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Jeremy Hunt announced that there will be a reduction in National Insurance payments, potentially saving individuals up to £450 per year. Shoplifting is increasing in Leeds, with 270 cases reported in January alone. There is a protest about high energy bills outside Leeds bus station. Eating disorder services in Leeds have improved since the pandemic, with new schemes introduced to help those in recovery. International Women's Day was celebrated in Leeds, with people sharing their influential women. Carlo Ancelotti is being investigated for tax fraud. The Women's World Cup is the most desirable sport event to host in the UK. Leeds Rhinos announced their squad for an upcoming fixture. The 2024 Sporting Heritage Conference will be held at Headingley Stadium. Good afternoon, it's 2 o'clock and I'm Philippa Platt and this is Leeds Hacks Radio News. Jeremy Hunt has confirmed that we'll pay a two pence less National Insurance, meaning the average person could save up to £450 per year. This is part of the Spring Budget which the Chancellor has been delivering in the Commons this afternoon. Those with the broader shoulders to pay a bit more. Today I go further. From April 6th employee National Insurance will be cut by another two pence, from 10 per cent. Shoplifting is on the rise across Britain, with Leeds being identified as a hotspot. Police say there have been 270 shoplifting cases reported in the city in January alone. Darcy Grant reports. The Association of Convenience Stores say that small shopkeepers endured 5.6 million thefts in 2023. This is an increase from 1.1 million in 2022. Leeds is being targeted by shoplifting teens who are normally middle-aged men. I'm here in the centre of Leeds and some stores say that shoplifters are becoming more brazen and obvious and some shoplifters are even armed. Shop workers say they feel police do not do enough to counter the shoplifting gangs. Rail workers have taken part in a recent industrial action in England. Workers are being asked for a higher salary to combat the rate of inflation and the high cost of living. Matthew Baird, a driver for Northern Rail, has announced his intent to continue striking. Until any form of agreement or acceptable agreement is reached, then we'll just continue striking whenever we can. A protest is taking place outside of Leeds bus station this afternoon. It's a result of high energy bills and the effect it's having on the public. Stephen Johnson has said that people are dying. Eating disorder services have improved massively since the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Leeds and West Yorkshire NHS services have introduced new schemes in an effort to help those in recovery. Zoe Richards has more information. Lockdown saw more people struggling with eating disorders than ever before and it was made clear that more support needed to be put in place. Multiple schemes such as Connect for Adults with Eating Disorders and Freed for Early Intervention has been introduced in Leeds and surrounding areas of West Yorkshire over the past few years. In Leeds, the average age for being admitted into hospital with an eating disorder is 15. These schemes aim to intervene before the eating disorder gets to a stage that warrants hospitalisation. International Women's Day is a global celebration of women's achievements and a call for gender equality. We asked the people of Leeds who their most influential women are in their lives. My mother, because she's the person who taught me to be who I am and she raised me so well, good principles, so yeah, she's the most person that I really look up to. My role model is my mum, just because I was a single parent and she helped me bring my up and now my daughter sees her as a role model also. Here's James with the news. The latest headline in the sport today is former Chelsea and Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of tax fraud which totals to 1 million euros. Prosecutors say the current Real Madrid manager used shell companies to hide parts of his income. He is currently under investigation from Spanish authorities. According to the body of Elite Sport, the Women's World Cup has become the UK's most desirable sport event to host. A list of 70 desirable targets for the UK was released with the Women's World Cup arriving ahead of titanic events such as the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, further demonstrating the progress that has been made on the female side of the game. On to the cricket now and ahead of tomorrow's fifth and final test match against India, a big change to the England squad has been announced. Fast bowler Mark Wood has replaced Ollie Robinson in the side, with the latter failing to take a wicket in the last test. Leeds Rhinos have announced their squad for their upcoming fixture against Leeds Leopards in a couple of days on the 8th of March. Prop Micolaj Oledski and winger Debo Olfers return from injury, a win could take the Rhinos back up to the top of the table. The location for the 2024 Sporting Heritage Conference has been announced. The event is set to take place at Headingley Stadium on the 8th and 9th of May, with Paralympian Pip Britton who will be presenting the event. Leeds Hacks Radio News. It's 2.04.