In his second budget, Alistair Darling announced a 50p tax rate for people earning more than £150,000 as he revised his forecasts against a backdrop of the worst recession since the second world war. Economics editor Larry Elliott says the chancellor painted a grim picture of the UK economy, which political commentator Martin Kettle says is forcing both Labour and the Conservatives to reconsider their election promises.
Unemployment has reached 2.1 million, according to figures announced yesterday. Martin Wainwright visits Rotherham JobCentre to gauge reaction to the measures to help the jobless in the budget.
Education editor Polly Curtis examines the row over last year's Sats fiasco, reignited yesterday when the former head of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Ken Boston, attacked the children's secretary, Ed Balls, before a committee of MPs.
Singer Billy Ocean, who enjoyed major pop success in the 1980s, is back with a new album. He talks to Hannah Pool.
