Sport on bbc news how a run in with eddiejones dog has apparently put owen farrell at risk of missing the six nations clash with scotland on saturday good evening, and welcome to the bbc news at 6. The chancellor has been forced to defend his budget and the controversial changes to increase National Insurance for Self Employed workers. Thats despite a tory Manifesto Pledge not to raise National Insurance. Its angered a number of conservative backbenchers and been roundly criticised by labour. There has been partial backing for the increase from the influential think tank the institute for fiscal studies, but overall it described the chancellors plans as a sticking plaster rather than a fundamental review. Our chief Political Correspondent vicki young has been following the days events. He says hes backing business, but visiting the West Midlands today the chancellor had to fend off accusations that hes bashing the workers who keep the wheels of the economy turning. Putting up taxes is
Trade in baby chimps. One of the great artists of his Generation Tributes are paid to the british painter sir Howard Hodgkin, whos died at the age of 8a. And coming up in sportsday on bbc news theres an away goal for Manchester United in their Europa League last 16 tie. But theyre held to a draw by russians fc rostov. Good evening. The Prime Minister has insisted that the controversial change announced in the budget to increase National Insurance for Self Employed workers is simpler, fairer and more progressive. Theresa may refused to accept that the government had broken a Manifesto Pledge, saying the promise had only extended to one kind of National Insurance. But the move has angered a number of conservative backbenchers and been roundly criticised by labour. Our Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg reports. Brussels is rarely a place where british Prime Ministers can find a retreat, but theresa may entered discreetly into the summit, in a hurry for the talks. Not for her the grand arr