Rishi Sunak is facing some very tough choices in his budget next week, with pressure to deal with the public finances while not stifling growth as the country emerges from lockdown.

Coronavirus may have closed much of our economy, but this government's approach is crashing it.

Next Wednesday is a chance to change course.

Welcome to Payne's Politics, your essential insider guide to what's happening in British politics from the Financial Times, with me Sebastian Payne.

In this week's episode, we'll be looking ahead to Sunak's second budget and the challenges he faces as set out by Labour's analyst Dodds at the top.

We'll be raising taxes, spending or both. How will his colleagues feel about perhaps a rather unconventional conservative budget?

Political editor George Parker will be analysing, along with special guest Gemma Tetlo, whose chief economist at the Institute for Government think-tank.

And later, we'll be discussing the extraordinary events in Scotland in recent weeks, as the war between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her predecessor Alex Salmon exploded into the spotlight.

Will the revelations that Friday's committee hearing have the potential to sink Mr. Sturgeon?

Scotland, correspondent Muradiki will be explaining all, along with our chief political commentator Robert Schrimsley.

Thank you all for joining, and with much discuss, it's straight into the main topic of the week.

In normal times, Rishi Sunak's second budget would be a defining event for the Johnson government, with Brexit delivered and Minister settling to their second year in power.

But the coronavirus pandemic has ended all that. Sunak's first budget last year was ripped of days after it was delivered due to Covid.

And since then, he's had to spend over £400 billion in popping up the economy during successive lockdowns.

Now, he has to level with the public about the cost of these measures. Boris Johnson told MPs this week that support would continue as long as required.

So I want to reassure the House, we will not pull the rug out.

For the duration of the pandemic, the government will continue to do whatever it takes to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK.

And my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will set out further details in the budget next Wednesday.

So George, let's begin because you've had the special pleasure of speaking to Rishi Sunak this week for an FT interview about the budget.

What was his mood like? What is vision for this budget?

Here is his usual upbeat self, I suppose we saw him on Friday in his office in the Treasury.

It was very stripped back, very Rishi type office. The bulk of the work is done.

...