that rishi sunak is taking.nary to hear today that you have a conservative chancellor boasting about how much he spent and talking about how much he spent and talking about raising corporation tax was up of course none of this was unexpected. so much of what was in the budget was leaked or preparing everybody for what we were going to be hearing from the chancellor today. be hearing from the chancellor toda . ,., ., ., be hearing from the chancellor toda. ., ., , ., be hearing from the chancellor toda. ., ., , ., ~ today. the son of a similar take. a similar line — today. the son of a similar take. a similar line slightly _ today. the son of a similar take. a similar line slightly opposite - today. the son of a similar take. a similar line slightly opposite take. | similar line slightly opposite take. only way is out. sebastian, i'll let you take this away. i only way is out. sebastian, i'll let you take this away.— only way is out. sebastian, i'll let you take this away. i think the sun is really trying _ you t

i rishi sunak - what's happened to budget purdah?— budget purdah?y much gone- _ budget purdah? i think it's pretty much gone- i _ budget purdah? i think it's pretty much gone. i think— budget purdah? i think it's pretty much gone. i think george - budget purdah? i think it's pretty i much gone. i think george osborne had a tendency to have his budgets leak out before hand, and rishi sunak has taken it one step more and announcing a lot of the measures. the furlough timing is interesting considering the number of times but the chancellor and the prime minister were asked in the commons to give people some reassurances and certainty that the furlough would be extended — and always, the answer was they don't announce measures until march three. clearly they do! just looking at the i, budget 2021, 18 months of furlough. business leaders have been calling for a tapering of this furlough scheme. how successful and effective do you think that 20% down to 10% will be? i think it's a pretty good outcome. it's moot — i think it's a pretty good outcome. it's m

cut taxes, have looser planning regulations, and the idea is to encourage lots of investment, and rishi sunakelix tier, along the thames gateway as well, now free ports, you can actually have within the eu, rishi sunakforgot to actually have within the eu, rishi sunak forgot to mention, we actually have within the eu, rishi sunakforgot to mention, we have seven free ports until 2012, and they were abolished because they were seen as being used too avoid tax, but he said that they are coming back in a new and different way, and he put that down very much to the opportunities of brexit. now some economists and trade experts say that all three parts two is shunt economic activity from one place to another, but they are very symbolic, and lots of these free ports are going to places that voted for brexit and feel a bit left behind behind the economy, but overall the economic picture, no, there was no reference at all, and that's because the huge wallop that coronavirus has given to the uk economy means it dwarfs anything from brexit to come into comes back to this point i was saying earlier that

so another billion pounds for rishi sunak to find. yes. i - for rishi sunak to find. yes.ak to find. yes. i think we are all _ for rishi sunak to find. yes. i think we are all quite - for rishi sunak to find. yes. i think we are all quite lucky i for rishi sunak to find. yes. i l think we are all quite lucky that for rishi sunak to find. yes. i - think we are all quite lucky that we have such — think we are all quite lucky that we have such a — think we are all quite lucky that we have such a probe accent nation from and if— have such a probe accent nation from and if you _ have such a probe accent nation from and if you look at some of the immediate response to the recent, it has made _ immediate response to the recent, it has made people worried, but i think the general— has made people worried, but i think the general sense is that it does fit into— the general sense is that it does fit into a — the general sense is that it does fit into a pattern.— fit into a pattern. let's go onto the male. _ fit into a pattern. let's go onto the male, prince _ fit into a pattern. let

rishi sunak said aaain generated by them. rishi sunak said again tonight — generated by them.est about the economic state the country is in, he does not want to downplay the seriousness of what everyone has gone to as a result of the pandemic. do you feel too that extended has been an honest budget? lode too that extended has been an honest buduet? ~ :, , :, , ., budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the — budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the throes _ budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the throes of— budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the throes of the _ are still in the throes of the pandemic and we need to be honest about what economic recovery will take. the two things i thought were absent from his statements were infrastructure investment, capital investment. 0ur capital budget was cut by 5% by the uk does not, we had set out a several year plan to reject confidence into the economy and ensure we see the strong, resilient, robust economic recovery. the other thing that was absent was reference to public services.

rishi sunak was saying, well, there is a pandemic going on.— rishi sunak was saying, well, there is a. yes, he did sa ve is a pandemic going on. yes, he did say very clearly. _ is a pandemic going on. yes, he did say very clearly, he _ is a pandemic going on. yes, he did say very clearly, he almost - is a pandemic going on. yes, he did say very clearly, he almost boasted | say very clearly, he almost boasted that he _ say very clearly, he almost boasted that he was — say very clearly, he almost boasted that he was extending furlough to beyond _ that he was extending furlough to beyond the levels, the time period that people thought might be necessary to protect people. so he's been very— necessary to protect people. so he's been very clear that he is overcompensating in one respect make sure that _ overcompensating in one respect make sure that he's doing, using the phrase, — sure that he's doing, using the phrase, everything within his power, everything _ phrase, everything within his power, everything possible to cushion us from _ everything possible to cushion us from the — everyth

yes, rishi sunak — -- leading tax fight back. yes, rishi sunak at _ -- leading tax fight back.hancellor and most popular politician in britain is spearheading an international effort to negotiate a deal on how to tax these international tech corporations. there is clearly a problem with these very large corporations mostly dealing in tangible things, and you know, internet platforms. it's very difficult to pin them down as to where they are actually making a profit and to tax it, that requires a lot of international cooperation, and that's what the chancellor is working on. that's a surprisingly serious story for a sunday morning on the front of the sunday express. spearheading or revisiting, because france tried this as well, didn't they? france tried this as well, didn't the ? ~ ., france tried this as well, didn't the ? ~ . ., ., ., france tried this as well, didn't the 7~ . ., ., ., ., ., ,, they? we have heard a lot of talk from politicians, _ they? we have heard a lot of talk from politicians, indeed, - they? we have heard a lot of talk from politicians, indeed, we - they

the site rishi sunak is urging --eole year? the site rishi sunak is urging eo - le to year? bit of— year? the site rishi sunak is urging people to have a bit of a _ year? the site rishi sunak is urging people to have a bit of a spending l people to have a bit of a spending spree. he has pointed out that the lucky ones amongst us who have been putting money away during lockdown because we haven't been able to travel abroad and do all the things like getting restaurants and things we spend our money on, that we will go out and spend that money as soon as we are allowed to and perhaps stay out shopping until ten o'clock at night, so the regulations normally restrict the ability of shops to stay open that late are going to be relaxed and late night shopping can come the norm. but of course, the conflict between whether or not we want to encourage people to go out and spin and open up the economy and all the rest of it and the idea of the word fun just seems out of place, when the rest of the government are urging everybody to be cautious about the gradual relaxation of restricti

at _ by rishi sunak, it shows people are more interested at the _ by rishi sunak, it shows people areted at the moment in. more interested at the moment in immediate — more interested at the moment in immediate respite _ more interested at the moment in immediate respite from _ more interested at the moment in immediate respite from the - more interested at the moment in - immediate respite from the problems, that is— immediate respite from the problems, that is to _ immediate respite from the problems, that is to say _ immediate respite from the problems, that is to say that _ immediate respite from the problems, that is to say that the _ immediate respite from the problems, that is to say that the furlough - immediate respite from the problems, that is to say that the furlough has - that is to say that the furlough has to be _ that is to say that the furlough has to be extended, _ that is to say that the furlough has to be extended, self—employed i to be extended, self—employed people. — to be extended, self—employed people. as _ to be extended, self—employed people. as it— to be ex

was talking about _ rise that rishi sunak was talking about i— rise that rishi sunak was talkingings when it _ about. i hear your strength and your feelings when it comes _ about. i hear your strength and your feelings when it comes to _ feelings when it comes to staycation, selects look further for that. the times is talking about cyprus allowing british holiday makers back from may one. bring us up—to—date on the details, just shout out to henry for your sobering world book day. . taste shout out to henry for your sobering world book day. ._ world book day. . we know that c rus world book day. . we know that cyprus gets _ world book day. . we know that cyprus gets 80% _ world book day. . we know that cyprus gets 80% of _ world book day. . we know that cyprus gets 80% of its - world book day. . we know that cyprus gets 8096 of its gdp - world book day. . we know that | cyprus gets 8096 of its gdp from world book day. . we know that - cyprus gets 8096 of its gdp from the cyprus gets 80% of its gdp from the service sector and a lot of that comes from tourism. we know that visitor

costs that rishi sunak has been quite _ economy.hrough some form of tax raises _ make up through some form of tax raises. there will be more to come to plug _ raises. there will be more to come to plug the — raises. there will be more to come to plug the gap. find raises. there will be more to come to plug the gap-— to plug the gap. and how much ressure to plug the gap. and how much pressure you — to plug the gap. and how much pressure you think _ to plug the gap. and how much pressure you think he - to plug the gap. and how much pressure you think he will - to plug the gap. and how much pressure you think he will be i to plug the gap. and how much - pressure you think he will be under from his own party? to do that. because the labour position is not immediately clear in terms of supporting corporation tax increases at the moment. supporting corporation tax increases at the moment-— at the moment. there's two pieces that always — at the moment. there's two pieces that always need _ at the moment. there's two pieces that always need

though rishi sunak was conscious of _ the cracks.ishi sunak was conscious of spreading spending i the cracks. though rishi sunak was conscious of spreading spending to | conscious of spreading spending to new tory constituencies and across the uk, too. new tory constituencies and across the uk, too-— new tory constituencies and across the uk, too. ., . ., , , the uk, too. the chancellor stood up toda and the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double _ the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double down _ the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double down on _ the uk, too. the chancellor stood up today and double down on exactly i the uk, too. the chancellor stood up| today and double down on exactly the same mistakes — today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he _ today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he has _ today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he has been _ today and double down on exactly the same mistakes he has been making . same mistakes he has been making tbrough— sa

budget day has arrived — chancellor rishi sunak will set

rishi sunak there. tradition that the leader of the opposition, not the shadow chancellor, responds to the budget debate. sir keir starmer said this was a budget which papered over the cracks and there was no plan to rebuild a "shattered economy". after 11 months in thisjob, it's nice finally to be standing opposite the person actually making decisions in this government. the trouble is... the trouble is, it's those decisions that have left us with the mess we find today. i'm sure this budget will look better on instagram. in fact, this week's pr video cost the taxpayer so much, i was half expecting to see a line in the obr but even the chancellor's film crew will struggle to put a positive spin on this. after the decisions up to last year and the decade of neglect, we needed a budget to fix the foundations of our economy, to reward our key workers, to protect the nhs and to build a more secure and prosperous economy for the future. instead, what we got was a budget that papered over the cracks rather t

and rishi sunak at the chance _ higher rate. and rishi sunak at the chance that — higher rate.efending — chance that this morning has been defending that as a fair way of mending — defending that as a fair way of mending the public finances. people's current take—home pay won't be affected by this policy but you are right and i was clear yesterday, that this does mean that the incremental benefit that they would have experienced had those thresholds continued to rise with inflation won't be there. we're going to keep putting up the thresholds next year as we promised, but then they will be frozen at that higher level but you mentioned the resolution foundation, i think they've also said this is a good way to raise money that we need because it's a progressive measure, it means those on higher incomes contribute a lot more than those on lower incomes and i think that's what most people would accept is a fair way to do what we need to do. the resolution foundation that the chancellor mentioned is a think tank that looks _ chancellor mentioned is a think tank that looks on people

budget day in the uk — chancellor rishi sunak starts early by announcing what workers want to hear anxtension of the furlough scheme until the end of september. gamestop saga — the boss of reddit talks to the bbc about the online discussion groups that rocked wall street. and striking a false note. why women and minorities struggle to get to the top of the music industry. budget day has arrived — chancellor rishi sunak will set out the uk government's tax and spending plans at an unprecedented time with the uk economy is under intense pressure and government debt is at historic highs. as covid restrictions are gradually lifted over the next three months the business secretary told the bbc it's important not to "crush" any potential recovery. we already know the furlough scheme to supportjobs will be extended until the end of september. the chancellor is also expected to announce more help for the leisure industry and businesses in the culture sector. but many will be keen to hear how it will all be paid for — and whether firms will bear the brunt of any tax rises. joining me now is te

the chancellor rishi sunak — years to come. the chancellor rishi sunak has _ years to come.e part of the government to combat this problem. what do you make of that response of the government to this? it of that response of the government to this? it is great to see the _ government to this? it is great to see the government - government to this? it is great| to see the government focusing on young people and it has introduced a plan forjobs to try to limit the rise in youth unemployment but i think we need to go much further if we are going to impact the significant figures that we our research. we have called for a youth guarantee, so it is a clear, simple offer that would ensure that all young people have access to a job, an apprenticeship, oran have access to a job, an apprenticeship, or an education in training place so that no young person falls between those opportunities. the whole range of measures like introducing a job guarantee, extending the kick start increasing apprenticeship hiring incentives, we need to throw a lot at this and support young people to get the

paul johnson, the ifs director, asked how likely he thinks it is rishi sunak would be able to pull thatsment. frankly, that doesn't strike me as being terribly plausible. the idea that we'll need to be spending less on education and health and social care and local government and all those things after the pandemic than we thought we were going to beforehand just doesn't look in the least bit likely, given that we know, even for the minimum things like vaccination and test and trace and ppe and so on, let alone catching up with the huge backlog of operations and the need to catch up children who have lost so much school and the need to help local authorities and so on, these numbers don't look like they're going to hold. the ifs has also repeatedly focused on what it regards as a double standard. on the one hand the chancellor is withdrawing the temporary boost to universal credit for 6 million of the country's poorest families in october. he has done it now for 18 months, but the ifs has pointed out that that is being done in october while on the other hand hisjudgment is being done in

in britain, the chancellor, rishi sunak, presents his budget next week.re's pressure from new conservative mps in the north, along with the labour party, for continued support through the pandemic and no tax rises. the hope is that economic growth and perhaps controlled inflation will do the trick. but what if it doesn't? could future low productivity, low investment or a rise in interest rates all pose dangerous risks, especialy to jobs? simon, a big week ahead for the government — setting post—pandemic strategy and the first budget after brexit — what are you expecting? i think there are two main challenges. we are coming out of the worst slump in over 300 years, and we've moved from a protect and survive mode to a support mode and then a growth mode is what we need next. if there's one thing that is the most powerful weapon to bring down debt as a percentage of your economy it is growth. if you've got this debt to gdp relationship, one of the best ways to get that down is increase the denominator, gdp, keep that going. if you have that, then you can al

what is rishi sunak going to do to pay all this debt back olivia?ebt back olivia? the story in the financial times is about - debt back olivia? the story in the financial times is about how- debt back olivia? the story in the financial times is about how he l debt back olivia? the story in the| financial times is about how he is going to try to boost the prospects post—brexit and a story in the telegraph, a comment from william hague that rishi sunak as we know has been widely briefed going to raise taxes, william hague think thatis raise taxes, william hague think that is a good idea. it seems like rishi sunak bonsai plant for the budget is to keep the state pretty fake, he will not pull support out from under the feet of people who still desperately needed. he will keep the state scheme, the furlough scheme for as much as people need them but he is also going to start raising taxes to pay for it. corporation tax seems to be in the line—up. not sure what else quite yet. at the same time he is going to start trying to bring out the positive effects

the chancellor rishi sunak will use tomorrow's budget to pledge more support forjobs and businesses,as the covid restrictions are gradually lifted across the uk. but he'll also warn that the policy of "doing whatever it takes" will have to come to an end once the crisis is over, because action will be needed to repair the public finances. tomorrow he'll announce a continuation of the furlough scheme until the end of september, with workers receiving 80% of their current salary. more than 600,000 people are set to be added to the self—employment income support scheme. and the overall support schemes are likely now to cost the taxpayer more than £100 billion. 0ur economics editor faisal islam looks at the furlough extension, and other parts of tomorrow's budget. it is incredible to think last year's budget didn't even contain the word furlough. 0fficial confirmation of a pandemic coming hours afterwards rendering most of the numbers obsolete. and yet even before tomorrow's budget, another lengthy extension confirmed. hi, everybody. i'm david, the head chef at the poterhouse in annesley

i think this will ramp up questions for rishi sunak about whether— questions for rishi sunak about whetheramazon tax.- whether he's going to bring in the much-needed amazon tax. is the high street as we — much-needed amazon tax. is the high street as we knew _ much-needed amazon tax. is the high street as we knew it _ much-needed amazon tax. is the high street as we knew it gone? _ much-needed amazon tax. is the high street as we knew it gone? i _ much-needed amazon tax. is the high street as we knew it gone? i think- street as we knew it gone? i think it's fundamentally _ street as we knew it gone? i think it's fundamentally changing. - street as we knew it gone? i think it's fundamentally changing. it's l it's fundamentally changing. it's declining by the minute and it would... a combination of flexible working space, community spaces, housing as well as retail is probably the future of the high street. . ~' , ., probably the future of the high street. ., ,, , ., ., probably the future of the high street. ., ~' , ., ., ., that's it for the papers for this hour. lucy and miatta will be ba

pauljohnson, the ifs director, asked how likely he thinks it is that rishi sunak will be able to pullsessment. frankly, that doesn't strike me as being terribly plausible. the idea that we will be spending less on education and health and social care and local government and all these things after the pandemic than we thought we would beforehand just doesn't look in the least bit likely, given that we knowjust even for the minimum things, like vaccination and test and trace and ppe and so on, let alone catching up with the huge backlog of operations and the need to catch up children who have lost so much school and the need to help local authorities and so on. these numbers don't look like they are going to hold. the ifs has also repeatedly focused on what it regards as a double standard. on the one hand, the chancellor is withdrawing the temporary boost to universal credit for six million of the country's poorest families. in october... he has done it for 18 months now, but the ifs is pointing out that that has been withdrawn in october, cutting benefits for the poorest families, whi

rishi sunak has said he will level with people about the challenges we face. will find out exactly what he means by that. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. the business secretary, kwasi kwarteng, spoke to the bbc this morning. what i would say is that the chancellor, working very clearly here with our team and, clearly, the treasury, provided a huge amount of support to the economy over the last year. something like £285 billion has been put into the economy to keep jobs, to keep businesses — particularly small businesses — afloat during what has been a difficult time. so let's see what the chancellor comes out with tomorrow. i think it'll be an exciting budget, i think it'll be a very supportive budget, i think there'll be interesting measures along the lines you've just described. 0ur chief political correspondent adam fleming is at westminster. a former conservative leader has weighed into this debate about paying for the pandemic. i weighed into this debate about paying for the pandemic. i think that debate _ paying for the pandemic. i think that deba

he says richmond is the constituency of rishi sunak, the chancellor.miles away. they have given a huge role to mps in this process, which of course opens them up to suggestions of american—style pork barrel politics, where they try to favour constituencies that are in their electoral interests. he could deal with that very quickly. the fact that he hasn't, i think, willjust say to many many people around this country that they are desperate for investment in the high streets. that there is something wrong with this allocation of funding. it is not fair, not right, not transparent. it cannot be right that more affluent areas are getting priority over more deprived areas, and the government needs to clean its act up. i think we can be sure this argument will run, as money is pushed out, areas will be arguing they should be first. �* , areas will be arguing they should be first. 3 :, r' areas will be arguing they should be first. 3 areas will be arguing they should be first. �*, first. let's ask you something entirely different, _ first. let's ask you som

rishi sunak has said in some words _ paid for?ts. also speculation that some of the income tax thresholds will be frozen so that if you get a pay rise, maybe you would go up and income tax band, and that could raise quite a lot of money for the treasury. economists and the labour party and lots of conservative mp5 say because the economy is quite fragile now, this is not the point at which he would introduce those tax rises, you would do them later in the year or maybe next year. having lived through these debates in the david cameron and george osborne era, quite often, chancellors talk about tough things that they plan to do and then they never quite get around to doing it because it is too difficult or not needed. so quite a lot of what rishi sunak said today will be words rather than actions, i suspect. thank you very much. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, is preparing to give evidence to a holyrood inquiry this morning. it's investigating the scottish government's mishandling of complaints against her predecessor,

he saying that's what rishi sunak has got to do agaim — that's what rishi sunak has got to do again.do again. even with a lot of backlash from both the right and they left — backlash from both the right and they left. it's going to be quite difficult — they left. it's going to be quite difficult for him politically but is popular— difficult for him politically but is popular man. it's a mandate he'll -et popular man. it's a mandate he'll get through, obviously for the hopefully it will be the right decision. although it will hit the pockets — decision. although it will hit the pockets of ordinary people quite hard at — pockets of ordinary people quite hard at a — pockets of ordinary people quite hard at a time when they are trying to rebuild _ hard at a time when they are trying to rebuild after covert. even corporation taxes, it's notjust big business — corporation taxes, it's notjust big business it— corporation taxes, it's notjust big business it will get back to the average — business it will get back to the average person. and that will be difficult — average person. and that wi

the chancellor, rishi sunak has outlined the government spending plans in the budget for the coming yearmistic about britain's recovery. against an unprecedent economic backdrop, mr sunak pledged to do whatever it takes to protectjobs and support those hit hardest by the pandemic. the furlough scheme for employees and support for the self—employed will be extended to september. the twenty pound a week uplift in universal credit will also continue till the end of september. for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, the business rates holiday will continue tilljune and after that there will be a two—thirds discount for the rest of the year. the chancellor also outlined how he plans to start paying the bill. income tax allowances will be frozen from april 2022 forfour years, meaning more people will pay more tax. corporation tax, which companies pay on their profits, will rise to 25% in 2023. that will only make a dent in the record amounts the government is borrowing, more than sss—billion this year alone. our political editor, laura kuenssberg, reports. the virus has clouded everyt

ciassic— schemes here from rishi sunak. classic measured sunak schemes.ll have to see how they play out. he's also a — will have to see how they play out. he's also a fan of free ports. that could be something else that comes in? a, , could be something else that comes in? , ~ �* could be something else that comes in? , . �* ., could be something else that comes in? . �* ., ., ., could be something else that comes in? maybe. we've heard a lot about veuas in? maybe. we've heard a lot about vegas south — in? maybe. we've heard a lot about vegas south about _ in? maybe. we've heard a lot about vegas south about the _ in? maybe. we've heard a lot about vegas south about the positives - in? maybe. we've heard a lot about vegas south about the positives ofl vegas south about the positives of how brexit is going to work for the countries economy. and it's time now for them to start putting some meat on the bone. and let's see what this new economy looks like. and this looks like on the first detailed suggestions we've seen on the front page of the ft for that fa

the question for richie sunak -- rishi sunak is whether to deal with that now or later.e expecting a gradual rising corporation tax by the election, but crucially, rishi sunak is not going to want to abort the recovery. every economist i have spoken to has said a premature physical tightening will do just that. the next chart shows bluebird economics forecast for gdp over the next five years. the governor of the union said people are going to go for it when restrictions are lifted, but will that bounceback in gdp be as big if there are tax rises on the horizon, if people are looking to save hold onto those savings? it is a question for the u.k.'s fiscal watchdog. its forecast comes out alongside the budget today. another big question will be whether the success of the u.k.'s vaccine rollout has boosted its expectations for the economic recovery. anna: thanks very much. what does business want to see? let's continue the conversation with the cbi chief economist, rain newton-smith. good to speak to you. i should get your response to the news we have already had overnight,

. - as the poll was sympathetic to what was put forward - by rishi sunak, it shows i people are morehe moment in immediate respite from the problems, i that is to say that the - furlough has to be extended, self—employed people, as it were, injection . of more money. so all sorts of immediate i problems are staring people in the face. some of the green issue unfortunately has to bel postponed. there is going to be . a review in september, in the autumn. i trust something will give. 0n the other hand, you know, there is a bit of a silver- lining when it comes to - the ecology and green policies. i am talking about the freeport east hydrogen hub which has i been given a green light, which will continue - with decarbonisation projects, wind farms and so forth, - with zero technologies, - and hydrogen as a future fuel. so that is beginning| to come to the fore. 0ther than that, i agree this was not the time to go- wholeheartedly into the green project. l justin, in the last few years in this country, some of the measures on this has come through this. it has come through higher bills on

though rishi sunak was conscience of spreading spending to new tory constituencies and across the uk,xactlyl the same mistake he has been| making through this pandemic. temporary extensions - and temporary support can only ever mean a temporary reprieve for those millions— who have been crippled i by uncertainty for months. there will be millions of people out there and tens of thousands of businesses, the self—employed, who will be very, very disappointed. the chancellor chose notjust to tinker, but to make big decisions, but they could have to shift with a tiny flicker to the cost of all his borrowing, or an even more prolonged pandemic. this budget, the way the country earns a living, is deeply vulnerable to what comes next. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. stay with us on bbc news, still to come — buckingham palace says it's investigating claims that the duchess of sussex, meghan markle, bullied members of staff, when she and prince harry were living in the uk. first, the plates slid gently off the restaurant tables. then suddenly the tables, the chairs and people crashed

particularly in the case with the chancellor, rishi sunak, who on the whole is perceived as a more sortr than a status. borisjohnson thinks he is like roosevelt, a big spender, the new deal. but there is no evidence yet of the scale of the demand for the climate change issues. insulation is a very interesting example. i am sitting in a room, i am freezing, it is like being in siberia. but in a way, the motive has to be driven by the government to get these things sorted out, i suspect _ it takes some spending decisions, tough tax decisions, and on the whole these have tended to be avoided so far. steve, thanks for now. the eu has vaccinated about one tenth of its population, compared with a third here. what does that mean for its huge summer tourism season? can we travel even if we haven't been vaccinated? and why has the roll—out been so slow? thomas, what's gone wrong with the famed german efficiency? famed indeed! it is now more a case of- the famed german inefficiency. it is a bureaucratic- problem to begin with, we are a country of 17 - governments, one in berlin and 16 regional go

though rishi sunak was conscience of spreading spending to new tory constituencies and across the uk,p today- and doubled down on exactly the same mistake he has been making through this pandemic. - temporary extensions and temporary support can only ever mean - a temporary reprieve for those i millions who have been crippled by uncertainty for months. there will be millions of people out there and tens of thousands of businesses, the self—employed, he will be very, very disappointed. liberal democrats have been particularly calling on more help for small businesses, micro businesses and the self—employed. and there was just nowhere near enough. the chancellor chose notjust to tinker, but to make big decisions, but they could have to shift with a tiny flicker to the cost of all his borrowing, or an even more prolonged pandemic. this budget, the way the country earns a living, is deeply vulnerable to what comes next. the pain of the last 12 months has changed our assumptions about the economy. we saw a conservative chancellor pumping up the airbags, to extend the emergency support that

— amounts of money in loans and rishi sunak wisely it seems ignored most of the _ sunak wisely itares worths tens of millions in this company i should say. potentially worth and now worth nothing. potentially worth and now worth nothinu. , potentially worth and now worth nothin.. , ., ., nothing. yes, some satisfaction that those are now _ nothing. yes, some satisfaction that those are now worth _ nothing. yes, some satisfaction that those are now worth nothing. - nothing. yes, some satisfaction that those are now worth nothing. but i nothing. yes, some satisfaction that| those are now worth nothing. but yet again— those are now worth nothing. but yet again here _ those are now worth nothing. but yet again here we go, it is who you know — again here we go, it is who you know tory— again here we go, it is who you know. tory boys using their influence, ortrying know. tory boys using their influence, or trying to use their influence — influence, or trying to use their influence obviously david cameron's influence _ influence obviously david cameron's influence is— influence obviously

so does the pandemic pan out in a way that's better or worse than rishi sunak predicts?n the next year? and also, can you raise as much of corporation tax as you expect? there's lots of things to deal with of the next few years. in terms of other things that aren't there, what about social care? it was meant to be a big reform to how social care is funded by the end of the year, there was no mention of that. the office of budget day budget responsibility says missing is any idea of how to handle the backlog in the nhs, operations and treatments that haven't happened because of covid, will that require lots more money to deal with? education, money has gone into these catch—up funds so there can be more tuition for people to have fallen behind in their learning, will that require a lot more? and also, the other thing the office for budget responsibility pointed out is if interest rates for government debt go interest rates for government debt 9° up interest rates for government debt go up then the government will have to spend a lot more on servicing its debt which could

rishi sunak promised to "protect thejobs and livelihoods of the british people" as the uk emerges fromoronavirus crisis. confirming some of his trailed announcements, he said he'd extend the furlough scheme, paying a large part of millions of workers' wages until september, and a temporary increase of £20 a week to universal credit would also stay for another six months. but taxes on large company profits would go up, and while national insurance and vat rates wouldn't increase, there would be a threshold freeze. the institute for fiscal studies said about 1.3 million people would be brought into the income tax system, with about 10% of adults brought into the higher 40p rate. the amount we've borrowed is comparable only with the amount we borrowed during the two world wars. it's going to be the work of many governments over many decades to pay it back. just as it would be irresponsible to withdraw support too soon, it would also be irresponsible to allow our future borrowing and debt to rise unchecked. so, after this year, there'd be a freeze to personal tax thresholds until 2026, and

in the budget announcement on wednesday it's likely the chancellor rishi sunak will allocate fundingsport. with me is our news reporter, paul hawkins. let's start with spot overall? rishi sunak, he's going to announce a summer sport announce a summer sport recovery announce a summer sport recovery package. £300 million. most of it to cricket. also money for tennis and horse racing. £25 million for grassroots funding in football which could fund 700 new pictures and we could do with some new pictures out there. how the cash would be distributed, the nitty—gritty of it is still to be announced in the coming weeks. £57 million for scotland, wales and northern ireland.— northern ireland. that is good news for spot _ northern ireland. that is good news for spot but _ northern ireland. that is good news for spot but what - northern ireland. that is good news for spot but what about | news for spot but what about this bed for the 2030 welcome? england have only posted 1966. they bid for it twice, both failed. one quite co ntroversially. failed. one quite controversially. a lot of money was

with his budgetjust two days away — chancellor rishi sunak is under pressure from mps not to raise taxesnomic recovery. there are also growing calls for him to extend the furlogh scheme and announce more support to help businesses recover from lockdown. 0ur economics correspondent andy verity has more. with the economy is shrinking for the second time in a year, the pressure on the chancellor is to help the economy returning to something more normal without withdrawing support too soon. i think the things i would really like to see happen, as well as furlough continuing, would be the vat cuts fog hospitality continuing for some time. i think not having to pay rates would really help. chancellors used to think _ rates would really help. chancellors used to think it _ rates would really help. chancellors used to think it improper _ rates would really help. chancellors used to think it improper to - rates would really help. chancellors used to think it improper to leak . used to think it improper to leak details ahead of the budget but the treasury is widely expected to guarantee mortgage l

the chancellor, rishi sunak, has said the cultural sector, employing some 700,000 people, will be a "e's expected to use the budget to put an extra £300 million into the one and a £1.5 billion culture recovery fund. england's museums and cultural bodies are also expected to receive a further boost. but in a debate in the commons, mps called for him to do more. the culture minister agreed that the arts had suffered an extremely challenging year. covid—i9 has placed unprecedented pressures on organisations and individuals across the economy. but entertainment and culture have been particularly hard—hit, relying as they so often do on social interaction and close contact. but she said there were now grounds for optimism with the vaccination programme. the road map sets out a clear and cautious route to return to normality. throughout the pandemic, protecting public has been our top priority and we will continue to work very closely with our sectors to support them to reopen as soon it's safe and sustainable to do so. the shadow minister back for the first time since recovering from covid

it depends if people are trying to say this will be the time when rishi sunak starts to say we have toe when, yes, he does say that, but i do not think he will introduce those measures yet. so i don't think it will put too much downward pressure on the pound or stock market into his as taxes are rising, or we are introducing these measures at.— or we are introducing these measures at. thank you very much james- _ measures at. thank you very much james. good _ measures at. thank you very much james. good to - measures at. thank you very much james. good to see . measures at. thank you very i much james. good to see you. have a good day. we have looked at winners in the pandemic, zoom, markets seem buoyant right now. but the covid pandemic has set the progress of women in the workplace back to levels last seen in 2017. that's the news according to the women in work index released by pwc. from job losses to the additional burden of home schooling, the economic damage caused by the pandemic is disproportionally affecting women. according to the report, it will take 112 years to close the g

chancellor rishi sunak says his budget is about sustaining ongoing crisis support for businesses and d. being the wealth trickles into the wider economy. let's talk to the chancellor, rishi sunak. good to see you this morning. questions around the budget yesterday, you said you would be open and honest about the problems ahead and you said are take—home pay would stay the same. but as inflation goes up, the money in our pocket will be less? the inflation goes up, the money in our pocket will be less?— inflation goes up, the money in our pocket will be less? the budget did a few different _ pocket will be less? the budget did a few different things _ pocket will be less? the budget did a few different things and _ pocket will be less? the budget did a few different things and the - pocket will be less? the budget did a few different things and the most| a few different things and the most important bit is for people to be reassured that we are making good on our promise to do what it takes to take the country through this crisis. there was announcements yesterday for businesses and ind

though rishi sunak wasn't conscious of spreading his spending to newkirk —— tory constituencies and acrosso. the chance mission of toda and the uk too. the chance mission of today and to _ the uk too. the chance mission of today and to put _ the uk too. the chance mission of today and to put down _ the uk too. the chance mission of today and to put down in - the uk too. the chance mission of today and to put down in exactly l today and to put down in exactly same _ today and to put down in exactly same mistake that he's been making through— same mistake that he's been making through the pandemic. temporary extensions of temporary support could _ extensions of temporary support could only ever mean a temporary reprieve _ could only ever mean a temporary reprieve for — could only ever mean a temporary reprieve for those millions who have been crippled by uncertainty for months — been crippled by uncertainty for months. , ., , ., months. there will be millions of eo - le months. there will be millions of people out _ months. there will be millions of people out there _ months. there will be m

so for this financial year rishi sunak has spent £271 billion more than the government income from taxess. senior politicians across parties are calling for that to be dealt with by tax rises. with few calls and so forth spending cuts. but timing is crucial. if the government raises taxes or withdraw support from businesses too soon it could stifle any economic recovery. the chancer �*s critics say he must now help millions of small business owners and self—employed workers who struggled for a year without a penny from either the furlough scheme for self—employed income support. when they could be contributing to a recovery. they could be contributing to a recove . �* , ., ., recovery. i'm extremely worried that there are thousands _ recovery. i'm extremely worried that there are thousands of— recovery. i'm extremely worried that there are thousands of small - there are thousands of small businesses and self—employed people who are teetering on the brink and we could see an avalanche of redundancies if we don't have really ambitious action so the liberal democrats are calling for a budge

we start here in the uk where the government's finance chief, chancellor of the exchequer rishi sunakunveiled more support for workers and businesses struggling with lockdown in his first budget since the pandemic was declared. the furlough scheme — which pays up to 80% of peoples wages — will be extended to the end of september along with higher universal credit payments. but taxes on large company profits will rise in 2023 and a million more people will start paying income tax. in a moment we'll be getting some reaction from the hospitality industry — one of the hardest hit sectors — and taking a look at some of the broader economic issues. liverpool knows how to come back from an economic shock. former industrial areas have become creative, colourful spaces and culture is likely to be at the heart of the city's fervour recovery.— be at the heart of the city's fervour recovery. has created hu . e fervour recovery. has created huge challenges _ fervour recovery. has created huge challenges for - fervour recovery. has created huge challenges for our - huge challenges for our public fi