. — socialist imposition with national insurance, giving people back the money— insurance, giving people energy rebate as well. i do think they could actually ditch or suspend — think they could actually ditch or suspend the green levy on energy bills, _ suspend the green levy on energy bills, which is about £153 per household. today being advanced by some _ household. today being advanced by some conservative mps. it has another— some conservative mps. it has another option. but some conservative mps. it has another option.— some conservative mps. it has another option. but that's set in law. that will— another option. but that's set in law. that will be _ another option. but that's set in law. that will be more - another option. but that's set in i law. that will be more complicated in the short term. should be go on to the mirror? do you think this is fair? we know where the mirror stands for politically, but is that a fair headline to catch sunak and others on the front pinch laughing? probably about something completely different from what the whole debate was about. it’s different

but going into the spring with the national insurance rise in the cost of living and inflation he willy eight promise to do anything on a date even when the telegraph references in its copy that it will probably be dismissed by critics as a lofty promise, then again people are really waiting for substance when they go exactly what taxes are you going and win because all begin do so far is judge you on your record and that is not a very couple pleasure to be sitting right now. .. couple pleasure to be sitting right now, ,,., ., ., , now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got _ now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their _ now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take _ now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take on - now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take on it - now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take on it as - which has got their take on it as linking british brings forward tax rises to head off inflation, imf tells the chancellor, say the imf says they should bring forward

a national insurance contribution price in april is the wrong tax at the wrong time.is insufficient. it is a buy now pay later scheme, a big gamble on what is going to happen to energy prices in the future. and not enough support for those people who need it most. the government should have done what labour has proposed, a windfall tax on the big profits being made by oil and gas companies and use that money to keep bills low for everybody else. you and use that money to keep bills low for everybody else.— for everybody else. you have made that point- — for everybody else. you have made that point. thank _ for everybody else. you have made that point. thank you _ for everybody else. you have made that point. thank you for _ for everybody else. you have made that point. thank you forjoining i that point. thank you forjoining us. and at 3.30 this afternoon we'll be answering your questions on energy prices following ofgem's announcement. get in touch with the hashtag bbcyourquestions — or you email yourquestions@bbc.co.uk the prime minister has been speaking about the n

the other- opposition parties brought up the big tax rise coming, the increase in national insurance,'ust when bills are ballooning.— are ballooning. why is he still introducing — are ballooning. why is he still introducing a _ are ballooning. why is he still introducing a 12 _ are ballooning. why is he still introducing a 12 billion - are ballooning. why is he still introducing a 12 billion tax - are ballooning. why is he still introducing a 12 billion tax on | introducing a 12 billion tax on workers this financial year? why has it taken to the last minute to try to do something about the cost of living crisis and then why is so much of this alone which bill payers will have to pay back?— will have to pay back? these plans are playing — will have to pay back? these plans are playing russian _ will have to pay back? these plans are playing russian roulette - will have to pay back? these plans are playing russian roulette with l are playing russian roulette with taxpayers' money, gambling that prices _ taxpayers' money, gambling that prices will go down rather than providing — prices w

and we have the national insurance rays coming in, but that shows the pain that comes with dealing witheard he described as _ issues. i have never heard he described as a _ issues. i have never heard he described as a chewbacca - issues. i have never heard he - described as a chewbacca situation before, _ described as a chewbacca situation before, so — described as a chewbacca situation before, so i'm going to steal that! this is— before, so i'm going to steal that! this is really serious issue, not 'ust this is really serious issue, not just in— this is really serious issue, not just in cancer care but across the piste _ just in cancer care but across the piste the — just in cancer care but across the piste. the highest number of people on waiting _ piste. the highest number of people on waiting lists. another issue here's— on waiting lists. another issue here's the _ on waiting lists. another issue here's the government cannot just magic— here's the government cannot just magic up — here's the government cannot just magic up more doctors and new nurses, — magic up more doctors and new

sor _ for national insurance? so. i_ for national insurance? so, i think in terms of...e is that reforming social care. i think that's the right and responsible thing to do, as i've outlined. where we can make a difference on these energy prices, we are, and part of the responses to smooth the impact and that is a very deliberate policy approach, because we can't pretend that we don't have to adjust to it, but we can do is much manageable, and that's without policy does. with regard to your first question, i wouldn't describe it as a bailout, and i think there was something quite different. we are not providing loans to energy companies, but discounting people's bills by £200, using their bill as a means to do that, but in no way, shape orform is means to do that, but in no way, shape or form is as a bailout of energy companies. it's absolutely not. this is a help to families and households, just delivered through their energy bills, and ultimately recovered through their energy bills in the future, so i think it's very different to what some people were calling for and

the mail decries the growth of the nhs waiting lists, despite april�*s £12 billion national insurance also focuses on adele�*s triumps at tonight�*s brit awards, and pays even closer attention to the ring on her left hand. the government�*s failure to relax the rules around free school meals will mean an extra 1 million children in the uk will go hungry — the claim on the front of tomorrow�*s i. the ft leads on news that the oil giant bp�*s profits have reached an 8—year high — prompting calls for a windfall tax to help households with rising energy bills. the guardian claims that a group of conservative politicians are plotting to derail the government�*s green agenda — with some suggesting. downing street�*s plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050 would impoverish working people, making them �*colder and poorer�* wag war gets ugly — the metro�*s lead is the latest from a high court hearing ahead of a libel trial later in the year involving footballers wives rebekah vardy and colleen rooney. so let�*s begin... too late for the bread so too late to discuss a dell, chair and, what ri

in national insurance coming, you've _ in taxes in national insurance coming, you've got _ in taxese fuel cap as well, which - coming, you've got the increase in the fuel cap as well, which had - coming, you've got the increase in. the fuel cap as well, which had kept energy prices — the fuel cap as well, which had kept energy prices down _ the fuel cap as well, which had kept energy prices down for— the fuel cap as well, which had kept energy prices down for ordinary - energy prices down for ordinary people — energy prices down for ordinary people it — energy prices down for ordinary people. it is— energy prices down for ordinary people. it is very, _ energy prices down for ordinary people. it is very, very- energy prices down for ordinary people. it is very, very difficult| people. it is very, very difficult indeed, — people. it is very, very difficult indeed, the _ people. it is very, very difficult indeed, the one _ people. it is very, very difficult indeed, the one suggestion - people. it is very, very difficult| indeed, the one suggestion put forward — indeed, the one suggesti

lry were increasing national insurance by 10%~ _ were increasing national insurance by 10%~ for— wereery much against his personal beliefs in a low tax and low interventions. there is also the point _ interventions. there is also the point that— interventions. there is also the point that we are facing a cost of living _ point that we are facing a cost of living crisis— point that we are facing a cost of living crisis and that various successors, the people who are seen as likely— successors, the people who are seen as likely successors must enact, liz truss. _ as likely successors must enact, liz truss. they— as likely successors must enact, liz truss, they are the kind of conservatives or towards the conservative wing of the party away from state — conservative wing of the party away from state intervention —— sunak. and they— from state intervention —— sunak. and they are _ from state intervention —— sunak. and they are away from the direct support— and they are away from the direct support that would be popular at the moment— support that would be popular at the moment so that is

"taxing is more through national insurance.lem, have we mentioned about russia possibly going into ukraine? which doesn't help anything. ilistens which doesn't help anything. we're about to come _ which doesn't help anything. we're about to come to _ which doesn't help anything. we're about to come to that _ which doesn't help anything. we're about to come to that in _ which doesn't help anything. we're about to come to that in a - which doesn't help anything. we're about to come to that in a minute. | about to come to that in a minute. let's focus on the telegraph. underneath that story about the sunak smashing out the cash, we have the lockdown preventing on 0.2% of deaths in the first wave. that's the eye—catching headline the telegraph has taken. there is a bit more details adjusting and had a slightly bigger impact in other sectors, but what do you make of the analysis on the lockdown measures and number of deaths? i the lockdown measures and number of deaths? ~ , the lockdown measures and number of deaths? ~' , ., , ., de

the crisis to leave 2000 a year worse off, plus national insurance hike.start to the year. just talk us through the mirror's stance.— year. just talk us through the mirror's stance. , ., mirror's stance. they were quoting anal sis mirror's stance. they were quoting analysis that _ mirror's stance. they were quoting analysis that showed _ mirror's stance. they were quoting analysis that showed the _ mirror's stance. they were quoting | analysis that showed the combined impact of price rises, that painful national insurance tax hike, as well as wage cuts, will leave families £2000 a year worse off. that is absolutely staggering. this will be absolutely staggering. this will be a really, really deep and painful crisis. i think the mirror's big question to the government is, what are you that i do about it? it's been quite astounding that against we could see this coming last year, and the government has been slow in its response. i look back to the budget last autumn, and there was very little in their to provide some protection forfamilies very little in the

instead of nationally. >> my research is suggesting that one way to start is with a community-based insurancegram where you pool the risk, and you pool the resources. >> is that a prudent course of action? >> well, i work for fema's national flood insurance program, so of course i'm going to not recommend that as an option. it does flood here, and people should be concerned, and they should have a conversation with their insurance agent about what the risk is. >> a lot of our neighbors are very upset. >> reporter: claudia solis still can't believe that she may now have to pay several thousand dollars a year for flood insurance when she's lived without it for more than a decade. right now schaffer's idea is just an academic exercise that one small community is considering implementing. it has yet to be tested or proven to work. fema's edie loehmann admits that the national flood insurance program has a long history of inequity and fairness issues. that's why she says this new risk rating 2.0 is so important and why it was developed to correct all of that. i'm stephen stock, nbc bay area news.

chancellor rishi sunak defended the coming rise in national insurance. up, all at the same time. it's just the confluence of this in one month that's difficult, and you're adding to that with this extra national insurance. well, that's why we've put these other measures in place as well, the national living wage. but you could havejust delayed the tax rise. well, we don't want to delay getting on with tackling the backlogs and reforming social care. in general, the economy is moving again, returning to some sort of normal service. but for household budgets, the picture's not looking so bright. faisal islam, bbc news, in leeds. the duchess of cambridge has recorded a bedtime story reading for cbeebies to mark children's mental health week. she's chosen to read the owl who was afraid of the dark, which follows the story of plop, a baby barn owl, who's encouraged by others to face his fears. the duchess says it was one of her favourite books as a child, which she now reads, to her own children. what an encouraging tale. we can all feel scared sometimes, jus

chancellor rishi sunak defended the coming rise in national insurance., taxes going up, mortgage costs going up, all at the same time. it's just the confluence of this in one month that's difficult, and you're adding to that with this extra national insurance. well, that's why we've put these other measures in place as well, the national living wage. but you could havejust delayed the tax rise. well, we don't want to delay getting on with tackling the backlogs and reforming social care. in general, the economy is moving again, returning to some sort of normal service. but for household budgets, the picture's not looking so bright. faisal islam, bbc news, in leeds. the government's weekly coronavirus figures show the number of cases being reported continues to fall, with just over 62,500 cases recorded on average each day in the last week. hospital admissions are also falling, with an average of 12,753 patients being treated in hospital over the last seven days. 193 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period — that's of people who died within 28 da

— if the chancellor said, "i'm going to postpone this rise in national insurance," would you say, "formust believe in sound money"? or, "quite right, we tories don't want to put up taxes "again" ? you are absolutely right — you set out the dilemma very clearly. we need to raise the tax to pay for the expenditure we have, and no individual tax is ever of itself popular, so it is a difficult choice for the chancellor but we do need to raise funds to pay for the extra 9 million scans to get rid of the backlog in the nhs and all of those sorts of things. crosstalk. but you wouldn't weep if he postponed it? well, i think governments have to have a set purpose and a clear course and we can't be buffeted by every wind so, i think it is important to recognise the need to raise the money that we are determined to spend. now, i quoted to you three years ago — was it four now? — that you had admirers on the opposite side of politics, people that didn't agree with you on anything, you were very different in background and style, people like the labour mpjess phillips. and one of the reasons she sa

the the uk and national insurance tax goes up etc.— tax goes up etc.iot did say april— tax goes up etc. the poet ts eliot did say april was - tax goes up etc. the poet ts eliot did say april was the i eliot did say april was the cruellest month and unfortunately he may be right, even though it was written over 100 years ago. the cost of fertiliser, that goes back to natural gas so natural gas prices are up, fertilisers are up prices are up, fertilisers are up more than double over the past 12 months, for certain types, and it is feeding through to food prices and it is hitting consumer ability to spend. food and fuel, unfortunately, it is those least well off in society that will be hit.— least well off in society that will be hit. n , , ., will be hit. quickly, before we let ou will be hit. quickly, before we let you go. — will be hit. quickly, before we let you go. a _ will be hit. quickly, before we let you go, a new— will be hit. quickly, before we let you go, a new trading i will be hit. quickly, before we| let you go, a new trading week has begun

chancellor rishi sunak defended the coming rise in national insurance.ood bills going up, taxes going up, mortgage costs going up, all at the same time. it's just the confluence of this in one month that's difficult, and you're adding to that with this extra national insurance. well, that's why we've put these other measures in place as well, the national living wage. but you could havejust delayed the tax rise. well, we don't want to delay getting on with tackling the backlogs and reforming social care. in general, the economy is moving again, returning to some sort of normal service. but for household budgets, the picture's not looking so bright. faisal islam, bbc news, in leeds. for more on gdp and how it's calculated, head to bbc.co.uk/news. in the past hour, president biden has been holding talks by phone with borisjohnson, the french president emmanuel macron and other european leaders to discuss russa's military build—up around ukraine. mr biden has warned that russia could invade its neighbour at any time and has urged all american citizens to le

_ april one, people facing higher national insurance payments, i april one, people facing higher- nationalone, they will have to pay probably about 20 j will have to pay probably about 20 quid for— will have to pay probably about 20 quid for a — will have to pay probably about 20 quid for a box _ will have to pay probably about 20 quid for a box of— will have to pay probably about 20 quid for a box of lateral— will have to pay probably about 20 quid for a box of lateral flow - will have to pay probably about 20 quid for a box of lateral flow tests| quid for a box of lateral flow tests isn't that— quid for a box of lateral flow tests isn't that adding _ quid for a box of lateral flow tests isn't that adding to _ quid for a box of lateral flow tests isn't that adding to the _ quid for a box of lateral flow tests isn't that adding to the cost - quid for a box of lateral flow tests isn't that adding to the cost of- isn't that adding to the cost of living — isn't that adding to the cost of living crisis— isn't that adding to the cost of living crisis that _ isn't that adding to the cost of livi

taxes, but obviously before we get to that point, you do have the 1.2 5% increase in april of national insuranceut it's about managing the economy sensibly and prudently and not sometimes involves raising taxes rather than borrowing and other means. and that's eventually went good times roll and then you can cut them. i think it will be in this is quite a big speech he makes tomorrow, one where chancellors in the traditionally set out their vision for how an economy run. and it will certainly be scrutinised closely by all of his interested the party she into the moment and who is putting themselves where in terms of potential leadership races in the future and obviously... the leadership races in the future and obviously- - -_ leadership races in the future and obviously... the telegraph saying that the foreign _ obviously... the telegraph saying that the foreign secretary, - obviously... the telegraph saying that the foreign secretary, who i obviously... the telegraph saying j that the foreign secretary, who is figured to run in a leadership race if it comes, saying that she would dove the nati

all the prices are going up, wages are going up, national insurance — up, wages are going up, nationale are all going _ insurance is going up, these are all going to _ insurance is going up, these are all going to have a massive impact on the hospitality sector. not only that, _ the hospitality sector. not only that, when the prices go up we have no choice _ that, when the prices go up we have no choice but to pass it on to the end user. — no choice but to pass it on to the end user, the consumers will have rising _ end user, the consumers will have rising prices— end user, the consumers will have rising prices as well. we end user, the consumers will have rising prices as well.— rising prices as well. we are talkin: rising prices as well. we are talking about _ rising prices as well. we are talking about the _ rising prices as well. we are talking about the rig - rising prices as well. we are talking about the rig energy| rising prices as well. we are - talking about the rig energy price cap today but you'll businesses from the rising costs, that doesn't apply to businesses like yours

also a national insurance, wanted? also recalled that _ a national insurance, wanted?quid of that is not the man you _ recalled that 200 quid of that is not the man you are _ recalled that 200 quid of that is not the man you are getting, i recalled that 200 quid of that is not the man you are getting, it| not the man you are getting, it alone the _ not the man you are getting, it alone. the government- not the man you are getting, it alone. the government is- not the man you are getting, it. alone. the government is giving not the man you are getting, it- alone. the government is giving you essentially— alone. the government is giving you essentially an — alone. the government is giving you essentially an interest _ alone. the government is giving you essentially an interest free - alone. the government is giving you essentially an interest free loan i alone. the government is giving you essentially an interest free loan of l essentially an interest free loan of £200 _ essentially an interest free loan of £200 and — essentially an interest free loan of £200 and that _

but going into the spring with the national insurance rise in the cost of living and inflation he willome under a lot of pressure i suspect and his star also to fall. this will be him sorta making his mark yet again using sort of words that are not exactly backed up by eight promise to do anything on a date even when the telegraph references in its copy that it will probably be dismissed by critics as a lofty promise, then again people are really waiting for substance when they go exactly what taxes are you going and win because all begin do so far is judge you on your record and that is not a very couple pleasure to be sitting right now. ,,. couple pleasure to be sitting right now, ,,., ., ., , now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got _ now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their _ now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take _ now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take on - now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take on it - now. sam, again bringing in the ft, which has got their take on it as - which has got the

chancellor rishi sunak defended the coming rise in national insurance. it's just the confluence of this in one month that's difficult, and you're adding to that with this extra national insurance. well, that's why we've put these other measures in place as well, the national living wage. but you could havejust delayed the tax rise. well, we don't want to delay getting on with tackling the backlogs and reforming social care. in general, the economy is moving again, returning to some sort of normal service. but for household budgets, the picture's not looking so bright. faisal islam, bbc news, in leeds. well, we can speak now to alfie stirling who's the chief economist at the new economics foundation — — a left—leaning think—tank. he joins us from brighton. let us look at the growth in the uk economy and put it in the context of what happened prior to death because of covid—19. what happened prior to death because of covid-19. ' ., what happened prior to death because of covid-19. , ., ., of covid-19. 7.5% growth over the ast 12 of covid-19. 7.596 growth o

you've got an increase in- taxes, in national insurance, coming, you've got the increase in the fueln for ordinary people. i it is very, very difficult - indeed, but one suggestion put forward by the opposition labour party is a wealth tax, | a tax on those companies that have made huge profits - from extracting oil and gas. bp had huge profits — - they announced £10 billion in profits this week. shell last week announced huge profits as well. - the suggestion is that there should be a one—off tax - on these companies to help with the national— economic picture. the criticism of that is that it does not . really help with supply, and it is the supply- issues longer—term that - are causing energy prices to go through the roof, and as- a result causing the squeeze on ordinary families. consequently, how do i you deal with all of this? you've got to hope that, at some point, energy. prices come down and that will have a levelling - effect on the overall economy generally. | although many experts think that that won't happen, oil prices coming down, for some time. and some countries are

the front page of the guardian and we know that the national insurance rises going to go ahead in aprilat comes as a result of the pandemic but the extent of it laid bare in the guardian article. i have a million people facing delays in seeing an nhs cancer specialist. this will have a big affect on the outcomes of their treatment. this is a very significant. — outcomes of their treatment. this is a very significant, very _ outcomes of their treatment. this is a very significant, very worrying - a very significant, very worrying story— a very significant, very worrying story coupled with the fact that the nhs has _ story coupled with the fact that the nhs has a — story coupled with the fact that the nhs has a waiting list of around 6 million _ nhs has a waiting list of around 6 million people. the nhs has worked flat out— million people. the nhs has worked flat out throughout the pandemic. staff are _ flat out throughout the pandemic. staff are knackered, morale i'm sure isn't great _ staff are knackered, morale i'm sure isn't great. and the fact that inflation _ isn't great. and the fa

energy price go out, we know interest rates have gone up, | know interest rates have gone up, national insurance presumably at any point thousand comments, if they feel they've got enough votes to have a vote of no—confidence in the house, they could vote as often and whenever it likes on these matters, canted? , ., , ., whenever it likes on these matters, canted? , ., ., canted? yes, the house of commons canted? yes, the house of commons can hold a confidence _ canted? yes, the house of commons can hold a confidence vote _ canted? yes, the house of commons can hold a confidence vote on - canted? yes, the house of commons can hold a confidence vote on the - can hold a confidence vote on the prime minister, that all happened when teresa made was prime minister. of course that's when the mps of the governing party were rallying around. the something i could deliver that victory to the opposition. that will be of threat to borisjohnson even if labour with the call that vote. as he and says, under the rules of the georgia committee of no—confidence vote within his party and he wins it under the rule

the national insurance rise is kicking _ sure the...cific purpose, to i therefore a specific purpose, to help fund the backlog in nhs operations which have inevitably built up during the pandemic. and it's getting to grips with the problem that this country has had for some time and hasn't really been addressed, how do we fund long—term social care at a time of an ageing population? that is why that is in place. population? that is why that is in . lace. ,, ., ., population? that is why that is in -lace. ., i. population? that is why that is in lace. . ., population? that is why that is in lace. . . ., population? that is why that is in lace, ., a, ., ., , place. so, what you are doing is a- -l in: place. so, what you are doing is applying broadbrush _ place. so, what you are doing is applying broadbrush economic l applying broadbrush economic measures for everyone and not targeting those measures to those people who can afford it. the institute for _ people who can afford it. the institute for fiscal _ people who can afford it. tue: in

>> the rise in the national insurance tax in april is affecting things so you are raising job expectations dealing with this rise in energy prices. you are trying to deal with the fact that these energy companies are collapsing around us. the big debate in the u.k. is all the oil companies are doing incredibly well but there is a big to date across the political aisle that perhaps the thing to do is the impact on the energy sector. politically more viable than taxing jobs then to tax oil companies. people are really going to care about energy prices and this will impact the popularity of government and whether the prime minister is still in office. lisa: if you are still a monetary policy committee member in the bank of england, what would you do? >> what i would probably do is sit back and perhaps think about but -- maybe not reinvesting the maturing assets taking it slow. why are you raising rates in this confusion in the united states? the thing for the market what is the bank of ignore -- bank of england signaling what's coming? they don't really know what it will impact. i think i wou

people in the, you know, i'm just coming off a decade of the cooper universal candidate cuts. national insurance raises food and energy prices. no, not all. lot combined with di, stabilized europe with russia near the boat of ukraine. so you know, there's a lot of issues out there and voters, johnson is a distraction to all these big issues. well, let's bring up one of the other issues we've been reporting here at our t as have many outlets on the massive energy bill high coming up for a british household. in fact, some people might remember the bars johnson promised back in 2016 that breakfast would make energy bills cheaper. how's it working out? probably is working very well at all. i mean, if you look at where scotland was promised into a n 20162014 were promised it still you case, it would remain in your opinion. the promise is not just as 2016, but before that really wants to pay for the reading on and that a lot of bluster and i think the leaders but a blessed that is no. johnson is taking charge, as i said, whether the bodies johnson, clearly not in charge, are pretty clueless. and that'

increases because they do not pack though it might pay national insurance, and then the government was, that we have not ever reall resolved. ~ _, ., ., really resolved. welcome if we had a ”roressive really resolved. welcome if we had a progressive tax _ really resolved. welcome if we had a progressive tax system, _ really resolved. welcome if we had a progressive tax system, we - really resolved. welcome if we had a progressive tax system, we had i really resolved. welcome if we had a progressive tax system, we had taxl progressive tax system, we had tax on wealth and there was no money coming in from people who could afford to pay, that would make an enormous amount of good sense. i think we could certainly reform universal credit system so that it was more generous and less stigmatising for people who are claiming. there are all sorts of things you can do. universally... the idea of a universal service is worth pausing over because if you think about the nhs, it is a universal service, therefore all of us when we need it, but we don't always need it. that is what we want, a system

stretched - with the rise in energy costs, inflation and of course, - the tory tax hike with national insurancet, only this - afternoon i was at a church food bank that on average had 350 maybe food parcels - going out a week, 2000 now. and they have an armyl of volunteers delivering these food parcels to - people without transport. and added to this problem| is that we probably will get onto it later talking - about transport and the cliff edge for buses. i so, we've also got that perfectl storm of people with less money in their pocket and potentially no access to get to jobs, - training and opportunities. tracy, you touched upon it there, actually, but ijust wanted to ask you about this bus issue because it's such a big thing, isn't it, that's happening? and i think maybe it's just worth explaining why that is. the government put a whole load of money into supporting buses during the pandemic because obviously the pattern of people that were using the buses fell right off a cliff and that money is due to come to an end quite soon and in fact, at the end of march. and so there's a bit of a de

people will feel the pinch, why — as many in your party want — are you going ahead with raising national insurance but there are other ways of finding that money, are there not? well, you know, there aren't actually, and i think the people's number one priority and you talked about, you know, what do people want? i know that people's number one priority when it comes to public services is the nhs, and right now, the nhs is confronted with unprecedented backlogs. i think that's an unacceptable situation. we want to address that and at the same time, do the thing governments have not done for years and that's reform social care and the prime minister deserves enormous credit for tackling that challenge. you can't take on a big challenge like that without funding it properly and sustainably, and that's what this new levy does. it is a new levy, and people should feel reassured that every penny that they pay is going direct to the thing that they care most about, which is the nhs and social care. it doesn't exactly make you... in a responsible and fair way to do that. but it doesn't exactly make you t

— this year in the form of national insurance attributions, so the proof will be _ insurance attributionsr. you will be aware that the gap _ slogan this year. you will be aware that the gap between _ slogan this year. you will be aware that the gap between rich - slogan this year. you will be aware that the gap between rich and - slogan this year. you will be aware j that the gap between rich and poor areas is something that has grown over decades, notjust under conservative governments but decades of underinvestment in the past 30 years with the gap widening. this is a government that is trying to do something about the, it is trying to target resources to the areas that most need them.— target resources to the areas that most need them. levelling up and tacklin: most need them. levelling up and tackling regional _ most need them. levelling up and tackling regional inequality - most need them. levelling up and tackling regional inequality has - most need them. levelling up and tackling regional inequality has to | tackling regional inequality has to be a priority of any government coming

by the way, this all happening at the same time that national income tax and national insurance rates rise in england. it is going to be a very tough year for millions of british households in response, the uk government is trying to blunt the impact of higher costs by offering subsidies to families. many say it is not enough. may get worse before it gets better there is the real possibility that rates will go up again this coming october which means families in the uk could be facing three electricity price hikes in just one year and maybe a doubling it's early let's be blunt about what is happening in england the uk government is proposing spending taxpayer money to give back uk taxpayer ws who are facg high spikes due to terrible planning by the uk government. the crisis trying to be solved by the same people who created it think about that >>> let's get a check on the other top stories, including the crazy weather we're having in half the nation. frances rivera, what is going on with this weather? it's awful >> we haven't seen a storm like this in a while. stretches through so man

you've got the planned heights in national insurance which means it may people's— insurance which meanss coming in at the beginning of april and now you have also seen testing _ april and now you have also seen testing going to come in. i think you're _ testing going to come in. i think you're probably going to leave stockpiling the free tests before then and — stockpiling the free tests before then and i know that personally last week but— then and i know that personally last week but i_ then and i know that personally last week but i know that these efforts were coming, i ordered a couple of boxes _ were coming, i ordered a couple of boxes of— were coming, i ordered a couple of boxes of rapid tests in the post and you have _ boxes of rapid tests in the post and you have seen the government today already— you have seen the government today already start to limit how many boxes — already start to limit how many boxes you _ already start to limit how many boxes you can order. limiting it to one box— boxes you can order. limiting it to one box of lateral flows every 24 hours _ one box of

protecting itself but russia is seeking to uphold principles of the purposes of the united nation's charter, insuring the main goal of the united nations, to prevent future generations from a surge of war. the negative role played in all of this by western colleagues, led by the united states, instead of compelling kyiv to comply, they are merely inciting kyiv, egging them on. repeating that senseless mantra that they are against the minsk agreements. our western colleagues have shamelessly inundated the country with weapons. they have sent the country cost instructor -- country's instructor. and prompted them to engage. the western countries have created a bubble that cannot but pop. distinguished colleagues, discussing notes that in 2008, the council cautioned that members of nato should think three times before proudly stating that ukraine and georgia will join nato. this compromise was immediately met with action plans undertaking in ukraine and georgia to join the alliance. at the same time, in 2014, there was a brutal, anti-constitutional coup which took place in kyiv. nationalists and radicals

if you think. people feel the pinch, why are you going ahead with raising national insurance in aprilow that _ people's number one priority, i know that people's number one priority— know that people's number one priority when it comes to public— priority when it comes to public service is the nhs. right _ public service is the nhs. right now the nhs is contracted with backlogs and is an unacceptable situation that we want _ unacceptable situation that we want to — unacceptable situation that we want to address. at the same time — want to address. at the same time we — want to address. at the same time we want to do what governments have not done for many— governments have not done for many years and that is reform social— many years and that is reform social care _ many years and that is reform social care and the prime minister— social care and the prime minister deserves credit for tackling _ minister deserves credit for tackling the challenge. he cannot— tackling the challenge. he cannot take a challenge like that — cannot take a challenge like that without finding unsustainably a

is not the moment to increase national insurance which will have — increase national insurance which a halt. rachel grainaer, bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got to _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got to leave - bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got to leave it i grainger, we have got to leave it there, but thanks forjoining us. there are all sorts of things going up there are all sorts of things going up across the board but this is an exceptional set of circumstances with millions of people already feeling the squeeze and that was before the price cap goes up in april. before the price cap goes up in aril, ., . , ., april. sarah, in leicester, thanks forjoining _ april. sarah, in leicester, thanks forjoining us- — we'll be answering your questions on energy prices following 0fgem's announcement. get in touch with the hashtag bbcyourquestions — or you em

it's just because we have the forces that vaccine a boost aroma missus pick is not just the national insurance rise thresholds for income tax frozen a stealth tax on working people. the threshold for tuition phase frozen a stealth tax on working people, local authorities, fulls to increase council tax, a stealth tax on working people. yeah, you could be a stealthy as you like, but you can't hide reality. we have the highest tax burden for 70 years during the middle of an inflation crisis. so i asked the prime minister again, why the he and the chancellor keep raising taxes on working people. lima, they started to speak of what we are doing is helping people with, with the cost of living, cutting taxes for those on universal credit. just because i had helping people with the cost of their fuel, mrs. people with a co where the payments are the warm homes payment, mister speaker doing all the things that this country would expect. lifting the living wage, which this party, mister speaker introduced this party, this government has increased by the record amount. i mrs. beka and what we and above w

there is a squeeze in energy prices coming through, and of course, there's also an increase in national insurance taxes, so this will affect consumers as well. in the end, the economy is robust enough i think to withstand the effects of rising rates, and i think, as you say, this is a situation which all central banks are now facing. it is still appropriate, given inflationary pressures, to keep interest rates at what were emergency levels in the face of the pandemic. jonathan: we are at 50 basis points right now. we are pulling forward the 1% line in the sand to may. can you walk us through how important the bankrate is at the bank of england? they kick in, and the banks follow almost immediately. peter: they do, absolutely. it will affect borrowing rates. remember also, mortgage rates in the u.k. are a large proportion, unusually relative to other country. so you will gradually start to get this squeezing through into bank lending rates and the broader economy. tom: a little bit of sterling strength this morning. we are so honored to have you here. peter holds one of the most prestigious underg

could the chancellor tell me his approach in increasing national insurance contributions and then handingr one priority, the nhs, and an growing number of people waiting for operations. that is what that funding will do. it is right that we provide a secure, long—term sustainable funding for the country, and they should be reassured that every penny of that money is going to go to the thing they care most about. , ., .,, ., , about. there is an obvious unfairness _ about. there is an obvious unfairness in _ about. there is an obvious unfairness in the - about. there is an obvious unfairness in the massive | about. there is an obvious - unfairness in the massive profits being made by the oil and gas companies at a time when families are facing such great hardships. surely the chancellor must make an intervention to address that? and he has announced a discretionary fund for local councils. worried families will have no idea how much that will benefit them, if at all. will he instead introduced an uplift in universal credit, having cut in a personal credit so unfairlyjust personal credit so

it�*s notjust a national insurance rise. thresholds for income tax frozen.ntroduced. this party, this government has increased by the record amounts, and above all, the most important thing we are doing is helping people into work. 500,000 people off welfare into work under our way to work scheme and more people in work now than before the pandemic began, and that is the record of this government. labour, never forget, record of this government. labour, neverforget, there has never been a labour government that left office with unemployment lower than when it arrived. :, , :, :, , :, , :, arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster. no — arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, no answers. - arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, no answers. a - arrived. lots of words, lots of bluster, no answers. a word i arrived. lots of words, lots ofl bluster, no answers. a word of warning. a word of warning, that�*s not going to work with the police. i�*ll tell him why they are putting taxes up. low growth. in the decade of tory go

all of this on top of an interest—rate rise to half of 1% as well as a planned hike national insurancennounced by the government in response to those rising bills is enough. it response to those rising bills is enou:h. , . , response to those rising bills is enou:h. ,., , ' enough. it is a big package, 9 billion. enough. it is a big package, 9 billion- in _ enough. it is a big package, 9 billion. in your _ enough. it is a big package, 9 billion. in your opinion, - enough. it is a big package, 9 billion. in your opinion, is - enough. it is a big package, 9 billion. in your opinion, is it l billion. in your opinion, is it enough? — billion. in your opinion, is it enough? we _ billion. in your opinion, is it enough? we have _ billion. in your opinion, is it enough? we have to - billion. in your opinion, is it enough? we have to look . billion. in your opinion, is it| enough? we have to look at billion. in your opinion, is it - enough? we have to look at what billion. in your opinion, is it _ enough? we have to look at what else has been announced, _ enough? we have to look at what else ha

campaign on the cost—of—living and is lobbying the government to drop the rising income tax and national insurance of the conservative party? heartlands of the conservative pa ? , ~ , heartlands of the conservative pa ? , “ , , party? yes, i think these energy rices party? yes, i think these energy prices are _ party? yes, i think these energy prices are going _ party? yes, i think these energy prices are going affect _ party? yes, i think these energy prices are going affect lots i party? yes, i think these energy prices are going affect lots of. prices are going affect lots of people — prices are going affect lots of people i_ prices are going affect lots of people. i think the government really— people. i think the government really has — people. i think the government really has got to think very carefully about that. our readers are feeling by and large conservative voters and they also really _ conservative voters and they also really badly hit which is why we do this campaign. we talk about short—term, long—term, medium—term politics. _ short—term, long—term, medium—term politics. this _ sh

8 billion, it sounds, the national insurance rise has been propagated to bring,...tient choice as well. the government seems to be suggesting there is patient choice on the nhs up and i think it is one in three patients do not actually need to be in hospital. maybe that is something the pandemic has taught us, virtual clinics can work. weill. us, virtual clinics can work. well, i think for— us, virtual clinics can work. well, i think for many _ us, virtual clinics can work. well, i think for many of _ us, virtual clinics can work. well, i think for many of the _ us, virtual clinics can work. well, i think for many of the things - i think for many of the things people are waiting for, there conditions, those procedures would likely take place as day cases, surgical procedures, so we are not necessarily talking about needing lots of inpatient care, but we do need the staff to be there and i think as much as the money, it's the workforce which is at the real challenge for the nhs. and any capacity in terms of staff. so there will be new models of care and virtual world

he is cutting other support for 10 million households by £290 and is imposing a 10% national insurance thatis that big majority. i do not believe that is in the national interest. he is hammering working people, families and pensioners and it is not fair, there has to be a better way. labourwould not fair, there has to be a better way. labour would cut vat on fuel bills and extend the discount scheme sapporo people and those struggling would get £600 off their fuel bills. that is a sort of action boris johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so — johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much _ johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much confidence - johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much confidence in - johnson should be taking. if labour has lost so much confidence in the | has lost so much confidence in the prime minister, why you not calling for a vote on that in the house of commons yourself? it is for a vote on that in the house of commons yourself?— for a vote on that in the house of commons yourself? it is up to tory mps because _ commons yours

hike and fuel prices _ national insurance hike and fuel prices going up.nservative voters who have had enough. they either want things to move _ had enough. they either want things to move on — had enough. they either want things to move on or want borisjohnson to move _ to move on or want borisjohnson to move on _ to move on or want boris johnson to move on. ., ~' to move on or want boris johnson to move on. . ~ i. ., i. move on. thank you to you both so much. a high courtjudge in belfast has ordered that checks on food and agricultural goods traded between the british mainland and northern ireland must remain in place until a judicial review next month. the ruling comes two days after a minister in the devolved government ordered that the inspections be stopped — a move that has triggered a political crisis. the checks are part of the brexit deal struck between the britain and the eu to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of ireland. let's talk to our correspondent, danjohnson, in belfast. it isa it is a bit ofa it is a bit of a crisis. who