The truth is taxes are still going up. People feel worse off because they are worse off. So this morning, we have one big question in what direction would labour drive the economy . The woman in charge of the partys calculator, Rachel Reeves, who wants to be the next chancellor is here. The budget promised extra cash to get more bang for taxpayers bucks in the Health Service. Well ask the health secretary, victoria atkins, what difference that will make. And whats it like when your body wont do the Amazing Things you used to do the lead singer of del amitri tells us how parkinsons hasnt stopped him taking to the stage. Morning, morning. Helping me out at the desk for the next 60 minutes, chef and green campaigner Hugh Fearnley whittingstall, john lewis boss dame sharon white, and lord michael howard, former conservative leader, and one time Shadow Chancellor, too. A very warm welcome to all of you. Making the news this morning. The sunday times says Boris Johnson went to venezuela, and
Many of the top awards. The budget the government unveiled on wednesday has left the Shadow Chancellor with a major headache. Jeremy hunt cut National Insurance by 2 pence for the second time in six months, as well as stealing two of labours revenue raising policies. The party had planned to use these to Fund Breakfast clubs in schools and reduce nhs Waiting Lists, if it wins the next election. Earlier, the Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves spoke to the bbc s Laura Kuennsberg about how they plan to raise money now, and began by discussing her plans to create a National Wealth fund. Yes. We have committed to an extension of workers rights, including banning zero hour contracts, getting rid of fire and rehire and having a real minimum wage. Obviously, the low Pay Commission will set that, but this is a big extension of the rights of working people, because if an economy is not working for working people, its not working at all. And at the moment, too many people are stuck in insecure, pre
The most and conservative thing i could do would be to cut taxes by increasing borrowing. Thats just cutting taxes and saying future generations have to pick up the tax after. I wont to do that. But i do want, where its possible to do so, responsibly, to move towards a lower tax economy, and id hope to show a pass in that direction. But this will be a prudent and responsible budget for long term growth, tackling inflation, my investments, morejobs, and thats path to lower taxation as and when we can afford it. But you said also, that the forecast from the obr, which is the economic watchdog which marks your homework, you have said that the numbers have gone against us. So the picture is bleaker than it was at the beginning of the year . Why then are you looking now to cut taxes at all . These forecasts change the whole time. What happened in the autumn was that the forecast went in our favour unexpectedly, quite close to the end. So i was able to introduce the biggest business tax cuts
Ministers questions. It is always a little different, the pmqs ahead of the budget. He has vacated the chair for the Deputy Speaker. She will be going through some of the notices ahead ofjeremy hunt, the chancellor, delivering his Budget Statement. He will take to his feet shortly and will probably speak for about an hour shortly and will probably speak for Aboutan Hourand shortly and will probably speak for about an hour and then it will be the turn of the leader of the opposition, keir starmer to respond. We will take both of those live and uninterrupted and we will then have reaction from the Chief Secretary to the treasury, laura trott, part of the treasury, laura trott, part of the Treasury Team and her shadow for labour. Here isjeremy hunt. Madam Deputy Speaker, as we mourn the loss of life in israel and gaza, the loss of life in israel and gaza, the Prime Minister reminded us of the Prime Minister reminded us of the need the Fight Extremism and heal divisions. I start today by r
Todays budget might have left you with a bit more money in your pocket but some of the Public Services you rely on will face big Spending Cuts. So is it a vote winner . Mr chancellor of the exchequer. Cheering it was the last Spring Budget before the next election. Tonight well interrogate Whyjeremy Hunt made the announcements he did. And interrrogate one of his treasury ministers. Overall, the tax burden is going up. Correct . The tax burden is still too high, overall. Absolutely. And its going up . Well also talk to labours Campaign Chief. Well talk live to representatives of business and Public Sector workers and our Politics Panel is here to help us decode it all and tell us when we might be going to the polls. Todays was a budget that was as much about what comes next as about what comes now. Theres another 2p cut in National Insurance that will kick in soon but theres also the growing realisation that whoever wins the next election, they will face a daunting choice either oversee