Newsnight, followed by Weather

The programme led with an interview with Andy Burnham ahead of his first budget on Wednesday. He said the approach would be to keep the economy strong and stable and to provide help for households and businesses without taking risks with the public finances, citing an IMF report and warning against repeating the mini-budget's effects on mortgages. He pointed to measures including existing help on electricity costs, a two-pound bus fare cap in 2027, and asking the Chancellor to examine gas standing charges, and said a 10-year plan for Britain would follow later this year.

A political panel then discussed what the budget might contain. Expected measures included tax increases and a raid on banks, possible help with energy costs and fuel duty, support for young people not in employment, education or training, and business-cost measures, with devolution described as the radical element. The discussion noted a deterioration in the public finances linked to the conflict with Iran, higher inflation and energy prices, and a global bond market sell-off. A later segment on high streets, including remarks from businesses and a report from Makerfield, focused on empty shops, business rates, national insurance, energy costs and the balance between high street and online retailers; it was reported that the budget could raise the threshold for zero business rates for small shops, pubs and cafes.

The programme also covered government advice for households to keep supplies for three days in case of crises such as war, cyber attack or natural disaster. Burnham said this was about sensible preparation rather than panic buying, and the panel discussed national resilience, including fire-service responsibilities for floods, cyber-attacks and energy-supply risks, as well as possible effects on business supply chains and consumer confidence. It then discussed Burnham's appearance on a celebrity Gogglebox episode for Stand Up To Cancer, including criticism from the Conservative leader and defences that it offered levity and positivity. The weather forecast followed with an amber warning for Storm Boulo, expected to bring widespread wind and rain over the weekend, especially to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, with gusts reaching 80 mph in places.