for t0 years. also coming up — europe's wait for lower rates. as the economy struggles — pressure grows on the european central bank to bring down the cost of borrowng from its record high. plus — turning over a new leaf. fewer than half of uk kids say they enjoy reading. can world book day help them start a fresh chapter? hello and welcome. any parents watching, you haven't got an outfit ready, you have a few hours for world book day. we start here in the uk where business leaders — bankers — households are weighing up what is likely to be the chancellor of the exchequerjeremy hunt's last budget before

a general election. the backdrop — a flat—lining economy — millions struggling with the cost of living — and polling indicating the conservative party is lagging far behind the opposition. not to mention financial markets on edge for anything that might worsen the uk's finances. the memory of prime minister liz truss�*s disastrous tax cutting budget no doubt not far from mr hunt's mind. so let's remind ourselves what he came up with. the rate of national insurance paid by employees and the self—employed, will be cut again by 2 pence in the pound. that comes on top of an earlier 2p cut mr hunt announced in the autumn. in april, full child benefits will be paid to households, where the highest—earning parent is getting up to £60,000. the current limit is £50,000. and the �*non—dom' tax break — for wealthy uk residents whose permanent home is overseas, is to be scrapped — raising £2.7 billion

a year for the government. that announcement is highly controversial as it was a key pillar of labour policy. the independent government spending watchdog — the office for budget responsibility released its latest predictions — saying the uk economy will pull out of recession and grow by 0.8% this year, and 1.9% in 2025. and inflation will fall back to the government's 2% target in the coming months. now, mr hunt was under huge pressure from some in his party to cut taxes further, for them he had encouraging words but not much else. we believe that in a free society, the money you earn doesn't belong to the government, it belongs to you. and if we want to encourage harder work, we should let people keep as much of their

own money as possible. conservatives look around the world at economies in north america, asia and noticed the countries with lower taxes generally have higher growth. our economist argue about cause and correlation but we know that lower tax economies have more energy, more dynamism and more energy, more dynamism and more innovation and we know that's britain's future too. however, the office for budget responsibility is predicting that the overall burden of taxation, in relation to the size of the economy, is set to hit the highest since 1948. something opposition leader sir keir starmer seized on. there we have it, the last desperate act of a party that is failed. britain in recession, the national credit card maxed out and despite the motion today, the highest tax burden for 70 years. the first

parliament since records began to see living standards for confirmed by this budget today, thatis confirmed by this budget today, that is their record and it still their record, give with one hand and take even more with the other. and nothing between now and the election will change that. so do people in the uk feel better off after wednesday's budget? our cost of living correspondent colletta smith has spent the day guaging reaction on tyneside in the north—east of england. budget is always a balancing act, when it comes to precision, she knows all about it. she is managing a growing business alongside a growing family. i business alongside a growing famil . . ., ., family. i have two younger and at the moment _ family. i have two younger and at the moment and _ family. i have two younger and at the moment and to - family. i have two younger and at the moment and to mourn l family. i have two younger and l at the moment and to mourn the way which is very exciting. so she is desperate for the chancellors held with business as well as costs. it’s chancellors held with business as well as costs.— as well as costs. it's been extremely _ as well as costs. it's been extremely stressful. - as well as costs. it's been extremely stressful. overi as well as costs. it's been - extremely stressful. over the last two years.

extremely stressful. over the last two veere— last two years. our next up is the quayside- _ last two years. our next up is the quayside. so _ last two years. our next up is the quayside. so this - last two years. our next up is the quayside. so this is - last two years. our next up is| the quayside. so this is where it is. the quayside. so this is where it is- she _ the quayside. so this is where it is. she will— the quayside. so this is where it is. she will be _ the quayside. so this is where it is. she will be watching - the quayside. so this is where it is. she will be watching the | it is. she will be watching the bud . et it is. she will be watching the budget with _ it is. she will be watching the budget with a _ it is. she will be watching the budget with a team _ it is. she will be watching the budget with a team from - it is. she will be watching the budget with a team from bbci budget with a team from bbc five live. , , , . , five live. this is very fancy. i'm heading _ five live. this is very fancy. i'm heading across - five live. this is very fancy. i'm heading across the - five live. this is very fancy. | i'm heading across the river five live. this is very fancy. i i'm heading across the river to the other side of newcastle to the other side of newcastle to the border with a real mix of incomes. and i'm watching the budget with some extra musical company. so the big change here for child benefits at the moment those payments drop off when one person in the household starts earning £50,000 but from next month, that rate is going up to £60,000 a year so that people will be able to earn more and still keep hold of those child benefit payments. we still keep hold of those child benefit payments.— still keep hold of those child benefit payments. we will make a difference. _ benefit payments. we will make a difference. she _ benefit payments. we will make a difference. she is _ benefit payments. we will make a difference. she is a _ benefit payments. we will make a difference. she is a nurse - a difference. she is a nurse returning — a difference. she is a nurse returning to _ a difference. she is a nurse returning to work— a difference. she is a nurse returning to work full- a difference. she is a nurse returning to work full time | returning to work full time when her maternity leave and enduring. it when her maternity leave and endurina. . when her maternity leave and enduring-— enduring. it will be great if ou enduring. it will be great if you want — enduring. it will be great if you want to _ enduring. it will be great if you want to 60. _ enduring. it will be great if you want to 60. especially| enduring. it will be great if - you want to 60. especially with us because we are doing sociable hour was so if we do any of the others, we bumped up

to 50 so you will get their benefits. to 50 so you will get their benefite— to 50 so you will get their benefits. ., ., , ., ., ., benefits. that drop in national insurance _ benefits. that drop in national insurance payments _ benefits. that drop in national insurance payments means i benefits. that drop in national insurance payments means ani insurance payments means an average earner will be paying around £450 less each year in national insurance payments and it's not as straightforward as that, because the rate that we start paying different levels of tax hasn't been increased. now the resolution foundation say that means that for anyone earning less than £27,000, they will actually be paying more in tax overall. it will actually be paying more in tax overall.— tax overall. it doesn't feel like it will _ tax overall. it doesn't feel like it will touch _ tax overall. it doesn't feel like it will touch the - tax overall. it doesn't feel| like it will touch the sides, the tax cut is non— really the biggest thing that i'm interested in in and i want to see, i want to see other services funded better. hello aaain. services funded better. hello again- have _ services funded better. hello again. have any _ services funded better. hello again. have any of _ services funded better. hello again. have any of the - services funded better. hello l again. have any of the changes help her? _ again. have any of the changes help her? small _ again. have any of the changes help her? small to _ again. have any of the changes help her? small to medium - again. have any of the changes| help her? small to medium and resent it help her? small to medium and present it a _ help her? small to medium and present it a lot _ help her? small to medium and present it a lot more _ help her? small to medium and present it a lot more help. - present it a lot more help. increasing the child benefits will increase a lot of working

parents. will increase a lot of working arents. ., ., ,, �* �* parents. colletta smith, bbc news. let's bring injustin urquhart—stewart, founder of the investment platform regionally. good morning to you. we are hearing from steph there, her reaction to it, she runs around business, from perspective, what was in there for small and medium—sized businesses who are real feel for our economy. i think it is, frankly. to get the economy moving, that's the error you have to go and not a great deal, the area was the real incentive, the smaller companies to get going, get more incentive and get more funding in particular on a regional basis. to get that going, that's what you need. we have a the smoke we have got a lot of good technology that want to get started and all those technological households but they need that extra incentive, the need that extra money to get going.—

incentive, the need that extra money to get going. what do you think about _ money to get going. what do you think about the _ money to get going. what do you think about the opr _ money to get going. what do you think about the opr is _ think about the opr is tradition about the economy, listen to present next year but interestingly, them saying that they feel inflation will be at they feel inflation will be at the bank of england �*s sop does that give them the green light? i think rates should have never gone up in the way they have. this inflation is not caused by consumer spending and therefore putting interest rates up is what you would do. inflation is been caused by supply problems coming from around the world, everything from boats getting is sudden personnel so that was the inflation and what you've got now is inflation coming down around the world and nothing to do with the uk. and that will continue to go down and that's good news and inflation — in frustrates will be cut, that's good news overall. —— interest rates. the government themselves had an

address that mother could have done more to actually encourage, for interest rates coming down but encourage more growth and more investment to come into the economy. this growth and more investment to come into the economy.- come into the economy. as for as financial _ come into the economy. as for as financial markets _ come into the economy. as for as financial markets were - as financial markets were concerned, fairly muted reaction, there was no surprises in the spring budget, to be fair, a lot of this was linked ahead, wasn't it? it was, that issue was number one, don't repeat what happened in the last disaster budget and make sure the global economy and global investors actually saw britain as a good place to invest so ticked in the box there, they see us back on the normal tracking and, that's britain as we know, maybe rather dull but more secure, that's what they want to see. that was great. we will have to wait and see but the economy is slowing out, we are still growing, not exciting but growth is there although technically we are recession for the next two months. so, it's better than it could have been but on the other hand, it

was very exciting.— was very exciting. ok, mother to net was very exciting. ok, mother to get your — was very exciting. ok, mother to get your reaction, - was very exciting. ok, mother to get your reaction, thank - was very exciting. ok, mother| to get your reaction, thank you for getting up so early. —— lovely to get your reaction. let's get some more business reaction from chris southworth, the secretary general of the international chambers of commerce here in the uk. good morning to you. so, you're taken from the perspective of companies who do trade and anything in there for them? i didn't recognise a description of the uk just following on from the previous speaker, this idea that we have high growth when were actually in a recession and equally on poverty, poverty is reduced when the resolution found that families were in poverty promotion put for me is, this works run growing the economy and know when trade again, the occurrence of the last time we had a budget weather was significant announcement on trade, trade is worthi trillion to the economy, it involves 1000 companies up in the country, we got a real problem in the sense that imports are down, the future

order book is down, that's not a great picture so it was agreed in denial about what's going on in the trade economy and then, not mentioning trade within the context of trying to drive economic growth and pay for public services, to meet frankly bizarre. it feels like we've gone from an outward facing trading nation to a very inward facing domestic focus nation in the way that we communicate and focus on the budget. i communicate and focus on the budaet. ~' ., , budget. i think the last time i soke to budget. i think the last time i spoke to you _ budget. i think the last time i spoke to you is _ budget. i think the last time i spoke to you is at _ budget. i think the last time i spoke to you is at the - budget. i think the last time i spoke to you is at the end - budget. i think the last time i spoke to you is at the end ofl spoke to you is at the end of january where tighter border controls were put in place for good certainly coming into the uk from europe whether they eat plant or animal goods and etc, we got more and more new restrictions coming, what impact does this have on trade, what are your members telling you about this? it’s what are your members telling you about this? it's enormous, 30 - 3596 _ you about this? it's enormous, 30 - 3596 of— you about this? it's enormous, so - 3596 of trading _ you about this? it's enormous, 30 - 3596 of trading companies| 30 — 35% of trading companies consistently complain about the level of your blocker see people work on the borders. and

last year, we had a groundbreaking piece of new legislation, the trade documents act, we've got a unique opportunity here to remove all people from the system, make trade cheaper to faster and simpler by yesterday, we had no mention of how we will do that. and put any investment into making that happen. when the uk is in poor position to really take the opportunity and generate 25 billion in economic growth or small companies, save 24 billion on savings by modernising the trading system that we have an improving that training environment. the feathers of opportunity but we completely missed it, yesterday which is strange. bill completely missed it, yesterday which is strange.— which is strange. all right, thank you _ which is strange. all right, thank you very _ which is strange. all right, thank you very much - which is strange. all right, i thank you very much indeed, secretary general of international chambers of commerce uk. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

bbc news, bringing a different stories from across the uk. ben is 18 implied — stories from across the uk. ben is 18 implied fees _ stories from across the uk. ben is 18 implied fees test in november last year i was given a date injuly this year. aha, a date injuly this year. weight of almost nine months. i'm waiting for this whole time, i got stuff to do, i got work, i got school and especially my mum as well, she's a single mother, it's difficult her, she's got to be to change your schedule around me. $55 to change your schedule around me. �* . . to change your schedule around me, ., me. as an approved driving instructor. _ me. as an approved driving instructor, he _ me. as an approved driving instructor, he knows - me. as an approved driving instructor, he knows the i me. as an approved driving - instructor, he knows the impact that it can have on learners. when they go to test, the inner situation that they are very nervous so that as a direct impact on them going to test and knowing full well that if they do fail that test, they will have to wait another 22 — 23 weeks. will have to wait another 22 - 23 weeks-— will have to wait another 22 - 23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this one will _ 23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this one will alert _ 23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this one will alert learners - this one will alert learners for the next available test. wherever it may be in the country. but it can mean young drivers passed her test without having anything like enough practical experience on the road. ., ., , .,

road. for more stories from across the _ road. for more stories from across the uk, _ road. for more stories from across the uk, head - road. for more stories from across the uk, head to - road. for more stories from across the uk, head to the l road. for more stories from . across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. looking at the top business stories and we are focusing on europe and the cost of because it borrowing at a record high at 4% across the country that the euro currency. in a few hours, the european central bank makes its latest policy decision, no change is expected today, but the words of ecb chief christine lagade will be analysed for any hint as to when rates might start to come down. so every word she has to sylvain broyer is chief economist for europe at s&p global ratings. he's in frankfurt, where the ecb is based. data have you on the programme. so, are you with the majority —— good to have you on the programme. thinking that rates

will stay on hold today. sorry to interrupt you, can you start again because we didn't hear your response to that. so are your response to that. so are you with the majority believing rates will stay on hold?- rates will stay on hold? yes, definitively. _ rates will stay on hold? yes, definitively. it _ rates will stay on hold? yes, definitively. it is _ rates will stay on hold? yes, definitively. it is far - rates will stay on hold? yes, definitively. it is far too - definitively. it is far too early for the ecb to cut rates. this week. the door will open later this year but for now it is too early. inflation is still above target, especially co—inflation. wage growth is still more or less at peak, 45% but far above productivity growth in the eurozone. the labour market is strong, integrity act —— activity is improving, geopolitical developments in the red sea exert upward prices and we will see that later probably this year and finally the ecb will receive new forecasts but there will be no substantial changes.

do you think the ecb will not make a move before the federal reserve? . �* . . make a move before the federal reserve? ., �*, ., reserve? that's a good question- _ reserve? that's a good question. the - reserve? that's a good question. the door - reserve? that's a good question. the door will| reserve? that's a good - question. the door will open this yearfor the ecb, but probably not beforejune. that would probably be in sync with the fed. what the ecb really needsis the fed. what the ecb really needs is more data evidence that wage growth is moderating, and we will not get that statistical evidence before may. so probably there is a small chance the ecb starts cutting rates slightly before the fed but probably in the same time, namely injune. in germany there is a lot of negotiations on wages currently. talk is through how thatis currently. talk is through how that is going and the impact it will have on the german economy and possible thinking about interest rates.— and possible thinking about interest rates. that's exactly something — interest rates. that's exactly something the _ interest rates. that's exactly something the ecb - interest rates. that's exactly something the ecb is - interest rates. that's exactly - something the ecb is monitoring closely. we have upward

pressure on wages. we see now is that wages in germany in the eurozone seems to have peaked, but they are not moderating at all. it is far above productivity, which is declining, so it means there are stronger upward pressure on core inflation, coming from labour costs and could delay the wage pressures in the context of low gdp growth, not to speak about stagnation, it might delay the possibility for the ecb to start cutting rates. 0k, the ecb to start cutting rates. ok, sylvain, thank you for your thoughts on that. looking at what is happening with interest rates in europe. let's stay with that theme, because us federal reserve chairjerome powell has been

giving his twice—yearly testimony before congress. financial markets are always on high alert for any hints about the path of interest rates. but mr powell was playing his cards close to his chest. our north america business correspondent erin delmore has the details in new york. fed chairjerome powell squarely in the spotlight on capitol hill wednesday, previewing what is to come in the area had, as fed officials contemplate when to cut interest rates and by how much. we believe our policy rate is likely— we believe our policy rate is likely at _ we believe our policy rate is likely at its peak for this tightening cycle. if the economy evolves broadly as expected, it will likely be appropriate to begin dialling back— appropriate to begin dialling back policy restraint at some point — back policy restraint at some point this— back policy restraint at some point this year.— point this year. powell appeared _ point this year. powell appeared before - point this year. powell appeared before the i point this year. powell - appeared before the house financial services committee, the first up in his two—day tour of capitol hill and pointed to considerable progress on the economy, and said while inflation remains above the feds 2% target, it has been easing without significantly increasing unemployment. but while rate

cuts are likely this year he said that the fed is looking for more evidence that inflation is falling sustainably back down to the feds target, and he reiterated fed's target, and he reiterated that members are being careful not to miss step in either direction, whether that is cutting interest rates too soon, or too little, too late. we will have more to say in front of the senate banking committee on thursday. erin delmore there. _ finally, today is world book day, a global celebration of books and reading. last year's event provided a 30%jump in book sales here in the uk, and the boost is much needed, with fewer than half of uk kids saying they enjoy reading, in a recent survey. they are pointing the finger at parents who fail to set an example, telling kids to read while scrolling their phones. guilty as charged! cassie chadderton is chief executive of world book day. good morning to you. firstly,

do you have children?- do you have children? well, i have a 21-year-old _ do you have children? well, i have a 21-year-old child, - do you have children? well, i have a 21-year-old child, sol do you have children? well, i. have a 21-year-old child, so an have a 21—year—old child, so an aduu have a 21—year—old child, so an adult child. have a 21-year-old child, so an adult child.— have a 21-year-old child, so an adult child. was world book day around when — adult child. was world book day around when she _ adult child. was world book day around when she was _ adult child. was world book day around when she was little? - adult child. was world book day j around when she was little? did you have to do the whole dressing up thing and going to school and all of that? fits a school and all of that? as a arent school and all of that? as a parent i'm _ school and all of that? as a parent i'm going _ school and all of that? as a parent i'm going to - school and all of that? as aj parent i'm going to pretend school and all of that? is —. parent i'm going to pretend i'm not —— not going to pretend that the dressing up is not such a big dealfor my that the dressing up is not such a big deal for my daughter but yes, absolutely, we did need to find questions but i was also very aware that my daughter was growing up with books around her, and she was already quite an avid reader. world book day is about reaching those children who don't think reading is for them. reading for pleasure particularly really improves life chances. it is very important we are reaching out to all children and families to talk about the benefits of reading for pleasure and making sure all parents everywhere can take the pressure off when it comes to reading and just enjoy that experience with the children.— that experience with the children. . �* ., children. yes, i've got three, and like _ children. yes, i've got three, and like you _ children. yes, i've got three, and like you they _ children. yes, i've got three, and like you they are - children. yes, i've got three, and like you they are sort - children. yes, i've got three, and like you they are sort ofl and like you they are sort of older now. we did the whole world book day thing. iforgot

a few times which are terrible, because i was here in the bbc in the early hours knowing my child didn't have an outfit. but anyway, it is hard though to get kids to read. there are so much pulling in terms of their attention. devices, all sorts, in a way that wasn't the case when we were growing up. that's true and of course there is a lot of competition whether we are adults or children. what the data shows that children really appreciate reading is almost a kind of place to go if required. it is part of children's well—being at the moment. when they have books around them and they are supported to read, they are taking it up. just need to make sure they are reaching more children and giving people access to books.— children and giving people access to books. what would be our to - access to books. what would be your top tips? _ access to books. what would be your top tips? they _ access to books. what would be your top tips? they would - access to books. what would be your top tips? they would let i your top tips? they would let their kids to read more, have they had in a book as opposed to looking at a screen. what is your advice?— to looking at a screen. what is your advice? talk to them about what they want _ your advice? talk to them about what they want to _ your advice? talk to them about what they want to read, - your advice? talk to them about what they want to read, maybe l what they want to read, maybe go exploring a local book shop or library to find something and you might be surprised what

it is your child chooses to read. rememberthat audiobooks read. remember that audiobooks are read. rememberthat audiobooks are also reading, comics are a brilliant way to get children engaged in reading and maybe think about it as being something that is their choice. and even if you think a child is reading below their reading level, let them enjoy it, and you will find they will go on to explore reading for themselves and other avenues. i know that here in the uk world book day is a really big deal in primary schools, it is fantastic fun, everybody dressed up in different outfits, teachers often go to town as well. outside of the uk, tell us about what is happening around the world today. fits happening around the world toda . �* . ., happening around the world toda . ., , _, today. as a charity, world book day operates — today. as a charity, world book day operates in _ today. as a charity, world book day operates in the _ today. as a charity, world book day operates in the uk - today. as a charity, world book day operates in the uk and - day operates in the uk and ireland, and then the unesco world book day happens a bit later towards the end of april, 23rd of april. but in the uk, absolutely, schools, libraries, book shops, the publishing industry, an increasing number of community venues. everybody gets involved. world book day does become a kind of brilliant

national conversation about books and the importance of reading. so we're hoping children are going out and exchanging the £1 token they get in school for a £1 per, so giving access to books for for children, dressing up of course is what lovely way to celebrate books and reading but particularly for those families who are struggling with cost of living. there are lots of ways to enjoy world book day and express your reading choices so let's really encourage children to talk about what they want to read and let's go off and explore that with them. thank ou so explore that with them. thank you so much- _ explore that with them. thank you so much. really— explore that with them. thank. you so much. really interesting to talk to you. chief executive of world book day. another huge advocate of reading especially among young people is dolly parton, of course. amazing, she's done incredible work in the whole area of reading. let's see how the asian markets are faring today. we just wejust had some we just had some interesting numbers out of china. you can see it is a day of declines, probably quite a bit of profit—taking going on here. let's not forget japan,

profit—taking going on here. let's not forgetjapan, the nick let's not forget japan, the nick a let's not forgetjapan, the nick a two to let's not forget japan, the nick a two to five let's not forgetjapan, the nick a two to five has been going from record high to record high. i'm sure there is profit—taking going on but the biotech stocks in particular are the big losers today because of changes happening in the us, meaning there is more restrictions on the buying of biotech stuff from china in the united states. also china's trade figures have just come out, china's foreign trade grew more quickly than expected in january and february, as the electronic sector is showing signs of improvement. let's look at the united states first we heard from jerome powell earlier, you can see the nasdaq index, the tech weighted index, up. the price of oil coming off a bit. so that is all for me. so much analysis of the budget online. chris mason our political editor taking a look at what it means for the chancellor, for the prime minister, for the governing

conservative party, but of course budget, key points at a glance, what are the key points in that budget and what do they mean for you? you can read all about it on our website. see you soon. hello, there. over the next few days, the winds going to be picking up from the east or southeast. it's going to be particularly windy on friday. we'll have more of the cloud affecting eastern parts of the country. i think some western areas will see most of the sunshine. that's because high pressure over scandinavia will be pushing westwards against this low—pressure system, so we'll start to see the isobars squeezing together. so for thursday, it's a bright start across northern and western areas. quite a chilly start, mind you — early mist and fog will clear as the wind begins to pick up. eastern areas seeing thicker cloud at times. it will stay rather grey here, maybe some spots of drizzle. a few showers into the

afternoon across the midlands, into east wales. otherwise, many places should stay dry and we should see sunny spells. top temperatures, 11 degrees, but cooler along north sea coasts with that increasing onshore breeze. the winds continue to pick up through thursday night, pushing more cloud into the midlands, northern england, large parts of scotland. but there will still be some clearer skies, particularly through southern and central areas. so where the skies are clear, it's going to be cold. where we have the cloud, the breeze, then less cold — generally, i think, two to five degrees. now, more isobars on the charts for friday. a strong east, south—easterly wind picking up as this low—pressure system starts to push back against the area of high pressure, so a blustery day for all. there will be quite a bit of sunshine around, we think, for england and wales. more cloud for northern england, certainly central and eastern scotland, and some good spells of sunshine for western scotland, northern ireland, but the winds a feature for all areas, particularly so along north sea coasts, so that will peg the temperatures back, although we're looking at single digits on the north sea, it could feel even colder than that. further west in the sunshine, ten or 11 celsius. into saturday, this area of low pressure sideswipes the south and southwest of the country. again, it stays quite blustery,

quite a few isobars on the charts for saturday, and we'll see showers or longer spells of rain affecting parts of the west and the southwest. some sunshine around, too. if it's not going to be a wash—out. a lot of cloud, though, for northern england and large parts of central and eastern scotland. a bit of drizzle on the hills there. feeling quite chilly in the north, but 11 to 13 in the south, some milder air being pulled into this area of low pressure, which will, by sunday into monday, pull out into the near continent. you'll see the isobars opening out, so we should start to see some drier weather, lighter winds as we head through sunday, certainly into monday and tuesday, but east—facing coasts will always see more in the way of cloud, perhaps still with a little bit of drizzle over the higher ground.

good morning, welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. our headlines today. a cut to national insurance and changes to child benefit. the chancellor delivers his last budget before the general election. the chancellor announced another 2p cut to national insurance for 27 million workers. another key measure, child benefit will be paid to more families. i've been getting reaction from you. guilty of involuntary manslaughter, the weapons handler who loaded a gun for actor alec baldwin before it fired and killed a cinematographer on set. the daughter of a woman murdered by her former partner has warned

that police delays in responding to the law set up in her mother's memory are putting lives at risk. manchester city cruise into to the champions league quarterfinals. the holders sweep past copenhagen as their pursuit of another treble gathers pace. good morning from essex where we are celebrating world book day and the final of 500 words with mary poppins, where's wally, the oxford english dictionary, are we going to have fun? . the weather will be cloudy especially in the east, scattered showers around with brighter skies in the west but it is going to become a bit windier. all of the details later in the programme. it's thursday 7th march. the chancellor has cut national insurance contributions and raised the threshold for claiming child benefit in his last spring budget before the general election. he says the measures have been paid for by putting up taxes on business class flights, vaping and smoking, but the office