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In the Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to make reforms including possible reductions in national insurance and tax cuts. Activists in Leeds are protesting against deaths due to cold homes and are urging the government to upgrade insulation and provide free basic energy needs. Nikki Haley is expected to withdraw from the race to become the Republican Party presidential nominee, leaving Donald Trump as the frontrunner. A recovered drug addict named Toni Meller has started a charity called Helping Hands UK to provide food and clothing to homeless people in Leeds. The Oscar Bright Film Festival, featuring short films directed by individuals with Down Syndrome or other mental disabilities, will begin next week. International Women's Day on March 8th will be celebrated with a live music session in Leeds. Violent offences in Leeds have increased by nearly a quarter, prompting the city council to partner with online safety apps to prevent further rise in cases. Tesco is cutti Good afternoon, it's 12.30, I'm Ema Robbins and this is Leeds Hacks Radio News. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, will receive the reforms in his Spring Budget in just a few minutes. This is David Spencer, a Senior Economics Lecturer at the University of Leeds, sharing his predictions on what might happen in the coming Spring Budget. There's a lot of speculation about what he might do. I saw something today on the news about national insurance, maybe a reduction in national insurance. I think there's going to be some attempt to electioneer, maybe some tax cuts. Activists have gathered outside Leeds City bus station in protest against deaths due to cold homes. Marchers carried a mock coffin to represent the excessive winter deaths that have happened due to increased energy costs. The campaign is urging the government to upgrade homes with safer insulation and heating, as well as meet basic energy needs for free. Donald Trump's last remaining opponent in the contest to become the Republican Party presidential nominee is expected to pull out the race later. Nikki Haley's withdrawal would leave the former US President with a clear run to the candidacy. A recovered drug addict has organised a charity to provide food and clothing to homeless people in Leeds. Toni Meller created Helping Hands UK to ensure that homeless people do not suffer the way she did during her addiction. She spoke about her experience and motivation for creating the charity. I started this as an addict in a stand against how the services in the government treat addicts. So I thought I'm going to do this. I've got ADHD, I was a hopeless addict. The Oscar Bright Film Festival starts next week, Wednesday, in Brighton with Hyde Park Picture House, along with cinemas across the country also screening the short films. The festival is a collection of short films directed by, or includes, actors who have Down Syndrome or neurodivergent who have other mental disabilities. Harry Mead, who is a neurodivergent, is the director of The Hollywood Maker. An opportunity for representation. It's an opportunity to get their stories out there. It's an opportunity to find their place in the industry as well. Next Friday, the 8th of March, is International Women's Day and this year's theme is Inspire Inclusion. The theme is to represent diversity through all aspects of society, helping us break down our barriers and stereotypes. And in Leeds, the Left Bank organisation are hosting a live music session, an open mic night, in support of the day. According to Leeds City Council, violent offences in Leeds have risen by nearly a quarter in the past year, with most frequent reported crimes being violent and sexual offences. This has led Leeds City Council joining forces with online safety apps in an attempt to prevent further increase in cases. Tesco says it's cutting the price of baby formula. The Competition and Markets Authority stated a study into supply of the product after finding two complaints dominated the market last autumn. Here is Jack Holdsworth with the sport news. Leeds United returned to winning ways last night as they beat Stoke City 1-0. Welshman Dan James earned his side a narrow victory with his 11th goal of the season. Manager Daniel Farker praised his side's defensive record. You have to show some fighting spirit, obviously you're also a bit nervous, but overall it was important today to return with a clean sheet. I'm pretty happy that in the 11 league games so far in 2024, I think 18 sheets, three times we have conceded just one goal. England Rugby Union coach Kevin Sinfield says they're coming up against arguably the best team in the world this weekend. They play host to Grand Slam champions Ireland on Saturday at Twickenham. Leeds Hacks Radio News, it's Ema Robin.