Your morning briefing: What you should know for Thursday, March 4

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Budget receives broad welcome from voters despite looming tax rises - opinion polls

Rishi Sunak's budget has received a broad welcome from voters despite looming tax rises, according to two snap opinion polls carried out after the Chancellor's statement.

Households and businesses are facing the biggest tax burden since the 1960s after Mr Sunak unveiled plans to repair the nation's finances after the pandemic.

And taxes on business profits are set to rise from 2023, while income tax thresholds will be frozen, meaning more than a million extra people will be dragged into paying it as wages increase.

It will take the UK’s tax burden to its highest level since the 1960s, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Despite this, a snap poll by Opinium Research showed that 52 per cent approved of the budget, with only 12 per cent disapproving.

A second poll by YouGov showed that 46 per cent supported it, with 11 per cent opposed.

Covid infection rate decline ‘slowing and could even be on the rise in London’

The rate of decline in Covid-19 infections in England has slowed and in the capital it may even be on the rise, worrying new figures show.

One in every 213 people in the country is still testing positive for Covid-19, the Imperial College London’s React study found.

In some parts of the country the rate of decline has plateaued and in places there are hints that rates are increasing, the data suggest.

Researchers warned that if infection rates start to rise then people who are due their jab imminently may become infected.

Meghan accuses royals of ‘perpetuating falsehoods’

The Duchess of Sussex has accused the Royal Family of “perpetuating falsehoods,” in a teaser from her and Prince Harry’s eagerly anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The clip was released just hours after Buckingham Palace said it will launch an investigation into claims that Meghan bullied former royal staff.

Winfrey asks Meghan how she felt about the Palace hearing her “speak your truth today?”

She replies: “I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.”

Andrew Cuomo says he ‘never touched anyone inappropriately’

Three women have recently come forward with accusations of sexual harassment against the Democrat.

In his first public comments on the allegations, Mr Cuomo said he felt “embarrassed” that his actions made the women feel uncomfortable at work.

The governor said he would not resign, despite calls for him to do so from within his own party.

Cat avoids high-speed dash north by a whisker after being found on train roof

A cat was a whisker away from a 125mph ride on the roof of a train when it was spotted at London Euston station.

The fearless feline was seen curled up on top of an Avanti West Coast train half an hour before it was due to leave for Manchester on Tuesday evening.

The train was taken out of service and replaced with only a slight delay – but while passengers were able to continue their journey, the cat stayed put.

After two and a half hours, the meandering moggy eventually alighted the train after a bin was brought alongside the carriages to act as a makeshift platform.

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