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Jeremy Hunt on recession: 'We expected growth to be weaker'

Jeremy Hunt says that the government "always expected growth to be weaker".

Speaking to the BBC, the chancellor added that the economy "is more resilient" and that interest rates could fall by "early summer".

Read more on the fallout from the UK recession news here.

15 February 2024

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Reeves speaking

Chancellor says Budget will raise taxes by £40bn

Rishi Sunak wearing a blue suit and a grey tie, standing in the Commons

Sunak on Budget: Broken promise after broken promise

Rachel Reeves

Budget choices are not easy but responsible - Reeves

Head and shoulders picture of Rachel Reeves

'We must change the way we measure debt' - Reeves

Jeremy Hunt

Reeves 'trying to hoodwink' voters over tax and spending - Jeremy Hunt

Adrian Ramsay

Greens tax plans 'fairly normal' by European standards - Ramsay

Sir Keir Starmer and Nick Robinson

UK can do better than Johnson's 'botched' post-Brexit trade deal - Starmer

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: Tory manifesto 'wish list of unfunded promises'

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer: No quick fix to the mess the Tories have made

Rachel Reeves

Reeves says Lawson was right on National Insurance

Rishi Sunak

Sunak: Our plan is working, delivering brighter Britain

Jeremy Hunt

Watch: Tories will keep 'triple lock' on pensions - chancellor

Rishi Sunak

PM says new inflation figures show his plan is working

Rachel Reeves

We can't turn things around straight away - Reeves

Sir Keir Starmer

Government growth plan ‘relies on migration’ - Starmer

Rishi Sunak

PM has 'long-term ambition' to abolish national insurance

Jeremy Hunt at the House of Commons with a smaller photo inset of BBC News journalist Gareth Lewis

What does the Budget announcement mean for Wales?

Jeremy Hunt

Hunt heralds 'decisive step' to bring taxes down

Dame Eleanor Lang

Watch: Noisy MPs interrupt Chancellor's Budget delivery

From 6 April the benefit charge would go up to £60,000, the chancellor says.

Watch: Chancellor raises child benefit income threshold

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.