Good evening,

In tonight's 5pm briefing, an £8bn budgetary decision hits pensioners hard, leaving them significantly out of pocket, while Just Stop Oil's notable figure, Phoebe Plummer, is arrested amid allegations of plotting against MPs - demonstrating a troubling intersection of activism and legality. Meanwhile, Rentokil Initial's stock soars as it announces booming business results, encapsulating a day of financial ebbs and flows that saw the FTSE reach new heights, tech firms like Darktrace pushing boundaries, and major companies like Melrose navigating industry challenges.

TONIGHT'S TOP STORIES

Hunt’s £8bn budget blow to pensioners

Eco ringleader is arrested after MoS exposé into MPs homes plot

Shares in the ‘royal ratcatcher’ soar after boom in business

Daily poll: Do you think you will feel better off after the Spring Budget?

Listen: The Trial: Constance Marten and Mark Gordon

PALACE CONFIDENTIAL

‘Stop bullying Catherine!’ Our royal experts react as Princess of Wales under pressure over health scare | Palace Confidential

Market watch: The latest news from the City

MAIL SPORT

Now Horner accuser is suspended by Red Bull

WHAT TO WATCH TONIGHT

The Gentlemen

Tomorrow's news today

• International Women’s Day

• Association of School and College Leaders annual conference in Liverpool

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Comedians, Crufts, and Cambridge rowers

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