will be overhauled — meaning drinks with a lower alcohol percentage will be cheaper. labour accused rishi sunak of living "in a parallel" universe — cutting taxes for bankers while ordinary people struggled to get by. so, madam deputy speaker, at least the bankers on short—haulflights, sipping champagne, will be cheering this budget today. jeering. i have been talking to people in bristol and quite a few small businesses as well to see how they think these latest budget announcements will be affecting them. in other news this lunch... a serving metropolitan police officer has been charged with rape. pc adam zaman, who's 28, serves with the east area command unit. hello and very good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news if you have just joined us. the chancellor rishi sunak has delivered his budget — saying it's preparing the uk for a post—covid era of optimism. mr sunak also announced the results of the spending review, revealing how much each government department will receive in the three years from april 2022. let's take a look at some of the measures. the chancellor announced changes to universal credit, which will mean working people who receive it will keep more of their earnings. the taper — the amount of taxpayer help people lose as their earnings increase — will drop from 63% to 55%. it's worth £2 billion in all and will benefit nearly 2 million families with working adults whose incomes are topped up with the credit. this won't benefit those on universal credit who are without a job. on universal credit last month, the chancellor ended the £20 uplift in universal credit introduced because of the pandemic. every government department will get a real terms increase in spending each year. air passenger duty on flights within the uk will be reduced, along with a cut in fuel duty, and this may prove controversial in the light of cop26 in glasgow next week. alcohol duty is being overhauled — meaning drinks with a lower alcohol content will be cheaper. ahead of those announcements, the chancellor laid out the state of the economy — with inflation expected to hit 4% next year raising more concerns about the cost of living. unemployment is expected to peak at 5.2% next year. but the uk economy is expected to return to pre—covid levels by 2022, which is quicker than previously predicted. replying for labour, the shadow chancellor rachel reeves — standing in for keir starmer, who has covid — said "bankers "on short—haul flights, "sipping champagne, will be cheering this budget". 0ur political correspondent, nick eardley, reports. what is in the chancel�*s red box? you could be the thinking, we know most of that already. but today in parliament we get the full picture. where the government is spending our money, the state of the economy and what it all means for the cash in our pockets. but to start, there was a ticking off for the chancellor or how much of the budget had been made public in advance.— public in advance. chancellor, we are all very _ public in advance. chancellor, we are all very much _ public in advance. chancellor, we are all very much looking - public in advance. chancellor, we are all very much looking forward public in advance. chancellor, we i are all very much looking forward to hearing _ are all very much looking forward to hearing the — are all very much looking forward to hearing the remainder of your announcements!— hearing the remainder of your announcements! today's budget delivers a stronger— announcements! today's budget delivers a stronger economy - announcements! today's budget delivers a stronger economy for| announcements! today's budget. delivers a stronger economy for the british people. stronger growth with the uk recovering faster than our major competitors. stronger public finances, without debt under control. stronger employment, with fewer people out of work and more people in work! fewer people out of work and more peeple in work!— fewer people out of work and more people in work! there was a warning that inflation — people in work! there was a warning that inflation could _ people in work! there was a warning that inflation could average - people in work! there was a warning that inflation could average 496, - people in work! there was a warning that inflation could average 496, and| that inflation could average 4%, and last for months, but the economic picture is brighter than many had predicted and that means extra money for the government to spend.- for the government to spend. today's bud . et for the government to spend. today's budget increases _ for the government to spend. today's budget increases total _ for the government to spend. today's budget increases total departmental. budget increases total departmental spending over this parliament by £150 billion. if anybody still doubts it, today's budget confirms the conservatives are the real party of public services. jeering. the conservatives are the real party of public services. jeering.- of public services. jeering. there will be cash _ of public services. jeering. there will be cash for _ of public services. jeering. there will be cash for the _ of public services. jeering. there will be cash for the nhs, - of public services. jeering. there will be cash for the nhs, money l of public services. jeering. there | will be cash for the nhs, money to fund a wage increase for public sector staff, though no details yet, and funding for transport, including and funding for transport, including a cut in tax for flights around the uk. controversial, just a few days before the climate summit in glasgow begins. this budget is a chance for the treasury to set out its vision of the economy after the pandemic and the chancellor wants us all to know he is still prepared to spend money on big political priorities, but the devil will be in the detail because not everyone will get everything they want. rishi sunak, remember, is a fiscal conservative who wants to persuade his party to keep spending and borrowing under control. but many in the alcohol sector will be cheering this afternoon. sparkling wine rates have been cut and there is tax relief for draft points in a pub. the government reckons that will save 3p on a pint of beer and up to 13p on fruity cider. the way alcohol is taxed is also changing and will soon be based on alcohol content, meaning savings on a number of drinks like rose wine. after extra universal credit payments ended, the chancellor announced measures to help in work claimants, reducing the amount of benefits they lose for every extra one they earn. i have decided to _ every extra one they earn. i have decided to cut _ every extra one they earn. i have decided to cut this _ every extra one they earn. i have decided to cut this rate, - every extra one they earn. i have decided to cut this rate, not - every extra one they earn. i have decided to cut this rate, not by i every extra one they earn. i have l decided to cut this rate, not by 196, decided to cut this rate, not by 1%, not by 2%, but by 8%. decided to cut this rate, not by 196, not by 2%, but by 896.— not by 296, but by 896. jeering. charities not by 2%, but by 896. jeering. charities say — not by 2%, but by 8%. jeering. charities say that _ not by 2%, but by 8%. jeering. charities say that won't - not by 2%, but by 896. jeering. - charities say that won't compensate for the end of the £20 a week uplift and with prices for things like gas going up opposition parties continue to warn of a cost of living crisis. the shadow chancellor had to step in at the last minute today after labour's leader tested positive for covid. ., , , covid. families struggling with the cost of living _ covid. families struggling with the cost of living prices, _ covid. families struggling with the cost of living prices, businesses i cost of living prices, businesses hit by— cost of living prices, businesses hit by a — cost of living prices, businesses hit by a supply chain crisis. those who rely— hit by a supply chain crisis. those who rely on— hit by a supply chain crisis. those who rely on our schools and our hospitals — who rely on our schools and our hospitals and police, they won't recognise — hospitals and police, they won't recognise the world that the chancellor is describing. they will thihk_ chancellor is describing. they will think that — chancellor is describing. they will think that he is living in a parallel— think that he is living in a parallel universe. think that he is living in a aralleluniverse. , ., ., ., parallel universe. instead of doing whatever it _ parallel universe. instead of doing whatever it takes, _ parallel universe. instead of doing whatever it takes, the _ parallel universe. instead of doing whatever it takes, the chancellor l whatever it takes, the chancellor has done as little as possible. and the tories' half—hearted rhetoric about fairness has predictably only produced half measures when it comes to household bills and the crippling cost of inflation.— cost of inflation. there will be a lot to pick _ cost of inflation. there will be a lot to pick over _ cost of inflation. there will be a lot to pick over in _ cost of inflation. there will be a lot to pick over in the _ cost of inflation. there will be a lot to pick over in the next i cost of inflation. there will be a lot to pick over in the next fewl lot to pick over in the next few hours and days, details that really matter as the government says the economic course... —— set the economic course... —— set the economic course... —— set the economic course for the coming years. bbc news, westminster. 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth is in parliament for us. this is a was a bit of a challenge for mps to digest this vast amount of information and get past the headlines, which of course the chancellor is going to put the best possible blush on his words, into the detail. what are you hearing at the detail. what are you hearing at the moment?— the moment? let's 'ust do the big icture the moment? let's 'ust do the big picture first h the moment? let's 'ust do the big picture first and i the moment? let'sjust do the big picture first and then _ the moment? let'sjust do the big picture first and then move - the moment? let'sjust do the big picture first and then move to i the moment? let'sjust do the big i picture first and then move to some of the detail. in terms of the big picture, as nick was saying in his piece, we know the post—pandemic economic output was a bit better than some had predicted, which gave the chancellor the ability to make that range of spending promises he did, and a suggestion that public spending on services was going to increase by someone hundred and £20 billion and we had that little in everything he was planning to invest in, from housing to schools to prisons and local government. and then of course we had some of those tax changes, so a cut in business rates, cuts to air passenger duty on domestic flights and of course to change to alcohol duties as well. and the big rabbit, if you like, in the chancel�*s hat was that change to universal credit which means people in work can keep more of their universal credit benefit as they earn a bit more as well. labour's argument to all this is, look, we see what you're doing, you're spending a lot of money, there is quite a lot in here we welcome, especially read the minimum wage, but overall we don't think this is going to help people facing a really tough winter with a big squeeze on household budgets. labour's shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, who didn't have long to prepare her defence for this because she had to step in for sir keir starmer because of that positive covid test, what she was saying is this is not going to do much to help families who are facing spiralling prices, particularly energy prices, so that is still the challenge for the chancellor. what he is trying to say is the economy is better than i thought it might be, so i will spend on public services and doing time he says he wants to bring taxes down as well by the end of parliament. the real question will be is will it but feel any different to people's pockets during the winter, with an economy that looks like inflation is going to go up. you economy that looks like inflation is going to go tip-— economy that looks like inflation is going to go up. you mentioned the im act of going to go up. you mentioned the impact of rising _ going to go up. you mentioned the impact of rising costs _ going to go up. you mentioned the impact of rising costs on _ going to go up. you mentioned the impact of rising costs on people. . impact of rising costs on people. there are some little offers there like the fuel duty, threes, which in real terms means a cut. after the problems with getting petrol, that might be quite welcome by people. we have had the moves on air passenger duty, but that doesn't look very green. nothing on energy costs, even though there's something in the chancellor has said has gone up significantly this year, but he doesn't feel able to offer anything on that and given the way inflation is going that is likely to get worse as well. , , , ., , as well. yes, this is an interesting oint of as well. yes, this is an interesting point of difference _ as well. yes, this is an interesting point of difference between i as well. yes, this is an interesting point of difference between the i point of difference between the government and labour because what labour had suggested in the run—up to this budget is there should be a cut in vat on domestic energy bills so they go from 5% to 0% and they argued that would help people immediately facing those energy prices crisis, but the government decided not to go down that route and rishi sunak did not announce anything to mitigate energy prices for households today across the country. instead what he was talking about, referencing a £500 million pot of cash the government had already announced to help people who feel really worse off this winter, and he points to that change in universal credit, where people can keep a bit more, but this is exactly the argument. there are a lot of spending promises in this budget, but we know the cost of living squeeze is already being felt by people and it is whether or not this makes any difference to them and it's worth noting some of the promises around spending and there is an investment will not be taking in immediately, so people might not necessarily feel the benefit of those things immediately, to have got to wonder how people respond to this budget in the coming months. it is worth saying this is the first budget the chancellor has delivered without the immediate emergency of the credit hours pandemic and part of it i think he was trying to set the tone for what the government wants to do. he said this is a budget that basically shows what this government is all about. what we are going to have to watch pretty closely is of course the detail and some of these announcements, and when they are going to start to be felt by people, but also easy paving the way, as he suggested, for other projects down the line where he might be able to be a bit more generous about things like taxes because let's see. bile}. generous about things like taxes because let's see.— because let's see. alex forsyth, thanks very _ because let's see. alex forsyth, thanks very much. _ let's get some reaction from the business world. i'm joined by shevan haviland, director general of the british chamber of commerce. what do of this at a time when you have had a really tough year, and you're hoping to build the prospects of your members and businesses in helping them to grow. does this help in that objective?— in that ob'ective? queue for having me, in that objective? queue for having me, afternoon. _ in that objective? queue for having me, afternoon. there _ in that objective? queue for having me, afternoon. there is _ in that objective? queue for having me, afternoon. there is a - in that objective? queue for having me, afternoon. there is a lot i in that objective? queue for having me, afternoon. there is a lot to i me, afternoon. there is a lot to welcome in the budget today on the longer term, so the longer term we see some good investment in skills, infrastructure and in access to finance like the expansion in the regional angels programme, which is something we have been asking for for a while, so that is good news. and we are also pleased to see some changes in the business rates, so that will encourage our businesses to invest in their properties, particularly green investment and obviously see some relief on business rates in april. however, we would like to see slightly more fundamental reform of business rates in... fundamental reform of business rates in, _ _ ,, ., , ., fundamental reform of business rates in... something the government has romised in... something the government has promised in — in... something the government has promised in successive _ in... something the government has promised in successive years. i in... something the government has promised in successive years. philip| promised in successive years. philip hammond, who was the previous chancellor but one, the last chancellor but one, the last chancellor only being on very briefly, sajid javid, but the last chancellor to deliver a budget before rishi sunak said, yes, we are going to reform business rates. nothing on that. trio. going to reform business rates. nothing on that.— nothing on that. no, it is fundamentally _ nothing on that. no, it is fundamentally not - nothing on that. no, it is fundamentally not fit i nothing on that. no, it is fundamentally not fit for| nothing on that. no, it is - fundamentally not fit for purpose for our economy and it still massively dis— incentivise is investment in the high street. but really, actually what we are most worried about is the next six months, so we have... you know you, you have oily referenced it on the programming, raw materials, shipping costs, now energy prices, as well as a really difficult s labour market, at the moment are looking towards april, when we will see a rise in the national living wage, which is a good thing, but also an increase in the national insurance tax, so they are absorbing an awful lot of costs and it is looking like a tricky winter, so we might need a chance ? might be chancellor to step in again because it is ultimately all about business confidence, getting the economy back, a fragile recovery, but back to really firing on all cylinders. he has invested a lot over the previous 18 months and let's not lose that momentum. fin over the previous 18 months and let's not lose that momentum. on the extra costs businesses _ let's not lose that momentum. on the extra costs businesses are _ let's not lose that momentum. on the extra costs businesses are facing, i extra costs businesses are facing, some of them are in the government's hands, so for example there is a decision to introduce the increase in national minimum wage. these days most businesses don't see the national minimum wage as job cutting, but nonetheless it has a knock—on effect for all the wages you knock—on effect for all the wages y°u pay knock—on effect for all the wages you pay and also you have inflation predicted to rise to 4%. at the time, as you say, that you are facing shortages. the government is addressing that long—term, but i wonder what he needs to do in the short term to help you balance all those competing demands? yes. short term to help you balance all those competing demands? yes, there are some things _ those competing demands? yes, there are some things he _ those competing demands? yes, there are some things he could _ those competing demands? yes, there are some things he could do _ those competing demands? yes, there are some things he could do in - those competing demands? yes, there are some things he could do in the i are some things he could do in the shorter term. are some things he could do in the shorterterm. he are some things he could do in the shorter term. he could think about an energy price cap for smes in the same way consumers have an energy price cap. he could look at some more emergency shortage occupation list changes to allow a bit more of the flow of labour into other parts of the economy outside hgv drivers. we know we have shortages in hospitality, construction, manufacturing and we need to get ahead of that curve, not wait until the next crisis. so there are some things he can do and of course there are also some things outside of his control, but let's not lose the great work we have already put in place, let's make sure we keep the momentum up for the economy. shevaun haviland, from — momentum up for the economy. shevaun haviland, from the _ momentum up for the economy. shevaun haviland, from the british _ momentum up for the economy. shevaun haviland, from the british chambers i haviland, from the british chambers of commerce, thank you very much. thank you. one of the big announcements today was on universal credit. the government has been under pressure on this issue since it ended the £20 boost to the benefit earlier this month. today the chancellor announced a cut to the taper rate. that's the rate at which univesal credit is reduced once a claimant starts to earn above a certain amount. currently it's 63p which means, that if you earn an extra £1 you lose 63p in benefit. that's to be cut to 55% or 55p in every pound, allowing people to keep more of their money as they start to earn more. but campaigners and charities say the amount doesn't address wider issues of cost of living or help those who are on benefits and out of work. 0ur social affairs editor, alison holt, is here. what did you make of what the chancellor had to say today? well, he has been under huge pressure to do something to address this. it is about three weeks since that boost to universal credit disappeared and there have been real worries about hardship, which means forfamilies not least in fuel bills, food bills and so on. so i think he needed to do something and clearly he is. this was his rabbit out of the hat, if you like, for the budget. i5 was his rabbit out of the hat, if you like, for the budget. is it was his rabbit out of the hat, if you like, for the budget.- you like, for the budget. is it a ve bi you like, for the budget. is it a very big rabbit. _ you like, for the budget. is it a very big rabbit, though? i you like, for the budget. is it a very big rabbit, though? do i you like, for the budget. is it a i very big rabbit, though? do know? i think we are — very big rabbit, though? do know? i think we are still _ very big rabbit, though? do know? i think we are still assessing - very big rabbit, though? do know? i think we are still assessing it. it i think we are still assessing it. it is bigger than we expected. this morning we were talking about that taper rate being reduced to 60p, rather than the 63 p. he has put it down to 55p, so that i think that was a genuine surprise. what he has also done with that, which i think is significant, is he has brought it around about the level that when this reform of universal credit was brought in that was roughly the level it was meant to be and this was a conservative party reform. he has had a lot of criticism from some key members, like iain duncan smith and... , ., , key members, like iain duncan smith and... , , key members, like iain duncan smith and... , _. and... yes, he was carefully saying, ian and... yes, he was carefully saying, ian duncan — and... yes, he was carefully saying, ian duncan smith, _ and... yes, he was carefully saying, ian duncan smith, this _ and... yes, he was carefully saying, ian duncan smith, this is _ and... yes, he was carefully saying, ian duncan smith, this is the - and... yes, he was carefully saying, ian duncan smith, this is the rate i ian duncan smith, this is the rate you wanted. ian duncan smith, this is the rate you wanted-— ian duncan smith, this is the rate ou wanted. ~ , ., , , you wanted. absolutely, absolutely, and i think that — you wanted. absolutely, absolutely, and i think that is _ you wanted. absolutely, absolutely, and i think that is key _ you wanted. absolutely, absolutely, and i think that is key and _ you wanted. absolutely, absolutely, and i think that is key and saying, i and i think that is key and saying, look, we are listening to you, but we think this is the way to do it and he has rewarding people who are in work and that was another big emphasis on what he was saying. but eo - le emphasis on what he was saying. but people who are not in work, they are not going to be shielded from any of the cost rises that are coming. never mind people who are in work, who also won't be shielded. this will help a bit for those in work, but what about those broader changes? because they are going to have quite a bit of impact at the bottom of the income scale, not least because we know poorer families spend a bigger proportion of their money on energy. bud families spend a bigger proportion of their money on energy. and that is what is really _ of their money on energy. and that is what is really worrying _ of their money on energy. and that is what is really worrying people. i is what is really worrying people. they were worried about the fact that the £20 uplift was being lost at a time when the bills were going up, but if for instance you have a disability and you are unable to work, you are in your home, your heating bills are going to be higher and yourfood bills heating bills are going to be higher and your food bills are going to heating bills are going to be higher and yourfood bills are going to be higher. it is very difficult for you in that situation to juggle those bills and that is where a lot of the charities and organisations are saying, yes, this is helping some, approximately two million people, but that is nothing like the 5.5 million who benefited from that £20 boost to universal credit. 50 it million who benefited from that £20 boost to universal credit.— boost to universal credit. so it is not tuite boost to universal credit. so it is not quite a _ boost to universal credit. so it is not quite a u-turn? _ boost to universal credit. so it is not quite a u-turn? no. - boost to universal credit. so it is not quite a u-turn? no. it i boost to universal credit. so it is not quite a u-turn? no. it is i boost to universal credit. so it is| not quite a u-turn? no. it is not. boost to universal credit. so it is i not quite a u-turn? no. it is not. i think what — not quite a u-turn? no. it is not. i think what it _ not quite a u-turn? no. it is not. i think what it is — not quite a u-turn? no. it is not. i think what it is is _ not quite a u-turn? no. it is not. i think what it is is an _ think what it is is an acknowledgement that something needed to be done, but it is very much focused around, you know, the whole push of the chancellor's speech was around better public services, but work, rewarding work and that is exactly what this is aimed at doing. it still lives and problems that are really going to need to be sorted out in the longer term, though. need to be sorted out in the longer term. though-— term, though. alison holt, a social affairs correspondent, _ term, though. alison holt, a social affairs correspondent, thank- term, though. alison holt, a social affairs correspondent, thank you i affairs correspondent, thank you very much. katie schmuecker is deputy director of policy & partnerships at thejoseph rowntree foundation, a charity tackling poverty in the uk — and joins me now. thank you very much forjoining me, what is your reaction to this announcement? i what is your reaction to this announcement?— what is your reaction to this announcement? ~ ., , ., announcement? i think really what we have seen today _ announcement? i think really what we have seen today is _ announcement? i think really what we have seen today is for _ announcement? i think really what we have seen today is for lower _ announcement? i think really what we have seen today is for lower income . have seen today is for lower income households it is a tale of two budgets. so if you were... if you are in work, then steps have been taken today around the paper and work allowance, and you combine that with the increase to minimum wage... that is an improvement to our social security system for people who are working and it will go some way, take some steps towards turning the tide of in work poverty that has been rising, going back to before the pandemic, a rising tide of in work poverty, so these steps are really welcome in that respect. but i think what we don't know yet is quite how far these changes are going to make up for that £20 that has been lost to households and we are currently crunching the numbers on that to try to get a better picture of it. but also, as your correspondent was just saying, this does nothing for those who are unable to work or for those who are looking for work. i unable to work or for those who are looking for work.— looking for work. i want to come onto that in _ looking for work. i want to come onto that in a _ looking for work. i want to come onto that in a moment _ looking for work. i want to come onto that in a moment with i looking for work. i want to come onto that in a moment with you, looking for work. i want to come i onto that in a moment with you, but just to push a bit more on what the chancellor is doing here, is there any difference in how this money is accessed from doing it by using the taper and doing it by simply giving you extra money in your universal credit? does it actually make make a difference to how people get the money and how quickly they get the money? money and how quickly they get the mone ? ., ,, ., money and how quickly they get the mone ? ., ,., .,, money? no. so the government has said they will — money? no. so the government has said they will look _ money? no. so the government has said they will look to _ money? no. so the government has said they will look to bring _ money? no. so the government has said they will look to bring this i money? no. so the government has said they will look to bring this in i said they will look to bring this in from december, which is great. i mean, the sooner they can do this the better, and it will be an automatic adjustment within universal credit for those who are working. i think the outstanding questions are, you know, how far does this actually make up for the money that was cut from people's incomes last month? and also what is going to happen to those who are not going to happen to those who are not going to happen to those who are not going to benefit from this you are facing a really challenging set of circumstances this winter, as inflation is forecast to hit 4%? we know that prices in shops and energy bills are rising fast. and, you know, how people are going to weather that storm i think is a huge unanswered question in his budget. and katie, just one more thought. the government at the time it announced it was scrapping the £20 extra, bringing it to an end, it also announced there would be extra grants available. do you know if those grants are going to continue or is this effectively going to cancel out?— or is this effectively going to cancel out? ., ., or is this effectively going to cancelout? ., ., ~ ., cancel out? know, as far as we know, the household — cancel out? know, as far as we know, the household support _ cancel out? know, as far as we know, the household support fund _ cancel out? know, as far as we know, the household support fund that i cancel out? know, as far as we know, the household support fund that was l the household support fund that was announced, 500 million was going to be delivered to local authorities, is still going to be going ahead and there has also been a small pot of money announced four people in rent arrears. there is a welcome thing again, but there is small pots of money that do spread around can be quite challenging for people to access and we put out some work last week that shows there are 3.8 million low income households in this country who are behind on at least one bill. most of them are behind on more than one bill. and, you know, with that sort of emergency crisis funding is going to be so important and it is not at all clear that the skill of that is ambitious enough. we were calling for that to be at least doubled in the budget and we haven't seen that happen. so again, it is those people who are out of work, those people hitting crisis, who are behind on their bills already, looking ahead to a winter of hunger and hardship as food and energy prices go up. that is a big, big unanswered question. the chancellor could have done something for those people in his budget, but he chose not to. katie schmuecker, i am sorry i got your surname wrong when i introduced you, katie schmueckerfrom your surname wrong when i introduced you, katie schmuecker from the joseph rowntree foundation, thank you very much. let's look at some more of the detail of today's announcements — our economics correspondent, andy verity is here. you have had a busy afternoon? very busy one, as you have as well! full of budget stuff! but it is very interesting, we have had some measures introduced and the biggest of those measures is the decision to upgrade the amount that has been spent on public services. so an extra £24 billion is going to be spent next year on government spending. that is quite against expectations, which said the chancellor would prioritise fixing the public finances above boosting spending. it is the opposite, as he said, against speculation. the next biggest measure the chancellor has taken is the universal credit taper you havejust taken is the universal credit taper you have just been discussing, and which will cost £2.2 billion, along with raising the work allowances, the amount you can earn before they start withdrawing that benefit, and also the business rate relief or hospitality, which is £i.9 billion. all of that is possible because of what is happening in the broader economy. so if you look at what has happened over the last few years to the economy, imagine if the economy were measured by a richter scale. last year was the earthquake and you can see it right there. we have come back up now and it is 6.5% growth predicted for this year, which is actually slightly less than the bank of england was predicting, but nevertheless much better than was predicted back in march. that is why the public finances are looking better than they were. you can see it is going to slow down as that bounce back effect comes out of the equation. let's have a look at how that affects borrowing. the government is expecting boring to come down, so here is the official forecast from the office for budget responsibility. if you look at this commonly blew chunks are what they were predicting last time. if you look at the orange chunks, that is what it has come down to due to the improvement in the economy and then have a look at the purple bit, that is the bit the chancellor is targeting, he bit on current day—to—day spending. so he has a new fiscal goal focusing on day—to—day spending and bringing that down. you can see the purple chunks cut below the line in a few years' time and thatis the line in a few years' time and that is when he will be obeying his fiscal rules. let's have a look at that fiscal charter he was announcing. the first of those rules, as i was mentioning... sorry, this is a different one, debt must be falling, excluding the money loaned by the bank of england. that is actually lax rule, in a sense, because that is actually already happening, debtors are already falling as a proportion of the economy if you exclude what has been known to the bank of england, which is actually most of the money loaned during the during the pandemic. the second fiscal rule is all about boring, you only borrow to invest. you may be familiar with that phrase, it echoes back to when gordon brown was chancellor, the last chance to get the budget... , it hasn't happened since then. this is to invest in the day—to—day spending. overall, if you look at what is happening to tax levels, taxes under this conservative chancellor are now up at 36.2%, which is a higher level than we have had since way back in the 19505 and thatis had since way back in the 19505 and that is not really because he wants to raise taxes that much, it is dictated by demographics. with an ageing population, more money has to be spent on social care and health care, for example, so that is just something he is driven to do, but if you look at what is happening in this budget, overall, you have got spending commitments of some additional £38 billion, you have also got tax rises, £12.7 billion stock and so, overall this budget is known in the objective economic lexicon as a giveaway. it means the chancellor i5 lexicon as a giveaway. it means the chancellor is putting £25 billion more into the economy than he is taking up to. more into the economy than he is taking up tw— taking up to. andy verity, that is robabl taking up to. andy verity, that is probably the _ taking up to. andy verity, that is probably the simplest, _ taking up to. andy verity, that is probably the simplest, clearest l taking up to. andy verity, that is i probably the simplest, clearest way to see it, isn't it? thank you very much. let's get some reaction from around the country. we'll be in bristol in a moment, but first let's go to northumberland. in an... they like what they hear from the chancellor, this optimism a from the chancellor, this optimism —. new chapter, like many market towns across the country, they have seen lots of shops on the high street close during a pandemic, but they are also cautious. in this region, high rates of unemployment, the highest child poverty rates, so they welcome the changes to the universal credit taper in, many people being able to keep more money, the scrapping of the public pay freeze, the... all these things impact on the... all these things impact on the cost of living, but they are telling us they still don't feel levelled up. they need to help will be people who have helped us out during this pandemic, they need some more money for what _ pandemic, they need some more money for what they _ pandemic, they need some more money for what they doing because they don't _ for what they doing because they don't get — for what they doing because they don't get paid enough. that is the bottom _ don't get paid enough. that is the bottom line. and they have been stood _ bottom line. and they have been stood on — bottom line. and they have been stood on for quite awhile. i bottom line. and they have been stood on for quite awhile.- stood on for quite awhile. i think it is probably _ stood on for quite awhile. i think it is probably good _ stood on for quite awhile. i think it is probably good they - stood on for quite awhile. i think it is probably good they are - stood on for quite awhile. i think it is probably good they are not i it is probably good they are not being _ it is probably good they are not being taxed _ it is probably good they are not being taxed as _ it is probably good they are not being taxed as much. - it is probably good they are not being taxed as much. the - it is probably good they are not| being taxed as much. the living it is probably good they are not - being taxed as much. the living wage going _ being taxed as much. the living wage going up— being taxed as much. the living wage going up is_ being taxed as much. the living wage going up is going — being taxed as much. the living wage going up is going to— being taxed as much. the living wage going up is going to be... _ being taxed as much. the living wage going up is going to be... i— being taxed as much. the living wage going up is going to be... i don't - going up is going to be... i don't see the — going up is going to be... i don't see the benefit _ going up is going to be... i don't see the benefit and _ going up is going to be... i don't see the benefit and it _ going up is going to be... i don't see the benefit and it really - see the benefit and it really because _ see the benefit and it really because if— see the benefit and it really because if everybody's - see the benefit and it really i because if everybody's wages see the benefit and it really - because if everybody's wages goes up the cost _ because if everybody's wages goes up the cost of— because if everybody's wages goes up the cost of living _ because if everybody's wages goes up the cost of living goes _ because if everybody's wages goes up the cost of living goes up. _ because if everybody's wages goes up the cost of living goes up. you - the cost of living goes up. you know? — the cost of living goes up. you know? produce _ the cost of living goes up. you know? produce is— the cost of living goes up. you know? produce is going - the cost of living goes up. you know? produce is going to- the cost of living goes up. you know? produce is going to goi the cost of living goes up. you . know? produce is going to go up the cost of living goes up. you - know? produce is going to go up in price _ know? produce is going to go up in price because — know? produce is going to go up in price because of— know? produce is going to go up in price because of everybody's - know? produce is going to go up inj price because of everybody's wager is going _ price because of everybody's wager is going up. — price because of everybody's wager is going up. so— price because of everybody's wager is going up. so i_ price because of everybody's wager is going up, so i don't— price because of everybody's wager is going up, so i don't know- price because of everybody's wager is going up, so i don't know if- price because of everybody's wager is going up, so i don't know if you i is going up, so i don't know if you are going — is going up, so i don't know if you are going to— is going up, so i don't know if you are going to benefit— is going up, so i don't know if you are going to benefit from - is going up, so i don't know if you are going to benefit from a - is going up, so i don't know if youj are going to benefit from a higher wage _ are going to benefit from a higher wage i— are going to benefit from a higher ware. �* are going to benefit from a higher ware, . ., �* , are going to benefit from a higher wae. . ., �* , ., are going to benefit from a higher ware, �* , ., are going to benefit from a higher waie_ �* , ., ., wage. i can't see how it will make a reat deal wage. i can't see how it will make a great deal difference. _ wage. i can't see how it will make a great deal difference. personally, l great deal difference. personally, being _ great deal difference. personally, being on— great deal difference. personally, being on minimum wage and patch... it being on minimum wage and patch... it ism _ being on minimum wage and patch... it ism the_ being on minimum wage and patch... it ism the rise — being on minimum wage and patch... it is... the rise and everything else, — it is... the rise and everything else, it — it is... the rise and everything else, it is _ it is... the rise and everything else, it isjust not going to make a great _ else, it isjust not going to make a great deal— else, it isjust not going to make a great deal of difference to me, personally. if great deal of difference to me, personally-— great deal of difference to me, personally. if you're going to be willini to personally. if you're going to be willing to put — personally. if you're going to be willing to put the _ personally. if you're going to be willing to put the hours - personally. if you're going to be willing to put the hours and, - personally. if you're going to be| willing to put the hours and, like personally. if you're going to be l willing to put the hours and, like i am, willing to put the hours and, like i am. then— willing to put the hours and, like i am. then you're _ willing to put the hours and, like i am, then you're going _ willing to put the hours and, like i am, then you're going to - willing to put the hours and, like i am, then you're going to benefit i am, then you're going to benefit from _ am, then you're going to benefit from it — am, then you're going to benefit from it if— am, then you're going to benefit from it. if you're _ am, then you're going to benefit from it. if you're not _ am, then you're going to benefit from it. if you're not going - am, then you're going to benefit from it. if you're not going to . am, then you're going to benefit from it. if you're not going to bej from it. if you're not going to be putting — from it. if you're not going to be putting the — from it. if you're not going to be putting the hours _ from it. if you're not going to be putting the hours in, _ from it. if you're not going to be putting the hours in, it - from it. if you're not going to be putting the hours in, it will- from it. if you're not going to be putting the hours in, it will not i from it. if you're not going to be. putting the hours in, it will not be too much — putting the hours in, it will not be too much of— putting the hours in, it will not be too much of a _ putting the hours in, it will not be too much of a hassle _ putting the hours in, it will not be too much of a hassle for - putting the hours in, it will not be too much of a hassle for people . too much of a hassle for people working. — too much of a hassle for people working. but— too much of a hassle for people working, but for— too much of a hassle for people working, but for myself- too much of a hassle for people working, but for myself it - too much of a hassle for people working, but for myself it is - working, but for myself it is definitely _ working, but for myself it is definitely a _ working, but for myself it is definitely a big _ working, but for myself it is definitely a big help. - on the rise in the national living wage, one small businesses spoke to me said that is going to cost them £180 per week and in terms of customers coming in they are saying the pandemic itself is still keeping people away and a lot of people are still buying online. and they don't see that changing yet.— see that changing yet. fiona trott in morpeth. _ see that changing yet. fiona trott in morpeth, thank _ see that changing yet. fiona trott in morpeth, thank you _ see that changing yet. fiona trott in morpeth, thank you very - see that changing yet. fiona trott| in morpeth, thank you very much. let's go to bristol, where our correspondent andrew plant has been speaking to people about the impact of the pandemic on the economy there. what are they saying in the light of the budget? a bit early for a lot of people to absorb what it means for them? . ., ., people to absorb what it means for them? , ., ., ., ., ., ., people to absorb what it means for them? , ., ., ,., people to absorb what it means for them? , ., ., . them? yes, good afternoon to you. we have already — them? yes, good afternoon to you. we have already had _ them? yes, good afternoon to you. we have already had headlines _ them? yes, good afternoon to you. we have already had headlines about - them? yes, good afternoon to you. we have already had headlines about the l have already had headlines about the budget for the last couple of days because we found out so much in advance and particularly they have focused on that large investment, improving regional transport networks and that could make a real difference here because for years now they have been big problems. just one example of that, hundreds of people every single day make the journey between bristol and bath on the bus, but in rush—hour that can take you well over one hour, even though it is a journey of less than ten miles naturally in a car it is not much quicker because the roads can be congested, so it is hope some of that will be coming to's way, it looks like something like £540 million to try to sort out that and other problems here as well. but just from talking to people here today there is one overwhelming theme to what everybody is saying about is household spending, and that seems to focus all the time on three different things, another one, putting fuel in their colours, number two, putting fuel in their colours, numbertwo, buying putting fuel in their colours, number two, buying food at the price of that rising and number three, time and time again we are hearing about the cost of heating, so many people worried about how much that is going to cost this winter, lots of people predicting it will put hundreds of pounds onto their bills from january, february time and lots of people saying because they have not had pay rises for such a long time that extra money simply going to have to be found from within their existing budgets. i found it more than usual— existing budgets. i found it more than usual but, _ existing budgets. i found it more than usual but, like, _ existing budgets. i found it more than usual but, like, i— existing budgets. i found it more than usual but, like, i have - existing budgets. i found it more than usual but, like, i have seen| existing budgets. i found it more. than usual but, like, i have seen a lot of— than usual but, like, i have seen a lot of people struggling, going through the hole differences with benefits — through the hole differences with benefits and universal credit. and yeah. _ benefits and universal credit. and yeah, just... it is a big struggle for some — yeah, just... it is a big struggle for some people. it yeah, just. .. it is a big struggle for some people.— yeah, just... it is a big struggle for some people. it has been tough in terms of — for some people. it has been tough in terms of the _ for some people. it has been tough in terms of the workload _ for some people. it has been tough in terms of the workload has - in terms of the workload has increased _ in terms of the workload has increased. the _ in terms of the workload has increased. the pressures - in terms of the workload has i increased. the pressures have in terms of the workload has - increased. the pressures have been greater~ _ increased. the pressures have been greater~ and — increased. the pressures have been greater~ and the _ increased. the pressures have been greater. and the pay— increased. the pressures have been greater. and the pay stays - increased. the pressures have been greater. and the pay stays the - increased. the pressures have been. greater. and the pay stays the same. and the _ greater. and the pay stays the same. and the expectations _ greater. and the pay stays the same. and the expectations are _ greater. and the pay stays the same. and the expectations are more. - greater. and the pay stays the same. and the expectations are more. but ij and the expectations are more. but i think that _ and the expectations are more. but i think that is — and the expectations are more. but i think that is a — and the expectations are more. but i think that is a thing _ and the expectations are more. but i think that is a thing that _ and the expectations are more. but i think that is a thing that all— think that is a thing that all public— think that is a thing that all public sector— think that is a thing that all public sector so— think that is a thing that all public sector so few - think that is a thing that alli public sector so few workers think that is a thing that all- public sector so few workers are struggling — public sector so few workers are struggling with _ public sector so few workers are struggling with at _ public sector so few workers are struggling with at the _ public sector so few workers are struggling with at the moment. | public sector so few workers are | struggling with at the moment. i public sector so few workers are - struggling with at the moment. i am“ struggling with at the moment. i am conscious that, _ struggling with at the moment. i am conscious that, even _ struggling with at the moment. conscious that, even though i can afford _ conscious that, even though i can afford it. — conscious that, even though i can afford it, that it won't have the heating — afford it, that it won't have the heating on _ afford it, that it won't have the heating on as much because, you know _ heating on as much because, you know. an — heating on as much because, you know, an environmental point of view _ know, an environmental point of view, as— know, an environmental point of view, as much as anything, i suppose. _ view, as much as anything, i suppose, but things like the bills will go _ suppose, but things like the bills will go up — suppose, but things like the bills will go up and it is going to affect me eventually, isn't it? now, we have been talking to lots of small businesses here as well, so just a quick word about that rise in the national minimum wage. all the people we talked to today support that, but it does have a significant knock—on effect, for example one business we talked to who just have one employee, well, that rise in the minimum wage could add more than £1000 to what they have to pay out every single year and of course that has to be found from what they're managing to trade at the moment and they say they are still not back to pre—pandemic levels and that that was an overarching theme as well, that their recovery from the pandemic has onlyjust begun and they need that support to continue. i use iusea i use a lot of wholesale fruit and ve l i use a lot of wholesale fruit and veg and — i use a lot of wholesale fruit and veg and that is slowly creeping up. but nry— veg and that is slowly creeping up. but my margins are at a level that a committee. — but my margins are at a level that a committee, its not bothering me too much _ committee, its not bothering me too much compared to other traders who have bills _ much compared to other traders who have bills. but obviously i would like it _ have bills. but obviously i would like it to — have bills. but obviously i would like it to level off and get back to some _ like it to level off and get back to some sort— like it to level off and get back to some sort of normality. people coming — some sort of normality. people coming back into the offices is helping — coming back into the offices is helping because a lot of the markets, we do our lunchtime and office—based. but that's certainly not where — office—based. but that's certainly not where it was at before the pandemic— not where it was at before the pandemic and it is only gradually improving — pandemic and it is only gradually improving back to those kinds of levels _ just a quick word about housing, we have seen the budget announcements for building site. that has affected bristol for a long time, it is an expensive place to live and they have yet to build enough affordable housing. a lot of people keeping their eyes on that to see how it will change for people in the city. everybody we have talked to, whether it is passers—by or people just running their small businesses, they were asked help to recover from the pandemic but that is onlyjust beginning and it is still continuing to cast a very long shadow. andrew plant in bristol, _ to cast a very long shadow. andrew plant in bristol, thank _ to cast a very long shadow. andrew plant in bristol, thank you - to cast a very long shadow. andrew plant in bristol, thank you so - to cast a very long shadow. andrew| plant in bristol, thank you so much. with the global climate summit in glasgowjust days away, what provisions, if any, did the chancellor put aside let's speak to our environment analyst roger harrabin. when you look at the measures over all, what stands out for you for the potential impact in a positive way on the environment and dare i say it, also in a negative way? absolutely, it is quite noticeable. we are just a few days away from the global climate summit in bristol daily—macro that glasgow the prime minister has pledged so much of his credibility. the chancellor doesn't mention climate change once. some of the i5 mention climate change once. some of the is taking on a budget is going to put climate change into reverse climate change mitigation into reverse. he has signed off £24 million for new roads. he is halving the air passenger duty for people flying uk. environmentalists, they are unhappy about this and they said they cannot believe it is going to happen. in they cannot believe it is going to ha- -en. , ., they cannot believe it is going to hai ien. , ., ., they cannot believe it is going to m- ien. , ., ., , happen. in terms of what he is prejecting _ happen. in terms of what he is prejecting longer— happen. in terms of what he is projecting longer term, - happen. in terms of what he is projecting longer term, there i happen. in terms of what he is i projecting longer term, there are lots of measures the government has already announced. what do we think about the move is the government is making, the progress it is making towards things like sam fisher of net zero carbon by the middle of the century? net zero carbon by the middle of the centu ? ., , ., ,, net zero carbon by the middle of the centu ? ., , ,., ,, century? how is making progress in ioli century? how is making progress in policy terms. _ century? how is making progress in policy terms. but — century? how is making progress in policy terms, but the _ century? how is making progress in policy terms, but the advisers, - century? how is making progress in policy terms, but the advisers, the | policy terms, but the advisers, the climate change committee said they have got to see the detail. today was the day for the treasury to provide policy detail. one of the biggest policy floors the uk has means experts say they need £10 billion to start upgrading housing stock, which without we will not get climate change targets. there was no mention of that in the budget. it is not entirely bad for the environment, there is a heavy investment in local transport, 7 billion with 3 billion or so for buses and also money to help people walking and cycling. it is heavily weighted on the side of making the environment worse than making it better. ., ., ., , ., ,, environment worse than making it better. ., ., ., , ., «i , ., better. roger harrabin, thank you so much. now on bbc news, we get answers to your questions on the budget in your questions answered. with me is laura suter, head of personal finance at aj bell, and yael selfin, chief economist at kpmg. i had some questions which were sent to cannot find. it's ok, i have found them. i am not very good at organising my bit5 found them. i am not very good at organising my bits of paper, particularly on budget day. i am going to start with laura, who have a question from bedfordshire i5 going to start with laura, who have a question from bedfordshire is the national attention paid going to increase? many people are going to have to make a choice to keep warm this winter? the have to make a choice to keep warm this winter?— this winter? the state pension increases _ this winter? the state pension increases are _ this winter? the state pension increases are day _ this winter? the state pension increases are day but - this winter? the state pension increases are day but this - increases are day but this government has scrapped what is called triple—lock. the making sure the state pension rises by the highest earning pass, inflation how to 5% because earnings are not very hybrid vehicle have a scrap that and instead it will rise by 3.1% this year. that is the standard rise and lower than it could have been. but there were no particular measures announced in the targeted pensioners. and energy bills have gone up by so much and pension spend a large proportion on energy bills and they will have to face the rising cost with no extra support from the government.— rising cost with no extra support from the government. thank you, laura. from the government. thank you, laura- chief— from the government. thank you, laura. chief economist _ from the government. thank you, laura. chief economist at - from the government. thank you, laura. chief economist at kpmg. | laura. chief economist at kpmg. brian asks, how will the end of the public sector pay freeze affect private sector salaries? brute public sector pay freeze affect private sector salaries? we have already seen _ private sector salaries? we have already seen quite _ private sector salaries? we have already seen quite a _ private sector salaries? we have already seen quite a lot - private sector salaries? we have already seen quite a lot of - private sector salaries? we have i already seen quite a lot of pressure on salaries — already seen quite a lot of pressure on salaries in the private sector and we — on salaries in the private sector and we now see a rise in pay in the public— and we now see a rise in pay in the public sector, that will probably make _ public sector, that will probably make it — public sector, that will probably make it more difficult for example for private — make it more difficult for example for private sector companies to attract — for private sector companies to attract people from the public sector— attract people from the public sector and that would probably mean we will— sector and that would probably mean we will see _ sector and that would probably mean we will see further upward pressure on pay— we will see further upward pressure on pay in _ we will see further upward pressure on pay in the private sector as well~ — on pay in the private sector as well. ., ., on pay in the private sector as well. . «i , ., on pay in the private sector as well. ., «i , ., , on pay in the private sector as well. . «i y., , . on pay in the private sector as well. . «i , . ., ., well. thank you very much. laura, emma asks. _ well. thank you very much. laura, emma asks, did _ well. thank you very much. laura, emma asks, did they _ well. thank you very much. laura, emma asks, did they change i well. thank you very much. laura, emma asks, did they change the l well. thank you very much. laura, i emma asks, did they change the tax on capital gains for second homeowners? i assume she is a second homeowner?— homeowner? they didn't, no. one of the thinis homeowner? they didn't, no. one of the things we — homeowner? they didn't, no. one of the things we had _ homeowner? they didn't, no. one of the things we had been _ homeowner? they didn't, no. one of the things we had been expecting i homeowner? they didn't, no. one of the things we had been expecting is| the things we had been expecting is for one of them look at increasing or changing the so—called wealth taxes, of which capital gains tax is one. but they make the changes to that. the only small change they did make is that if you make a capital gain on selling a second property, you now have 60 days to pay that rather than 30 days. i you now have 60 days to pay that rather than 30 days.— you now have 60 days to pay that rather than 30 days. i 'ust wanted to iick ui rather than 30 days. i 'ust wanted to pick up on that, i rather than 30 days. i just wanted to pick up on that, there - rather than 30 days. i just wanted to pick up on that, there has i rather than 30 days. i just wanted j to pick up on that, there has been rather than 30 days. i just wanted l to pick up on that, there has been a lot of talk over the years, this conservative government, of tax simplification, but no moves from the chancellor in that area? there is a bii the chancellor in that area? there is a big ambition _ the chancellor in that area? there is a big ambition to _ the chancellor in that area? there is a big ambition to simplify i the chancellor in that area? there is a big ambition to simplify taxes, as in— is a big ambition to simplify taxes, as in businesses generally will welcome — as in businesses generally will welcome back. at the same time, the businesses _ welcome back. at the same time, the businesses would welcome the certainty— businesses would welcome the certainty and clarity of what is happening in the longer term so they can plan— happening in the longer term so they can plan better. so i think there is a balance — can plan better. so i think there is a balance on— can plan better. so i think there is a balance on if we are going to see simplification, we want something that will— simplification, we want something that will be doable. let simplification, we want something that will be doable.— that will be doable. let me state with ou that will be doable. let me state with you with _ that will be doable. let me state with you with this _ that will be doable. let me state with you with this question i that will be doable. let me state with you with this question from | with you with this question from paul. why is everything dated from 2023, some of the money is needed now? b. 2023, some of the money is needed now? . ., ., 2023, some of the money is needed now? i ., ., , ., ., ii ,'i, now? a lot of it is dated from 2023, the spending _ now? a lot of it is dated from 2023, the spending review, _ now? a lot of it is dated from 2023, the spending review, for— now? a lot of it is dated from 2023, the spending review, for example, i now? a lot of it is dated from 2023, | the spending review, for example, is spread _ the spending review, for example, is spread over— the spending review, for example, is spread over three years and some of it is brought — spread over three years and some of it is brought forward. to give you an example, the credit that will be put in _ an example, the credit that will be put in before christmas. it was potentially a decision by the chancellor to put some of it a little — chancellor to put some of it a little bit — chancellor to put some of it a little bit further down the horizon. thank _ little bit further down the horizon. thank you — little bit further down the horizon. thank you very much. laura, let me ask you a question from matthew. has the budget change the requirements for postgraduate students to obtain more tax now his student loan payments are unchanged? currently the are payments are unchanged? currently they are unchanged. _ payments are unchanged? currently they are unchanged. there - payments are unchanged? currently they are unchanged. there was i payments are unchanged? currently they are unchanged. there was talk| they are unchanged. there was talk around the fact the government might change the threshold at which he would repay your loan. at the moment it isjust over £27,000. would repay your loan. at the moment it is just over £27,000. there was talk about reducing back. there was no mention in the budget about that but there has been a review into changes as you have student loans are repaid. just because it wasn't mentioned in the budget doesn't mean it isn't completely off the table. we will have to keep an eye out in the last daily—macro next couple of months. the last daily-macro next couple of months. . the last daily-macro next couple of months. , ., , , .., ., , months. the budget has become a bit of a misnomer— months. the budget has become a bit of a misnomer hasn't _ months. the budget has become a bit of a misnomer hasn't it? _ months. the budget has become a bit of a misnomer hasn't it? we - months. the budget has become a bit of a misnomer hasn't it? we have i months. the budget has become a bit of a misnomer hasn't it? we have a i of a misnomer hasn't it? we have a fixed point then it was shifting round to the spring and then the autumn, then we have the spending review thrown in. budget for spending, tweaks and changes here, like the duty on spirits and other alcohol and then change to universal credit with mateta being adjusted in this current financial year, which is to say least unorthodox. then we have a spending review for three years hence?— have a spending review for three years hence? yes, to be fair, the pandemic— years hence? yes, to be fair, the pandemic has _ years hence? yes, to be fair, the pandemic has proved _ years hence? yes, to be fair, the pandemic has proved things i years hence? yes, to be fair, the pandemic has proved things to i years hence? yes, to be fair, the| pandemic has proved things to be years hence? yes, to be fair, the i pandemic has proved things to be in disorder. _ pandemic has proved things to be in disorder. if— pandemic has proved things to be in disorder, if you like, for the chancellor. he been able to follow the plans— chancellor. he been able to follow the plans envisage. there was going to be _ the plans envisage. there was going to be a _ the plans envisage. there was going to be a budget only once a year and now we're _ to be a budget only once a year and now we're having a few changes just because _ now we're having a few changes just because so— now we're having a few changes just because so much has changed and also we had _ because so much has changed and also we had some _ because so much has changed and also we had some of the budget and the review— we had some of the budget and the review is— we had some of the budget and the review is postponed because we were in this— review is postponed because we were in this emergency covid situation. hopefully— in this emergency covid situation. hopefully from now on we will have a bit more _ hopefully from now on we will have a bit more clarity with the budget once _ bit more clarity with the budget once a — bit more clarity with the budget once a year and spending review is that last _ once a year and spending review is that last a — once a year and spending review is that last a little bit longer to give — that last a little bit longer to give clarity to departments, as well as how— give clarity to departments, as well as how spending will be carried out in the _ as how spending will be carried out in the medium term. most mortgage ia ers in the medium term. most mortgage payers would — in the medium term. most mortgage payers would like — in the medium term. most mortgage payers would like to _ in the medium term. most mortgage payers would like to know _ in the medium term. most mortgage payers would like to know how i in the medium term. most mortgage payers would like to know how the i payers would like to know how the budget will affect them. is it likely, and again this is a prediction, but interest rates will rise in a result of this budget or because of other factors not directly in the chancellor's control? it directly in the chancellor's control? . . directly in the chancellor's control? , ., , . directly in the chancellor's control? , . i . directly in the chancellor's control? i. ., control? it is a difficult call to make. different _ control? it is a difficult call to make. different measures i control? it is a difficult call to i make. different measures impact inflation — make. different measures impact inflation in different directions. we had — inflation in different directions. we had a — inflation in different directions. we had a rise in the national living wage. _ we had a rise in the national living wage. but— we had a rise in the national living wage, but we had cuts to fuel duties. — wage, but we had cuts to fuel duties. so _ wage, but we had cuts to fuel duties. so that will have the opposite _ duties. so that will have the opposite impact. overall, the measures in the budget generally are likely to _ measures in the budget generally are likely to see an increase in gdp, the leval— likely to see an increase in gdp, the level of gdp by 0.6% by 2023, 2024. _ the level of gdp by 0.6% by 2023, 2024. so _ the level of gdp by 0.6% by 2023, 2024, so that is a positive boost to the economy and with the bank of england _ the economy and with the bank of england members are worried a little bit about— england members are worried a little bit about the economy overheating. you may— bit about the economy overheating. you may think that it would accelerate interest rates increases slightly. _ accelerate interest rates increases slightly. but it is difficult to know. — slightly. but it is difficult to know. . . slightly. but it is difficult to know. ., ., ., slightly. but it is difficult to know. . . ., , ., ., know. laura, emma is asking how will 4% know. laura, emma is asking how will 496 inflation. — know. laura, emma is asking how will 4% inflation, which _ know. laura, emma is asking how will 496 inflation, which was _ know. laura, emma is asking how will 496 inflation, which was what - know. laura, emma is asking how will 496 inflation, which was what the i 4% inflation, which was what the chancellor predicted from the obr, how about 4% inflation likely to impact on me? the how about 496 inflation likely to impact on me?— how about 496 inflation likely to impact on me? the first thing to know is that _ impact on me? the first thing to know is that 496 _ impact on me? the first thing to know is that 496 figure _ impact on me? the first thing to know is that 496 figure is - impact on me? the first thing to know is that 496 figure is the i know is that 4% figure is the expected average over the next year. considering at the moment we are just over 3%, it means we would expect inflation to go higher before it comes back down again and to average out at the 4% rate. we will be seeing higher inflation than 4%. but it will have a big impact on everyone. it is the benchmark basically for to keep up with, if you wages are not increasing by that amount, you end up poorer in real terms. you have to look at where you are spending your money. everyone's personal inflation rate is different, depending on what you are spending your money and. but what is putting that up is food prices, petrol prices and fuel prices. we will have a big impact. the announcement made on the living wage increasing other cutting universal credit, it depends how you spend your money. to credit, it depends how you spend your money-— credit, it depends how you spend our mone . ., i. ., , ., your money. to you on the question, lookini at your money. to you on the question, looking at the _ your money. to you on the question, looking at the economy _ your money. to you on the question, looking at the economy more - your money. to you on the question, i looking at the economy more broadly, what of the potential impacts of 4% inflation? it what of the potential impacts of 496 inflation? . . what of the potential impacts of 496 inflation? ., , ., ., , inflation? it has two main impacts. some of them _ inflation? it has two main impacts. some of them were _ inflation? it has two main impacts. some of them were mentioned. i inflation? it has two main impacts. i some of them were mentioned. one is the squeeze on households as well as businesses, if they cannot pass on that increase in cost. a squeeze on margins and a squeeze on purchasing powers. that means in terms of real terms, we can consume less and potentially also businesses can invest less because they have less money. the other implication is that if you have higher inflation, potentially you could see higher interest rate which could create another squeeze, interest rate which could create anothersqueeze, if interest rate which could create another squeeze, if you like, another squeeze, if you like, another burden on households and businesses. if the bank of england sees inflation as temporary, which the majority of it is likely to be temporary, it is likely to see through the temporary blip and provided we get inflation coming back to the target, the 2% target by the end of this year, we shouldn't see a major increase in inflation. the worries inflation expectations are rising then interest rates will start rising soon, albeit at a moderate rate. a, start rising soon, albeit at a moderate rate.— start rising soon, albeit at a moderate rate. i ., ., , , moderate rate. a lot of spending has been announced, _ moderate rate. a lot of spending has been announced, says _ moderate rate. a lot of spending has been announced, says liz, _ moderate rate. a lot of spending has been announced, says liz, laura, i moderate rate. a lot of spending has i been announced, says liz, laura, who will pay for the extra money? andy verity was talking about a £25 billion giveaway, broadly the difference between extra revenue the chancellor i5 difference between extra revenue the chancellor is going to take in and extra spending he has announced, somebody has to pay for it, she wonders if it is going to be the coming generations? it is interesting, _ coming generations? it is interesting, when - coming generations? it is interesting, when we i coming generations? it 3 interesting, when we think about government daily—macro budget we think about the government spending more money. but ultimately a lot of it. the taxpayer. while a lot of the spending announcements will be welcomed by a lot of people, somebody has got to pay for it. i don't know if it is necessarily disproportionately affecting the young at the moment, other than they were the group of people who came out of the pandemic particularly worse. they were more likely to see their incomes hit, more likely to lose theirjobs or be furloughed. those people are being hit at a time when their finances have not had the time to recover from the when their finances have not had the time to recoverfrom the pandemic. that is very interesting, isn't it? it is a question of what is fair between the generations and ensuring people are broadly paying a fair amount reflective of what they are getting out of society, what they may get in the future and we have talked about the benefit of higher education, but paying for it later on. the chancellor has a bit of a bonus because the post covid recession has not been as bad as predicted and the bounce back has been quicker. in terms of the question, what concerns you about who pays the bills for the extra spending that's announced? what who pays the bills for the extra spending that's announced? what we have seen so — spending that's announced? what we have seen so far _ spending that's announced? what we have seen so far and _ spending that's announced? what we have seen so far and the _ spending that's announced? what we have seen so far and the current i have seen so far and the current burden— have seen so far and the current burden of— have seen so far and the current burden of taxes high, it is higher than _ burden of taxes high, it is higher than any— burden of taxes high, it is higher than any time since 1950. the chancellor is talking about consolidating public finances very quickly _ consolidating public finances very quickly and we have seen quite a lot of announcements to increase taxes as well. _ of announcements to increase taxes as well. i_ of announcements to increase taxes as well. i think in that sense the chancellor— as well. i think in that sense the chancellor is doing quite a lot and what _ chancellor is doing quite a lot and what we _ chancellor is doing quite a lot and what we need to look at at this stage _ what we need to look at at this stage is— what we need to look at at this stage is where the spending is going — stage is where the spending is going if— stage is where the spending is going. if the spending is going on ”p going. if the spending is going on up skilling — going. if the spending is going on up skilling all the young generation, essentially in terms of upscaling — generation, essentially in terms of upscaling and education and in terms of generating stronger productivity, that will— of generating stronger productivity, that will help future generations, obviously. — that will help future generations, obviously. we need to look at it in this context — obviously. we need to look at it in this context and what i am particularly interested in is to see how the _ particularly interested in is to see how the government can encourage stronger— how the government can encourage stronger growth, how the government can improve _ stronger growth, how the government can improve this elusive word productivity. so that we have stronger— productivity. so that we have stronger growth going forward. that really— stronger growth going forward. that really is _ stronger growth going forward. that really is the key. where the spending is going to be made and how much _ spending is going to be made and how much the _ spending is going to be made and how much the bank will back, we will be getting _ much the bank will back, we will be getting from that extra spending. thank— getting from that extra spending. thank you — getting from that extra spending. thank you both very much for helping us deliver your questions answered. let me bring you some breaking news. the 52—year—old man has been arrested in halifax on suspicion of malicious communications after the deputy leader of the labour party, angela rayner, received a string of threats. that is according to the press association. the 52—year—old man arrested in halifax on suspicion of malicious communication after the deputy labour leader, angela rayner, received a series of threats. in the light of the killing of david ami5, there is a lot of focus on attempts to harass members of parliament and concerns at what point harassment becomes a direct threat and a danger to people. angela rayner, a labour mp, has been a labour mp since 2015. and she made her maiden speech in 2015. she is very prominent being number two in the labour party. some controversy at the conference when she referred to the conservatives as some. the phrase keir starmer 5aid some. the phrase keir starmer said he would not be using but he stood by her. —— some. 52—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications after the deputy labour leader received a string of threats. the detail of those threats, we are not aware of as yet. the press association will bring you more about it as soon as we get it. it cost "eye—watering" sums of money, but failed to achieve its "main objective". that's the damning verdict of a cross—party group of mp5, about the government's test and trace programme in england. the public accounts committee, which examines whether government spending is value for money, has condemned what it calls "a reliance on over—priced consultants", and says the programme failed to help cut the transmission of the virus. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. the performance of the test and trace programme in england has been under scrutiny for months. this assessment by mp5 could hardly be more damning. the public accounts committee which examines value for money of government projects says the programme's outcomes have been muddled, and it hasn't achieved a number of its main objectives, despite costing the taxpayer millions. the nhs test and trace programme has been one of the most expensive health programmes delivered during the pandemic. it has cost £37 billion over two years, equal to nearly a fifth of the entire nhs england budget. when it comes to test results, just 14% of 691 million lateral flow tests distributed by test and trace were registered. and in periods of pressure, like december 2020, just 17% of people were receiving test results within 24 hours. we found it very difficult to see what it had achieved for the 37 billion. it is set out very bold aims, it failed on many of its own terms. crucially now, its responsibilities are in the new uk health security agency but that has still got quite a lot to prove. test and trace is now run by the uk health security agency. in a statement, it said, there have been improvements in testing capacity, turnaround times and contact tracing, and better working with local authorities. adding that test and trace is saving lives by breaking the chains of transmission and spotting outbreaks. but the mp5 disagree. they say breaking those chains of transmission and enabling people to return to a more normal way of life was the programme's main objective. instead, england experienced two more national lockdowns and saw a dramatic rise in case numbers. the use of expensive private sector consultants who were meant to deliver the programme comes in for particular criticism. for all the eye watering sums of money spent on test and trace, mp5 say it is far from clear whether it will be a legacy system that is built to last, one that will be ready for the next cri5i5. dominic hughes, bbc news. a serving metropolitan police officer has been charged with rape. he has been remanded in custody and will appear in front of magistrates. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear/ good afternoon. it is a day of contrasts across the country. yes, it's mild for all of us but central and southern england dry with some glimpses is of sunshine, further north and west it's all about the rain. in fact, over the next few days we are likely to see further heavy rain for southern scotland, north—west england and west wales. over the last couple hours we've had a number weather warning issued for south—west scotland and cumbria in particular. that means i could be quite an impact from this relentless rain throughout the rest of the day and also it's going to stay with you into tomorrow as well. some areas could see as much as 200 millimetres plus falling over just two days. that's just over a month's worth of rain for this area so that certainly could lead to some localised flooding and maybe have an impact on travel as well. to the north of it it's a slightly quieter day and a brighter day into eastern scotland. mild as well, 15 or 16 degrees. some glimpses of sunshine to the east of the pennines down into the london area where temperatures may well peak at 19 celsius, way above the average for the time of year. it 5tays cloudy and mild down to the south. a weather front starts to drift a little bit further north but you can see it sitting across the borders and down into north—west england in particular. it's going be a mild start to thursday but once again, these contrasts will still continue. this conveyor belt of wet weather feeding in across west wales up into north west england and gradually as we go through the day, some of that pushing back into central and eastern scotland as well. anywhere really across central and southern england away from cornwall should stay dry and relatively bright. again, highs of 17 or 18 celsius not out of the question. the weather front will start to push its way a little bit further east on friday and lose some of its potency. eventually we are going to see an improving picture. but not for long as low pressure builds in quickly behind it but it means the rain will turn quite showery as it moves its way into eastern england. we will see the rain gradually pulling away from north east scotland and then a brief lull in the story and a little bit fresher. however, with low pressure sitting to the north—west it does look likely that the weekend is going to be quite an unsettled one. it will be noticeably cooler for all of us and there will be showers or longer spells of rain at times. so plenty of whether to talk about at the moment. please keep watching the forecast. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 4pm: the chancellor promises a strong economy, fit for a "new age of optimism," as he delivers his budget. employment is up. investment is growing. public services are improving. the public finances are stabilising. and wages are rising. jeering. among the big announcements, changes to universal credit — allowing in—work claimants to keep more of the money they earn. the chancellor laid out the state of the economy, with inflation expected to hit 4%. there's a cut in air passenger duty tax between airports within the uk and a freeze in fuel duty. the chancellor's accused of failing to tackle climate change in his budget. the current alcohol duty system will be overhauled — meaning drinks with a lower alcohol percentage will be cheaper. labour accused rishi sunak of living "in a parallel universe," cutting taxes for bankers while ordinary people struggled to get by. so, madam deputy speaker, at least the bankers on short—haulflights, sipping champagne, will be cheering this budget today. jeering. in other news: we will be talking to lots of people and loads of small businesses as well here in bristol to see what the latest budget announcement will mean for them. thanks, andrew. latest budget announcement will mean forthem. thanks, andrew. in latest budget announcement will mean for them. thanks, andrew. in other news... a serving metropolitan police officer has been charged with rape. pc adam zaman, who's 28, is a member of the east area command unit. hello and if you have justjoined us, welcome to bbc news. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has delivered his budget, saying it's preparing the uk for a post—covid era of optimism. mr sunak also announced the results of the spending review, revealing how much each government department will receive in the three years from april 2022. let's take a look at some of the measures. the chancellor announced changes to universal credit, which will mean working people who receive it will keep more of their earnings. the taper — the amount of taxpayer help people lose as their earnings increase — will drop from 63% to 55%. it's worth £2 billion in all and will benefit nearly 2 million families with working adults whose incomes are topped up with the credit. this won't benefit those on universal credit who are without a job. last month, the chancellor ended the £20 uplift in universal credit introduced because of the pandemic. every government department will get a real terms increase in spending each year. air passenger duty on flights within the uk will be reduced, along with a cut in fuel duty, and this may prove controversial in the light of cop26 in glasgow next week. alcohol duty is being overhauled, meaning drinks with a lower alcohol content will be cheaper. ahead of those announcements, the chancellor laid out the state of the economy, with inflation expected to hit 4% next year, raising more concerns about the cost of living. unemployment is expected to peak at 5.2% next year. but the uk economy is expected to return to pre—covid levels by 2022 — which is quicker than previously predicted. replying for labour, the shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, standing in for keir starmer, who has covid — 5aid "bankers "on short—haul flights, "sipping champagne, will be cheering this budget." our political correspondent, nick eardley, reports. what's in the chancellor's red box? you could be forgiven for thinking that we know most of it already. but today in parliament we get the full picture — where the government is spending our money, the state of the economy and what it all means for cash in our pockets. but to start there was a ticking off for the chancellor for how much of the budget had been made public in advance. chancellor, we are all very much looking forward to hearing the remainder of your announcement! today's budget delivers a stronger economy for the british people, stronger growth, with the uk recovering faster than our major competitors, stronger public finances, with our debt under control. stronger employment, with fewer people out of work and more people in work. there was a warning that inflation could average 4% and last for months. but the economic picture is brighter than many had predicted and that means extra money for the government to spend. today's budget increases total departmental spending over this parliament by £150 billion. if anybody still doubts it, today's budget confirms that the conservatives are the real party of public services. jeering. there will be cash for the nhs to recoverfrom the pandemic, money to fund a wage increase for public sector staff, though no details yet, and money for transport projects, including a cut in tax for flights around the uk. controversialjust a few days before the climate summit in glasgow begins. this budget is a chance for the treasury to set out its vision of the economy after the pandemic and the chancellor wants us all to know that he is still prepared to spend money on big political priorities. but the devil will be in the detail because not everyone will get everything they want. rishi sunak, remember, is a fiscal conservative who wants to persuade his party that he can keep spending and borrowing under control. but many in the alcohol sector will be cheering this afternoon. sparkling wine rates have been cut then there is tax relief for the points in a pub. they reckon that will save 3p on a pint of beer and up will save 3p on a pint of beer and up to 13p for a fruity cider. the way alcohol is taxed i5 up to 13p for a fruity cider. the way alcohol is taxed is also changing. it will soon be based on alcohol content, meaning savings in alcohol content, meaning savings in a number of drinks like wine. after the announcement on tax ended, the chancellor announced help for in were claimants of universal credit, reducing the amount they lose for every extra penny they earn. i have decided to cut _ every extra penny they earn. i have decided to cut this _ every extra penny they earn. i have decided to cut this rate, _ every extra penny they earn. i have decided to cut this rate, not - every extra penny they earn. i have decided to cut this rate, not by i every extra penny they earn. i have decided to cut this rate, not by 1%, | decided to cut this rate, not by 1%, not by a 2%, but by 8%.— not by a 2%, but by 8%. charities sa that not by a 2%, but by 8%. charities say that won't — not by a 2%, but by 8%. charities say that won't compensate - not by a 2%, but by 8%. charities say that won't compensate for i not by a 2%, but by 8%. charities| say that won't compensate for the end of the £20 a week uplift and with prices of things like gas going up with prices of things like gas going up opposition parties continue to warn of a cost of living crisis. the shadow chancellor had to step in at the last minute today after labour's leader tested positive for covid. family struggling with a cost of living _ family struggling with a cost of living crisis, businesses hit by a supply— living crisis, businesses hit by a supply chain crisis. those who rely on our— supply chain crisis. those who rely on our schools and hospitals and our policem _ on our schools and hospitals and our police... they— on our schools and hospitals and our police... they won't recognise the world _ police... they won't recognise the world that — police... they won't recognise the world that the chancellor is describing. they will think that he is living _ describing. they will think that he is living in— describing. they will think that he is living in a— describing. they will think that he is living in a parallel universe. the _ is living in a parallel universe. the only— is living in a parallel universe. the only way to be a prudent and responsible chancellor is to be a green _ responsible chancellor is to be a green chancellor. to invest in the transition — green chancellor. to invest in the transition to a zero carbon economy and gives— transition to a zero carbon economy and gives british businesses a head start in— and gives british businesses a head start in the — and gives british businesses a head start in the industries of the future _ start in the industries of the future. but with no mention of climate — future. but with no mention of climate in _ future. but with no mention of climate in his conference speech and the most _ climate in his conference speech and the most passing of references today, — the most passing of references today, we are burdened with a chancellor unwilling to meet the scale _ chancellor unwilling to meet the scale of — chancellor unwilling to meet the scale of the challenges we face. instead — scale of the challenges we face. instead of doing whatever heat it takes, the chancellor has done as little as possible. and the tories' half—hearted rhetoric about fairness has predictably only produced half measures when it comes to soaring household bills and the crippling cost of inflation. there will be a lot to pick over in the next few hours and days. details will really matter, as the government sets the economic course for the next few years. nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. nick eardley there. let's speak to the former conservative party chancellor, lord clarke. thank you very much for being with us. good to speak to you. what did you make of the budget? l us. good to speak to you. what did you make of the budget? i like us. good to speak to you. what did you make of the budget?— us. good to speak to you. what did you make of the budget? i like it, i thou~ht it you make of the budget? i like it, i thought it was _ you make of the budget? i like it, i thought it was very _ you make of the budget? i like it, i thought it was very sound. - you make of the budget? i like it, i thought it was very sound. the - you make of the budget? i like it, i | thought it was very sound. the main thing is he was fiscally responsible, and he was fiscally responsible. i mean, he sold it very well, it was a brilliant budget speech, it is a very good presentation, and it is not a giveaway budget at all, he has made the most of the spending increase he has got, he is announcing the infrastructure spending, which will take many years to spend and a lot of it is spread over the next three years as departmental spending, but he is keeping the level of debt under control and hopes to reduce the number of annual deficit if, and this is the big if behind all this, if the economy can maintain its recovery, but there is plenty of uncertainty about that, a bit of a gamble in that because the economy at the moment is in a pretty sad state and faces a lot of dangers over the next year or so. so it was a good budget, responsible budget and i hope it comes off because it really depends on inflation costs, growth over the next year or two. and as you say, imponderables in a sense that you are not under his control, but has he given himself do you think enough wiggle room to deal with those problems, if, let's say, the economy... because it is growing at the moment very healthily, but thatis at the moment very healthily, but that is set against a very, very deep recession during the covid year and in a sense our economy performed very badly therefore any bounce back is going to look good. it is very badly therefore any bounce back is going to look good.— is going to look good. it is 'ust a raid is going to look good. it is 'ust a rapid reovery fl is going to look good. it is 'ust a rapid recovery from i is going to look good. it is 'ust a rapid recovery from a h is going to look good. it isjust a rapid recovery from a dreadful. rapid recovery from a dreadful collapse of the economy, yes, and we still are not back to where we were before covid hit us and the damage that brexit and covid between them have done to our economy is scarring, as everybody now calls it, is quite substantial and we face between major is now of inflation, which isn't going to vanish by christmas, it is going to go through next year, and i hope it keeps down to 4%. next year, and i hope it keeps down to li%. he reminded the bank they will have to do something about it, which means raising interest rates, amongst other things, if it starts getting stuck into high inflation, which would cause problems. and of course we have all the other global supply difficulties and the damage that our trade has suffered... we have got to rebuild a healthy economy. the important bits, the emphasis he raised on research and development, the skills training, support for investment in tomorrow's industries and all those things, which, you know, they don't get the cheers, but that actually was key to the budget that is very, very important that that succeeds. you mentioned research and development. it sounded as if it surprised the chancellor and it will certainly surprise a lot of people that some of the subsidy the taxpayer offers businesses to invest in research and development has until now been going to research and development that happens overseas. that's something the government should have spotted sooner? . the government should have spotted sooner? ., , ., , , , sooner? , we do... obviously, it is british companies _ sooner? , we do... obviously, it is british companies engaging - sooner? , we do... obviously, it is british companies engaging in - sooner? , we do... obviously, it is british companies engaging in the | british companies engaging in the research being done overseas, so it is not obvious you should stop it. it was... a similarly big cuts he announced in helping our beleaguered shipping industry, you have got to fly the red end, somehow, it is all a touch of nationalism, really. but no, it didn't surprise me, but i don't object to the steps he has taken. that was just a bit of brexiteer flag waving, really. literally! it brexiteer flag waving, really. literall ! ., , ., ., literally! it goes with a royal acht, literally! it goes with a royal yacht. ves- _ literally! it goes with a royal yacht, yes. let _ literally! it goes with a royal yacht, yes. let me _ literally! it goes with a royal yacht, yes. let me ask - literally! it goes with a royal yacht, yes. let me ask you l literally! it goes with a royal - yacht, yes. let me ask you about some of the _ yacht, yes. let me ask you about some of the changes _ yacht, yes. let me ask you about some of the changes that - yacht, yes. let me ask you about some of the changes that will. yacht, yes. let me ask you about i some of the changes that will affect people day—to—day. you talked a lot about cost saving and he mentioned the predictable impact of inflation. just help us on this, first. this extra reduction, rather, in the effect of the impact of the taper on universal credit. it helps those in work. it doesn't do anything for those who are not in work. does that still trouble you? i those who are not in work. does that still trouble you?— still trouble you? i approved of that, i still trouble you? i approved of that. l was _ still trouble you? i approved of that, i was delighted _ still trouble you? i approved of that, i was delighted he - still trouble you? i approved of that, i was delighted he was i still trouble you? i approved of. that, i was delighted he was able still trouble you? i approved of- that, i was delighted he was able to do that. the biggest fault in universal credit ever since it started is this amazing tax rate that the low paid people pay. every extra £1 they get over 60% come straight off their benefit. that is no incentive to work, that is no incentive to get on at all. it is just very expensive to cut. and i would have made the same choice as him. the £20, unaffordable, the government hasn't got the money to keep that going. and i was absolutely delighted to hear progress in reducing the taper. you still lose 55p every time you earn an extra £1 and helping the low—paid is particularly important at the moment because they are the people suffering the most from the present economic difficulties. yes. suffering the most from the present economic difficulties.— economic difficulties. yes, if hi . her economic difficulties. yes, if higher taxpayers _ economic difficulties. yes, if higher taxpayers or - economic difficulties. yes, if i higher taxpayers or businesses economic difficulties. yes, if - higher taxpayers or businesses were getting it to that degree, there would be a major political row, wouldn't as well, there would, quite rightly. wouldn't as well, there would, quite rirhtl. y wouldn't as well, there would, quite rirhtl. , , , rightly. absolutely. it is events and the state _ rightly. absolutely. it is events and the state of _ rightly. absolutely. it is events and the state of the _ rightly. absolutely. it is events and the state of the economy l rightly. absolutely. it is events i and the state of the economy that has hit the load page. the prosperous retired have, if anything, rather benefited from covid. it has been very perverse, the effect of these economic crises over the last few years. as i say, the best things in the whole speech were when he sort of really concentrated on tomorrow's economy and i would have liked to hear more about skills training. it is all very vague. they are doing things on skills training, but of course you get more pores if you go on about spending money on schools, which you can always do every year. further education colleges and sixth form colleges and those offering apprenticeships and giving skills to our young people, who will lead to acquire skills if they entered the labour market without having quite a good... if they haven't been able to benefit a lot for them going to university and getting a decent good degree, which not everyone can do, and that we haven't got any more details added today and i personally will be looking at that very closely. that is why i liked the speech. the flurry, the presentation... i try to do a bit of that myself. i pull out taxes even more than he has recently! he has got all the tax raising behind him, he announced all that before, and today was meant to be the good news. even amongst it, i am glad to say, that was fiscal responsibility, some sense of what really matters, the medium term, are we going to have a healthy economy in two years' time or are we going to have a financial crisis? and all the things he was doing on research and development and skills, those are the things i liked best. ~ and skills, those are the things i liked best-— and skills, those are the things i liked best. . , ., , , , ., liked best. were you surprised that ou chose liked best. were you surprised that you chose to _ liked best. were you surprised that you chose to tackle _ liked best. were you surprised that you chose to tackle the _ liked best. were you surprised that you chose to tackle the question i liked best. were you surprised that you chose to tackle the question ofj you chose to tackle the question of alcohol duty? because there is a risk with things like that, isn't there? when one thinks of the pasty tax 11 years ago. i there? when one thinks of the pasty tax 11 years age-— tax 11 years ago. i think you put that was a _ tax 11 years ago. i think you put that was a great _ tax 11 years ago. i think you put that was a great flourish - tax 11 years ago. i think you put that was a great flourish at - tax 11 years ago. i think you put that was a great flourish at the | that was a great flourish at the end, which it was, to a certain extent. tidying up the rather strange system of alcohol due duties is very wise. i think if everybody interprets cheap drinks, expecting to 3p off the next pint of beer they get, i am to 3p off the next pint of beer they get, iam not to 3p off the next pint of beer they get, i am not sure there is that it is going to happen because the reason he has done it is a very hard hit sector of our economy, costs are piling up very madly for them. i am not sure it will help the industry, but it will probably help offset some of the higher costs they will face because the amount we are now having to pay lorry drivers in order to get the lorries to deliver the beerin to get the lorries to deliver the beer in the first place.- to get the lorries to deliver the beer in the first place. what glass will ou beer in the first place. what glass will you be _ beer in the first place. what glass will you be racing _ beer in the first place. what glass will you be racing to _ beer in the first place. what glass will you be racing to mark- beer in the first place. what glass will you be racing to mark this i will you be racing to mark this occasion tonight? i’m will you be racing to mark this occasion tonight?— will you be racing to mark this occasion tonight? i'm not sure i shau occasion tonight? i'm not sure i shall be doing _ occasion tonight? i'm not sure i shall be doing this _ occasion tonight? i'm not sure i shall be doing this evening, - occasion tonight? i'm not sure i shall be doing this evening, it l shall be doing this evening, it depends where i am. but... i will, yes, if i think about the budget, i think well done to rishi sunak in impossible circumstances. the test will be in two or three years' time because that is what he really needs to aim at, not the headlines in the daily mail and the daily telegraph and all these people who he has been briefing, but what he really needs to think about is two or three years' time and needing to healthy growth, low inflation, and whether the economy is going to be a healthy economy that will last because britain is getting stronger, in all probability is a girl, in all of tomorrow's technologies and all the rest of it. , , ., rest of it. yes, it is not the budret rest of it. yes, it is not the budget of— rest of it. yes, it is not the budget of today, _ rest of it. yes, it is not the budget of today, it - rest of it. yes, it is not the budget of today, it is - two months after this, ifind people can't remember what was in your budget! max thank you so much for being with us on bbc news. —— lord clarke, thank you. let's bring you the coronavirus figures. there were 41,083 new cases reported and the number of deaths reported, that is people dying in the last 28 days in a positive test, as of wednesday, was 207. one of the big announcements today was on universal credit. the government has been under pressure on this issue since it ended the £20 boost to the benefit earlier this month. today the chancellor announced a cut to the taper rate. that's the rate at which univesal credit is reduced once a claimant starts to earn above a certain amount. currently it's 63p, which means that if you earn an extra £1 you lose 63p in benefit. that's to be cut to 55p in every £1, allowing people to keep more of their money as they start to earn more. but campaigners and charities say the amount doesn't address wider issues of cost of living or help those who are on benefits and out of work. joining me now is morgan wild. she works for the citizens advice bureau, with a focus on policy. i should imagine, ishould imagine, morgan i should imagine, morgan wild, ishould imagine, morgan wild, that this is one of the big areas of concern, that people who contact citizens advice bureau have at the moment. first can you talk us through a bit about what the impact has been, is there as you have been able to judge it so far, of the loss of that extra £20 people had been receiving as a result of covid? it has been a huge worry for our advisers on the front line. we have already been seen massive increases in the number of people coming to us for debt advice over the past couple of months. that is before the cut took effect. as the cut takes effect this month and more and more people receiving universal credit payments without that £20 a week in, we are really expecting a lot of households to face a lot of hardship. changes to face a lot of hardship. changes to the taper rate will help some people who are already in work, but as you say, the people who are out of work because of the pandemic, for people who are out of work because of disability or childcare reasons, it will still be a very tough autumn and winter ahead for those families. yes, and in terms of that can we talk just yes, and in terms of that can we talkjust a bit yes, and in terms of that can we talk just a bit about what the effect of what this caper change will be? i understood from talking to somebody a bit earlier that this is something people don't have to do anything about, it will automatically appear in the universal credit. we are told it will come into effect by the 1st of december at the latest? that will come into effect by the 1st of december at the latest?- december at the latest? that is ri . ht, the december at the latest? that is right, the people _ december at the latest? that is right, the people who _ december at the latest? that is right, the people who benefit i december at the latest? that is i right, the people who benefit from this, it is going to be of real value, so it is an 8% effective cut to their tax rate, so they will keep 8p in the pound more than they were previously. there has also been an increase to the work allowance, so for people who are eligible for that, they will see £500 more each year, which doesn't have the taper rate applied to it, so effectively they will keep 100% of that universal credit payments. so that is massively beneficial, but it won't make up for the £20 cut to universal credit for people who are out of work and for most people in work. we estimate it would need to be earning around 13,000 £14,000 per yearin be earning around 13,000 £14,000 per year in orderfor the be earning around 13,000 £14,000 per year in order for the change to the work allowance to up for the cuts to universal credit. in work allowance to up for the cuts to universal credit.— universal credit. in terms of... we don't presumably _ universal credit. in terms of. .. we don't presumably know— universal credit. in terms of... we don't presumably know much - universal credit. in terms of... we | don't presumably know much about benefit changes at rates for other benefits like pensions and stuff, which will come in next april and perhaps we should park those for now, but in terms of the cost of living increases people are likely to face, we are now talking about 4% inflation predicted at some point next year. we know that fuel prices are already going up, despite the cap in october will go up in april, when the cat is next looked at. these are extra pressures people are facing, on top of the fact we know basic goods are costing more because raw materials are costing more, transport is costing more and there are delays in the supply chain. what additional help is available for people, beyond the direct help of benefits? are there other things people should be looking at to access that might help them, perhaps to a small amount, but all these little amounts can add up? i’m little amounts can add up? i'm really along — little amounts can add up? i'm really along the _ little amounts can add up? in really along the line that millions of families are facing tough autumn and winter as a consequence of the cuts to universal credit, but there are ways in which people can take action and seek advice to increase their income. the government has just announced a £500 million support fund for households who are struggling to make ends meet, which will be administered through local councils. we would always advise people to come to citizens advice and see if there's anything we can do to help them find the sources of income that they may not have realised they were entitled to as well. , ., ., , ,., well. yes, there are grants some thins. well. yes, there are grants some things- loans _ well. yes, there are grants some things. loans have _ well. yes, there are grants some things. loans have always - well. yes, there are grants some things. loans have always been i things. loans have always been controversial and we are talking about people already on very limited incomes or potentially no income at all, depended on benefits, and also obviously be last thing you want people to do is start looking for commercial loans and the potential for exploitation there. but obviously you talked about that kind of advice, there is quite a lot of information out there now, and is it still the case of a significant proportion of pensioners stood and claim the help that is out there for them? , , ., , . ., claim the help that is out there for them? , , ., , .. ., them? yes, it is a significant rate of benefit under _ them? yes, it is a significant rate of benefit under claiming, - them? yes, it is a significant rate l of benefit under claiming, including on things like pension credits, which are available for low income pensioners. so it is always worth checking to see what support may be eligible for for coming to citizens advice bureau or checking our advice pages, just to see if there are sources of support that are there that you are not aware you are eligible for. that you are not aware you are eligible for-— eligible for. that is extremely hel ful eligible for. that is extremely helpful information _ eligible for. that is extremely helpful information there. i eligible for. that is extremely i helpful information there. thank eligible for. that is extremely - helpful information there. thank you very much for that. that advice from citizens advice bureau and just to remind people be citizens advice bureau is of course accessible. there is a website as well, can you remind us of the address? yes. there is a website as well, can you remind us of the address?- remind us of the address? yes, so ou can remind us of the address? yes, so you can access _ remind us of the address? yes, so you can access our— remind us of the address? yes, so you can access our website - remind us of the address? yes, so you can access our website at - you can access our website at citizensadvice.org.uk and all the citizensadvice. org.uk and all the advice citizensadvice.org.uk and all the advice is available there. citizensadvice.org. uk and all the advice is available there.- advice is available there. thank ou. let me take you to some breaking news, this is the reaction from the institute for fiscal studies, the independent number crunches that look at what the government has done. they are going to set up an office of budget response ability, which is actually run by a former boss of the iss and it gives you an idea of how many people look to the iss to give us a non—partial judgment on the budget and they do some very fast number crunching indeed, although they have had the advantage this year because quite a lot of the budget has been preannounced, much to the annoyance of many mps and the speaker and deputy speak of the house of commons, as we saw as rishi sunak was speaking this lunchtime and eleanor laing, the deputy speak, give him a real wrap over the knuckles over how much of the budget was preannounced. but the director of the school studies institute, pauljohnson, says the gun which is now planning to spend more on product services and have a more generous place on euros credit that it had pre—pandemic. increases on... paid work... an increase in the national minimum wage. this means the spending review is much more similar to gordon brown's than to george osborne's, the first conservative chancellor of this government. the chancellor confirmed big increases in tax rises, and the government has set the biggest tax measures since 1993, when a certain ken clarke was chancellor. so although rishi sunak�*s aspiration is to be a tax cutter, according to the ifs, he is a tax—raising chancellor, at least this year. it now looks like a large part of those tax rises each to be spent rather than being entirely used, to reduce borrowing, as originally announced. so the government has shifted its ground, according to the ifs. will have more from them a little later on bbc news. as we've been discussing, the chancellor has announced a shake—up of alcohol duty — which will see cheaper sparkling wine and draught beer. let's speak to miles beale, chief executive of the wine and spirit trade association. thank you very much. where you are expecting changes to alcohol duty of this kind in his budget? meiji. this kind in his budget? well, thanks very — this kind in his budget? well, thanks very much. _ this kind in his budget? well, thanks very much. first - this kind in his budget? well, thanks very much. first of- this kind in his budget? well, | thanks very much. first of all, this kind in his budget? well, i thanks very much. first of all, we were hoping the chancellor would listen to us, which indeed he has, so a3 is to all duties is excellent in the current climate. it helps people who were really worried about the cost of living increases and particularly concern for recovery of the hospitality sector, so that is great and we have long campaigned for an abolition of the sparkling wine supertax, so we are delighted about that and that spreads for all sparkling wines. what we were not necessarily expecting today was an announcement about what the future regime will look like. there has been an ongoing review for 18 months and she sort of a game of two halves, so we think the government's proposals meet the test of looking simpler, but we are not sure they qualify for being fairer and the reason i say that really is we broadly agree with the government that they should be taxing the amount of alcohol and products. unfortunately, we think the proposals look a bit timid. the new proposals look a bit timid. the new proposals mean that those consuming maccabi tax on beer would be between 8—19p per unit of alcohol, whereas for wine it goes up to 26p per unit and it stays at an amazing 29p for spirits. so we think... there is a consultation to go until the end of january, but actually they have embedded the unfairness, they are a man's favourite drink of the wine and wine women's favourite drink, but they have a chance to put that right. i but they have a chance to put that rirht. , ., ., , ,., right. i 'ust want to pick up a coule right. i just want to pick up a couole of _ right. i just want to pick up a couple of things. _ right. i just want to pick up a couple of things. forgive - right. i just want to pick up a couple of things. forgive my| couple of things. forgive my ignorance, but it may be a stupid question, but i am here to ask stupid questions, this isn't going to be of particular concern in terms of export trade, at least, the duty question doesn't apply? filo. of export trade, at least, the duty question doesn't apply? no, indeed, not. du question doesn't apply? no, indeed, not- duty is — question doesn't apply? no, indeed, not- duty is for _ question doesn't apply? no, indeed, not. duty is for sale _ question doesn't apply? no, indeed, not. duty is for sale here _ question doesn't apply? no, indeed, not. duty is for sale here in - question doesn't apply? no, indeed, not. duty is for sale here in the - not. duty is for sale here in the uk, not for abroad.— not. duty is for sale here in the uk, not for abroad. thank you very much. i uk, not for abroad. thank you very much- liust _ uk, not for abroad. thank you very much. ijust wonder, _ uk, not for abroad. thank you very much. i just wonder, we _ uk, not for abroad. thank you very much. ijust wonder, we were - uk, not for abroad. thank you very l much. ijust wonder, we were talking in the office when the chancellor said this, a?, is there a dangerfor the chancellor this could be a bit like the pasty tax? you don't realise until you bury into the detail that somebody is going to suffer as a result of this and they are going to make more noise and more fuss about it then arguably the people who gain? to more fuss about it then arguably the people who gain?— people who gain? to be clear, this is not, i think, _ people who gain? to be clear, this is not, i think, like _ people who gain? to be clear, this is not, i think, like the _ people who gain? to be clear, this is not, i think, like the pasty - people who gain? to be clear, this is not, i think, like the pasty tax . is not, i think, like the pasty tax because in general the principle behind it is broadly right. we should be taxing alcohol, not different products. one is being much more harshly treated under taxation for the last decade or more and we think that should end and actually broadly that is happening, but the specifics of the proposal may not beer continues to have a much more favourable rate than either wine or spirits. we think thatis either wine or spirits. we think that is wrong. it is easy to put right these proposals after being consulted until the end ofjanuary, but there is a 30% gap between what you but there is a 30% gap between what y°u pay but there is a 30% gap between what you pay on a unit of alcohol in wine compared with a unit of alcohol in beer and that can't be right. it is really not what the proposal is seeking to do. we hope there is time for them to sort it out. we are certainly going to contribute to make sure they do. i’m certainly going to contribute to make sure they do.— certainly going to contribute to make sure they do. i'm sure some research will _ make sure they do. i'm sure some research will one _ make sure they do. i'm sure some research will one day _ make sure they do. i'm sure some research will one day tell - make sure they do. i'm sure some research will one day tell us - make sure they do. i'm sure some research will one day tell us that l research will one day tell us that wine drinkers are more likely to vote than beer drinkers and which way they vote, but we will leave that question for now moot. can i ask you finally, you mentioned the welcome relief for hospitality. we heard only yesterday on this programme katie prescott, my colleague, talking to a hotelier in bristol who were saying, we have just discovered costs are going to go just discovered costs are going to 9° up just discovered costs are going to go up significantly because of the importation costs, all the problems we talked about in the supply chain. it is there any these benefits from the duty will be more than cancelled out by the extra costs that are coming down the track?- out by the extra costs that are coming down the track? yes. there certainly is- — coming down the track? yes. there certainly is. just _ coming down the track? yes. there certainly is. just to _ coming down the track? yes. there certainly is. just to be _ coming down the track? yes. there certainly is. just to be clear, - coming down the track? yes. there certainly is. just to be clear, if- certainly is. just to be clear, if the chancellor had not done a very sensible and good thing and chosen not to pass on a duty increase, that duty increase would have wiped out any benefits from, for example, the australia or new zealand trade deals, which would see 7—10p, off a bottle. that is in a context where the supply chain is struggling with the supply chain is struggling with the costs of moving goods increasing rapidly. there are also some supply issues for some of the products that we represent, so costs are definitely going up and this would have been a self—inflicted cost increase as well, so this is good news, but it is good news in relative terms. what we want is for our products to be affordable. we think the chancellor has done something very sensible in setting out that he would like to tax alcohol in a different way in future that should certainly be simpler, but we would actually like to see him support this industry. we are the second biggest importer of wine in the entire world and the largest exporter of spirits. at lower tax on our industry generally would allow us to be a proper success story over the next decades, so that's why we want government to support less taxation. i want government to support less taxation. , , , ., , taxation. i guess you will be raising a _ taxation. i guess you will be raising a glass _ taxation. i guess you will be raising a glass of _ taxation. i guess you will be raising a glass of wine - taxation. i guess you will be i raising a glass of wine tonight, miles beale. miles beale, the chief executive of wine & spirit trade association there. thank you very much for let's get some reaction from outside london and let's go to northumberland. our correspondent, fiona trott, joins me from morpeth. hello again, fiona. hello to you, es. in hello again, fiona. hello to you, yes- in this _ hello again, fiona. hello to you, yes- in this part _ hello again, fiona. hello to you, yes. in this part of— hello again, fiona. hello to you, yes. in this part of the _ hello again, fiona. hello to you, yes. in this part of the world - hello again, fiona. hello to you, | yes. in this part of the world that are high unemployment rates, high child poverty rates. so the cut in the pop—macro better wages for people in this part of the world with the public sector pay freeze being lifted and also change to the taper and universal credit. let's speak to the man who runs this bar. any change in cost, especially as we were told _ any change in cost, especially as we were told a — any change in cost, especially as we were told a week ago, particularly the national minimum wage, is a big part of— the national minimum wage, is a big part of our— the national minimum wage, is a big part of our cost. not a good thing for us _ part of our cost. not a good thing for us as— part of our cost. not a good thing for us as a — part of our cost. not a good thing for us as a business, but understandable for people. to make life more bearable _ understandable for people. to make life more bearable for— understandable for people. to make life more bearable for people, - understandable for people. to make life more bearable for people, we i life more bearable for people, we are hearing this threepence cut in the price of a pint of beer, what does that mean for you?- the price of a pint of beer, what does that mean for you? there is rreat does that mean for you? there is great there _ does that mean for you? there is great there is _ does that mean for you? there is great there is reform _ does that mean for you? there is great there is reform in - does that mean for you? there is great there is reform in the - does that mean for you? there is great there is reform in the duty| great there is reform in the duty prices, — great there is reform in the duty prices, a — great there is reform in the duty prices, a threepence cut in the price _ prices, a threepence cut in the price of— prices, a threepence cut in the price of a — prices, a threepence cut in the price of a pint is always good news for everyone. but high spirits alcohol— for everyone. but high spirits alcohol will affect us but we are hoping — alcohol will affect us but we are hoping that balances out. what about what we have — hoping that balances out. what about what we have heard _ hoping that balances out. what about what we have heard from _ hoping that balances out. what about what we have heard from the - what we have heard from the chancellor, pushing this optimistic message, post covid recovery, places like you, cinemas, restaurants, any eligible businesses can claim a discount on their bills of up to 50%? discount on their bills of up to 5096? ., , ., ., , 5096? that is going to be positive for new businesses, _ 5096? that is going to be positive for new businesses, the - 5096? that is going to be positive for new businesses, the high - 5096? that is going to be positive l for new businesses, the high street has been _ for new businesses, the high street has been impacted quite a bit from covid _ has been impacted quite a bit from covid any— has been impacted quite a bit from covid. any reduction in rates will definitely— covid. any reduction in rates will definitely be welcomed.- covid. any reduction in rates will definitely be welcomed. thank you ve much definitely be welcomed. thank you very much for— definitely be welcomed. thank you very much forjoining _ definitely be welcomed. thank you very much forjoining us _ definitely be welcomed. thank you very much forjoining us on - definitely be welcomed. thank you very much forjoining us on the i definitely be welcomed. thank you | very much forjoining us on the high street in northumberland. back very much forjoining us on the high street in northumberland.— street in northumberland. back to ou. fiona street in northumberland. back to you. fiona trott, _ street in northumberland. back to you. fiona trott, thank _ street in northumberland. back to you. fiona trott, thank you - street in northumberland. back to you. fiona trott, thank you very . you. fiona trott, thank you very much. the chancellor has also announced a further £2 billion funding for schools "to support education recovery," with an extra £4.7 billion promised by 2024—25. our education editor, branwenjeffreys, is at a primary school in leicester. the chancellor was very much trumpeting the fact it would mean finally a real terms increase on the money that was spent back in 2010, after the big financial crash. it has been a long journey to that stage, what else is in this for schools and others in education to celebrate or worry about? the chancellor _ celebrate or worry about? tue: chancellor promising that by 2025, once you take... t chancellor promising that by 2025, once you take. . ._ once you take... i am sorry about that, once you take... i am sorry about that. we're _ once you take... i am sorry about that, we're going _ once you take... i am sorry about that, we're going to _ once you take... i am sorry about that, we're going to come - once you take... i am sorry about that, we're going to come back i once you take... i am sorry about| that, we're going to come back to, we having some technical problems. michelle ovens is the founder of small business britain — shejoins me now. i'm keeping my fingers crossed. it looks very calm, settled and relaxed where you are. what do you make of the impact on some of these changes. more businesses? the the impact on some of these changes. more businesses?— more businesses? the chancellor was ve ubeat more businesses? the chancellor was very upbeat today _ more businesses? the chancellor was very upbeat today and _ more businesses? the chancellor was very upbeat today and i _ more businesses? the chancellor was very upbeat today and i think- more businesses? the chancellor was very upbeat today and i think we - more businesses? the chancellor was very upbeat today and i think we all. very upbeat today and i think we all want to hear the good news. but we know from our research with american express, the public are spending more than ever before with small businesses. but it is not making up for these rising costs in the supply chain, which we have heard a lot about. you have got to dig around a lot in the budget to find things that are going to help small businesses. one piece of good news is the rate cut for retail, hospitality and leisure. a lot of people have been calling for a drop in rates in the run—up to the project. i think that is going to be a big crowd pleaser. the sectors were massively hit during the pandemic. it will give the sector time to get back up its feet. other than that you have to dig around a little bit to find small business good news in the budget. rnd relief, to include cloud and data. there is some opportunity, some of it needs to be translated for small businesses a little bit. £30 billion green fund, which is exciting in the run—up to cop26. but how do they access this funding? the devil will be in the detail over the course of the winter. in more immediate funding, there is increased spending for local councils, i think it was 4.8 billion. over the pandemic, a lot of small business support has come via local councils. a lot of hope is it will go into local communities, regenerating high streets but it is hard to see the detail on that. one of the biggest headlines for small businesses is the rate cut, the hospitality and leisure. not for other businesses, which is a bit of a shame. aside from that, i think more detail is going to be needed. t from that, i think more detail is going to be needed.— from that, i think more detail is going to be needed. i 'ust wanted to ask ou going to be needed. i 'ust wanted to ask you about h going to be needed. ijust wanted to ask you about business _ going to be needed. ijust wanted to ask you about business rates, - going to be needed. ijust wanted to ask you about business rates, he i ask you about business rates, he said some businesses will benefit and that is good news for them, but the more fundamental change businesses have argued for, and i have heard this a lot from small businesses, is reform of business rates. they grumble about the fact that if you have got a chain of businesses, and they happen to occupy smaller shops, they often get some of the benefits. they are designed for small business, because it is about you measure the size of the premises, is there a more fundamental change to business rates that would help people at your end of the economy?— of the economy? there are some reforms, of the economy? there are some reforms. there — of the economy? there are some reforms, there has _ of the economy? there are some reforms, there has been - of the economy? there are some reforms, there has been a - of the economy? there are some j reforms, there has been a review of the economy? there are some i reforms, there has been a review of business rates. i think there is probably an argument they need to go further and that discussion always a lot in the coming weeks because labour is pushing hard on this one. there are things like relief, for example if you did things that were more sustainable for your business, maybe if you put up solar panels, changes like that are being made. there is a more regular review of business rates. because obviously it is supposed to reflect the changing landscape of the local environment. so that is good news. small businesses wanted to hear more along the lines of code. businesses want to see an equitable solution between physical digital businesses. that is not to say tax all online sales at all, but a more equitable solution. it is the old argument about buying online as opposed to buying in person, it makes a big difference to businesses, particularly those businesses, particularly those businesses that have premises. michelle, thank you so much. good to speak to you. i'm joined byjohn macdonald, director of strategy at the adam smith institute. the chancellor said his aspirations is to cut taxes, free up the economy. judged on his words, how does his deeds match? rishi economy. judged on his words, how does his deeds match?— economy. judged on his words, how does his deeds match? rishi sunak is an effective communicator— does his deeds match? rishi sunak is an effective communicator and - an effective communicator and inspires confidence. he set out some useful cuts and tweaks that could help with the cost of living. the universal taper rate, great. help with the cost of living. the universaltaper rate, great. but help with the cost of living. the universal taper rate, great. but it doesn't make for a good budget. they can't not distract from the fact the conservatives are baking in a less dynamic and more heavily taxed economy, which is having to be buoyed up by the huge spending spree and. i can hardly keep track of everything that has been announced. as the chancellor said, taxes are at the highest they have been in 70 years. it the highest they have been in 70 ears. , , , ~' the highest they have been in 70 ears. , , , ~ :, the highest they have been in 70 ears. , , , ~ ., ., years. it is very striking to hear that the chancellor _ years. it is very striking to hear that the chancellor has - years. it is very striking to hear that the chancellor has these i that the chancellor has these aspirations, we haven't had a chancellor who has balanced the books since gordon brown, of all people, who people think of as an enthusiastic spender? t people, who people think of as an enthusiastic spender?— people, who people think of as an enthusiastic spender? i think we are seeinr enthusiastic spender? i think we are seeing £150 — enthusiastic spender? i think we are seeing £150 billion _ enthusiastic spender? i think we are seeing £150 billion of— enthusiastic spender? i think we are seeing £150 billion of departments l seeing £150 billion of departments spending, it is 40% of the national income and it looks like boris johnson wants to carry on spending like a drunken sailor. the crux of theissue like a drunken sailor. the crux of the issue is, this will probably result in a sub—2% growth rate or a growth rate that is lower than it should be. growth rate that is lower than it should be— growth rate that is lower than it should be. , ., ., , ., should be. just on that question, ou should be. just on that question, you talked _ should be. just on that question, you talked about _ should be. just on that question, you talked about the _ should be. just on that question, you talked about the importance | should be. just on that question, l you talked about the importance of the way that your chancellor communicates and he is a very effective political communicator. he comes across as somebody who seems across his brief, knows what the impact measures are, but the impact is, it has been looked at in a cold—hearted way, will the markets react positively to this? this is a government, maybe they don't see the prime minister is a drunken sailor, but they might share the view of the government is spending optimistically, even ken clarke said it is optimistic with the assumption is making? it is optimistic with the assumption is makinr? : , it is optimistic with the assumption is makinr ? : , ., ., is making? admittedly, the conor hazard and _ is making? admittedly, the conor hazard and a _ is making? admittedly, the conor hazard and a better _ is making? admittedly, the conor hazard and a better than - is making? admittedly, the conor hazard and a better than the - hazard and a better than the economic forecast through the pandemic. these encouraging signs don't call for everything of what has onlyjust been sowed. i think choose the glass negatives are now claiming to be the party are public services, which is how they are justifying spending all this money, but more accurately they are a party of spending. there is little ambition of reform and public services. what will be the acid test of the coming few years, which is the spending review period the government has announced? there are a few things the government could do. we are in favour of abolishing national insurance tax, increasing the personal allowance. but it will be whether or not we can actually get to the high wage, high growth society the conservatives keep on banging on about. i don't think with this tax and expenditure, we will get there. this tax and expenditure, we will ret there. , :, this tax and expenditure, we will ret there. , ., ~.,. ., ., this tax and expenditure, we will retthere. , ., ., ., , ., ,, get there. john macdonald, perhaps i s-eak to get there. john macdonald, perhaps i speak to you- — get there. john macdonald, perhaps i speak to you. thank _ get there. john macdonald, perhaps i speak to you. thank you _ get there. john macdonald, perhaps i speak to you. thank you for - get there. john macdonald, perhaps i speak to you. thank you for your - speak to you. thank you for your assessment. back to branwen jeffreys who is at a school in leicester. we hope to hearfrom branwen jeffreys before five o'clock because we have quite a lot going on at the moment. let's talk to adam price, the leader of plaid cymru. thank you forjoining us. let me ask you, your assessment of what the chancellor had to say today?— had to say today? despite all the h -e and had to say today? despite all the hype and as _ had to say today? despite all the hype and as you _ had to say today? despite all the hype and as you said, _ had to say today? despite all the hype and as you said, this - hype and as you said, this chancellor is a master at political communication, but if you look at the substance, it didn't rise to the scale of the challenges we face. both the cost of living crisis, but also the climate, it is unfathomable that on the brink of cop26 two of the headline policies are to cut tax on short—haul flights and on sparkling wine. i am interested when i heard someone say this is a tax and spend budget. but he has named his colours to the mast, he is a champagne liberal because it is small state conservatism. he has spending in the short term but not in the areas we would have liked. look at the tiny amount of infrastructure investment we are getting in wales. because for the levelling up projects, it is crumbs. crumb is coming from westminster at a time when we have seen the capital budget of the welsh government in recent years slashed. the westminster government has cancelled more projects in wales in terms of infrastructure than they have ever announced. levelling up, it is smoke and mirrors, unfortunately. t5 it and mirrors, unfortunately. is it our and mirrors, unfortunately. is it your blunt— and mirrors, unfortunately. is it your blunt assessment than that because nationalism is further advanced as a political cause in scotland, that is, if you like, a big worry for the government of westminster, the nationalist aspirations of some in wales? tl aspirations of some in wales? tit certainly is true that greater support for the national parties in wales and scotland mean that we can drive a better deal while we are in the so—called united kingdom, we can drive a better dealfor the so—called united kingdom, we can drive a better deal for our citizens. but this is a government that claims it wants to be the government of a whole united kingdom. we heard the phrase quite a few times in the speech. he kingdom. we heard the phrase quite a few times in the speech.— few times in the speech. he did say s-ecificall few times in the speech. he did say specifically on _ few times in the speech. he did say specifically on that _ few times in the speech. he did say specifically on that that _ few times in the speech. he did say specifically on that that the - specifically on that that the nations of the uk who benefit from the barnett formula, will benefit by a greater proportion from the spending increases he has announced? i will give you an example that contradicts this clever bit of marketing in this speech. hs2, wales doesn't benefit at all. we don't even get the barnett consequential, the extra bit of money so that we can actually upgrade our own infrastructure. if we did, that would be £5 billion which would be transformative in its effect on wales' infrastructure and economic prospects. the government in westminster, they talk a good story, but they don't deliver the kind of policies that will make a difference to the people in wales. you policies that will make a difference to the people in wales.— to the people in wales. you could sa for to the people in wales. you could say for example. _ to the people in wales. you could say for example, electrification i to the people in wales. you could say for example, electrification of the line into wales was an indication of a commitment to infrastructure in wales? but indication of a commitment to infrastructure in wales? but that is a case in point. _ infrastructure in wales? but that is a case in point, they _ infrastructure in wales? but that is a case in point, they broke - infrastructure in wales? but that is a case in point, they broke their. a case in point, they broke their promise. they promised to electrify the whole of the line to swansea. then they said we're going to cancel that, we will stop at cardiff. they were going to support the tidal lagoon project, the fantastic potential wales could be at the front of the green industrial revolution but they have refused to back that project time after time. the lack of infrastructure investment that needs that investment that needs that investment more than the more affluent parts of the united kingdom that have self propelling economic growth. where is the action? there was no action from this conservative government again.— was no action from this conservative government again. adam price, thank ou ve government again. adam price, thank you very much- _ let's go to bristol where our correspondent andrew plant has been speaking to people about the impact of the pandemic on the economy. what are people making of this budget in terms of assessing its impactjust yet? t budget in terms of assessing its impact just yet?— impact 'ust yet? i think from talkinr impact just yet? i think from talking people _ impact just yet? i think from talking people here, - impact just yet? i think from talking people here, they i impactjust yet? i think from i talking people here, they bring up one topping and that is household bills and focusing specifically on three things. the cost of fuel, the cost of food and time and time again, the cost of heating. most people reckon their heating bills this year will be several hundred pounds more than this time last year. it is fair to say, i am not hearing an awful lot to suggest there is anything in that budget that will not mean that budget will be stretched across this winter and they will have to find the extra money. but some positives as well, the extra investment for regional transport programmes. in bristol but its £540 million, part of that going to make the journey between bristol and bath easier. only about ten miles per can take more than an hour in rush hour. and lots of other problems with the transport network. lots of people looking forward to see what can be done with that money. we have down from enterprise network and you represent the smallest businesses across the uk and you have been hearing some positive things in the budget? overall, we welcome it, ourfounder overall, we welcome it, our founder called _ overall, we welcome it, our founder called it— overall, we welcome it, our founder called it a _ overall, we welcome it, our founder called it a boost to budget. there is a lot— called it a boost to budget. there is a lot more that can be done on business — is a lot more that can be done on business rates, but the discount is welcome, — business rates, but the discount is welcome, lots on skills and rewarding innovation and there is quite _ rewarding innovation and there is quite a _ rewarding innovation and there is quite a lot— rewarding innovation and there is quite a lot on funding as well to reach _ quite a lot on funding as well to reach businesses outside of london in places— reach businesses outside of london in places like bristol.— in places like bristol. overall, we are positive- _ in places like bristol. overall, we are positive. you _ in places like bristol. overall, we are positive. you have _ in places like bristol. overall, we are positive. you have looked i are positive. you have looked through the finer detail, what have you picked out?— you picked out? some interesting stuff, the funding _ you picked out? some interesting stuff, the funding specifically i you picked out? some interesting | stuff, the funding specifically goes on regional funding. stuff, the funding specifically goes on regionalfunding. because stuff, the funding specifically goes on regional funding. because there is a lot— on regional funding. because there is a lot of— on regional funding. because there is a lot of funding focusing on businesses in london on the south—east so for places like bristol — south—east so for places like bristol and parts of the south—west, a brand-new— bristol and parts of the south—west, a brand—new £200 million funding scheme _ a brand—new £200 million funding scheme for businesses in this part of the _ scheme for businesses in this part of the world. but a £42 million scheme — of the world. but a £42 million scheme for filming and gaming companies which is big in bristol in the creative — companies which is big in bristol in the creative industries. some interesting schemes in the detail and we _ interesting schemes in the detail and we need to find out more in the next coming — and we need to find out more in the next coming days.— next coming days. what about the rise in minimum _ next coming days. what about the rise in minimum wage? _ next coming days. what about the rise in minimum wage? i - next coming days. what about the rise in minimum wage? i have i next coming days. what about the i rise in minimum wage? i have talked to some businesses and although they support that, it could cost them a lot of money, it is a couple of thousand pounds extra a year they have to find? you thousand pounds extra a year they have to find?— have to find? you will struggle to find a business _ have to find? you will struggle to find a business owner _ have to find? you will struggle to find a business owner that - have to find? you will struggle to | find a business owner that doesn't agree _ find a business owner that doesn't agree to _ find a business owner that doesn't agree to it— find a business owner that doesn't agree to it being increased, every business — agree to it being increased, every business owner wants to pay their workers _ business owner wants to pay their workers as— business owner wants to pay their workers as much as possible, given what _ workers as much as possible, given what has _ workers as much as possible, given what has happened over the last 18 months _ what has happened over the last 18 months if— what has happened over the last 18 months. if you have more than a couple _ months. if you have more than a couple of— months. if you have more than a couple of staff, it is a significant increase. — couple of staff, it is a significant increase, so we want to see what the government— increase, so we want to see what the government can do to boost the productivity and efficiency of businesses. the chancellor touched on hoping _ businesses. the chancellor touched on hoping to go digital but at the moment— on hoping to go digital but at the moment it is only for businesses over— moment it is only for businesses over five — moment it is only for businesses over five star. we are looking for the it _ over five star. we are looking for the it to — over five star. we are looking for the it to smaller businesses and how schemes— the it to smaller businesses and how schemes like that can generate more sales and _ schemes like that can generate more sales and their businesses can cover the cost _ sales and their businesses can cover the cost to— sales and their businesses can cover the cost to stuff like the increase in minimum wage.— the cost to stuff like the increase in minimum wage. fuel costs rising, that will hit — in minimum wage. fuel costs rising, that will hit not — in minimum wage. fuel costs rising, that will hit not just _ in minimum wage. fuel costs rising, that will hit notjust households, i that will hit notjust households, but small businesses as well but there wasn't a lot in the budget today? there wasn't a lot in the budget toda ? :, :, , there wasn't a lot in the budget toda? . ,, there wasn't a lot in the budget toda? ., ,, today? that was surprising, you would have _ today? that was surprising, you would have thought _ today? that was surprising, you would have thought that - today? that was surprising, you would have thought that would l today? that was surprising, you i would have thought that would have been a _ would have thought that would have been a headline issue, because it is a massive _ been a headline issue, because it is a massive issue for businesses. enterprise — a massive issue for businesses. enterprise nation will put pressure on the _ enterprise nation will put pressure on the government to look at ways at how they— on the government to look at ways at how they can reduce fuel costs for businesses. what was positive is that if— businesses. what was positive is that if businesses make green improvements to their properties, they don't— improvements to their properties, they don't have to pay business rates _ they don't have to pay business rates on — they don't have to pay business rates on that, which up to now they had to _ rates on that, which up to now they had to so — rates on that, which up to now they had to. so with cop26 coming up now, it was— had to. so with cop26 coming up now, it was disappointing there was a more _ it was disappointing there was a more analogy bills. one it was disappointing there was a more analogy bills.— it was disappointing there was a more analogy bills. one other thing i have more analogy bills. one other thing i have been — more analogy bills. one other thing i have been hearing _ more analogy bills. one other thing i have been hearing is _ more analogy bills. one other thing i have been hearing is that - more analogy bills. one other thing i have been hearing is that recovery from the pandemic. they say it has started but they are nowhere near back to levels they were in terms of business before the pandemic and they really need that support to continue. : :, they really need that support to continue. : . : , ., continue. andrew plant in bristol, thank ou continue. andrew plant in bristol, thank you so _ continue. andrew plant in bristol, thank you so much. _ taxes will be slashed on short—haul domestic flights within the uk and replaced by extra fees on ultra long—hauljourneys. chancellor rishi sunak said flights between airports in england, scotland, wales and northern ireland will be subject to a new lower rate of air passenger duty from 2023. we can speak now to paul tuohy, chief executive of campaign for better transport. thank you for being here this afternoon, what do you make overall about what has been announced to transport including change to air passenger duty? irate transport including change to air passenger duty?— passenger duty? we are flabbergasted. - passenger duty? we are flabbergasted. i- passenger duty? we are flabbergasted. i can't i passenger duty? we are i flabbergasted. i can't believe, passenger duty? we are _ flabbergasted. i can't believe, with cop26 around the corner that such trick. it is outrageous. we are encouraging one of the most polluting forms of transport to be cheaper, whilst putting up fares for the cleaner, more sustainable forms of transport. it is beyond the pale. we really thought this time round that it would have more green credentials to the budget, especially when the prime minister is on record of telling everybody we can carry on exactly as we are, everything will get greener, as if electric vehicles will save the planet. they are not. i think the government are missing out a huge, huge area of investment that will actually be a vote winner. i think they think by doing some of these things to stay popular will sometimes help, but in the long time it won't. irate sometimes help, but in the long time it won't. ~ ~' ., . sometimes help, but in the long time it won't. . ,, ., ., ., sometimes help, but in the long time itwon't. ,, ., ., ., ., it won't. we know a lot of the re . ional it won't. we know a lot of the regional airports _ it won't. we know a lot of the regional airports have - it won't. we know a lot of the regional airports have been i regional airports have been struggling in terms of their passenger levels because of covid but also the closure of routes, affecting newquay airport in the south—west. some of the alternative transport options still aren't there, so in some ways you can understand saying to people, actually, you are more likely, if we are trying to get people out of cars, we are more likely to get them out of cars and onto the planes across country and onto trains, when the services are still not good enough. t the services are still not good enou:h. ~ the services are still not good enou:h. ,, , ., , enough. i think it is actually even wider than _ enough. i think it is actually even wider than the _ enough. i think it is actually even wider than the point _ enough. i think it is actually even wider than the point you - enough. i think it is actually even| wider than the point you suggest. enough. i think it is actually even i wider than the point you suggest. we can't get people out of cars just to take their children to school less than a mile. that is the scale of the problem we are talking about. it is very easy for people like me to come on and just criticise the government, but it is a bit of both, the government have to lead, help and encourage people at very difficult times. but there are cohorts of people for whom they really can take a close look at themselves and think, i could change my behaviour, i don't need a vehicle for that journey, my behaviour, i don't need a vehicle forthatjourney, i my behaviour, i don't need a vehicle for thatjourney, i could switch to this mode of transport. just to make a point ahead of the budget two weeks ago, norman baker, former transport minister, now an adviser here at better transport, he suggested we have a race to glasgow, train versus plane. we met at piccadilly circus at ten o'clock. of course, it is quicker to fly, but what does it take from door to door reality. there was no difference. simon calder did at the other day to edinburgh and it was the same thing, about five hours door to door. the biggest difference was the fact the train costs a lot more than the plane. if you're going to have a long—term plan about the environment and travel being the biggest polluter, one of the biggest polluters we have got, 30% of emissions are all down to transport and the way we move, when is it going to start? it is all right having to 2050 40 net emissions, but they haven't even started. they have just made it easier to pollute the planet more. just made it easier to pollute the planet more-— just made it easier to pollute the alanet more. . ., planet more. chief executive of the cam orain planet more. chief executive of the campaign for _ planet more. chief executive of the campaign for better— planet more. chief executive of the campaign for better transport, i planet more. chief executive of the l campaign for better transport, thank you for talking to us this afternoon. that is just about all from me, thank you for your company. it is clive five, what more could you want? except it is louise lear. good afternoon. it is a day of contrasts across the country. yes, it's mild for all of us but central and southern england dry with some glimpses is of sunshine, further north and west it's all about the rain. in fact, over the next few days we are likely to see further heavy rain for southern scotland, north—west england and west wales. over the last couple hours we've had a number weather warning issued for south—west scotland and cumbria in particular. that means i could be quite an impact from this relentless rain throughout the rest of the day and also it's going to stay with you into tomorrow as well. some areas could see as much as 200 millimetres plus falling over just two days. that's just over a month's worth of rain for this area so that certainly could lead to some localised flooding and maybe have an impact on travel as well. to the north of it it's a slightly quieter day and a brighter day into eastern scotland. mild as well, 15 or 16 degrees. some glimpses of sunshine to the east of the pennines down into the london area where temperatures may well peak at 19 celsius, way above the average for the time of year. it stays cloudy and mild down to the south. our weather front starts to drift a little bit further north but you can see it sitting across the borders and down into north—west england in particular. it's going be a mild start to thursday but once again, these contrasts will still continue. this conveyor belt of wet weather feeding in across west wales up into north west england and gradually as we go through the day, some of that pushing back into central and eastern scotland as well. anywhere really across central and southern england away from cornwall should stay dry and relatively bright. again, highs of 17 or 18 celsius not out of the question. the weather front will start to push its way a little bit further east on friday and lose some of its potency. eventually we are going to see an improving picture. but not for long as low pressure builds in quickly behind it but it means the rain will turn quite showery as it moves its way into eastern england. we will see the rain gradually pulling away from north east scotland and then a brief lull in the story and a little bit fresher. however, with low pressure sitting to the north—west it does look likely that the weekend is going to be quite an unsettled one. it will be noticeably cooler for all of us and there will be showers or longer spells of rain at times. so plenty of whether to talk about at the moment. please keep watching the forecast. this is bbc news — the headlines. the chancellor promises a strong economy — fit for a "new age of optimism" as he delivers his budget. employment is up. investment is growing. public services are improving. the public finances are stabilising. and wages are rising. jeering. among the big announcements — changes to universal credit — allowing in—work claimants to keep more of the money they earn. the chancellor laid out the state of the economy — with inflation expected to hit 4%. there's a cut in air passenger duty tax between airports within the uk — and a freeze in fuel duty — the chancellor's accused of failing to tackle climate change in his budget.

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