Inside Politics: Rishi Sunak spends big to keep coronavirus slump at bay

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Abracadabra! Perhaps the chancellor should have worn a top hat and white gloves for his big Budget giveaway. Rishi Sunak managed to locate the magic money tree, gave it a good shake – and find a whole series of rabbits to pull out of his hat. Labour claims the illusionists on Downing Street have used “sleight of hand” to trick the public with a “smoke and mirrors” act, after billions were conjured up for a mammoth stimulus package. If only someone could wave a magic wand and make the coronavirus disappear. I’m Adam Forrest, and welcome to The Independent’s daily Inside Politics briefing.

Inside the bubble

Our political editor Andrew Woodock on what to look out for at Westminster today:

Boris Johnson holds another Cobra emergency committee meeting in Whitehall on the coronavirus crisis today, and is expected to approve plans to move the country from the “containment” phase to “delay” – which could see measures to encourage “social distancing”. In parliament MPs will continue to debate the Budget, but the real fireworks could come over in the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, where the BBC’s director-general Lord Hall is giving evidence.

Daily briefing

WIZARD IN A BLIZZARD: Get out your wallets and purses: according to the money saving expert Martin Lewis we’re about to see “magic money drop from the sky”. So just how big was this year’s Budget? The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said Rishi Sunak’s splurge marks the largest giveaway since 1992. Jeremy Corbyn dismissed it all as a “sleight of hand” amid a “blizzard of hype” – arguing the spree couldn’t possibly make up for the Tory assault on public services since 2010. Despite all the excitement, the OBR warned that “a recession this year is quite possible” if the coronavirus gets significantly worse. This is exactly what Sunak is trying to avoid. Admitting things were about to get “tough”, he unveiled £30bn in extra spending – including £12bn for measures to combat Covid-19. What about those stuck in the gig economy? Although the government will meet costs for small firms providing statutory sick pay – the self-employed still won’t be eligible. “Telling them to turn to the broken benefits system isn’t good enough,” said the TUC. Ouch.

POST-NADINE CLEAN: Will life ever be sane again? Nadine Dorries’ coronavirus diagnosis sparked something close to panic in the corridors of Westminster – as officials scrambled to find everyone she’d come into close contact with. The house-bound junior health minister sent out a WhatsApp message saying: “If you sat next to me in the tea room or library … please let me know.” According to The Times and The Telegraph, foreign secretary Dominic Raab was tested after concerns were raised about his coughing during the Budget – but his result came back negative. Junior health minister Edward Argar, Tory MP Sir Charles Walker and Labour MP Rachael Maskell have all gone into self-isolation. Boris Johnson – who won’t be tested because he didn’t come into close contact with Dorries – is set to move us into the “delay” phase today. But it won’t yet signal an end to all public events, with health secretary Matt Hancock telling MPs “there are some things that feel right and don’t have an impact at all”.

WATER WORKS: It looks like the coronavirus is coming for the next round of trade talks. Michael Gove revealed that the government had received “indications” that the EU wants to postpone negotiations – scheduled for 18 March. The Cabinet Office minister didn’t appear too flustered about it during his select committee appearance. But Gove did manage to spill water all over his paperwork. When Hilary Benn asked him about economic assessments, Gove picked up a jug of water, grinned as he zinged off a line about an “evolving picture” – and completely missed his own cup. Elsewhere, the Lib Dems have cancelled their spring conference and the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) has urged the government to consider postponing May’s local elections. Could parliament shut down? Not yet. Speaker Lindsay Hoyle told MPs he was still monitoring the situation. Rory Stewart thinks it’s a disgrace. The London mayoral candidate said the Budget should have been announced “online” and the Commons “should cease to meet in person” He added: “Time for action. Now.”

UNTIL IT’S OVER, OVER THERE: Donald Trump obviously isn’t interested in a careful, gradual build-up of measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus. His administration has shut down all travel from Europe – with the exception of the UK. The president also reversed his previous advice by urging sick people across American to “stay home” during one of his few televised addresses from the Oval Office. Describing Covid-19 as a “foreign virus”, Trump portrayed it as an enemy from overseas, coming to do battle. “The virus will not have a chance against us.” He also boasted that the US had fewer cases than in Europe, and claimed “the EU failed to take the same precautions” as those taken his administration. Even though his administration hasn’t been doing much of anything until now.

SHAGGY DOG STORY: There’s a lot of misinformation flying around about some very important things. And the prime minister’s fiancee Carrie Symonds want you to know the facts, people. After The Times reported that she and fiancee Johnson had “grown weary” of their adopted Jack Russell, Symonds blasted the story as a “total load of crap!” She tweeted: “There has never been a happier, healthier and more loved dog than our Dilyn. 100% bs. The people behind this story should be ashamed of themselves.” A source told the newspaper described poor Dilyn as a “sickly animal” and suggested he might not “make it through the next reshuffle”. But a Downing Street official said: “It’s completely untrue that there are plans for him to be rehomed.” So there you go. Dilyn is staying put, whether he likes it or not.

On the record

“We are doing everything we can to keep this country and our people healthy and financially secure … We will get through this together.”

Rishi Sunak on efforts to combat the looming coronavirus slump.

From the Twitterati

“Dominic Raab keeps coughing during budget.”

Actress Talulah Riley first spots Raab looking unwell…

“Can someone please get Dominic Raab a large hanky to cough in. He is barely covering his mouth and coughing consistently on the front bench.”

…as LBC’s Shelagh Fogarty suggests his coughing technique leaves a lot to be desired.

Essential reading

Ben Chu, The Independent: Budget 2020: Is this really the end of austerity?

Sean O’Grady, The Independent: This Budget has no principles – it was pure populism

Anoosh Chakelian, New Statesman: How does the Budget change sick pay and benefits?

Laura McGann, Vox: Trump’s coronavirus speech was laced with xenophobia

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