should be rethink the income tax should be raised for everybody, notjust for pensioners. we think, as we did in government and we delivered on it, increasing the income tax allowance is the fairest thing to do for people in work as well as pensioners. and it looks like the conservatives have just forgotten everybody who is in work. what conservatives have just forgotten everybody who is in work. what is our view everybody who is in work. what is your view on _ everybody who is in work. what is your view on labour's _ everybody who is in work. what is your view on labour's to - everybody who is in work. what is| your view on labour's to introduce the tax on private school fees? the liberal the tax on private school fees? fie: liberal democrats do not support that because we do not think it is the way to improve education across the way to improve education across the board. we want to get more money into our state education we are going to put forward lots of very ambitious plans, way more ambitious than the labour party, to make sure that young people get the best start in life, and i am really looking forward to campaigning on our manifesto policies to improve education for everybody. d0 manifesto policies to improve education for everybody. do you think keir starmer _ education for everybody. do you think keir starmer would - education for everybody. do you think keir starmer would make | education for everybody. do you | think keir starmer would make a education for everybody. do you - think keir starmer would make a good prime minister?— prime minister? listen, i am here to talk about the _ prime minister? listen, i am here to talk about the liberal _ prime minister? listen, i am here to talk about the liberal democrats, i talk about the liberal democrats, and i am really proud of our campaign, what we are campaigning

on, whether it is the nhs, more gps, more nhs dentists, things that people really carabao, our approach to getting the economy back on track or our campaign on the environment. we are here in the beautiful lake district to campaign on the issue of sewage, it has been the liberal democrats who have been campaigning hard to clean up our rivers and beaches and likes and it is the liberal democrats leading on that. so i am focused on getting more liberal mps elected and defeating the conservatives. can liberal mps elected and defeating the conservatives.— liberal mps elected and defeating the conservatives. can i get a yes or no on whether _ the conservatives. can i get a yes or no on whether keir _ the conservatives. can i get a yes or no on whether keir starmer - the conservatives. can i get a yes i or no on whether keir starmer would make a good prime minister but which i am really focused on the labour campaign, ithink i am really focused on the labour campaign, i think people want to know the campaign, not about the other parties when they have got a liver in front of them, they want to know what we are going to do and we have got some fantastic candidates who would make brilliant local champions if elected in so many seats across the country, and if you want to be the conservatives, only voting for the liberal democrats can do that. we have seen that in the south of england, in the west country, here in cumbria, with the amazing tim farron, across the

country that are so many seats where it is the labour vote that is a powerful vote to defeat the conservatives. did you fall into the lake on purpose? d0 conservatives. did you fall into the lake on purpose?— conservatives. did you fall into the lake on purpose? do you know what? one-sided. — lake on purpose? do you know what? one-sided. the _ lake on purpose? do you know what? one-sided, the rest, _ lake on purpose? do you know what? one-sided, the rest, i— lake on purpose? do you know what? one-sided, the rest, ijust _ lake on purpose? do you know what? one-sided, the rest, ijust kept - one—sided, the rest, ijust kept falling unconscious but it is fun. but there is a serious message, the message is, lakes like windermere are so precious, our environment and our wonderful country is so critical to so many people and for people who live near these lakes, it is important for public health and the environment and for the tourist economy. here in the lake district they need to make sure that the water companies are properly held to account. �* ,., water companies are properly held to account. �* ., water companies are properly held to account. ~ ., ., account. also on the campaign trail this morning _ account. also on the campaign trail this morning was _ account. also on the campaign trail this morning was nigel _ account. also on the campaign trail this morning was nigel farage, - this morning was nigel farage, campaigning for reform uk. speaking in dover he said he was white to war years ago about small boat course crossings across the english channel. it crossings across the english channel. ., , , , crossings across the english channel. , ., , ., channel. it was pretty obvious to me earl in channel. it was pretty obvious to me early in 2020 — channel. it was pretty obvious to me early in 2020 that _ channel. it was pretty obvious to me early in 2020 that the _

channel. it was pretty obvious to me early in 2020 that the trickle - channel. it was pretty obvious to me early in 2020 that the trickle of - early in 2020 that the trickle of small inflatable dinghies that were coming across the english channel was something that would turn into a flood. but nobody was interested. nobody was talking about it. and so i came down to dover, i went out to sea repeatedly, ifilmed the dinghies coming over, ifilmed the processing centre here in dover docks, i went up to the midlands and elsewhere to film the hotels that these people were being put into, and i said at the time that you might as well put a big sign on the white cliffs of dover saying, everyone welcome, because we had stopped deporting people who had arrived in our country illegally. i have to say that the rwanda policy is something that was plucked out of the air by a desperate conservative government, launched at the airport to years and one month ago, and rishi sunak of course has inherited that from boris johnson, rishi sunak of course has inherited that from borisjohnson, and keeps making promises that planes will go

to rwanda. i am absolutely convinced that the overriding reason for calling a snap early general election is because he knows that those planes injuly, as he promised, would not be going to rwanda. fin promised, would not be going to rwanda. �* ., ., , ., ., rwanda. an apology, earlier today we heard live from _ rwanda. an apology, earlier today we heard live from nigel _ rwanda. an apology, earlier today we heard live from nigel farage - heard live from nigel farage speaking at that election event we just saw and when we came away from his live speech, i used language to describe it which did not meet the bbc editorial standards on impartiality. i would like to apologise to mr farage and viewers for this. we will be covering the election campaign across the day, you can also get all the latest updates on the bbc news website, where there is a large page. —— where there is a large page. —— where there is a large page. —— where there is a live page. let's turn to the middle east. norway, spain, and ireland are today formally recognising the state of palestine.

norway has hailed it as a special day as the recognition has taken effect. the spanish prime minister, pedro sanchez, said the occupied west bank and the gaza strip would both be included, with eastjerusalem recognised as the palestinian capital. the majority of un countries recognise palestine as a state, although a few european nations do. the palestinian authority and hamas have welcomed the recognition. israel has withdrawn its ambassadors in protest against the move. let's listen to what the spanish prime minister pedro sanchez had to say earlier. this is a historic decision that has a single goal — to contribute to achieving peace between the israelis and palestine. the recognition of the state of palestine is not only a matter of historicaljustice with the legitimate aspirations of the palestine people, but it is also an imperative need to achieve peace. it is the only way to realise the solution that we all recognise as the only possible one to achieve a future of peace, that of a palestine state that coexists alongside the state of israel in peace and security.

israeli forces have moved deeper into rafah despite international condemnation over a strike that set off fires at a refugee camp. eyewitnesses have told reuters that several israeli tanks have reached the centre of rafah. medics say at least 45 people were killed and hundreds more were treated for severe burns, fractures and shrapnel wounds on sunday night. the un security council will convene for a closed—door emergency meeting on tuesday. the un secretary general antonio guterres has condemned the attack saying the horror must stop. the israeli army says the air strike killed two senior members of hamas at a compound nearby and has launched an investigation. appearing before the knesset, israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu called it a tragic mishap. our north america correspondent peter bowes looks ahead to the un security council meeting. this closed—door emergency meeting of the security council, which has been called by algeria, will take place later today.

and it reflects the growing international unease, the growing international outcry about the strike that happened in rafah on sunday. a strike that occurred really just hours after hamas had launched its first missile attack on tel aviv in several months. we have heard in the last few hours from benjamin netanyahu, the israeli prime minister, saying that what happened was a tragic mishap, and that there would be a thorough investigation, but insisting that the war against hamas will continue. it is continuing with the backdrop of major international figures speaking out about what happened on sunday. we have heard from the un secretary—general antonio guterres who said the situation in rafah was a horror that had to stop. he said that people, innocent civilians, displaced palestinians, had been killed.

according to the hamas—run health ministry there, we understand that at least 45 people were killed, others were severely injured with burns, with fractures and shrapnel wounds. we have also heard from a spokesperson at the white house saying that the images from sunday were heartbreaking, but that israel had a right to defend itself. also adding that, according to the spokesman, israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians. pope francis is reported to have used a derogatory word to describe gay men in discussions about whether they should be admitted to the priesthood. during a closed—door meeting with italian bishops at the vatican a week ago, the pope reportedly said there were already too many gay men in the theological schools, using an italian word which translates as extremely offensive in reference to homosexual behaviour. the vatican has not commented. to papua new guinea next and government says nearly 8,000 people are at risk from further landslides after a mountainside collapsed

in enga province on friday. hundreds of people were buried in the landslip and conditions are getting worse. these pictures from the united nations development programme show you the scale of what's happened in the pacific island nation. the provinicial administrator said that the mountain you can see was still breaking up and the continuous movement of rock and debris was making it difficult for rescue teams to operate. locals are doing what they can and are having to use small spades and whatever they have to try and search through the rubble. rescuers say it is increasingly unlikely that victims will be found alive. the country's disaster agency says it fears about 2,000 people were buried when a mountain side collapsed last friday in the early hours of the morning. residents in the village in the remote enga region have been mourning those who have died. the un is sending health professionals to the area amid concerns about water safety and hazards caused by decaying bodies. australia is dispatching a team of technical experts to provide assistance.

this woman has been unable to find several members of herfamily. translation: i have 18 of my family members buried under the debris - and soil that i'm standing on, and a lot more family members in the village i cannot count. i am the landowner here, but i cannot retrieve the bodies, so i'm standing here helplessly. now, as we go through this general election period, our teams here at bbc news will be working together to bring you all the information you need. time for a short break, here is the weather, with ben rich. good afternoon, rain features in the forecast for the next few days, in fact there will be some heavy and thundery downpours across parts of the uk, but that is not the whole story, we will also see some drier gap between the showers and some spells of sunshine. in the satellite between can see this stripe of cloud

which has been bringing out breaks of rein northwards and eastwards and we will continue to see some wet weather for the rest of the day across parts of eastern and northern england up into scotland and behind that, as the skies of brighton, we will see some sharp showers and thunderstorms across parts of northern ireland, southern scotland, northern ireland, southern scotland, northern and eastern parts of england. temperatures generally between 15—17, 18 degrees, in the brighter spots, and then this evening and tonight, the rain band lingers for a time in the north—east of scotland, still some further showers elsewhere, by the end of the night most places will be driving some clear spells, not quite as chilly as it was last night in many places. tomorrow, we will see some spells of sunshine, but some chums from the word go, those showers breaking out quite widely, some could be heavy, some could be thundery but i think the heaviest downpours are likely to be across northern and eastern parts of scotland down into perhaps north—eastern parts of england. these showers could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time which

could give some localised surface water flooding and poor travelling conditions, lightning, maybe even some hail mixing in. but in the sunny spots tomorrow perhaps feeling a bit warmer than today, highs of 19-20. this a bit warmer than today, highs of 19—20. this unsettled weather has of course been brought by low pressure, that area of low pressure tends to move eastwards by thursday, allowing for quite a brisk north or north—westerly wind so it will feel quite cool on thursday, still some showers, the heaviest one is likely to be towards the south and south—east of england, again with the occasional ramble thunder, sexually generally between 15—18. heading towards the weekend. —— generally between... heading towards the weekend, high pressure building from the west, meaning more dry weather, often there will be some quite large areas of cloud floating around that high pressure but equally with some sunshine, some places getting pretty warm, parts of scotland up into the 20s, further to the south and east, a bit more clout and feeling a

this is bbc news he had learned. rishi sunak is in the middle as as conservatives announce a new tax known as the triple lock plus. the onl thin known as the triple lock plus. the only thing you _ known as the triple lock plus. tie: only thing you can get known as the triple lock plus. "ti2 only thing you can get from known as the triple lock plus. ti2 only thing you can get from the labour is that you're going to run up labour is that you're going to run up your money and triple taxes. as clear as night to stay. the up your money and triple taxes. as clear as night to stay.— clear as night to stay. the shadow chancellor rachel _ clear as night to stay. the shadow chancellor rachel reeves - clear as night to stay. the shadow chancellor rachel reeves said - clear as night to stay. the shadow chancellor rachel reeves said herj chancellor rachel reeves said her party is in the national party of british business as she makes her first major speech in the campaign. i want to lead the most progress, the most pro—growth treasury that our country has ever seen. with a laser focus on delivering for working people. it laser focus on delivering for working people.— laser focus on delivering for working people. laser focus on delivering for workin neale, , ., ii working people. it comes as a 420 business figures, _ working people. it comes as a 420 business figures, including - working people. it comes as a 420 i business figures, including founders of wikipedia and iceland supermarket

boss has signed a letter and also labour�*s economic plan. ed davey makes a campaign show a lake when domain, but things don't go exactly to plan. nigel farage denounced the leadership style of both tory and labour leaders. just to let you know, some breaking news because this is in the middle east but ireland has formally recognise the state of palestine following a meeting of the irish government. this comes at ireland, spain and norway say they are recognising the palestinian statehood to kick—start a political process. they argue it will be a solution to the current crisis is both sides can claim a political horizon. it is possible is where a

state —— may two state solution is where main many nations around the world want this to land. israel has pushed back against this, and a bus for the state of palestine is going to be appointed now —— and irish ambassadorfor the state to be appointed now —— and irish ambassador for the state of palestine is going to be appointed now. they have agreed to full diplomatic relations been established between ireland and in mylar. ireland say they recognise the tragic diplomatic backdrop. they want an the tragic diplomatic backdrop. they wantan immediate the tragic diplomatic backdrop. they want an immediate ceasefire and increase access for humanitarian aid. the irish premier said this decision is about keeping hope alive, it is about keeping hope of a two state solution for israel and palestine to live side by side. israel palestine benjamin netanyahu wants —— he wants the palestine ——

he wants the israel premise benjamin netanyahu... israel has expressed the air disappointment in these me to buy ireland, spain and norway. —— expressed their disappointment in these moves by ireland, spain and norway. let us cross to my colleague who is in the news room this morning. i am who is in the news room this morning. iam in who is in the news room this morning. i am in the newsroom below me in the trundle, the show now hopefully. down in the newsroom, it is not more say than a general election where everybody is working at full pace. peter is over there, thatis at full pace. peter is over there, that is due to ee if you look over there, this camera is moving in that direction. that is a radio team there, that is my colleagues at the beeb is a new challenge over there. that is where the news is, just in the back over there are the six, ten

and one o'clock news teams. the bulletin tease, everyone is working very hard now that the general election has been called. we are here because we are going to show you a bit more of the work of the team bbc verifier. which has come into its own now the elections come around. 0f into its own now the elections come around. of course, any week for bbc verify is busy, it is now about the fact checking campaign statements, make sure we can uncover the truth when it comes to disinformation. 0ver that also, verify social media videos. 0ver 0ver that also, verify social media videos. over the last hour, we spoke to marianna spring, she is over at channel 4 at the moment, she is doing a lot of work on disinformation. she she was going to be doing a lot of work around social media messaging. who have more on that because over the campaign. let us take us through the main thing the main array freight hub. we can see the screen is where we show a

lot of data and bring some of the number crunching to light. here, are some of the desk where all our teams are working. a lot of people don't appear on camera but do a lot of work on the scene. someone who does appear on camera is ben g. . now bent yourjob is about fact checking political statements. and also costing them, making sure that these things add up so that quite a lot to get through. tell us what you have been working on today because you've already won and announcement. yes. already won and announcement. yes, we had one — already won and announcement. i2: we had one announcement on already won and announcement. i22 we had one announcement on what the conservatives are calling a triple lock plus which is the idea that they will take pensioners out of the risk of paying income tax. theh they will take pensioners out of the risk of paying income tax.— risk of paying income tax. then sit here and at _ risk of paying income tax. then sit here and at all— risk of paying income tax. then sit here and at all his _ risk of paying income tax. then sit here and at all his work _ risk of paying income tax. then sit here and at all his work but - risk of paying income tax. then sit here and at all his work but it - risk of paying income tax. then sit here and at all his work but it all. here and at all his work but it all comes to life on this screen, blue peter style. comes to life on this screen, blue peterstyle. he comes to life on this screen, blue peter style. he is when he did earlier, he is the chart. just to simplify it, this is a pledge by the

conservative party to try and ease the tax burden on pensioners. take see what it — the tax burden on pensioners. take see what it actually _ the tax burden on pensioners. t2 12 see what it actually means. the tax burden on pensioners. t2 «12 see what it actually means. they are saying that this means, this triple lock plus will save badgers hundreds of pounds of this year. we need to put that in a bit of context and this is the appropriate context, this is the appropriate context, this is the personal allowance you are saying here. this is the amount up are saying here. this is the amount up to people can add money beyond which they start paying income tax. if they are below this, they don't. but you can see here is that it will be frozen a right to an —— £12,500 around 2020. this is a decision that jeremy hunt and rishi sunak have made in recent years. this is effectively a tax rise, as people incomes and taxes rates —— peoples incomes and taxes rates —— peoples incomes go up, they will start paying more tax. this is really important, the green light is the

state pension, they can see below is 12,000. by 2027, but it is projected to be rising above the personal allowance. that's me some pensioners who wilfully won to paying income tax will start paying it. a lot of patches have income tax which is higher than this, if you state the exist purely on the state pension, there is the risk that you will start paying tax where you wouldn't have proved it. conservative is proposing a new exclusive tax for pensioners where you will see on the red line for £30,000 and that we rising over the period and that it will stop those pensioners from having the risk of paying... 50 will stop those pensioners from having the risk of paying... so that is effectively _ having the risk of paying... so that is effectively a _ having the risk of paying... so that is effectively a tax _ having the risk of paying... so that is effectively a tax cut? _ having the risk of paying... so that is effectively a tax cut? this - having the risk of paying... so that is effectively a tax cut? this is - is effectively a tax cut? this is the argument, _ is effectively a tax cut? this is the argument, you _ is effectively a tax cut? this is the argument, you could - is effectively a tax cut? this is | the argument, you could argue is effectively a tax cut? this is - the argument, you could argue that this tax cut for pensioners. you could also argue that this could take away the risk of the pensions having to pay for a tax hike.

everyone else who is earning, they will still be hit we presume by this flat personal allowance in cash terms. so only for patients, not for everyone else. they would still have his effective tax hike.— his effective tax hike. then, what has the labour _ his effective tax hike. then, what has the labour party _ his effective tax hike. then, what has the labour party has - his effective tax hike. then, what has the labour party has to - his effective tax hike. then, what has the labour party has to say i has the labour party has to say about there?— has the labour party has to say about there? ., .,, , , about there? labour has said this is non-credible. _ about there? labour has said this is non-credible. they _ about there? labour has said this is non-credible. they have _ about there? labour has said this is non-credible. they have called - about there? labour has said this is non-credible. they have called this| non—credible. they have called this desperate. more importantly, they haven't said that they would much of this. they haven't —— but they have said they will match a triple lock, but they haven't said they will match theirs.— but they haven't said they will match theirs. ., ,, , ., ,., . match theirs. thank you so much. whatever a _ match theirs. thank you so much. whatever a politician _ match theirs. thank you so much. whatever a politician may - match theirs. thank you so much. whatever a politician may say - match theirs. thank you so much. whatever a politician may say thisj whatever a politician may say this afternoon, you might be back here and you might be fact checking the cost of that. it is a very dynamic role and there's plenty more from ben on the bbc news website of course. another person who appears on camera quite a bit is robert cuffe, our statistics and a list. a

lot of people will closely be watching opinion polls, not everyone takes too much from polls in recent years but we do watch them. this is a graph view appeared in earlier —— this is a graph that you created earlier, it looks like a bunch of dots to me... earlier, it looks like a bunch of dots to me. . ._ earlier, it looks like a bunch of dotsto me... ., ,, , .,�* dots to me... thankfully, you don't need to be — dots to me... thankfully, you don't need to be looking _ dots to me... thankfully, you don't need to be looking at _ dots to me... thankfully, you don't need to be looking at this, - dots to me... thankfully, you don't need to be looking at this, the - dots to me... thankfully, you don't need to be looking at this, the bbc| need to be looking at this, the bbc will quench all of this down to pull out what _ will quench all of this down to pull out what the big trends are, what are the _ out what the big trends are, what are the averages driving the polls~ _ are the averages driving the polls... you can see here the last parliament. — polls... you can see here the last parliament, the big rise and fall over— parliament, the big rise and fall over the — parliament, the big rise and fall over the start of lockdown, the vaccine — over the start of lockdown, the vaccine bans, they were taking over and over— vaccine bans, they were taking over and over the — vaccine bans, they were taking over and over the time of pricey gate, the mini — and over the time of pricey gate, the mini budget. so we still sliding downi _ the mini budget. so we still sliding down, even though labour is in the mid-402 _ down, even though labour is in the mid—40s. you can see even that labour— mid—40s. you can see even that labour is— mid—40s. you can see even that labour is steady and the tories are coming _ labour is steady and the tories are coming down, you can see the form is coming _ coming down, you can see the form is coming up _ coming down, you can see the form is coming up on — coming down, you can see the form is coming up on the outside, causing more _ coming up on the outside, causing more problems for the toys from the left and _

more problems for the toys from the left and the — more problems for the toys from the left and the right. of course, viewers — left and the right. of course, viewers can play with the data themselves on bbc dot, .uk. what about since — themselves on bbc dot, .uk. what about since the _ themselves on bbc dot, .uk. what about since the was _ themselves on bbc dot, .uk. what about since the was called. - themselves on bbc dot, .uk. tiarisgt about since the was called. we have had about six poll since then. this is one party for each pole, you can see some polls are showing labour, opinion says tories are up by two points since the election was called. it points since the election was called. ,i_ i points since the election was called. ii, i i, points since the election was called. ii, , i, , points since the election was called. i, , , called. it says it will form up by chea us called. it says it will form up by cheap us as _ called. it says it will form up by cheap us as well. _ called. it says it will form up by cheap us as well. you - called. it says it will form up by cheap us as well. you get - called. it says it will form up by i cheap us as well. you get bounced around _ cheap us as well. you get bounced around a _ cheap us as well. you get bounced around a lot— cheap us as well. you get bounced around a lot by these ups and downs. you can— around a lot by these ups and downs. you can see _ around a lot by these ups and downs. you can see some showing that the parties are dropped, some are going down. i, i, , i, down. i would say to eve -- try to kee it down. i would say to eve -- try to keep it even _ down. i would say to eve -- try to keep it even simpler _ down. i would say to eve -- try to keep it even simpler than - down. i would say to eve -- try to keep it even simpler than that, i keep it even simpler than that, don't _ keep it even simpler than that, don't worry about the individual pause, — don't worry about the individual pause, look at the average. what a shame _ pause, look at the average. what a shame for— pause, look at the average. what a shame for the toys are? not very much _ shame for the toys are? not very much. what a change for the

conservatives —— what a change for the labour— conservatives —— what a change for the labour party, not very much. take _ the labour party, not very much. take a _ the labour party, not very much. take a look— the labour party, not very much. take a look at those with average trendi~ _ take a look at those with average trend,. they only stopped connecting later on— trend,. they only stopped connecting later on saturday, rather to scene to have _ later on saturday, rather to scene to have too — later on saturday, rather to scene to have too much of an effect on peoples — to have too much of an effect on peoples voting intention. whitehead, a 20 point _ peoples voting intention. whitehead, a 20 point gap, that i showed you a couple _ a 20 point gap, that i showed you a couple of— a 20 point gap, that i showed you a couple of seconds ago, no change really— couple of seconds ago, no change really set — couple of seconds ago, no change really set the end of last week. gk, really set the end of last week. ok, but we have — really set the end of last week. ok, but we have many weeks really set the end of last week. t1, but we have many weeks at the end of this election. —— till the end of the election. that was robert who looks at the stats for this election. i was on the bus on the weekend and someone was already canvassing saying they were doing the canvassing for an opinion poll so that we are really in the thick of it. i'm just going to complete this journey, of it. i'm just going to complete thisjourney, by taking us back around the newsroom, i should also see the weather a team sit round

there. i am just pointing i don't know if you can see me if if i give you a way guitar. hopefully, the camera should give me back to you. almost magic. thank you so much, regine and all of the team we are going to be seeing a lot more of that. the upcoming election will also cause problems for scotland. particularly the battle the snp causes for labour. let us talk about this we are joined by rachel amre political correspondent for scotland. there has been allotted by the conservative party. this tell us what more was said at that event this morning. i'm sorry we haven't got any sounds we can't quite hear you, rachel. if you pick up the

sound we will go back to here. we are to see if he can pick up the sound because we saw douglas speaking in perth. can you hear us, now? you might have you? ijust wanted to us it was the conservative message was today. the wanted to us it was the conservative message was today.— message was today. the scottish conservative _ message was today. the scottish conservative leader, _ message was today. the scottish conservative leader, douglas - message was today. the scottish l conservative leader, douglas ross and graham, they are both campaigning in perth. they were saying what they want to see the election. they are confident in winning pad even though it has been an snp held area since 2001. they are very keen to encourage authors to boost their votes —— mac to go to the polls. if we don't go to the post you could end up with an snp candidate. in terms of the overall electoral map, what is at stake here for the snp, the labour party and the conservatives overall? the

conservative party have always wanted to go for a seat here. they always do well, they have a caucus of popularity in the north and in the borders as well. they are quite confident of continuing to get the seats. of course, they have labour to do with and labour are doing very well in the central but and they could overtake the snp over the whole of the country as well and in scotland. that is the main battle, between the snp and the labour party. lascaux and lanarkshire there. yes glasgow, are very keen to win, they have done very well in glasgow over the past few years and they are hoping their are hoping to pick up a few rates as well. of course, with the electoral funding changes, there is one less seats. that'll be interesting to see that

—— how that plays out. that'll be interesting to see that -- how that plays out.— that'll be interesting to see that -- how that plays out. thank you, so much rachel- — -- how that plays out. thank you, so much rachel. especially _ -- how that plays out. thank you, so much rachel. especially of _ -- how that plays out. thank you, so much rachel. especially of those - much rachel. especially of those communication lines. it is great to talk to you thanks very much. here, more than hundred 20 business founders have signed a letter endorsing the labour party and of the election saying it is time for a change. james included for letter published in the times newspaper includes the tv chef tom kerridge and andrew higginson and for former of the iceland chain. it comes as the shadow chancellor rachel reeves is set to deliver her major speech of the election campaign. today. i spoke to tom bordering as former strategy and give indications directly for the labour party. i asked him how the campaign was going. asked him how the campaign was anoin. , asked him how the campaign was iioin_ , ., asked him how the campaign was anoin. , ii , asked him how the campaign was oiiin_ y., , asked him how the campaign was aoian. i ii i i, i , i, going. they are very happy with how thinas are going. they are very happy with how

things are going- — going. they are very happy with how things are going. everybody... - going. they are very happy with how things are going. everybody... if - things are going. everybody... if you step back from what is happening it is quite interesting nick was talking about this story is sort of targeting their core vote. treat people who have tradition rated for conservatives. the older demographic. you've got is another announcement from labour. hide in 20 business leaders that is the sort of suggesting that labour is on the move not trying to lead classical rate but reach out what is normally seen as tradition new tory territory. when i was work of the labour party in 2015 and remember we didn't get big business backing. people thought ed miliband rightly or wrongly that was a big moment in the campaign and for labour now to be getting argent 20 business is signing this letter, that is a sign of things changing and labour reaching tory territory where is the toiletry. .. just to reaching tory territory where is the toiletry... just to understand how these things happen how long has it

taken to get the signatures. same taken to get the signatures. some miaht taken to get the signatures. some mi a ht sa taken to get the signatures. some might say it _ taken to get the signatures. some might say it has — taken to get the signatures. some might say it has taken _ taken to get the signatures. some might say it has taken hundred - might say it has taken hundred names, but it doesn't rub sent all sectors of industry or it doesn't resent the biggest names in business or the financial sector... i resent the biggest names in business or the financial sector. . .— or the financial sector. .. i think it has been _ or the financial sector. .. i think it has been a _ or the financial sector. .. i think it has been a pilgrimage. - or the financial sector. .. i think| it has been a pilgrimage. rachel reeves or keir starmer, lots of members of the shadow savant —— cabinets have been going day after day after business. that is not an attempt to woo them,. i think having thatis attempt to woo them,. i think having that is to be of contact with business, have helped viewers with labour thinks about policy spending that amount of time with so many people from the private sector have actually given labour some real expertise and food for thought not just... but free to thought about how to tackle some of the economic promises in this country. so how to tackle some of the economic promises in this country.— promises in this country. so are we aoain to promises in this country. so are we going to be — promises in this country. so are we going to be seeing _ promises in this country. so are we going to be seeing some _ promises in this country. so are we going to be seeing some new - promises in this country. so are we| going to be seeing some new policy to an from rachel reeves today. i

don't think we are going to see a lot of new policy, it is going to be a statement about stability which is absolutely the foundation of labour's economic message. you can't invest in this country if you have three prime ministers and five chancesin three prime ministers and five chances in one year, you have to have a sense of a coherence and physical rule that you're going to be stuck to end economic plan. sort of missions to which are labour want to talk about. that is the stability and framework in which people can invest. th and framework in which people can invest. i i, i, i i ~ invest. in terms of work's rights. a lot of women _ invest. in terms of work's rights. a lot of women in _ invest. in terms of work's rights. a lot of women in business, - invest. in terms of work's rights. a lot of women in business, we - invest. in terms of work's rights. a lot of women in business, we sawl lot of women in business, we saw this strangulation from blair and brown, what about the unions as senior concerns expressed by a unite. i ii i, i, ii ,, ii unite. there is a lot of talk about aoli , i unite. there is a lot of talk about policy. ithink— unite. there is a lot of talk about policy. i think it _ unite. there is a lot of talk about policy, i think it is _ unite. there is a lot of talk about policy, i think it is going - unite. there is a lot of talk about policy, i think it is going to - policy, i think it is going to happen partly because it does not cost money and labour aren't planning to spend a lot of money in raising new taxes. it is one of the

things that labour will go ahead and do. i think it is very similar in a way to the policy that tony blair and gordon brown had. it i wrote about an existential crisis in the economy and millions ofjust were going to be lost. no one really talks about minimum wage any more. it is not a matter of political dispute. the reason is that it is not cost jobs. dispute. the reason is that it is not costjobs. a better paid workforce can be more productive, giving people rights at work, not having zero—hour contracts. that creates more productive workforce is well. it is the sort of thing that will disappear during the election, as a point of controversy.- as a point of controversy. former communications _ as a point of controversy. former communications director - as a point of controversy. former communications director for - as a point of controversy. former communications director for the l communications director for the labour party. during the next few weeks you're going to hear a lot about walls red walls and blue walls. these are some of the most crucial constituencies across the country. in 2019, the conservatives

made big gains in labour heartlands the so—called red wall. now labour are hoping to win those seats back and break through the blue wall as well. i've been speaking to mike stevens political reporter with bbc lancashire and emily dalton who is the local democracy reporter for surrey live. mike was in burnley labour's number one target seat. a very winnable small majority, you know that these are traditional labour heartlands when the conservatism once he and bally in 2019 it was the first time they had done so in over a hundred years. if what labour want to signify notjust to people in value, as to the whole country —— mac if labour want to signify, notjust to the whole country, but in value, they really need to be in places like burnley. places where over the last five, ten years, they slowly lost support gains for the conservatives we saw

during the general election in 2019. but also games here in the local council for example the green party. the lib dems have shored up recent local support over the past ten years as well. if there keir starmer wants to signify to the whole country that labour are a party of government, they really need to be convincing people in places like burnley that they can win. just tell us where you _ burnley that they can win. just tell us where you are _ burnley that they can win. just tell us where you are standing. - burnley that they can win. just tell us where you are standing. sir- us where you are standing. i " standing outside us where you are standing. s 2 standing outside the turf moor, the home of burnley football club, i am standing in the morning where in a lot of the newspapers, they were talking about the cost of football going up. that is one of the big issues for people here in value, it issues for people here in value, it is notjust the cost of issues for people here in value, it is not just the cost of football, the cost of living. everything has gone up, particularly over the past two or three years. labour want to show up there right here. but conservatives want to try and hang on to seats like burnley, they really need to convince people that

they are going to put more money in people's pilots, they are going to make all aspects of living affordable. —— in people's pockets, they are going to make all aspects of living affordable. 0ne they are going to make all aspects of living affordable. one time, a third ball of all copper in the world was produced in this part of lancashire. there also a decent amount of advanced manufacturing jobs in a valley and surrounding areas. they are really important to me, there's opportunities were never somewhere that value, to know that you can have a decent skilled job. if anybody wants to win votes here, they to... they is decentjobs will be there in ten, 20 years. a big part of that its well, is transport links, been able to connect to other

parts of the country, one of the big issues here, is extending the m 65 motorway. extending the rail link into yorkshire as well. as well as ink and —— as well as interconnectivity, as well as jobs, the biggest issue is the cost of living. the biggest issue is the cost of livina. i, ii ii ,, ii i living. you are making me a bit homesick _ living. you are making me a bit homesick with _ living. you are making me a bit homesick with all _ living. you are making me a bit homesick with all the _ living. you are making me a bitl homesick with all the references there. 0ver homesick with all the references there. over to emily. tell us you hear the are. t there. over to emily. tell us you hear the are.— hear the are. i am at sundowns racecourse _ hear the are. i am at sundowns racecourse which _ hear the are. i am at sundowns racecourse which is _ hear the are. i am at sundowns racecourse which is a _ hear the are. i am at sundowns racecourse which is a big - racecourse which is a big attraction.— racecourse which is a big attraction. i ii i ii i attraction. the liberal democrats are huae attraction. the liberal democrats are huge in _ attraction. the liberal democrats are huge in the — attraction. the liberal democrats are huge in the rack— attraction. the liberal democrats are huge in the rack usually - are huge in the rack usually targeting that seat.- are huge in the rack usually targeting that seat. when a car hidina the targeting that seat. when a car hiding the liberal _ targeting that seat. when a car hiding the liberal democrat - hiding the liberal democrat candidate is standing again —— mac monica _ candidate is standing again —— mac monica hiding, the liberal democrat candidate _ monica hiding, the liberal democrat candidate is standing again. in 2019 there _ candidate is standing again. in 2019 there was— candidate is standing again. in 2019 there was a — candidate is standing again. in 2019 there was a big brexit freight in

terms _ there was a big brexit freight in terms of— there was a big brexit freight in terms of tactical ratings say it could — terms of tactical ratings say it could have been more tactical vote in for— could have been more tactical vote in for the _ could have been more tactical vote in for the lib dems because dominic rob was— in for the lib dems because dominic rob was a _ in for the lib dems because dominic rob was a brexiteer. this time there a new_ rob was a brexiteer. this time there a new conservative candidate, john cope who _ a new conservative candidate, john cope who is — a new conservative candidate, john cope who is a conservative councillor. normally this would put him as— councillor. normally this would put him as a _ councillor. normally this would put him as a disadvantage, but we will see how— him as a disadvantage, but we will see how he — him as a disadvantage, but we will see how he performs on the doorstep. i see how he performs on the doorstep. i don't _ see how he performs on the doorstep. i don't know— see how he performs on the doorstep. i don't know whether you have had a chance to get out and speak to potential voters yet but what are the predictions there? it is it likely that the liberal democrats would take that seat. 17 likely that the liberal democrats would take that seat.— would take that seat. ? the poll showed that _ would take that seat. ? the poll showed that the _ would take that seat. ? the poll showed that the liberal- would take that seat. ? the poll. showed that the liberal democrats are currently in the lead, so it is are currently in the lead, so it is a 50% _ are currently in the lead, so it is a 50% chance that they might take it. a 50% chance that they might take it but _ a 50% chance that they might take it. but with pulse you have to take with a _ it. but with pulse you have to take with a pinch— it. but with pulse you have to take with a pinch of salt, so it really depends on the way up to the election— depends on the way up to the election and any unexpected hurdles. that we _ election and any unexpected hurdles. that we might run into. emily and mike— that we might run into. emily and mike stevens there. let me bring you some _ mike stevens there. let me bring you some breaking news. the bbc has

announced — some breaking news. the bbc has announced that laura kees burke and mike will— announced that laura kees burke and mike will host the general election coverage _ mike will host the general election coverage on bbc election night news. it'll coverage on bbc election night news. it'll also— coverage on bbc election night news. it'll also be _ coverage on bbc election night news. it'll also be in scotland, northern ireland _ it'll also be in scotland, northern ireland and in wales. july the tune in. ireland and in wales. july the tune in let— ireland and in wales. july the tune in let me — ireland and in wales. july the tune in. let me bring you some news that we are _ in. let me bring you some news that we are getting in what is going on in the _ we are getting in what is going on in the middle east because we are hearing _ in the middle east because we are hearing from our correspondence. we are hearing from our correspondence. are hearing hearing from our correspondence. 2 are hearing that israeli tanks have reached the centre of russia in the very south of the gaza strip according to witnesses, witnesses having continued to carry out air strikes despite you continue condemnation of the bombing on sunday night which can killed dozens of people and a camp of displaced palestinians. israeli ground they, they seized because of the highest

top... internet israeli air strikes have led to thousands of people fleeing from the west of the city. we will keep you updated from the events there throughout the day and more from election news and political news online and on the website. let us catch up now with the weather from ben website. let us catch up now with the weatherfrom ben rich. rain certainly features on the forecast for the next few days. of course there will be some heavy and thundery downfalls across parts of the uk but that is not the whole story we will also see some drier gaps between the showers and this spells of sunshine. and the satellite picture, you can see this type of cloud, that has been bringing outbreaks of rain north and eastward, you will continue to see some wet weather through the rest of the day especially easy ways and the north of england up to scotland. behind that, you will see some sharp

showers, in southern scotland northern and eastern parts of england. that which between 16 and 17, may be 18 degrees. through this evening and tonight, this rain batter lingers for sometime in the north—east of scotland, some further showers elsewhere. by the end of the night, most places will be dry with some clear spells not quite at shiley as it was last night. into tomorrow, we will see some spells of sunshine. some showers from the word 90, sunshine. some showers from the word go, some could be heavy, some could be thundery, but i think the heaviest downpours are likely to be across northern and eastern parts of scotland, down into north—eastern parts of england. this could dump a lot of rain which could cause some flooding and some poor travelling condition, some licensing may be some help. highs of 19 and 20 degrees. this unsettled weather has been brought by low pressure, that

area of low pressure ten c move eastwards by thursday, allowing for quite a risk north or north—westerly wind. it is going to feel quite caught on their state. they are still some showers, most in the south and south east of england. there which is between 15 and 80 degrees. as we head towards the weekend, science with change, you will see high pressure building from the west. 0r will see high pressure building from the west. or in the way of dry weather. there will be some quite large areas of cloud. equally some sunshine with some places get pretty warm, parts of scotland are well up into the 20s, further south is, abysmal cloud feeling a bit cooler. -- matt abysmal cloud feeling a bit cooler. —— matt a bit more cloud.

at one: they're calling it triple lock plus — the conservative pledge to raise the tax—free allowance for pensioners if they win the election. labour's dismissed the plan, and say they're the party of business, pledging not to increase corporation tax. also this lunchtime: israel carries out some of its most intense bombing of southern gaza. tanks are now in the centre of rafah. in a private meeting with bishops, pope francis, is alleged to have used a derogatory term for gay people. and we look at the eye—watering price hikes for some premier league tickets now on sale for next season. and coming up on bbc news... two—time wimbledon champion rafa nadal hints he may not play there this year, as he focuses on the paris 0lympics.