Inside Politics: Rishi Sunak set to extend furlough across UK

The chancellor is expected to make clear that payments will extend to future lockdowns in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, writes Adam Forrest

Chancellor Rishi Sunak (PA)

Intense and mysterious blasts of radio energy are emanating from within our own galaxy, astronomers have said – leaving open the possibility that aliens are sending us a series of unusual messages. On planet Earth, intense blasts of bile are emanating from Washington DC, where Donald Trump is screaming conspiracy and his team is desperately trying to thwart the counting of votes. Boris Johnson has made it clear he’s not interested in sending any messages to Trump about the dangers of subverting democracy. The PM has his own intense blasts of bile to worry about, as England’s month-long lockdown begins today in acrimony.

Inside the bubble

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone on what to look out for today: