Blue 1430 bulletin

The Spring Budget included expected policies such as raising child benefit thresholds and introducing a duty on vapes. The economy is expected to grow and inflation is under control. International Women's Day is being celebrated in Leeds with a live music session. There is a protest against rising energy bills and cold homes. A Mother's Day charity craft fair is being held to support recovering alcoholics. Leeds has seen an increase in reported rape and sexual offences, which may be due to improved reporting. The WalkSafe app has expanded to Leeds. In sports news, Manchester City faces tough competition in the Champions League. Leeds United won against Stoke City, maintaining their impressive form. Ten athletes from Leeds are heading to the Paris Olympics. Tyson Fury confronted Francis Ngannou over previous fight comments. Good afternoon, it's 2.30, I'm Nima Robbins and this is Leeds Hacks Radio News. There had been many expected policies that were included in the Spring Budget. Hunt specifically opposed the battle with inflation being a key reason for the preceding policies. He had confirmed child benefits thresholds had been raised from £50,000 to £60,000. Hunt also announced plans to introduce a duty on vapes from 2026. He told the MPs the economy is expected to grow from 0.8% this year to 1.9% next year and the UK has turned the corner on inflation. To discourage non-smokers from taking up vaping, we're today confirming the introduction of an exercise duty on vaping products from October 26th and publishing a consultation on its design. I think creating a space for people who haven't necessarily had as formal training to go into it and really be able to play around in a kind of no-pressure setting. Friday the 8th of March is International Women's Day and this year's theme is Inspire Inclusion and in Leeds, the Left Bank Organisation are hosting a live music session and open mic night in support of International Women's Day. Mae Florsheim, a Leeds artist, has spoken about tomorrow's live open mic night. There's been a protest in Leeds City Centre campaigning against death caused by rising energy bills and cold homes. Sam Dimmitt reported from Leeds City bus station where the march is taking place. They've got a mock coffin set up outside of their stall to represent the people that have died over the last few years over energy bills going up and cold homes and the lack of support from the government around that. They're handing out leaflets, they're asking people to sign postcards for Rishi Sunak to try and get his attention. Leeds based charity Little Fox are hosting a Mother's Day charity craft fair at the Corn Exchange. This week's event is in support of Yorkshire based charity Getting Clean. It's the cause that raises awareness of people suffering from alcoholism. So they're recovering alcoholics, getting clean it's called. And I've been with this for a little while now. Statistics from Leeds City Council show a dramatic increase in the number of recorded rape and sexual offences that council believes that a reason for the increase could be the extensive work done to encourage reporting. Emma Kay, the founder of the app WalkSafe, says that the app's expansion to Leeds was an easy decision. I think that Leeds is really engaged. I think that when we were reaching out to bids and councils, we found that Leeds really cared about the welfare of their students on campus, their residents. Now to Jack with the sport. Thanks Emma. Here are today's sports headlines. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that the competition in the Champions League is harder than ever. His side are looking to retain Europe's highest prize in football this year. They take on FC Copenhagen tonight, taking a 3-1 lead into their last 16 second leg. Getting better and tougher. I always had the feeling when I arrived in Barcelona in my first years, we arrived in the semi-finals. Now to reach the semi-finals is so difficult. The teams are better, managers are better, but at the end, the better teams always go through. Football as well. James carrying it forward for Leeds, quickly up to the edge of the penalty area and into it. Low shot! Yes! Dan James does it! There's a breakthrough! 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. The Whites continue their impressive form as this win ensured 28 points from a possible 30 in the last 10 games. Ten athletes from Leeds are heading for the Paris Olympics, with the city hoping to bring back medals for Britain. They're all coached at Leeds Beckett University, which produced talent such as runner Keeley Hodgkinson and the Brownlee Brothers. Star coach Andrew Henderson spoke about how he spots future Olympians. It's just basically how they move, how they run when they're young, and then just also how keen they are to do the sport as well. You do get a feel for where they're going to go moving forward. In boxing, heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has confronted Francis Ngannou over suggestions that he labelled him a coward. The pair fought in October in Saudi Arabia, with Fury taking a contentious split decision win. Ngannou is set to face former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Friday night. Back to you, Ema. Leeds Hacks Radio News, it's 2.37.