And service of all who took part in operations in iraq and afghanistan. The queen unveils a memorial in london to Service Personnel and civilians who served and worked in iraq and afghanistan. The ceremony in Victoria Embankment Gardens was followed a service for 2,500 veterans on horse guards parade. Welcome. The chancellor Philip Hammond has defended his plan to raise National Insurance contributions for Self Employed people, saying the Government Faces new challenges. Mr hammond is facing criticism, including from his own backbenches, for apparently going back on a 2015 Manifesto Pledge not to raise tax or National Insurance. The change, due to come in next year, will mean 1. 6 million Self Employed people paying, on average, an extra £240 a year. Labour has accused the government of breaking its promise. Heres our Political Correspondent eleanor garnier. Voiceover learning to solve technical problems at a college in dudley in the West Midlands this morning. And after yesterdays bu
Sport on bbc news how a run in with eddiejones dog has apparently put owen farrell at risk of missing the six nations clash with scotland on saturday good evening, and welcome to the bbc news at 6. The chancellor has been forced to defend his budget and the controversial changes to increase National Insurance for Self Employed workers. Thats despite a tory Manifesto Pledge not to raise National Insurance. Its angered a number of conservative backbenchers and been roundly criticised by labour. There has been partial backing for the increase from the influential think tank the institute for fiscal studies, but overall it described the chancellors plans as a sticking plaster rather than a fundamental review. Our chief Political Correspondent vicki young has been following the days events. He says hes backing business, but visiting the West Midlands today the chancellor had to fend off accusations that hes bashing the workers who keep the wheels of the economy turning. Putting up taxes is
example for us all. rebels in the congo decapitated at least 2 police officers in the very same region where they went missing. still ahead, triggering brexit, the uk will officially hand over its divorce notice to the european counsel today. we ll get a live report from london. plus another day of severe across the country. at least 19 million americans are at risk today. we ll have a full check on the weather forecast when we come right back.