. i said before when you came to see me you see you were crazy and i thought you know we obviously need you i don't. feel you know i mean you don't find you feel or see it's the total number just so guess the best for you tomorrow maybe you believe me it's your own that should go it was for you at the last though it seems you crazy some get it from us it's to the medical system what they look like the good people you that i want to show you so what i would say should men want me to be. able to live through this because it's their service court etc but that's the same even if i see the kind of test every machine is going to be civil there should be no one of the suit ground if that's true i said i was simple mockery but simply to get back to morrow whic

and water supplies we also need to sort out documentation and fix our catamaran and we're on the rishis now going through the usual document checks it's here that we switch from a catamaran to a trauma and you. should fix your customer but so many. if. you do you want to. run. it was. always the 1st thing. you. want to lose by. listening to the less. i said before when you came to see me you see you were crazy and i thought you know we honestly you i don't. believe in you know you know they did their dump on you bill are so nice about it i'm going to guess the best for you tomorrow it might mean you get your own that should go it was for you at the last though it seems you crazy some didn't so much assume the way because it's what they believe i think you believe that i want to show you something i would say should matter what made you. leave. school to live with 2 screws with 1st revenue support etc but that's the setting pretty much leave it and it's just a bit much and it's going to be civil but i'm sure you don't know one of the state ground if that's true i said i was simple my ver

food and water supplies we also need to source out documentation and fix our catamaran we're on the rishis now going through the usual document checks it's here that we switch from a catamaran to a tremor and. should be fixed. sure but when you. have a. few little. guys that i. was always full force if. you. want to lose my. voice he still must. i said people when you came to see me you see you were crazy and i thought you know we obviously you i don't. feel you know today you don't find you feel are so nice but i don't really know because that's for you tomorrow maybe you maybe you're only should go it was for you at the last so we'll see if you crazy some get it most this is the way because he said i want me to look i think you would if i don't want to show you something i would say should matter what made you. believe. it will do little to this because it's for 7 years or to 7 punish the site even investigate it and it's just i'm so much in it's going to be able to shoot it down to one of the state grounds that's why i said well it's simple mockery let's agree to get him out of which to

and water supplies we also need to source out documentation and fix our catamaran and we're on the rishis now going through the usual document checks it's here that we switch from a catamaran to a trauma and your lover. should be a major customer but if you're going to. i. i. continue my little. time. i was. little was the 1st of the. money to use. listening still must. believe. i said before when you came to see me you see you were crazy and i think you know we often do even you i don't. even know you know today and you don't find you feel are serious about it i'm going to get through this for you tomorrow on my immunity sure i want to go it was for you at the last though it seems you crazy some units must assume the medical system of the book i begin with if i don't want to show you some of it i would. it should matter what made you. talk a little into this because it's 1st of all just court savvy but that's the savvy of investigating and it's just not that much it's going to be civil there should be no one of those 2 grounds that's a several a supermajority but simply to get them out o

food and water supplies we also need to sort out documentation and fix our catamaran we're on the rishis now going through the usual document checks it's here that we switch from a catamaran to a tremor and you're never. sure that your customer but if you're going to. i. continue. with the was awful if. you. want. who's. going to kill us. i said before when you came to see me you see you were crazy and i thought you know we are agreed you i don't. think you'll do you know any good if they don't find you feel or some use that for a number to say oh yes that is what you. claim you believe me it's your own that should go it was for you at the last though it seems you crazy some didn't so much assume the way because this is what the book does begin with i don't want to show you some of it i would say should know what made you. leave. school to look to this business or service or to $75.00 as the 70 but if i see the kind of test i put much in it's going to be simple to shoot it down to one of the suit grounds that's right several a supermodel but simply to get back to my other place to be no

broke that story a few days later by the sunday times, it revealed that they were directly texting rishir, his old friend orfrenemy, michael gove, cabinet office secretary, and as well as various officials, and some of these messages have a kind of chummy tone. some of these messages have a slightly desperate tone. as one in particular where the home secretary of the treasury, david cameron, says he things it's bonkers that they are not doing what he wants, and said that he is going to get on the front of the chancellor and michael gove. in terms of the reputation of the former prime minister, doesn't look very good, particularly, as you set a second ago, this was the prime minister who in 2010 promised to get tough on lobbying and soliciting and whispering in fran's ears. jim. lobbying and soliciting and whispering in fran's ears. jim, i ret wh whispering in fran's ears. jim, i get why this _ whispering in fran's ears. jim, i get why this is _ whispering in fran's ears. jim, i get why this is awkward - whispering in fran's ears. jim, i get why this is awkward and - get why this is awkwa

meanwhile the express has an exclusive interview with the chancellor rishi sunak who says britain cand to a �*brighter future�* as the economy bounces back from covid. so let's begin... let's begin if we can with the mirror. allie, do you want to start us off this time? threat to freedom day. us off this time? threat to freedom da . ~ , ., , , , day. well, it is worrying because this is all about _ day. well, it is worrying because this is all about the _ day. well, it is worrying because this is all about the indian - day. well, it is worrying because | this is all about the indian variant thatis this is all about the indian variant that is now taking hold. we know that is now taking hold. we know that there have been thousands of deaths in india and real problems over there with ventilators and it's taking a huge toll on the indian population. the problem is that there is that part of the variant spreading here. we know that it's already been located in bolton and blackburn. what the prime minister said in his press conference earlier this evening was that we are going to open up as

meanwhile the express has an exclusive interview with the chancellor rishi sunak who says britain can �*brighter future�* as the economy bounces back from covid. so let's begin... rachel, do you want to lead us off this evening with the mail. worry about the indian variant and threat to june about the indian variant and threat tojune freedom. about the indian variant and threat to june freedom. yes about the indian variant and threat to june freedom.— about the indian variant and threat to june freedom. yes indeed. we “ust heard a to june freedom. yes indeed. we 'ust heard a few — to june freedom. yes indeed. we 'ust heard a few hours fl to june freedom. yes indeed. we 'ust heard a few hours ago i to june freedom. yes indeed. we 'ust heard a few hours ago the i to june freedom. yes indeed. we 'ust heard a few hours ago the press h heard a few hours ago the press conference with prime minister boris johnson warning that while the easing of restrictions on coming up next monday will go ahead. so we will be able to do more mixing indoors for instance. the increased restriction easing for

quite an about turn — or flip flop — on what this man, the chancellor — rishi sunak — said before.s to attract more fast—growing companies from abroad. joining me now is janet mui. why the change of heart, do you think? ,., ., ., ., ~ why the change of heart, do you think? ., ., ~ i. think? good morning. thank you for havin: think? good morning. thank you for having me. _ think? good morning. thank you for having me. i— think? good morning. thank you for having me. i think _ think? good morning. thank you for having me. i think he - think? good morning. thank you for having me. i think he wants l for having me. i think he wants to have a cleaner city of london and make sure that the capital, the city of london is free of potential corruption or the potential to get sensitive information. in particular in relation to the field of technology, infrastructure, for instance. i think hejust technology, infrastructure, for instance. i think he just wants to ensure that he wants to relax the listing rules to attract international companies to list in london. he wants to make sure that the

pandemic — as many smaller companies and poorer households have — should you be kept awake at night, like rishik the city's predictions are right. traders who spend their lives watching these things don't expect rates to rise until september next year, and then byjust 0.15%. so at least for now, don't let it spoil your sleep. andy, thank you very much indeed. millions of people are casting their ballots today in england, scotland and wales in the biggest test of voter opinion since the general election in 2019. in scotland and wales, voters will decide on their national governments, and there's a by—election in hartlepool. votes will also be cast for police and crime commissioners in england and wales, a number of mayors, and thousands of english council seats. coronavirus precautions are in place and people are being urged to take their own pencils to polling stations. ben wright reports. it felt like spring in brighton as polling stations opened this morning, while winter reappeared near the scottish town of aviemore. across britain, halls, leisure centres, churches, even a car are being used

to rebuild the economy after the pandemic, the chancellor, rishi sunak is supporting a new "age of entrepreneurshipants to boost innovation. the conservative government is hoping that young tech companies will play a leading role in the uk's economic recovery. joining me now is tej parikh, chief economist at the institute of directors. good to talk to you again. lots of words but when we will see action and what will it look like? i action and what will it look like? ~' action and what will it look like? ~ ., , action and what will it look like? ~ . , like? i think that is exactly the point, there's a lot - like? i think that is exactly l the point, there's a lot more detail required about what levelling up means and what is the time frames for various initiatives included within it. i think businesses like the sound of what it is because it essentially means spreading more opportunity around the country. and there is a big need to invest more into start—up and innovative firms to really support growth and job creation during the recovery. the devil is really only detail.— recovery. the devil is re

rishi sunak visits one of the hardest hit sectors under the post—christmas lockdown, a brewery.g performance in normal times, but this is a pandemic and activity picked up in march, giving some cause for hope that we are now emerging from a second economic contraction. i emerging from a second economic contraction-— contraction. i think actually committed _ contraction. i think actually committed a's _ contraction. i think actually committed a's figures - contraction. i think actually| committed a's figures show contraction. i think actually - committed a's figures show our economy is clearly getting sunak back on track and crucially that our plan for jobs back on track and crucially that our plan forjobs is working. now, of course, many businesses and families are still facing tough times and thatis are still facing tough times and that is why our support is continuing.— that is why our support is continuing. that is why our support is continuinu. , ., that is why our support is continuinu. , , ., ., ., continuing. his hosts also want to be ubeat continuing. his hosts also want

"see you with rishi for an elbow bump orfoot tap, love, dc."hings he was asked this afternoon was, why did you say "love, dc"? and actually we might hear that clip. we will, because then he was being quizzed today by two different parliamentary committees, so we've had about 19 hours of david cameron on television today. and it's the first time that david cameron has talked publicly and extensively about his role, which is why, if you've been following this story, today was a really important day. but i think really what was notable was actually the embarrassment level for him today, rather than it revealing a whole cache of new information about exactly what's happened with greensill. so, gavin, just an opening thought from you about how awkward this is for a former prime minister, and then we'll have a listen to some of the things that he said. yeah, i think you summarised it really well. it will have been a really embarrassing day for him, and he was he was quite open about it, wasn't he, that he regretted some of the things that he'd done?

out of... l rishi sunak. is that... out of... what on earth else is going on in that building? this is quite specific. you have spoken today about the unwillingness to learn from east and southeast asia countries because people were saying and i quote, "asians all do what they are told so it won't work here." who said that and how much do you think that this outdated racist stereotype contributed to the numbers of deaths in the uk? l stereotype contributed to the numbers of deaths in the uk? i don't want to get — numbers of deaths in the uk? i don't want to get into _ numbers of deaths in the uk? i don't want to get into quoting _ numbers of deaths in the uk? i don't want to get into quoting things i numbers of deaths in the uk? i don't want to get into quoting things like l want to get into quoting things like that, because i think it would be unfair and that, because i think it would be unfairand unfair on some that, because i think it would be unfair and unfair on some of the scientists and others involved in it. it's undoubte

barbara plett usher in minneapolis, thank you. official figures show the chancellor, rishi sunak, borrowedst public sector borrowing since records began in 1916. i'm joined now by our economics correspondent, andy verity. and he, how do these figures look compared to what we expected? titer;r compared to what we expected? they are an compared to what we expected? tie: are an improvement compared to what we expected? t'ts: are an improvement on compared to what we expected? tteg are an improvement on what we expected as recently as a couple of months ago. the figures for april, you have borrowing of £32 billion, huge by any normal standards, but we are in a pandemic, it is not normal and has not been since the start of the pandemic. that is what the government was predicted to borrow, before the pandemic, over the whole of the last financial year, but it has come in 7 billion lower than the obr has come in 7 billion lower than the 0br predicted in the budget. it is £300 billion for the year, it sounds fast and frightening and it is a very large sum, the highest in peacetime, but you look at

the tories have been using uk ministers to front their push, borisjohnson and rishi sunak have been ined wall there, fell somewhat in the 2019 general election, they feel as though they could take a few seats there on thursday, what of plaid cymru? they will be pushing the tories hard for second place again, pushing in areas like llanelli, the liberal democrats hold one seat in wales in brecon, that ms is standing down, so they will be fighting hard to hold on to that and be challenging in places like the centre of cardiff. there is a few other sentiments going on in wales, there is party establish the welsh assembly, they are looking to establish the welsh assembly, will that sentiment resonate at all with the welsh public? potentially they could gain some of the regional seats here. but i think really, whether it is independence in plaid cymru or establishing the welsh senedd, will that resonate or will it come down to who has done a betterjob leading country, the uk nation, through the pandemic, has it been welsh labour, the tories over the border, or is it time for a different chan

we'll hearfrom rishi sunak.to the south—west and in between a mixture of sunshine and showers like yesterday, some slow moving, heavy and thundery with some hail. all of the details later in the programme. the uk economy shrank again in the first three months of the year as businesses and jobs were impacted by the lockdown in january. latest figures out this morning show there was a strong bounceback in march as restrictions started to ease, but the size of the economy is still way below pre—pandemic levels. nina has more on this for us. it is close to where experts predicted we would be. we saw some really strong numbers for march. schools reopeneing, confidence growing, vaccination programme expanding. the economy picked up by 2.1% that month — the chamber of commerce describing this as exceptionally strong. and the chancellor this morning saying things are moving in the right direction. i think actually today's figures show that our economy is clearly getting back on track, and crucially, that our plan forjob

monday andrew bailey and rishi sunak will appear before the treasury committee.al. eu leaders will be kicking off a special summit on tuesday. we have german gdp, that will be vague. wednesday -- that will be big. wednesday i'm watching exxons annual meeting. the activist pressure definitely on that company. guy: taking a very different strategy. we will carry on what we are doing. interesting to compare and contrast bp. it is getting into everything. not as clear which strategy will work. thursday u.s. bank ceos. this will be a big one. house hearings. we also have joe biden budget and infrastructure plan. very much looking forward to seeing how that story revolves. we have gdp data, claims thursday. friday we have the g7 finance ministers and central bankers meeting. that will be fascinating. pc as well. alix: and today, new york billionaire barry diller little island opens to the public. this is a huge deal for new york . this is a long time coming. we live in brooklyn and every single time we drive past my daughter has been like when willa open? -- when will

anti michael gove, speaking to rishi sunak tomorrow, if i'm still stuck, can i call you then?usiness when bossed and it was a threat to the steel empire and 5000 jobs and he arrived with an apology but had to face tough questions about the honesty and integrity of his business with one mp asking are you a fraudster, to which he replied, no. he did not answer direct questions about his relationship with sanjeev gupta, saying the financial watchdog had opened an investigation into the relationship which could have a potentially criminal dimension. but as i say, david cameron and some of these lobbying questions will be put to him on thursday. a 21—year—old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a 53—year—old police community support officer. julia james was found dead two weeks ago near her home in kent. she'd suffered serious head injuries. jon donninson reports. julia james, who disappeared last month after taking her dog for a walk in woodland in snowdown in kent. today, using an actress and julia's actualjack russell terrier, toby, police staged a reconstructio

want to miss that, followed by a virtual meeting of g7 finance ministers, hosted by richey sumac -- rishithe budget request is scheduled for release. new york times saying that will be a total of $6 trillion. let's take a look at where we trade this morning in terms of the financial markets. we have a boosted to equities across the world. futures market, this has everything to do with the data yesterday, especially jobless claims, as well as the boost we are getting from the initial proposal we are seeing from the new york times reporting from the biden administration. that does it for me. monday is a bank holiday in the u.k. and memorial day in the united states, but i will be here in this seat. this is bloomberg. ♪ (announcer) back pain hurts, and it's frustrating. you can spend thousands on drugs, doctors, devices, and mattresses, and still not get relief. now there's aerotrainer by golo, the ergonomically correct exercise breakthrough that cradles your body so you can stretch and strengthen your core, relieve back pain, and tone your entire body. since i've been using the aerotrainer,

so rishi sunak egg is looking to block out companies from listing on the london stock exchange and reallyim and people like him to be stripped of the ability to float on the stock exchange. the problem is that his chairman is greg barker, now member of the house of lords and a lot of people have said that that is an uncomfortable for a conservative mp. those relationships are comfortable. it's not on the conservatives that are a bit too cosy for some people's likings to a lot of these very rich russians. in fact, peter manson has also been involved with this, his organisation from his company has been involved, and many people have been saying it is time to clean london up. as whole mafia, london grad, moscow on thames accusations, it's all too closely, buts, of course, many people, as you said, we need all the money we can get at the moment, and there are those in the city who make huge amounts of money from these relationships, whether they are lawyers, accountants, stock movers and shakers who don't want to see these things brought in line. but i think it is pretty brave of the treasur

about the greensill f air. shifter rishi sunak, is giving evidence about the greensill f air.cularly seriously? i matter, and we need to look at this particularly seriously?— particularly seriously? i think everyone _ particularly seriously? i think everyone knows _ particularly seriously? i think everyone knows who - particularly seriously? i think everyone knows who david i particularly seriously? i think - everyone knows who david cameron is themselves, but the matter that was important as providing finance to small and medium—sized companies, and that was a matter of enormous concern to me and the department during this period, so regardless of the identity of the person talking about it, that was a strand of work that both i and the department were engaged in in any case over the summer, because it was pressing importance to the economy and to many businesses across the uk. but ou didn't many businesses across the uk. but you didn't say to anybody at any point, _ you didn't say to anybody at any point, notwithstanding what you just said about _ point, notwithstanding what

speaking a little earlier to our economics editor, faisal islam, the uk chancellor, rishi sunak, saidst a year ago, we set out our plan forjobs, and what today's figures show is that that plan is working, and that is great to see. with regard to decisions we've made, i think those were the right decisions. it's important that we have borrowing and debt levels that's why we took the decisions that we did. it's also important that we continue to invest in public services, and that's what we are doing, and within all of that, i, of course, want to keep taxes as low as possible. that's what i want to do. but, i have to balance all those things in the round. but the good news, from today, is that plan we put in place is working. when you look at comparisons, and i know that you quibble with some of those comparisons, but, in terms of the shape of the recovery, we are still behind g7 competitors. you're hosting the g7. look around the room next month, and the americans are back to where they were before the pandemic. something went wrong. i think it is difficult to make these cross—country

rishi sunak visits one of the hardest hit sectors under the post—christmas lockdown, a brewery.ic and activity picked up in march, giving some cause for hope that we are now emerging from a second economic contraction. i think actually today's figures show our economy is clearly getting back on track and crucially that our plan forjobs is working. now, of course, many businesses and families are still facing tough times and that is why our support is continuing. his hosts also want to be upbeat about the future. but they are also conscious about the lasting economic damage the lockdowns have done. we are optimistic, but if the recovery is not strong, people that_ have had to borrow to see themselves through might find it is getting tough again. it is worth mentioning we have lost 10% of our customers who closed their doors for good. this chart shows you the roller—coaster ride the economy has been on since the pandemic. this chart shows you the roller—coaster ride the economy a huge drop — the biggest in 300 years. then a rapid bounceback, and in the first quarter of the year, w

chiefs because later in the afternoon, we will have a virtual meeting of g7 finance ministers posted by rishithat comes ahead of a face-to-face meeting of g7 next week. it will be interesting to see the progress made in this virtual event. we will talk about tax with guntram wolff later in the show. and the 20 22 request from president biden is scheduled for release according to the new york times. we will see the scale and scope of it. and we get some insight into the president's plan. we will see how unscathed that goes. let's get some of the top corporate stories. laura: citigroup says it is reconsidering a shareholder proposal requiring its board to order the firm's impact on minority communities. the measure drew a sharp rebuke from ap morgan ceo jamie dimon who is staunchly opposed say it would only add bureaucracy. dell and hp are following in extended trading on concerns that sales have peaked. revenue and earnings show consumers continue to purchase computers even as lockdowns ease. there are concerns about chip shortages. the crunch could last until the end of the year. google has f

the chancellor rishi sunak had to borrow £300 billion to plug the gap between government income and spendingpublished by the office for national statistics show the highest public sector borrowing since records began in 1946. it's substantially less than was predicted last november we can speak to our business presenter ben thompson. it is still an awful lot of money and not a huge surprise, given how much the chancellor spent unfurloughing and so on? absolutely riaht, this unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right. this is — unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right, this is the _ unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right, this is the latest _ unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right, this is the latest snapshot - right, this is the latest snapshot of the state of the public finances as it tells is how much the government is borrowing to plug the gap in what it needs to spend and what it earns. spending is on public services, hospitals, social care, roads and railways, but crucially fellow etc. it is also wanted it earns in taxes largely through things like vat on what we buy, corporation

during the crisis i period, would lex greensill say to you, would you phone up rishi sunak, text him,ments on who to lobby and when to lobby them and how often to lobby them, for example? i had discussions with him and — them, for example? i had discussions with him and a _ them, for example? i had discussions with him and a few _ them, for example? i had discussions with him and a few others. _ them, for example? i had discussions with him and a few others. so - them, for example? i had discussions with him and a few others. so i - with him and a few others. sol could properly understand how the ccff was meant to work and what our proposal would do to improve it and how best to get government to at least consider it.— least consider it. thank you very much, i least consider it. thank you very much. ithink— least consider it. thank you very much, i think i'm _ least consider it. thank you very much, i think i'm out _ least consider it. thank you very much, i think i'm out of - least consider it. thank you very much, i think i'm out of time. i least consider it. thank you very i much,

many, including the chancellor, rishi sunak are pointing very strongly to the rebound we saw in marchhere is a real boost? and does that also bowed positively for the longer term impact? that is where many people say question marks are still on the horizon. will we see the economy grow as strongly as many are hoping and predicting, what do you think, if you had a crystal ball? it i and predicting, what do you think, if you had a crystal ball?— if you had a crystal ball? if i had a c stal if you had a crystal ball? if i had a crystal ball. — if you had a crystal ball? if i had a crystal ball, i— if you had a crystal ball? if i had a crystal ball, i would _ if you had a crystal ball? if i had a crystal ball, i would say - if you had a crystal ball? if i had a crystal ball, i would say we . if you had a crystal ball? if i had i a crystal ball, i would say we need to understand that this has been a massive _ to understand that this has been a massive structural change for the uk economy _ massive structural change for the uk economy. we have just had covid, we have had _ economy. we have

there has been talk about how david cameron lobbied rishi sunak.messages from the former prime minister david cameron to senior government officials were released by the mps on the treasury select committee. at the time they were sent, david cameron was working as a lobbyist on behalf of greensill capital. david cameron contacted ministers and civil servants 56 times about the issue at the height of the pandemic last year, including this message to the chancellor sent on the ath of april... yes... david cameron has released a statement... then right, our political correspondent, is in westminster. what is slightly awkward about these text messages is that it starts at the top, then he starts moving down the top, then he starts moving down the list, until he gets to middle ranking civil servants, and they are still not calling him back! chuckles where they are not biting. and he's apologetic about pestering them constantly during the pandemic, spring of last year. he texted the senior civil servant and said, one last point, then i promise i will sto

committee's inquiry has also investigated how mr cameron lobbied the chancellor of the exchequer, rishiing felt by our clients _ for any hardship being felt by our clients and their suppliers, and indeed, — clients and their suppliers, and indeed, investors in our programmes. it's indeed, investors in our programmes. lt's deeply— indeed, investors in our programmes. it's deeply regrettable that we were let down _ it's deeply regrettable that we were let down by our leading insurer whose — let down by our leading insurer whose actions assured greenville's collapse. _ whose actions assured greenville's collapse, indeed some of our biggest customers _ collapse, indeed some of our biggest customers. to all of those affected by this, _ customers. to all of those affected by this, i_ customers. to all of those affected by this, i am truly sorry. lets customers. to all of those affected by this, i am truly sorry.— by this, i am truly sorry. lets talk to our political— by this, i am truly sorry. lets talk to our political correspondent - by this, i am truly sorry. lets talk| to our political co

pandemic as many smaller companies and poorer households have, should you be kept awake at night like rishiise in interest rates? the answer is, not if you think the city's predictions are right. traders who spend their lives watching these things don't expect rates to rise until september next year and then byjust 0.15%. millions of people are casting their ballots in england, scotland and wales today in the biggest test of voter opinion since the general election in 2019. in scotland and wales, voters will decide on their national governments, and there's a by—election in hartlepool. votes will also be cast for police and crime commissioners in england and wales, a number of mayors, and thousands of english council seats. coronavirus precautions are in place and people are being urged to take their own pencils to polling stations. ben wright reports. it felt like spring in brighton as polling stations opened this morning, while winter reappeared near the scottish town of aviemore. across britain, halls, leisure centres, churches, even a car are being used for voters to cast their ballots.

the only individual who came out well was the chancellor of the exchequer, rishi sunak, whom mr cummingspetent�*. turning to his own role, the former adviser apologised for the mistakes that were made and he criticised a system that let an individual like himself reach the heart of government in the first place. in any sensible, rational government, it is completely crazy that i should have been in such a senior position, in my personal opinion. i'm not smart, i've not built great things in the world. it's just... it's completely crackers that someone like me should have been in there, just the same as it's crackers that boris johnson was in there. but mr cummings saved his most savage criticism for the minister who was at the helm of the national health service — matt hancock. i think that the secretary of state for health should have been fired for at least 15, 20 things, including lying to everybody in multiple occasions, in meeting after meeting. mr hancock�*s office has issued a response today strongly rejecting mr cummings�* claims. let�*s now to rob watson, our political correspon

more uk ministers for their campaign, borisjohnson has been to the north—east of wales, and today rishiorth—east of wales, that belt, five or six labour seats, hoping to overturn them, the tories. so really i think the story in wales will be labour obviously being in power here since the senedd first started, doesn't look like they will have the same number of seats, according to the polls is five years ago, potentially losing a couple of seats, i suppose, potentially losing a couple of seats, isuppose, how potentially losing a couple of seats, i suppose, how many, potentially losing a couple of seats, isuppose, how many, and if they lose constituency seats, can they lose constituency seats, can they pick up in the regional vote? talking about plaid cymru as well, they will be battling hard for second place with the tory party, looking to take areas like llanelli, but looking to hold on to areas like the rhondda, where labour have been trying hard, leanne wood standing there. and the liberal democrats, they have one seat, in brecon and radnorshire, fighting hole to hold onto that, they

a number of texts and e—mails have been released from a david cameron, rishi sunak and michael gove foranother blow for the mod. we remain determined and is the truth was finally recognised by the court and the lies by the british government were laid bare for the world to see. it has taken us 50 years to get to this point. we are families from ballymurphy, but we have held the british government and the minister of defence to account today. the truth is more powerful than any government. we hope to date will give strength to all the other families who like ourselves are looking for truth and justice for their loved ones. it can be done, do not give up. you will succeed. today is all about correcting history. we welcome the immediate presence here today. many of you have supported us and helped us to have our voices heard. the media let us down in 1971. they accepted the army's version of events. and published terrible lies about our innocent family members. you, the media, have an important part to play today in correcting what was wrong, as i know you will. 50 years ago, the lies and

labourwould rishi sunak, just down the road in richmond. ben houchen, only labour. we expect that result later in the afternoon, but the conservatives are looking potentially at winning three out of three of these contests in this part of the world. they have already turned a situation with only one conservative mp across the tees valley in 2016, were put hartlepool victory there are five out of seven, so a real transformation —— with this hartlepool victory. so a real transformation -- with this hartlepool victory.— so a real transformation -- with this hartlepool victory. let's talk to rob parsons, _ this hartlepool victory. let's talk to rob parsons, political- this hartlepool victory. let's talk to rob parsons, political editor. this hartlepool victory. let's talk| to rob parsons, political editor of the yorkshire post in leeds, and to the yorkshire post in leeds, and to the north of england editor for the gajion in manchester, helen pint. rob, what do you expect to see today? it rob, what do you expect to see toda ? , ., ., rob, what d

worth noticing the importance of this constituency for both parties, with the chancellor rishi sunakent was 768? forgive me, that was back in 2016. that was a _ was back in 2016. that was a majority that labour had over the conservatives, back in 2016. it has always been very close between welsh labour and the welsh tories here. did they give you any sense of what the reason for the recount was in terms of a margin? was it much smaller? ~ . terms of a margin? was it much smaller? . ., :, , ., terms of a margin? was it much smaller? . ., :, , :, :, smaller? we have not been told how close it was- — smaller? we have not been told how close it was. the _ smaller? we have not been told how close it was. the initial— smaller? we have not been told how close it was. the initial indication - close it was. the initial indication that we had when things are going in favour of the welsh tories, for gareth davies, the candidate here, and we then find back out that one candidate suggested to us at the time that it was going to a recount because things were so tight and we have not been given an

. _ official figures show the chancellor, rishi sunak, borrowed 300 billion pounds to plug the gap betweenemember that's actually £94 gasp, just remember that's actually £91; billion less than was predicted backin £91; billion less than was predicted back in november. so suddenly the chancellor has £91; billion more to play with if you like or at least less debt. the numbers wobble around so much you have to take a big step back and say ok, what does all this mean? is this debt manageable? that is the key point. in spite of the fact borrowing has ballooned in terms of amount, the service cost of that, the monthly payment on the mortgage, that has actually got a lot cheaper. the reason household analogies are dubious because government finances a lot like this out —— household. there is no limit on what they have to borrow so when we hear from the government that it can fold something we are not really hearing anything objective. the government can simply issue currency and effectively borrow from itself. most of the money that has been borrowed since the pandemic began is owed to the bank

i know rishi sunak and his team were competent and i left them to deal with the economic stuff like furloughument floating around that says, here is the economic costs and everyone was looking at that and the prime minister was looking at that and said, oh, looking at this document, maybe we shouldn't do this. that wasn't the case, that didn't happen. it was the case that the bank of england, the senior figures it was the case that the bank of england, the seniorfigures in it was the case that the bank of england, the senior figures in the treasury, the senior officials and the cabinet office, were saying we have to think about the consequences of, if we did this lockdown, will have to borrow huge amounts of money. what of the bond markets suddenly spike and go crazy and refused to lend us? will then have to find emergency powers to tell the bank of england to buy the debt, etc. said there were conversations going on about that potential problem, and, what we have a financial crisis, bond market crisis, sterling crisis, on top of the health crisis? there were conversations and meetings with

i don't think it's just out of necessity, if you go back to rishi sunak�*s budget a year ago before the my advice, a starting point would be, at the moment, voting in our country is aligned with the referendum result, the conservatives with a leave labour with the remain vote and the conservatives have the monopoly with the leave vote but the remain vote is divided by all the other party said the quote that you quoted me earlier on in this discussion is the key point, the centre—right is united in the centre—right is united in the centre—right —— centre—left is divided so it will be difficult for him to make progress.- divided so it will be difficult for him to make progress. thank you both for our him to make progress. thank you both for your time — him to make progress. thank you both for your time this _ him to make progress. thank you both for your time this evening, _ him to make progress. thank you both for your time this evening, really - for your time this evening, really interesting to talk to you both. thank you very much. good night. let's return to the breaking news of the l

the recovery from the pandemic for our economy depends on are working closely with the chancellor rishi labour party. _ deputy leader of the scottish labour party. who — deputy leader of the scottish labour party, who is in dumbarton which is the most _ party, who is in dumbarton which is the most marginal constituency in scotland — the most marginal constituency in scotland. 109 votes in it, and the snp at _ scotland. 109 votes in it, and the snp at your heels. this is a long wait _ snp at your heels. this is a long wait for— snp at your heels. this is a long wait for you _ snp at your heels. this is a long wait for you to get this result, and you know— wait for you to get this result, and you know of— wait for you to get this result, and you know of course this is a critical— you know of course this is a critical result for you, but also it would _ critical result for you, but also it would be — critical result for you, but also it would be a — critical result for you, but also it would be a grimly important result for the _ would be a grimly important result for the snp. what is it l