hello. a warm welcome if you have just joined us. i am sally bundock. looking at the biggest business stories. in the uk one story dominates — it is budget day — critical for the chancellor and the conservative party as its likely this will be the last one before a general election. with the polls indicating voters are favouring the opposition what canjeremy hunt do to turn the tide? well, it's widely expected he will announce a 2p cut to the rate of national insurance paid by workers and this will cost around £10 billion. with the uk economy flat—lining many people are struggling with a cost of living crisis. colletta smith reports from warrington in the northeast of england.

it might not be ramsay street but in this quiet corner of warrington everyone knows their neighbours. warrington everyone knows their neighbours-_ warrington everyone knows their neiuhbours. . , , neighbours. perhaps we can meet u . neighbours. perhaps we can meet u- with a neighbours. perhaps we can meet up with a few _ neighbours. perhaps we can meet up with a few of _ neighbours. perhaps we can meet up with a few of your _ neighbours. perhaps we can meet up with a few of your powers. - up with a few of your powers. this morning i'm joining a little going and we are heading around to leave's house for a cuppa. around to leave's house for a cu a. . ., y around to leave's house for a cu a. . ., , , around to leave's house for a cu . a, . ., , , ~' cuppa. the country feels like it has so _ cuppa. the country feels like it has so many _ cuppa. the country feels like it has so many big _ cuppa. the country feels like it has so many big decisions| cuppa. the country feels like i it has so many big decisions to make. �* . ., make. andrew and ellen are retired. the _ make. andrew and ellen are retired. the youngest - make. andrew and ellen are retired. the youngest is - make. andrew and ellen are retired. the youngest is at l retired. the youngest is at university and that is costing them lots. —— lee's hous. 25 them lots. -- lee's hous. 25 weeks is _ them lots. —— lee's hous. 25 weeks is £12,000 a year. them lots. -- lee's hous. 25 i weeks is £12,000 a year. have ou weeks is £12,000 a year. have you eaten _ weeks is £12,000 a year. have you eaten into _ weeks is £12,000 a year. have you eaten into your _ weeks is £12,000 a year. have you eaten into your savings? i you eaten into your savings? massively. you eaten into your savings? massively-— massively. we didn't go to university. _ massively. we didn't go to university, either - massively. we didn't go to university, either us, - massively. we didn't go to university, either us, so i massively. we didn't go to i university, either us, so part of ii— university, either us, so part of it is— university, either us, so part of it is the_ university, either us, so part of it is the three years, four years— of it is the three years, four years they— of it is the three years, four years they are there. does that have _ years they are there. does that have an — years they are there. does that have an impact?—

years they are there. does that have an impact? money doesn't crow have an impact? money doesn't . row on have an impact? money doesn't grow on trees. _ have an impact? money doesn't grow on trees, and _ have an impact? money doesn't grow on trees, and you - have an impact? money doesn't grow on trees, and you have . have an impact? money doesn't grow on trees, and you have to| grow on trees, and you have to use what you've got. the eldest dau~hter use what you've got. the eldest daughter works _ use what you've got. the eldest daughter works full-time - use what you've got. the eldest daughter works full-time and i use what you've got. the eldest daughter works full-time and is| daughter works full—time and is renting as well. figs daughter works full-time and is renting as well.— renting as well. as much as she would love _ renting as well. as much as she would love to _ renting as well. as much as she would love to buy _ renting as well. as much as she would love to buy a _ renting as well. as much as she would love to buy a house, - renting as well. as much as she would love to buy a house, it i would love to buy a house, it just isn't reality unless it changes in the budget. nick from next-door _ changes in the budget. nick from next-door runs - changes in the budget. nick from next-door runs a - changes in the budget. nick from next—door runs a logistics company. after renting for a while they managed to buy last yearjust while they managed to buy last year just as while they managed to buy last yearjust as mortgagors hit their peak. so is tight. if the chancellor cuts national insurance, without help? yes, i think there _ insurance, without help? yes, i think there will _ insurance, without help? yes, i think there will be _ insurance, without help? yes, i think there will be a _ insurance, without help? yes, i think there will be a huge - think there will be a huge benefit. notjust for people like myself and lee, but employees of my business as well. . , ~ well. -- will that help. with more people _ well. -- will that help. with more people working - well. -- will that help. with more people working from | well. -- will that help. with - more people working from home, with hybrid conditions, if you alleviate _ with hybrid conditions, if you alleviate those issues, it has an impact— alleviate those issues, it has an impact on where you are everyday _ an impact on where you are everyday-— an impact on where you are eve da. , ,, everyday. most people i guess in this area — everyday. most people i guess in this area wouldn't _ everyday. most people i guess in this area wouldn't class - everyday. most people i guess in this area wouldn't class are | in this area wouldn't class are struggling. but now you are conscious of everything.

constantly. the cost of food is absolutely noticeable. before we would never even thought where — we would never even thought where we shop. now we are definitely thinking about brands versus non— brands. you brands versus non- brands. you are thinking _ brands versus non- brands. you are thinking about _ brands versus non— brands. 7m, are thinking about topping up your income by going part—time and looking for an extra job? yes, it did cross our minds before christmas if that might before christmas if that might be an option to go back to work part—time. just to help pay some of our bills. part-time. just to help pay some of our bills.- some of our bills. being parents _ some of our bills. being parents at _ some of our bills. being parents at the _ some of our bills. being parents at the momentl some of our bills. being i parents at the moment and managing that, you had to manage childcare costs, wraparound care, all the extra bits and bobs add up. thea;r wraparound care, all the extra bits and bobs add up. they do. that is something _ bits and bobs add up. they do. that is something that - bits and bobs add up. they do. that is something that you - bits and bobs add up. they do. that is something that you are | that is something that you are always balancing because there is the case of do they stay in school longer, do they go on holiday clubs, or do you take time of your business, you know, with half term coming up... know, with half term coming u... , . know, with half term coming u . _ _ _ , ., ., know, with half term coming up... they are all looking forward _ up... they are all looking forward to _ up... they are all looking forward to doing - up... they are all looking i forward to doing something up... they are all looking - forward to doing something with you _ forward to doing something with you as — forward to doing something with ou. �* , . forward to doing something with ou. �*,., " forward to doing something with ou. " ., you. as a bank volunteer helen is seeinu you. as a bank volunteer helen is seeing firsthand _ you. as a bank volunteer helen

is seeing firsthand help - you. as a bank volunteer helen is seeing firsthand help most i is seeing firsthand help most people are struggling. it is disheartening _ people are struggling. it is disheartening to _ people are struggling. it is disheartening to be - people are struggling. it 3 disheartening to be working full time then still struggling. that is a bigger question, isn't it, about why are people needing to access foodbanks to be able to feed their families.— their families. questions households _ their families. questions households across - their families. questions households across the i their families. questions - households across the country are hoping the chancellor provides answers to today. colletta smith, bbc news, in warrington. let's discuss in more detail with dr roger barker, director of policy at institute of directors. colletta getting the mood in the north of england in terms of what families and households are hoping for. but what are your members' businesses looking for?— your members' businesses lookinafor? ., looking for? first and foremost we are looking _ looking for? first and foremost we are looking for _ looking for? first and foremost we are looking for a _ looking for? first and foremost we are looking for a policy - we are looking for a policy announcement reflects stability and credibility. we don't want any big experiments or gambles, we want the government to create and help fashion a

business environment which is going to be stable for business. one of the things with having to physical events a year if there is a temptation for government to tinker with things, pull something out of the hat which is going to grab headlines. this is a budget just ahead of a general election, so the temptation thatis election, so the temptation that is really strong for the government. they are going to try to use this to win votes, to win people back to their cause. therefore, our concern is that there is significant focus on long—term features which will benefit business because business still faces challenges. 50 because business still faces challenges-— challenges. so the high inflation _ challenges. so the high inflation has _ challenges. so the high inflation has taken - challenges. so the high inflation has taken its l challenges. so the high i inflation has taken its toll challenges. so the high - inflation has taken its toll on businesses, in terms of the money they are making, also brexit, of course, the pandemic, they have had huge headwinds for several years now. this government and, of

course, labour opposition, everybody is talking about the need to fuel growth. small and medium size enterprises are key to that, they? medium size enterprises are key to that. they?— to that, they? they are indeed. without growth _ to that, they? they are indeed. without growth we _ to that, they? they are indeed. without growth we are - to that, they? they are indeed. without growth we are going i to that, they? they are indeed. without growth we are going to j without growth we are going to get out of the straitjacket which we are essentially in. one of the key reasons the government doesn't have money to spend on everything else is because the economy isn't going fast enough so it isn't raising enough revenues for its own expenditure. last year we had pretty much zero growth. most economists are forecasting a similar kind of picture this year. so we do need to do something to reignite the economy and get the economy back on a more productive path. businesses, in addition to the poor growth prospects, businesses face many challenges. inflation is coming down significantly, which is great, but interest rates are high at 2.5%, stuck there, and

many businesses have significant labour and skill shortages. the still significant economic inactivity as people still haven't return to the workforce since covid—19, we still have a lot of people who were off work due to long—term sickness. it is addressing those kinds of issues that i would really like to see the chancellor focus on in the budget today. qm. to see the chancellor focus on in the budget today. 0k, thank ou, in the budget today. 0k, thank you. doctor — in the budget today. 0k, thank you, doctor roger _ in the budget today. 0k, thank you, doctor roger barker, - in the budget today. 0k, thank| you, doctor roger barker, from the institute of directors. markets of course will be closely watching jeremy hunt's statement. investors are nervous about any announcements that could stoke inflation — the uk rate still remains high and above the bank of england's 2% target. let's speak now to tom stevenson, investment director, fidelity. good morning. sally. markets are still a _ good morning. sally. markets are still a bit _ good morning. sally. markets are still a bit on _ good morning. sally. markets are still a bit on edge - are still a bit on edge following the liz truss kwasi kwarteng mini budget, and today there is no fear of volatility

from that point of view, is there? ., ., ., ., there? not a huge matter fear about that _ there? not a huge matter fear about that because _ there? not a huge matter fear about that because the - about that because the chancellor has made a point, a deliberate point, of not going down that route. but the markets will be focused on the extent to which the chancellor is prudent in the way that he is prudent in the way that he is funding the tax cuts, which we have all been primed to expect today. probably on national insurance, most likely national insurance, most likely national insurance. he has £13 billion worth of headroom. if he is to stick to his physical rule of reducing the amount of debt in the economy as a proportion of the size of the economy, within the five year forecast period. so he doesn't have a huge amount of headroom to deliver those tax cuts. i think the markets will be looking closely at the extent to which he does that in a prudent way and finds a way to raise the money to pay for

those. . . raise the money to pay for those. , . ., , ., those. the 2p cut, he has done that already. — those. the 2p cut, he has done that already, it _ those. the 2p cut, he has done that already, it is _ those. the 2p cut, he has done that already, it is expected - those. the 2p cut, he has done that already, it is expected he | that already, it is expected he will do it another time. but you think people have felt the difference is back know, and i think that is why the backbenchers in the conservative party would prefer he went down the income tax rule. . . . he went down the income tax rule. , ., , . ., rule. he understands income tax. i rule. he understands income tax- i think — rule. he understands income tax. i think you _ rule. he understands income tax. i think you people - tax. i think you people understand the benefit of national insurance. but it is a more targeted cut, which actually encourages growth in the economy. so i think he is a prudent chancellor and that is the way he is likely to go. {lilia the way he is likely to go. 0k, tom, the way he is likely to go. 0k, tom. thank— the way he is likely to go. 0k, tom, thank you _ the way he is likely to go. 0k, tom, thank you for _ the way he is likely to go. 0k, tom, thank you for your - the way he is likely to go. ok, tom, thank you for your time. tom, thank you for your time. tom stevenson from fidelity. and we are across the budget here today on bbc news. be sure to tune in at midday. but let's go to other business stories. the value of bitcoin hit an all time high on tuesday after weeks of continuous gains. the digital coin rose above 69,000 breaking

its previous record set in november 2021, before falling more than 8%. with more, here's our north america business correspondent michelle fleury in new york. bitcoin's value is soaring, less than two years after bankruptcies, company failures, and even criminal trials and prices tumbling. the rally was heard by billions of dollars flowing into the cryptocurrency after american financial regulators approved exchange of traded funds tied to the digital asset. this led more traditional investors put their money in bitcoin without directly owning it. another factor at play is the belief that america's central bank will cut interest rates this year. typically that boosts investors' appetite for positive investments i cryptocurrencies. and that isn't all. a technical event, known as holding, when the number of coins owned by minors is reduced, could potentially

reduce supply. —— halving. but bitcoin's price drop more than 8%, a reminder ofjust how volatile the crypto market can be. it volatile the crypto market can be. .., volatile the crypto market can be. . ., , ., volatile the crypto market can be. .. , ., , volatile the crypto market can be. , ., , ., be. it can be, that is for sure. michelle - be. it can be, that is for sure. michelle fleury i be. it can be, that is for- sure. michelle fleury there. around the world and across the uk, you are with bbc news. bringing a different stories from across the uk.- from across the uk. meet two-year-old _ from across the uk. meet two-year-old trooper, i from across the uk. meet two-year-old trooper, a l from across the uk. meet - two-year-old trooper, a gentle two—year—old trooper, a gentle giant. two-year-old trooper, a gentle ciant. �* . . two-year-old trooper, a gentle ciant. �* ., ., giant. i've never had a horse is big already _ giant. i've never had a horse is big already won _ giant. i've never had a horse is big already won this - giant. i've never had a horse is big already won this big. l giant. i've never had a horse is big already won this big. i | is big already won this big. i am five foot ten, he is measuring 6'2". am five foot ten, he is measurin: 6'2". �* , measuring 6'2". because trooper is so bi , measuring 6'2". because trooper is so big. gmp — measuring 6'2". because trooper is so big, gmp have _ measuring 6'2". because trooper is so big, gmp have had - measuring 6'2". because trooper is so big, gmp have had to - measuring 6'2". because trooper is so big, gmp have had to make| is so big, gmp have had to make adjustments so he can fit in. and i mean literally fit in. even has his own penthouse stables. . . . .

even has his own penthouse stables. , , ., , stables. his table is double the size of— stables. his table is double the size of most _ stables. his table is double the size of most other - stables. his table is double i the size of most other stables on the yard. we had to order other clothes for him. —— stable is double. other clothes for him. -- stable is double. everything, ro es, stable is double. everything, ropes, stable, _ stable is double. everything, ropes, stable, it _ stable is double. everything, ropes, stable, it needs - stable is double. everything, ropes, stable, it needs to i stable is double. everything, ropes, stable, it needs to be enlarged _ ropes, stable, it needs to be enlarged to accommodate his comfort _ enlarged to accommodate his comfort. �* . . enlarged to accommodate his comfort. �* , , ., comfort. but despite all the effort, trainers _ comfort. but despite all the effort, trainers say - comfort. but despite all the effort, trainers say he - comfort. but despite all the effort, trainers say he is i effort, trainers say he is weathered and he is making great progress. for weathered and he is making great progress.— great progress. for more stories from _ great progress. for more stories from across - great progress. for more stories from across the i great progress. for more i stories from across the uk, head to the bbc website. hello again. you are live with bbc news. now, we are heading down under, because we have just had the letters growth figures from the australian economy, showing a pretty underwhelming growth rate of 0.2%, in the last three months of last year. a punishing squeeze on household incomes has brought consumer spending to a standstill. that has reinforced the view the next move in interest rates will be down. live now to mark humphery—jenner, associate

professor of finance, university of new south wales. nice to see you again. a familiar tale. viewers will be thinking "we know what they are experiencing in australia right now. . ~' experiencing in australia right now. ., ~ , ., experiencing in australia right now. ., ~ ., ., now. thank you for having me. you are right. _ now. thank you for having me. you are right. the _ now. thank you for having me. you are right. the gdp - now. thank you for having me. you are right. the gdp growth| you are right. the gdp growth was underwhelming, 0.2% quarter on quarter, but it is worse. on a per capita basis gdp growth fell. ~ . . a per capita basis gdp growth fell. ~ ., , ., a per capita basis gdp growth fell. . ., , ., ., fell. what is the government or central bank _ fell. what is the government or central bank likely _ fell. what is the government or central bank likely to _ fell. what is the government or central bank likely to do - fell. what is the government or central bank likely to do aboutl central bank likely to do about this? ., ., , this? the government has limited levers _ this? the government has limited levers it _ this? the government has limited levers it can - this? the government has limited levers it can reallyj limited levers it can really pull at the moment. and similar with the rba, the central bank. the reserve bank will be looking at gdp growth but also more probably inflation. because they're looking to get information under 3%. in the latest monthly reading, it was at three which is adding right

direction, but it is still higher than headline inflation. --it higher than headline inflation. ——it was at 3.4%, so it is heading in the right direction. the government has been attempting to do some cost of living pressure relief. however, then, that stokes inflation if they do it too much. but a lot of it is easing up much. but a lot of it is easing up with other price increases, like private health insurance, which has eaten up a lot of the most recent tax cut. so they are very much struggling to resolve the cost—of—living pressures people are facing. i5 pressures people are facing. is it mainly about that, the cost—of—living pressures? to what extent is it that china is having a tough time and as such an important economy to australia. how is that impacting australia as well? china has heavily impacted things, in terms of ppi and cba, they are in deflation. the property sector has been facing significant issues, which is

manifested in the chinese government stepping in to stop some of the sales, particularly net sales of security, of stocks, to prop up the financial markets. this has fed into particular stocks, so we're talking about bhp or south32, reliant on exports to china. to that extent we are seeing the australian dollar hovering at about 65 us cents at the moment.— hovering at about 65 us cents at the moment. thank you for our at the moment. thank you for your thoughts _ at the moment. thank you for your thoughts on _ at the moment. thank you for your thoughts on the - at the moment. thank you for i your thoughts on the australian economy, mark humphery—jenner. now, let's focus on israel. it's $500 billion economy, of course, has been impacted by the more than four months old war in gaza. just imagine one issue, thousands of people have now left the israeli workforce and are serving in the military. the country's economy and industry minister, nir barkat, has told the bbc that winning the war

was the top priority for israel despite the economic cost. he's been speaking to the bbc�*s middle east business correspondent sameer hashmi in abu dhabi. the advantage is in tech. our companies that the global have huge potential and opportunity. when you look at prior was that israel went through there is usually a dip in the war, but immediately afterwards there is a spike. a spike of entrepreneurs and hunger and thirst for companies to go global. we have over 10,000 start—ups in israel, ready to rock �*n' roll in the global marketplace. from that perspective nothing changed. if anything, in retrospect, that spike in huge growth after the war, we are ready to do that. if you look at the recent numbers there was a drop in the economic growth. the economy shrank by 20% in the last quarter of 2023, compared to the previous quarter. that is a significant drop. how is that impacting the economic situation on the ground? hundreds of thousands of of

reservists went to war. so of course there is a certain amount of a drop. but if you are skilled and you understand the situation and you understand this is temporary, and people are now looking at how to do more and more export, this is a core competitive advantage and we haven't lost it. in fact it is the other way round. using more creativity and using more people looking at the global marketplace. because of the war the defence spending has gone up. is the government planning to borrow more, and will that put pressure on the treasury going ahead? . . pressure on the treasury going ahead? , ., ., ahead? israel entered the war with a 6296 — ahead? israel entered the war with a 62% debt _ ahead? israel entered the war with a 62% debt to _ ahead? israel entered the war with a 6296 debt to gdp, - ahead? israel entered the war. with a 6296 debt to gdp, wanted with a 62% debt to gdp, wanted the best in world. covid—19 it went up then went down very quickly. from that perspective will probably cost us about 10%

debt to gdp, which is run as odobert. we will naturally borrow and return the money. israel always returns all its debt, to date, and that won't change. we have a strong financial discipline in our country, which will not change. israel's economy minister. sales in china of apple's iphone fell by 24% in the first six weeks of 2024 compared to a year earlier, according to research firm counterpoint. it comes as the us technology giant is facing fierce competition in the country from local rivals. during the same period, china's huawei saw its sales jump by 64% in its home market. let's go live to our asia business hub and speak tojoao da silva. just talk us through the shift, joao. b. just talk us through the shift, joao. �* ., , just talk us through the shift, joao. �* , ., joao. a huge drop in sales for a- le, joao. a huge drop in sales for apple. with — joao. a huge drop in sales for apple, with sales _ joao. a huge drop in sales for

apple, with sales of - joao. a huge drop in sales for apple, with sales of iphonesl joao. a huge drop in sales for. apple, with sales of iphones in the chinese market dropping by nearly a quarter this year. it is yet another sign of trouble for the us company. the chinese market is important for apple, representing about a fifth of its global sales. this amplifies concerns that apple is facing a slowdown in demand. the revenue forecast for the current quarter was $36 billion below market expectations. now, as to what is behind this drop iniphone as to what is behind this drop in iphone sales in china, that is simple, as you said, there is simple, as you said, there is fierce competition from china's own smart phone brands on the lower side of the smartphone sector. there was aggressive pricing from manufacturers like xiaomi and 0pp°. manufacturers like xiaomi and oppo, and on the more luxury segment is facing huawei, which saw its salesjumped

segment is facing huawei, which saw its sales jumped by 64% by that same counterpoint report. thatjump in demand for huawei phones was at least in part due to the release last august of its extremely popular 5g smart phones, the mate60 series, which came as a surprise, because huawei was cut off from advanced chips and technology required for 5g mobile internet. that at least hints that us trade restrictions may not be having the impact that us policymakers had intended. thank you very much. interesting. let's squeeze in some other business news. a group of us lawmakers has introduced a bill that would require chinese tech giant bytedance to sell off the popular video—sharing tiktok app within six months or face a ban. for years, american officials have raised concerns that data from the app could fall into the hands of the chinese government. tiktok called the bill that was introduced on tuesday by a bipartisan set of 19 lawmakers a disguised "outright ban".

the official opening of india's first underwater rail tunnel is due to take place in the city of kolkata, more than century after the idea was first proposed. the 500—metre stretch links the two sides of the hooghly river. the inauguration ceremony will be led by the prime minister, narendra modi. despite a challenging economic landscape, as we've been reporting, london as a tech destination has become a global hub for innovation, with the sector growing from $70 billion in 2014 to $621 billion last year. today the annual london tech show kicks off and is set to welcome more than 15,000 business leaders and innovators from the world of tech. let's speak now to piers linney, founder of implement ai.

good morning to you. i assume you are attending the tech show. what do you open a cheese? i show. what do you open a cheese?— show. what do you open a cheese? . . . show. what do you open a cheese? ., ., ., ., ., cheese? i am attending and am a ke note. cheese? i am attending and am a keynote- the _ cheese? i am attending and am a keynote. the events _ cheese? i am attending and am a keynote. the events are - keynote. the events are important. —— what do you hope it achieves. they are good at getting people together. part of it is access to community, and the big theme this year is artificial intelligence. {lila artificial intelligence. 0k, talk us through _ artificial intelligence. 0k, talk us through that. - artificial intelligence. 0k, talk us through that. last| artificial intelligence. ok, talk us through that. last year we saw the uk trying to host the first global forum on the issues of aia, the good, the bad, the dangerous, and elon musk attended among others. --ai. that musk attended among others. ——ai. that is really important, to think about al safety, but more focused on how do you dominate uk businesses of all sizes implement ai into their

business. we are going towards ai first, and ai assisted world. you are seeing some nationstates bet their farm on this. it is important our start—ups, that everyone understands how the technology works, what the impact will be, how it is implement it in business, and how they augment their workforce. because in the future, you know, talent is going to work for businesses that don't have ai going to work for businesses that don't have alas part of their core business strategy. because why do they want to do the mundane? they want to do the mundane? they want to do the more meaningful way. that is what it is about in the this is what it is about in the this is called the _ is what it is about in the this is called the london - is what it is about in the this is called the london tech show. most delegates there from the tech sector or from all types of businesses, learning about technology, such as ai, and how to implement it? it is technology, such as ai, and how to implement it?— to implement it? it is a mix. there are — to implement it? it is a mix. there are people _ to implement it? it is a mix. there are people who - to implement it? it is a mix. there are people who start l there are people who start businesses, large businesses as

well, investors coping with capital and looking to wear to deploy it. innovators. people who want to understand where new technology is going, like artificial intelligence. it is important to get people together. the uk is very good at healthcare and fintech and having these events across the country, but the tech show is one of the biggest, and that is why i am talking there.- why i am talking there. thank ou for why i am talking there. thank you forjoining _ why i am talking there. thank you forjoining us, _ why i am talking there. thank you forjoining us, piers - you forjoining us, piers linney, and telling us about the london tech show. let's quickly show you the financial markets before we wrap up. as you can see, a flat day forjapan, but a hong kong up day forjapan, but a hong kong up nearly 2%, the price of oil edging slightly higher as well. looking at the united states, interesting in the us, all the attention is on the politics. we have been looking at super tuesday of course as the results roll in. that is how things ended on wednesday. so, keep it with bbc news

today. we are across the news from the united states but also what is happening here in the uk, the delivery of the budget, which is starting at around 12:30pm uk time. lots of detail on a website as to what we can expect. and also the impact it has on households. i will see you soon. hello there. we could see more sunshine around for wednesday than what we had on tuesday, particularly across eastern areas. so i think a brighter afternoon to come, but there will be some scattered showers around, especially across england and wales, and winds will generally stay quite light. we'll have high pressure anchored over scandinavia, low pressure out in the atlantic, trying to push this weather front ever closer towards our shores, but it could reach the west country as we move through the latter parts of this morning. elsewhere, we're starting off with a lot of cloud across the east of the country. that will tend to melt away, though. it stays cloudy for eastern scotland, northeast england. some sunshine for east anglia and the southeast, a few showers into the afternoon, east wales and the midlands,

and temperature—wise, up to around 10—11 degrees, single digits along the north sea coasts, where we have the cloud and the breeze. now, as we head through wednesday night, it looks like it stays dry for many. the showers fade away. we start to see some cloud rolling in to central and eastern areas, so where we have the cloud, more of a breeze, temperatures 2—5. under clearer skies further north and west, there could be a touch of frost. for thursday, then, we have low pressure anchored out towards the west and the southwest, that area of high pressure over scandinavia just edging a bit further westward, so influencing our weather more. could start to see an east, southeasterly wind picking up further, though, so quite a breezy day to come. plenty of sunshine around away from the east coast and there will be some afternoon showers again, particularly england and wales. probably the best of the sunshine, western scotland into northern ireland, western wales — top temperatures again, 11, maybe 12 degrees. into friday, you see more isobars on the charts. it's going to be windier, a strong east—southeasterly wind. that'll take the edge off the temperatures,

push in some cloud to northern and eastern areas, particularly the northern half of the country. england and wales could at this stage see quite a bit of sunshine, but there'll always be showers loitering close to the southwest. and a windy day to come for all — gusty winds, particularly windy across the south and the east thanks to that southeasterly wind. so, chillier along eastern coastal areas, up to around 11 or 12 further west. into the weekend, low pressure loiters to the southwest of the country, trying to push its way northwards, so it will introduce further showers or even longer spells of rain for southern and western areas. we could start to see a few showers developing further north and east as well. it will remain quite windy, with our wind coming in from the east or the southeast. that's it for me. take care.

good morning, welcome to breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. our headlines today. a promise to cut taxes — that's the chancellor's pledge ahead of today's budget. but how far will he go? another 2p to come off national insurance. but who should pay for it? what else should come down? we ask a panel in the north—east. it was a super tuesday for donald trump and joe biden, as they take a major step towards being the official candidates in

the us presidential election. enough is a enough — community leaders in bristol call for an end to knife crime, after a spate of fatal stabbings in the city. a culture of fear, bullying and emotional abuse — swim england apologise for the suffering faced by athletes for years, as the conditions they've faced are laid bare as part of a review into the sport. good morning. some dense fog around this morning, particularly across parts of southern england. we have some frost. the west will see the brightest conditions. a fair bit of cloud in the east with spots of rain. and the grate escape — we hear from the shopper left dangling upside by a shop's secuity shutters. good morning. it's wednesday, 6th march. the chancellor will reveal his budget later today, and an expected 2p cut to national insurance is likely to be the centrepiece. jeremy hunt has promised his plans will stimulate a flagging

economy and help families with permanent tax breaks.