What time is the Budget today, where can I watch it and what will Rishi Sunak say?

BTS singer Jungkook has commented on how strange it was performing live in his home country once again yesterday, more than two years on from the group’s last shows there, and while South Korean COVID-19 rules effectively ban audiences from expressing their enjoyment.Different countries have taken different approaches to allowing live music to return after its lengthy pandemic hiatus. In the UK, we have the classic “fuck it, it’ll probably be fine” approach. Swinging very much in the opposite direction, BTS’s record label Big Hit Music recently informed fans heading to shows in Seoul that “cheering loudly, yelling, chanting and standing up” would be banned, in order to adhere to South Korea’s current rules for staging live performances.The group played the first of a three night run at Seoul’s Jamsil Olympic Stadium yesterday with a show called ‘Permission To Dance On Stage’ – the last two words added to the end of the name of their 2021 single seemingly to make it absolutely clear where dancing would be permitted.Afterward, Jungkook posted a video on Instagram, telling fans how it felt to return to live performances in his home country under such strange conditions.“Finally, after two years, although it felt like 23 years, I got to perform in Korea”, he said, according to Koreaboo.

Alexisonfire will release their first studio album for thirteen years – and first since reuniting in 2015 – this summer. Titled ‘Otherness’, its announcement was accompanied by new single ‘Sweet Dreams Of Otherness’.“This song was largely [guitarist] Dallas [Green’s] brainchild, but over the course of writing this record it became more of a mission statement for the band”, says frontman George Pettit of the single.

DEALSWarner Chappell and film production company Unigram have jointly signed a worldwide publishing deal with singer-songwriter Scott McFarnon. “Scott is a brilliant songwriter, he’s written for top artists and is enjoying success writing original scores for movies”, says Warner Chappell’s UK Head Of A&R Amber Davis.

Naman Ramachandran 606 Distribution and the BFI have partnered to organize a series of preview charity screenings of Elie Grappe’s Cannes winning film “Olga.” From each ticket sold, a donation will be made to support Ukraine via the Disasters Emergency Committee. The film, about a young female Ukrainian gymnast forced to train in exile, had its U.K. premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival earlier this week.

Peter Andre’s son Junior said that he has kissed his grandma Thea “every five minutes” since being reunited with her in Australia.The 16 year old is currently enjoying a long-awaited trip with dad Peter where he has been able to see his grandparents for the first time in two years after pandemic travel restrictions were recently lifted. Appearing on Good Morning Britain with his dad and his uncle Michael and aunt Debbie — who he has also been able to reunite with — Junior spoke about the emotional meeting with his grandparents. Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter.

direct to your inboxMinimum wage for workers in England will rise from April 1.Millions of people will see an increase to their wages next month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced during the 2021 Budget.Workers will receive a 2.2% increase which will see the National Living Wage rise to £8.91 an hour.This is the equivalent of £345 extra per year for those working full-time.In a new change, this means that those aged 23 and over will see their pay increase form £8.20 an hour to £8.91 next month.Previously this highest National Living Wage was available to those aged 25 and over.The National Minimum Wage - which applies to those aged 16 and over - will also rise from April and will see apprentices have to be paid at least £4.30 an hour.The

Martin Lewis will be meeting Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Thursday ahead of a special Budget edition of his weekly consumer programme.The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com secured an interview with the Chancellor after extending repeated invitations for him to appear on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.And one question the consumer champion and hundreds of his social media followers hope to have clarified is around the fourth Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant (SEISS).During Wednesday’s Budget, the Chancellor announced that 600,000 self-employed people will be able to claim the fourth SEISS grant - which they were unable to do so before.Speaking about changes to the scheme, Rishi Sunak said: "When the scheme was launched, the newly

direct to your inboxAndy Burnham has described Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget as a ‘packet of Polos’ boasting some ‘refreshing’ economic ideas - but with many policy-shaped holes.The mayor of Greater Manchester welcomed the extension of the furlough scheme, the Universal Credit uplift and grants for self-employed workers until September.The continuation of cuts to VAT and stamp duty, as well as a longer business rates holiday, were also seen as positive measures for the country’s post-pandemic recovery.But the lack of a pay rise for NHS and social care staff and greater financial support for self-isolating workers were described by Mr Burnham as ‘glaring omissions’.The mayor told a press conference on Wednesday: “I would describe [the

direct to your inboxAs part of today's new budget announcement, chancellor Rishi Sunak updated the UK on duty tax on both alcohol and fuel.Many people had expected the cost of alcohol and fuel to rise after the Budget.However, Rishi has now announced that all alcohol duties will be frozen - news which will be welcomed by millions of people in the UK.The Chancellor also announced that "the planned increase in fuel duty is also cancelled."Rishi Sunak told MPs: “I can confirm that the planned increases in duties for spirits – like Scotch Whisky – wine, cider and beer will all be cancelled.“All alcohol duties frozen for the second year in a row – only the third time in two decades.“And right now, to keep the cost of living low, I’m not prepared

direct to your inboxThe limit on contactless payments is set to rise from £45 to £100.Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who will announce the plans in his 2021 Budget, said the change will boost the retail sector and help protect jobs in the UK.The change will legally come into force from today, but firms will need to make the necessary systems changes before being able to offer customers the higher limit.The UK has been allowed to make the change after leaving the EU, which limits contactless payments to £45 in member countries.Mr Sunak, said: “As we begin to open the UK economy and people return to the high street, the contactless limit increase will make it easier than ever before for people to pay for their shopping, providing a welcome boost to

the Budget today at 12.30pm he is expected to focus on creating jobs and encouraging growth, but will also have to come up with an answer on paying for the coronavirus crisis.On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak announced that the furlough job scheme will be extended for a further six months, giving millions of employees financial support and job security until September.One person who will be watching the proceedings from Parliament closely is money-saving expert, Martin Lewis, who will be offering live Twitter explanations as announcements are made.The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com will also be meeting Chancellor Rishi Sunak for a 10-minute interview on Thursday ahead of a special Budget edition of his Money Show Live, which will air at 8.30pm on

direct to your inboxThe Chancellor is set to extend the furlough scheme when he unveils the 2021 Budget on Wednesday afternoon.Rishi Sunak is expected to announce that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain in place until September - two months later than its most recent end date.But the government's contribution will be reduced from July with employers asked to pay in alongside the taxpayer for the cost of furloughed employees.The scheme, has protected more than 11 million jobs since its inception last year, will continue to see employees receive 80 per cent of their salary for hours not worked until the scheme ends.In July, employers will be expected to contribute 10%, increasing to 20% in August and September, as the economy

coronavirus vaccine roll out will receive a £1.65 billion boost to help it meet the target of offering a dose to every adult by July 31.

direct to your inbox The issue of vaccine passports is one which is beset with complex moral and legal considerations, but it could pave the way out of the coronavirus pandemic and for more normal life to return.