Natasha Clark

Interesting bit in Chancellor interview with @NickFerrariLBC @LBC •Suggests we don't necessarily need to go back into the EU/single market to have stronger growth: "I don't actually accept that. I mean, it's been— it's certain Brexit has certainly hit our level of growth. It's certainly hit our level of trade. But we had a referendum. We're out of the European Union. The challenge for me now is how do we make the best of an economy which this year has proved remarkably resilient. It’s confounded the forecasters”. Also: •Promises welfare reform in a “Labour way” as “crude benefit cuts” are a “pressure too far” when households are “suffering” •Britain must build data centres to be “sovereign, secure, and in charge of our own AI future” – but they must produce “community benefit” and protect water supplies •Early election – Andy Burnam has “entirely ruled one out for next year” and Kemi Badenoch talking “complete rubbish” •Confirms council taxpayers – not landlords – will receive the £100 energy payment

Lord Jim O Neill tells @lbc @AndrewMarr9 the OBR forecasts look a bit too gloomy to him and he thinks there will be some “positive tailwinds… I think they’re being too cautious.” “It’s one of the dullest budgets for some time but it’s quite wise. Self imposed constraints like the manifesto and not wanting to clobber business. I’m quite impressed by that. “I was impressed at the emails I’ve got coming in. Modestly positive from business people. I’m pleased it was presented in the way that it was.” sounds like he’s had a quiet word with the PM on his previous comments

After this poll, Burnham this morning again ruling out an election "anytime soon" and seems to suggest it may be based on when he can get a sense of a deal on Europe: "It's not about that. My mind isn't on that... There is no election coming anytime soon. "People may as well just put that out of their mind. "Britain in my view, is starting to regain its momentum, its sense of positivity, its direction. That is— I'm trying to give the country a direction, and there is no way I can do that without coming back to the relationship with Europe and saying, look, here are some options as to how we get this."

NEW: Polling for @Ipsos_in_the_UK shared with @LBC shows another big Burnham bounce for Labour Lab - 32% (+5) Tories - 24% (+3) Reform UK 20% (-3) Lib Dems 9% (+1) Green 8% (-5) Largest lead this parliament, first time Tories back in second this parliament... lbc.co.uk/article/labour-bur…

Amazing baby slap down for Rayner on her (correct) prepare box to include a bottle of wine Asked if wine would also be part of his emergency box, Andy Burnham said: “I’m not sure that that’s the top of the list in terms of the advice that we’re giving to the to the public. “You need to have a clear head when it comes to a challenging situation. “So yeah, some tins of food, some bottled water. But I’m sure people are allowed a glass or two as well to get them through a difficult situation,” he added.

EXCL: Wes Streeting tells me @LBC he has to 'prioritise to make sure that we are focused on those things that will make us most warfighting ready' + refuses to rule out changing plans for funding military housing and equipment to plug DIP hole lbc.co.uk/article/streeting-…

Breaking - Energy Secretary has agreed that the regulator can grant consent for gas to be produced at the licensed Jackdaw field Gov say it’s Expected to begin this month and will increase domestic gas production by around 6% Miatta Fanbulleh: “The decision is compatible with our legally binding climate commitments, and we remain resolute in ending new licences for oil and gas and achieving net zero by 2050.”

Just two tech companies have paid fines to Ofcom for being in breach of the Online Safety Act, Melanie Dawes of Ofcom tells MPs this morning One is being appealed, and one is not yet overdue, leaving a total of nine currently unpaid. "Of the nine that are unpaid in total, two are porn companies that have now implemented highly effective age assurance...  "Another four have geo-blocked the UK. And so that's three that are still available without the risks being mitigated out of the 11 services." "We won't be able to recover every single fine on online safety," she continued. "If foreign courts decide to... try and get in our way, there will be a point at which we have to accept that we won't be able to recover that money. "But we will always seek to go as far as we can. And in the end, what encourages me about the companies we fined is that they've actually done the things that we want to protect the public, and that is the real test of our implementation of the Act."

Emma Webber tells @nickferrari that Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane could be eligible to apply for release from psychiatric detention in January due to differences between prisons and hospital: “So he's a patient, not a prisoner, and that's really, really— and you're treated very differently, not just as the criminal, as the perpetrator, but also as victims and our respect. I found out yesterday, for example, I mean, there are so many things, that he is eligible to apply to be released in January. After 3 years, January 2027, he can apply to go to a tribunal to come out if he's well enough.  … of course, he's going to be denied, because quite frankly, over my dead body will that monster ever come out. And I mean that. But it's not only in January. It's then annual, every 12 months.” @LBC

Emma Webber tells @nickferrari that Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane could be eligible to apply for release from psychiatric detention in January due to differences between prisons and hospital: “So he's a patient, not a prisoner, and that's really, really— and you're treated very differently, not just as the criminal, as the perpetrator, but also as victims and our respect. I found out yesterday, for example, I mean, there are so many things, that he is eligible to apply to be released in January. After 3 years, January 2027, he can apply to go to a tribunal to come out if he's well enough.  … of course, he's going to be denied, because quite frankly, over my dead body will that monster ever come out. And I mean that. But it's not only in January. It's then annual, every 12 months.” @LBC

Party sources say that Lobo will still go on to work in his new freelance role for the party. Others suggest he had nothing to do with vetting as Ops and is the latest fall guy…