parliament is now officially dissolved — the race is on for parties to select constituency candidates, with less than two weeks to go before nomination deadline. police confirm two bodies have been found in the search for missing father and son in glencoe. harry styles�* home town sees thousands of fans on tour collecting landmarks associated with the singer. the conservatives and labour have both ruled out increasing vat during the next parliament. the promises have raised questions about how the parties will fund their spending plans and deliver on their commitments if they win the election in five weeks. our political correspondent damian

grammaticas has this report. big ben strikes. midnight last night. and exactly one minute later, all business here ended. parliament dissolved. those who were mps must now clear their offices. to return, they must stand as candidates again. we stand with diane! but when it comes to the long—serving diane abbott, doubts swirl. last night, supporters gathered in her london constituency. she believes labour will not endorse her. the national party is insisting that i be banned. they haven�*t communicated with me personally. they haven�*t given a reason for banning me. they just want me

excluded from parliament. sir keir starmer has said that�*s not true, but the party must finalise its list of mps next week. i will be the candidate for hackney north and stoke newington! cheering. the leaders of both main parties, meanwhile, are turning to the economy and taxes, trading blows and promises. in an article for today�*s telegraph, the chancellorjeremy hunt claims keir starmer and rachel reeves have a plan to increase vat. and they don�*t want you to know about it until after polling day. and he makes this commitment. "not only will a future conservative government not increase any rate of income tax or national insurance, but we also won�*t increase the main rate of vat for the duration of the next parliament." last night, labour responded immediately. the shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, issued a rebuttal saying...

"this is absolute nonsense. labour will not be increasing income tax, national insurance or vat. i want taxes on working people to be lower, not higher." both parties respond to such criticisms saying they will only make changes they can afford. but while they trade blows, both are accused of ignoring the biggest issue by far — the massive pressures on public spending any future government will face. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. speaking on bbc breakfast, chancellorjeremy hunt said ruling out a vat increase was an "important commitment". the ifs are right to point to the fact that public finances are very challenging. and because we want to avoid austerity—style cuts that we had to have after the financial crisis, i set out in the budget

clear plans to improve the efficiency of public services, and i took a difficult decision. i put £14 took a difficult decision. i put £31; billion into improving the it systems in the nhs, which you were talking about your previous item. that�*s not something that is a big vote winner, but it will make the nhs more efficient, meaning it can do more operations, and meaning we can run our public services more efficiently with similar amounts of money or with a small increase in the amount of funding we put in. so thatis the amount of funding we put in. so that is a challenging plan to deliver. we have set out that plan, and we have put money behind it, which is why we are confident that we can live within our means. but the point i would make, charlie, is that conservative governments are prepared to take those difficult decisions to make sure we can continue to grow the economy. but when it comes to tax or welfare reform or keeping a flexible labour market so we keep creating the jobs

we need, you don�*t see a willingness to take those decisions from the labour party. in an election campaign, ithink labour party. in an election campaign, i think it is legitimate for me to point out those differences because of the risk involved. the imf, the international monetary fund, said just last week that they thought we would grow faster than france, germany, that they thought we would grow fasterthan france, germany, italy orjapan over the next six years. that�*s a big vote of confidence and not something we want to put at risk. this is what the labour shadow chief secretary to the treasury said. i secretary to the treasury said. i don't accept the premise of the question — don't accept the premise of the question. conservative head office had sent_ question. conservative head office had sent out a press release today trying _ had sent out a press release today trying to _ had sent out a press release today trying to say they have scored a goal _ trying to say they have scored a goal against the labour party. but rachel_ goal against the labour party. but rachel reeves, our shadow chancellor, i, keirand others rachel reeves, our shadow chancellor, i, keir and others have

consistently been pointing to the fact that — consistently been pointing to the fact that we want taxes to come down _ fact that we want taxes to come down. ,, ., , fact that we want taxes to come down. , .,. .,, down. sorry, iwill interact asi want us to _ down. sorry, iwill interact asi want us to start _ down. sorry, iwill interact asi want us to start this _ down. sorry, iwill interact as i i want us to start this conversation with clarity. this is specifically about vat. this is specifically about vat. this is specifically about whether or not vat would have been raised or increased during the first parliament. rachel reeves and keir starmer were asked repeatedly if they would raise or increase vat, and there was no yes or no answer given until yesterday evening. why was that? we given until yesterday evening. why was that? ~ ., ., ., , ~ . was that? we are not raising vat. we are not raising — was that? we are not raising vat. we are not raising income _ was that? we are not raising vat. we are not raising income tax _ was that? we are not raising vat. we are not raising income tax or- are not raising income tax or national insurance. when we talk about these taxes is as taxes on working people because the majority of working people will know that the big taxes they pay are those that are set out in their payslip and shopping and bills on a day—to—day basis. so we have consistently said we want the tax burden on working people to come down because it�*s the

highest it has been in 70 years. we did not plan to increase it. none of our policy is in the manifesto. 0ur our policy is in the manifesto. our first steps require us to do so, because those fully funded policies are paid for by other means. so i will give you the direct answer — will give you the direct answer — will income tax, national insurance or vat increase under a future labour government? no. that was darren jones. _ labour government? no. that was darren jones, labour's _ labour government? no. that was darren jones, labour's shadow - labour government? no. that was l darren jones, labour's shadow chief darrenjones, labour�*s shadow chief secretary to the treasury. the liberal democrats say they would triple the tax on big digital companies — raising an extra £1.5 billion to pay for a mental health professional in every school in england. the party says thousands of children are being "left in limbo" by long waits for nhs treatment. earlier on bbc breakfast the liberal democrats education spokesperson, munira wilson, was asked about those plans. we have a mental health crisis amongst our children and young people across the country. one in

five children are struggling with their mental health. that�*s an average about six in every classroom. 31;0,000 average about six in every classroom. 340,000 are languishing on waiting lists. this is a mental health emergency amongst our children, who should be our top priority in the country. they have been abandoned by the conservative party, which is why we are saying every primary and secondary school should have access to a dedicated qualified mental health professional. and we know there are professionals out there who are working in counselling, particularly for adults, who are ready and willing to work with children and young people. but we need to focus on this with the urgency that it deserves, because we cannot have children turning up to school not ready to learn, in fact, not turning up ready to learn, in fact, not turning up to school at all because of their mental health pressures and we are seeing that crisis across the country. seeing that crisis across the count . �* , seeing that crisis across the count. 3 ,~ seeing that crisis across the count. �*, , , seeing that crisis across the count. �*, seeing that crisis across the count. , country. let's pick up on this with our economics _ country. let's pick up on this with

our economics editor _ country. let's pick up on this with our economics editor faisal - country. let's pick up on this with | our economics editor faisal islam. where are we now with each of the parties? where are we now with each of the arties? , , ., i. .., parties? this is what you might call the shadow-boxing _ parties? this is what you might call the shadow-boxing phoney - parties? this is what you might call the shadow-boxing phoney war - parties? this is what you might call. the shadow-boxing phoney war stage. the shadow—boxing phoney war stage. it is highly tactical in terms of how the economics of the election campaign is going and it�*s building up campaign is going and it�*s building up to the real decisions that will be made in the next week or two over what is going to go into the manifestos. before that stage, each side is effectively trying to box in the other side in terms of their room for manoeuvre. but right now, you are left with the same constraints on borrowing, the same fiscal rule, as the jargon puts it. you have the same forecasts which thatis you have the same forecasts which that is built on, and you have the same ruling out of the three major tax weapons that a chancellor can wield, which are vat, income tax and national insurance, all ruled out. so you have a lot of ruling out things and a lot of pointing at the other side about what they might do.

tactically, between the two main parties, the conservatives try and communicate to the electorate, we can squeeze public spending in this difficult way, which we are hearing would be really tricky but trust us, we can do that. because if we can do that by using artificial intelligence and drones and maybe robots, you can squeeze public spending and then you have room for the tax burden to come down from the high is that it has been raised to. then you have labour with a singular message of economic political stability, which means you won�*t get shocks from interest rates and mortgage costs, trying to engender trust in the electorate in the labour economic offer. those are the contours we are seeing mapped out, but it�*s building up to a more substantive battle when the manifestos are published. and substantive battle when the manifestos are published. and what does it mean _ manifestos are published. and what does it mean for— manifestos are published. and what does it mean for spending _ does it mean for spending departments? both main parties are again talking about trying to deliver economic growth, increased

productivity, better industrial policy. but some departments tend to be protected and prioritised. does that mean that if there are cuts, the less protected areas would have to face severe cuts according to the numbers we have so far?— to face severe cuts according to the numbers we have so far? neither main -a wants numbers we have so far? neither main party wants to — numbers we have so far? neither main party wants to talk _ numbers we have so far? neither main party wants to talk too _ numbers we have so far? neither main party wants to talk too much _ numbers we have so far? neither main party wants to talk too much about - party wants to talk too much about that. instead, the conservatives are saying they can get a lot of the benefits from lower spending from enhancing productivity in the public sector. that has been pretty low over the past few years. so there is room for improvement there from the application of technologies. chancellorjeremy hunt did allocate £3 billion towards that in the nhs. so there may be some scope for that, but is difficult to predict how much money that will free up. and in the absence of those productivity enhancements, you would get further squeezes in some government departments that are not protected, things like council and housing

spending, and some elements of social care spending, that would be severe. it would not be far off what we saw in the austerity years in 2010, and that is to allow for increased spending elsewhere. we have had about defence and elements of health spending. 0n the labour side, they are trying to recast the elements of what they hope is a transformative offer without extra spending. so instead of what we have seenin spending. so instead of what we have seen in america with biden makes, where you can borrow lots of money and invest in infrastructure, they have said, we can�*t do that, the public finances are not insufficient shape. instead, we are going to lower the private sector in to do this through an extensive scrapping of planning laws to allow factories to be built, wind turbines to be built. so that is their offer. it is transformation without the public cash. those are the broad contours,

but we are waiting for the big decisions that will be made in the next week or two and we will see the results in the manifestos.— results in the manifestos. faisal islam, results in the manifestos. faisal islam. thank _ results in the manifestos. faisal islam, thank you. _ let�*s get more on this with our chief political correspondent henry zeffman. there has been a lot of discussion about selections to start with. both main parties are still having to fill a lot of seats, but there has been a lot of attention and labour at the moment.— at the moment. that's right, and labour don't _ at the moment. that's right, and labour don't have _ at the moment. that's right, and labour don't have many - at the moment. that's right, and labour don't have many seats . at the moment. that's right, and | labour don't have many seats left at the moment. that's right, and . labour don't have many seats left to labour don�*t have many seats left to fill. yesterday was, for the labour party, all about one seat that currently is ostensibly filled, the seat of hackney north and stoke newington, represented by diane abbott since 1987, when she was elected. she was the first black female mp when she was elected then, so a real trailblazer. but it now appears that she is unlikely to be the labour candidate onjuly the

1;th. unlikely but not impossible. we spent all of yesterday trying to work out what was going on because at the start of the day, she told the bbc she had been barred. that was not challenged by the labour party, but a few hours later, diane abbott then such she thought she had been barred from media reports, but hadn�*t heard from the party. a few hours later, keir starmer said she hadn�*t been bad, but people in the labour party said she hasn�*t been bad but she might be. i will spare you all the twists and turns, but where do we stand today? labour are going to have to decide by tuesday. that is when their national executive committee will decide their candidate in every seat they are standing in. it still seems likely that diane abbott will not be a candidate, and that is a very big deal, both because of her trailblazing status, but also because of her politics. she is away on the left of the labour party, always has been. for a few years underjeremy corbyn�*s leadership, the leadership of the labour party

moved towards her position, but now thatis moved towards her position, but now that is not the case. if diane abbott is not a labour candidate at the general election, when she retires or stands against the labour party is an independent, that would say a lot about where the labour party has moved under keir starmer�*s leadership. party has moved under keir starmer's leadershi -. , ' ., let�*s go now around the country and speak to our political correspondent leila nathoo on the labour campaign bus and hannah miller, who�*s travelling with the lib dems. leila, where is labour heading today? leila, where is labour heading toda ? ~ ., , leila, where is labour heading toda 7~ ., , , , today? we have 'ust pulled up in south wales. — today? we havejust pulled up in south wales, sir— today? we havejust pulled up in south wales, sir keir— today? we havejust pulled up in south wales, sir keir starmer. today? we havejust pulled up in| south wales, sir keir starmer will be here in an hour or so, speaking with welsh first minister vaughan gething and talking about labour�*s six first steps. if you can cast your mind back to before the general election was announced, that was something keir starmer launched, this pledge card of the six things

that a labour government would do first if it came into government. among those, cutting nhs waiting times, economic stability, recruiting new teachers, cracking down on anti—social behaviour, just some of the things we will hear about from the labour leader. this is one of those days that keir starmer wants to make labour�*s base in wales. it is already dominant in wales. there are significant boundary changes here and the general election, so if seats than there were at the last election, but keir starmer will be fighting hard for some of the seats the tories took in 2019 under borisjohnson in wales, especially in north wales. keir starmer will be hoping labour can take some of those back. so it is a launch for him in wales today, but there are questions for him not only on diane abbott, but on vaughan gething as well, because the labour welsh first minister is facing a no—confidence vote next week. he has

faced a number of questions over £200,000 worth of donations that he took from a company that was convicted of environmental offences. there has been a lot of controversy over this during his leadership campaign to be welsh labour leader. so it will be interesting to ask keir starmer questions about that later. then there are further questions around diane abbott. when i spoke to him yesterday, that was when he said it was not true that she had been barred from standing. as you heard from henry, there were clearly outstanding questions on that. but to step back from this, hearing keir starmer yesterday on the campaign trail, he was in worcester and a couple of events. the message he wanted to promote was that of a changed labour party. he even said to his supporters who had gathered, the labour party of today is unrecognisable from the labour party in 2019. that is the message he wants to hammer home. and that is

what is leading to the uncertainty over diane abbott and the east london candidate. the intake of the future labour party will potentially reflect the message he has been trying to put out over many years to make sure, in his eyes, that people think the labour party is different to that of the one underjeremy corbyn and what more potent symbol than to havejeremy corbyn standing as an independent against the labour party in his constituency in north london and thenjeremy corbyn�*s key ally diane abbott also with a question mark over her? so in some ways, the door is still technically open for diane abbott to stand because as keir starmer wanted to emphasise yesterday, there has been no decision taken and it�*s up to labour�*s national executive committee to make the final call when candidates are decided next

week. but yes, keir starmer�*s work would be done in a way if diane abbott and jeremy corbyn found themselves outside the labour party and not labour candidates, because thatis and not labour candidates, because that is what we are hearing from him time and time again. the labour party is unrecognisable from the one in 2019, in his words. leila party is unrecognisable from the one in 2019, in his words.— in 2019, in his words. leila nathoo, thank yon — in 2019, in his words. leila nathoo, thank you. hannah _ in 2019, in his words. leila nathoo, thank you. hannah miller _ in 2019, in his words. leila nathoo, thank you. hannah miller is - thank you. hannah miller is travelling with the lib dems, and they are more geographically targeted compared with tory and labour leadership strategies, aren�*t they? labour leadership strategies, aren't the ? , ., , they? yes, we have 'ust left bath and we h they? yes, we have 'ust left bath and we are heading _ they? yes, we have just left bath and we are heading into - they? yes, we have just left bath| and we are heading into somerset now. the lib dems are clearly targeting seats where they were second to the conservatives in 2019, with a clear strategy around that. they are not making big claims about their leader ed davey being the next prime minister or anything like that. instead, they are saying these are the places where we were second,

these are the places where they are these are the places where they are the real challengers to the conservatives. you are seeing that throughout their messaging. they were talking today about mental health support in schools. they are pointing to the conservatives�* track record around that and saying the conservatives�* response might be that teams are being introduced, but they are not due to reach all schools until march 2025. the liberal democrat response is, you have had all this time to do this, so how can you suggest that it is a priority? and their attack lines towards the conservative party and softer towards the labour party in the sense that they have ruled out going into government with the conservative party. but their language and being willing to work with labour or being more aligned

with labour or being more aligned with where the labour party is currently at, they haven�*t explicitly ruled out anything in relation to that. they are running their own campaign, but it�*s clearly a campaign targeted against the conservative party. hannah miller with the lib dems, thank you. the green party will launch its election campaign in bristol later today, where it will set out plans to clean up the uk�*s toxic rivers and seas. the party has also promised practical solutions to the cost—of—living crisis, housing, and the nhs, as part of its election pledge to offer "real hope and real change." scotland�*s first minister, john swinney, says a generation of young people in scotland have been "robbed of opportunity" scotland�*s first minister, john swinney, says a generation of young people in scotland have been "robbed of opportunity" by westminster governments. the snp leader says the general election will give them a chance to "demand a better future than the main parties are willing to offer". these are live pictures ofjohn

swinney, the newly appointed first minister of the snp, in edinburgh. they are making a big pitch after a turbulent time for the snp leadership. they have been dominant in scotland, the labour party challenging them more forcefully now. the conservatives have also launched their campaign this week in scotland. we will bring you more from edinburgh in the coming hours. some other news today. four people — including a child — are in hospital after a shooting near a restaurant in hackney, in east london. police say the child is in a serious condition. police were called to kingsland high street, in dalston in hackney, at about 21:20 bst on wednesday, after reports of gunshots. officers, including firearms specialists, and the london ambulance service attended the scene, the metropolitan police said.

i�*m joined by thomas magill in hackney. bring us up to date on what we know? , , , , ., hackney. bring us up to date on what weknow? , ,, , ., ,. , we know? eyewitnesses have described kinusland we know? eyewitnesses have described kingsland high — we know? eyewitnesses have described kingsland high street _ we know? eyewitnesses have described kingsland high street as _ we know? eyewitnesses have described kingsland high street as being - we know? eyewitnesses have described kingsland high street as being very - kingsland high street as being very busy last night, when officers were called around 9.20. specialist firearms police and london ambulance arrived to this turkish restaurant on the high street. they found four people had been injured including a child. we are also being told that the child remains in a serious condition this morning. all four people right in east london hospital. for now, kingsland high street, which would normally be very busy, this is a main thoroughfare into central london, remains closed. behind me, there are lots of cars and shops and restaurants that would have had cctv footage and information that police are now

appealing for anyone to come forward with. this remains a fast—moving investigation. for now, no arrests have been made.— investigation. for now, no arrests have been made. ., ., , ., ~ have been made. thomas magill, thank ou. the have been made. thomas magill, thank yon the scottish _ have been made. thomas magill, thank you. the scottish parliament _ have been made. thomas magill, thank you. the scottish parliament is - you. the scottish parliament is expected to vote today to quash the convictions of sub—postmasters who were wrongly convicted during the post office gamble. —— scandal. figures from scotland�*s prosecution service show around 60 people were convicted using evidence based on the horizon software. our reporter, katie hunter, has more. that�*s the post office here. basically, we got this in �*91; as a family business. when we first took over, it was me and my mum. i was originally going to be the postmaster, but then i was young at the time, so my mum decided best she goes on it. so basically she was working here, she was running it, everything was going fine. then all of a sudden, in 2009, auditors turn up, you�*ve £35,000 missing. there was no explanation at all.

at this point, ravinder naga says he told his mum to tell post office investigators that he had stolen the money. i knew my mum wasn�*t going to plead guilty to something she hadn�*t done because i knew what she�*s like. so obviously, if she would have been found guilty because everybody else was, i wasn�*t going to risk that happening or risk her even pleading guilty and going to jail because i honestly believe my mum, to my life to this day, she�*d have went to jail. if somebody had to be sacrificed, better me than my mum. they didn�*t know the horizon it system was flawed. so ravinder says he pled guilty to a crime he didn�*t commit. there are so many knock—on effects. he was sentenced to 300 hours community service. this isn�*tjust like a theft conviction, this is robbing the post office. but notjust robbing the post office, which is a government thing, this is robbing your own mother. so if i brought somebody

to you and said to you, "will you give this guy a job?" you�*d say, "oh, yeah, no worries." "he�*s a thief and he robs his own mum." the scottish parliament is expected to pass legislation this afternoon exonerating people with horizon convictions. but ravinder doesn�*t know if he�*ll be included because he wasn�*t the subpostmaster. for you having the cheek of not letting your mum go to jail and suffer for 15 years, we�*re not including you in the legislation. because there�*s no other way of looking at it, is it? so basically, now you want to punish me for not punishing my mum. but you might be included? might be. listen, stranger things have happened. but we�*ll see. he�*s also appealing his conviction through the courts. prosecutors still haven�*t decided whether they�*ll oppose that appeal. for some people it�*s a tv programme, it�*s a news clip, whatever. to other people, it�*s their life. they�*ve lived it. and it�*s like every time you�*re

seeing a person and hearing another story about a person mistreated this way or another, it brings it back because you were treated that way. ravinder�*s parents built up a business portfolio in scotland from scratch. his mum is fully supporting his appeal. his dad died before the conviction. i can tell my kids about my dad and stuff, but i�*ve got nothing to show them now. "oh, this is what your granddad... we�*ve got this because your granddad built this up and left it for us". because they robbed us of that start he gave us in life as well. can i ask you if you have any idea what he would make of what had happened to you all? i think he�*d be devastated. what i do know is, if he was alive, he wouldn�*t have let my mum take the blame either. ravinder still can�*t be sure if or when his conviction will be quashed, but he knows he�*s better off than others. there�*s people whose family members are no longer here any more to feel

the relief of being vindicated. where�*s their justice? that was ravinder naga speaking to our reporter katie hunter. a post office spokesperson said they apologise for the hurt and suffering caused to victims of the horizon it scandal, and that their focus remains on supporting the public inquiry. now it�*s time for a look at the weather. hello there, good morning to you. it does look like high pressure will be building in later this week into next week as well. we should see quite a lot of dry, settled and sunny weather. however, in the short term, we hold on to further showers at times and today, some of these could be quite heavy and thundery across parts of central and southern england. low pressure sitting out into the north sea there, high pressure to the west — that�*s bringing northerly winds across the country. outbreaks of rain this morning will tend to fragment. we�*ll see sunshine appearing, so it�*ll be sunny spells, scattered showers, variable cloud. these showers heavy and thundery

through the midlands into southeast england. always a bit more cloud. outbreaks of rain affecting north sea coasts of eastern england there, with temperatures low to mid—teens. further west, though, where we have the sunshine, up to 18 or 19 degrees for southern england and also for the glasgow area. now as we head through tonight, it looks like those showers fade away. it does turn dry, though we hold onto the cloud, the breeze and outbreaks of rain across eastern england. so here, temperatures, double figures, but under clearer skies, it will turn fairly chilly with temperatures dipping into single digits. so then for friday, we have high pressure starting to topple in from the west. so the best of the weather will be out towards the west. this feature still bringing thicker cloud, outbreaks of rain to eastern england, east anglia, maybe the far south east of england. some rain at times, which will tend to fizzle as we head through the latter parts of the day. but for scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales, a fine afternoon to come, a good deal of sunshine around. a bit of cloud just into the northwest of scotland. temperatures could be up to around the 20 celsius mark

in the sunniest spots. and then for saturday, we see this area of high pressure topple right in across the country, pushes those weather fronts away from the south east of england. however, with our air coming in from the north, slightly northeasterly, it�*ll feed in some clouds to the north sea coast of england, a bit of cloud to northern and western scotland, maybe northern ireland. but essentially, much of the country will have a fine start to the weekend, with plenty of dry, settled and sunny weather. that�*ll push temperatures up to 20 or 21 degrees in the warmest spots out towards the west, a little bit cooler across the north sea coasts. sunday into next week, our area of high pressure dominates the scene, so it will stay dry. always feeding quite a bit of cloud, though, across the north of the uk, as you can see here for both edinburgh and belfast, maybe the odd spot of light rain or drizzle. best of the sunshine will tend to be towards southern and western areas. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: with five weeks from today until voters head to the polls — liberal democrats, labour and the conservatives pledge not to raise vat if they win power. the purge of the left and exodus of the right — the race is on for parties to select constituency candidates before nomination deadline. police confirmed two bodies have been found in the search for a missing father and son.

and in south africa — vote counting is under way in their general election — as the ruling anc party fights to keep its majority in parliament. and — harry styles�* hometown sees thousands of fans on tour — visiting landmarks connected to the singer. with general election campaigning under way, there are a number of seats to watch. and one is belfast east which has been a battle between the dup and the alliance party in recent years. we can speak to our political correspondent jane maccormack. we can speak to our political correspondentjane maccormack. give correspondent jane maccormack. give us correspondentjane maccormack. give us the political background to this state. �* . us the political background to this state. x �* .,, us the political background to this state. x �* , us the political background to this state. a �* ,., ., state. ace belfast is one of the fiercest battles _ state. ace belfast is one of the fiercest battles because - state. ace belfast is one of the fiercest battles because it's - state. ace belfast is one of the i fiercest battles because it's home fiercest battles because it�*s home to two of our big political basis, to two of our big political basis, to political leaders going head—to—head for the seat. the dup leader is the incumbent. he won this seatin leader is the incumbent. he won this seat in 2015 and has held it

successfully ever since. the woman he won it from and is trying to win it back is the alliance party leader naomi long. she won it in 2010 before gavin robinson reclaimed it five years later. since that, we have seen naomi long and gavin robinson most recently go head—to—head in 2019. she came within 2000 votes of him then. she has a bigger profile now. she has cracked faced criticism for keeping her role as storeman�*sjustice minister while trying to run this campaign. gavin robinson is facing challenges going into this election as well because remember, he has only been the dup leader for a couple of months, replacing sir jeffrey donaldson, who stood down after being charged with historic sex offences. gavin robinson has a fight to save his see and to lead his party into the election. it is also worth noting, smaller parties did not run in their seat in 2019 but they mostly said they are going to stand this time. so i think that

makes for something of a showdown seat here in belfast election night. tell us about the timing of these elections and how that could affect turnout? it elections and how that could affect turnout? , ., ., ~ ., ., turnout? it is hard to know turnout in advance- — turnout? it is hard to know turnout in advance. what _ turnout? it is hard to know turnout in advance. what i _ turnout? it is hard to know turnout in advance. what i would _ turnout? it is hard to know turnout in advance. what i would say - turnout? it is hard to know turnout in advance. what i would say is - turnout? it is hard to know turnout in advance. what i would say is we| in advance. what i would say is we have 18 seats up for grabs in northern ireland. last time around, dup won eight, alliance got one seat. sinn fein, they have a policy of abstention is, they don�*t take their seats on the green benches in their seats on the green benches in the commons. for them, this election is largely symbolic, trying to leapfrog the dup to become the largest party at westminster. one thing to bear in mind as we have their summer coming up. the election is the 1;th ofjuly, one week away from the marching season typically in northern ireland which is symbolic for unionist communities. whether at leads to people turning out, the holidays, that will be the question. can sinn fein make it a

hat—trick to be the largest party and how will the dup fair having come back to stormont in the devolved assembly four months ago? thank you very much indeed. and these are the candidates who have been selected to fight for the constituency of belfast east. the bbc will have a full list of candidates once nominations close. returning to our top line on the election, the conservatives and labour have ruled out increasing vat in the next parliament. the premises have raised questions about how the parties will fund their spending plans and deliver on their commitments if they win in five weeks�* time. there is also some questions going on at the moment about the selection policies, both parties, both main parties have a lot of seats to fill and you would have seen the debate in the last couple of days, especially focused on the labour party. we can speak to the former executive director of policy at the labour party andrew

fisher. thank you forjoining us. first of all, on the question of diane abbott, what is your understanding of what her position is? we did see her speaking yesterday. is? we did see her speaking yesterday-— is? we did see her speaking esterda . , ., ~ ~ yesterday. yes, so after the bbc newsnight _ yesterday. yes, so after the bbc newsnight team _ yesterday. yes, so after the bbc newsnight team exposed - yesterday. yes, so after the bbc newsnight team exposed to - yesterday. yes, so after the bbc newsnight team exposed to the | yesterday. yes, so after the bbc- newsnight team exposed to the fact the party had been lying about her situation for the last five or six months, suddenly, the whip was reinstated, she was allowed to be a labour mp again. but then the media was briefed by senior sources within the labour party that she would not be allowed to stand as a candidate in this forthcoming election. she said she was dismayed at that and that it was unfair. keir starmer yesterday denied that was the case and says it is up to the nec but of course he controls the nec, he has a majority in it and sits on it himself. so a slightly disingenuous observation from him. as we have seen subsequently in terms of the candidates are woodford and

chingford green, they are purging candidates on the left. i think the way that diane abbott, who has been a labour mp for 37 years, the first ever black woman mp in this country, for her to be treated that shabbily is nothing short of bullying. it has been roundly condemned throughout the country, i think. imilli been roundly condemned throughout the country, ithink.— the country, i think. will she stand as an independent _ the country, i think. will she stand as an independent and _ the country, i think. will she stand as an independent and what - the country, i think. will she stand as an independent and what are i the country, i think. will she stand | as an independent and what are her likely chances of success if she did? i likely chances of success if she did? ~' likely chances of success if she did? ~ , ., , ~ , did? i think she may. i think she wants to stand _ did? i think she may. i think she wants to stand as _ did? i think she may. i think she wants to stand as the _ did? i think she may. i think she wants to stand as the labour - wants to stand as the labour candidate, as she has made clear all along. but if she is blocked by this bully boy group at the top of the labour party now, then i think she will have a rewrite to and they will have brought it on themselves, frankly. you cannot treat people like this. it is an appalling way to carry on and i think a lot of members, locally in hackney and around the country will be utterly dismayed at the treatment, both of her and the candidate in chingford and woodford green. the her and the candidate in chingford

and woodford green.— her and the candidate in chingford and woodford green. the team around keir starmer — and woodford green. the team around keir starmer and _ and woodford green. the team around keir starmer and the _ and woodford green. the team around keir starmer and the labour _ and woodford green. the team around keir starmer and the labour party - keir starmer and the labour party leadership— keir starmer and the labour party leadership would deny the description of how they operate. i�*m description of how they operate. i'm sure the description of how they operate. i�*m sure they would but the evidence points to exactly that, i�*m afraid, and i don�*t say that lightly. i have been a member of the labour party for 28 years under the leadership said tony blair, gordon brown, ed miliband, jeremy corbyn and keir starmer now. i can�*t remember a time where the behaviour at the top of the labour party with this nakedly factional, it is appalling. you sunported — factional, it is appalling. you supported jeremy _ factional, it is appalling. you supported jeremy corbyn and many would say that was a huge faction and lead to a huge defeat and keir starmer has brought the labour party in four years 20 win above or selections. in four years 20 win above or selections-— selections. there were no de selections — selections. there were no de selections are _ selections. there were no de selections are purging - selections. there were no de selections are purging of - selections. there were no de - selections are purging of people. there were a lot of people actively sabotaging us, a lot of people who took peerages from the conservatives and even those people were not purged. it is chalk and cheese to try and compare those two. labour

may well win the next election but it is alienating a lot of its membership base at the moment, over a range of injuries, younger voters, muslim voters and black voters as well. the runnymede trust said yesterday the double standards and the treatment of diane abbott is abhorrent. racism against black women in the workplace is rife across our in society. it is rare for a charity to speak out like that about the internal machinations of a party and i think the labour leadership needs to set up pay attention to that. can leadership needs to set up pay attention to that.— attention to that. can i ask, in terms of _ attention to that. can i ask, in terms of diane _ attention to that. can i ask, in terms of diane abbott's - attention to that. can i ask, in i terms of diane abbott's position, terms of diane abbott�*s position, there was a repeat she had for example leaked a tweet that was supporting jeremy corbyn�*s stance as an independent mp that was by his partner, i think. an independent mp that was by his partner, ithink. forany an independent mp that was by his partner, i think. for any labour would be candidate, they cannot, as far as i understand it, support and

other party. she far as i understand it, support and other party-— other party. she didn't support another party- _ other party. she didn't support another party. look, _ other party. she didn't support another party. look, hair- other party. she didn't support another party. look, hair and i other party. she didn't support - another party. look, hair and jeremy another party. look, hairand jeremy have another party. look, hair and jeremy have been friends for 1;0 years. are they supposed to pretend that is not they supposed to pretend that is not the case? i don�*t know if she did even like the tweet. liking a tweet, really? 37 years of service to the labour party... really? 37 years of service to the labour party- - -— really? 37 years of service to the labour party... she knows the rules around wanting _ labour party... she knows the rules around wanting to _ labour party... she knows the rules around wanting to be _ labour party... she knows the rules around wanting to be a _ labour party... she knows the rules around wanting to be a candidate i labour party... she knows the rules. around wanting to be a candidate and you cannot support another party. she is not supported, as she has not come out and said she supports jeremy corbyn standing as an independent. she is being treated appallingly. let�*s not forget, he was reinstated by an independent panel himself after he was suspended and then blocked from standing by keir starmer. there was no independent process there either. so these people, unfortunately, have been treated very, very badly by the labour leadership and there is no point them saying, isn�*t this terrible, they are standing against us? they are the reason they are standing against them, if they do, in the case of diane abbott. share standing against them, if they do, in the case of diane abbott. are you still supporting _ in the case of diane abbott. are you still supporting the _ in the case of diane abbott. are you still supporting the labour -

in the case of diane abbott. are you still supporting the labour party? i still supporting the labour party? look, as i say, i have been a member of the 28 years, i�*ve been a council candidate, a ward secretary, i have worked for the party for four and half years. i have spent my entire aduu half years. i have spent my entire adult life him the party and multiple leaderships but it is hanging by a thread at the moment. i really struggle to justify what the leadership is doing. who would you vote for instead? i�*m not going to get into that. at the moment, i am voting for the labour candidate in my constituency, who is a perfectly decent person, but my commitment to the party at the moment is, i�*m afraid, reduced, becausei the party at the moment is, i�*m afraid, reduced, because i don�*t think you can treat people like this. it is appalling and i think a lot of labour party members, i have several on the phone to me already today, telling me they are feeling exactly the same as this and i think there is a widespread feeling. people don�*t want people being treated like this, regardless of which wing of the party you are wrong. which wing of the party you are wronu. �* which wing of the party you are wronu. ~ , which wing of the party you are wronu. �* , . ~' which wing of the party you are wronu. �* , ., ~ ,, wrong. 0k, andrew fisher, thank you ve much wrong. 0k, andrew fisher, thank you very much indeed. _ wrong. 0k, andrew fisher, thank you very much indeed. the _ wrong. 0k, andrew fisher, thank you very much indeed. the keir _ wrong. 0k, andrew fisher, thank you very much indeed. the keir starmer l very much indeed. the keir starmer team would refute those suggestions,

as i said, and i�*m sure we will hear from them later in the day. thank you. turning to the middle east, the united nations says the amount of humanitarian aid entering gaza has decreased by two—thirds since israel began its military operation in rafah earlier this month. the israeli military says it has established full operational control over the philadelphi corridor along the gaza—egypt border, discovering dozens of rocket launchers and at least 20 cross—border smuggling tunnels there so far. a national security adviser to israel�*s prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says he expects the war against hamas to continue for at least another seven months. israeli troops first moved into rafah several weeks ago, following months of international warnings against entering the area, where more than half of gazans had taken refuge after being displaced by months of fighting elsewhere in the strip. from jerusalem, and our middle east correspondent yolande knell had the latest on the gaza—egyptian border. this narrow strip of land,

known as the philadelphi corridor, that�*s israeli military code, stretches about 11; kilometers long. really, it�*s the gaza—egypt border. and the israeli military is saying that this has been extremely important, that it�*s found their rocket launch sites. it said that in the recent weeks, there have been something like 70 rockets and mortars fired by hamas from the rafah area and that many of the launch sites were located close to the egypt border with the hope that israel would not fire back in that area, really for fear of misfiring into egypt and triggering a bigger incident. as well as that, it�*s saying it�*s found something like 20 tunnels already. it�*s starting to destroy those. it says that these have been a lifeline, really, for hamas and for other armed groups in the gaza strip to smuggle in weapons. it believes that there are dozens more tunnels in that area — it points out that already in the eastern rafah area, it�*s found an underground tunnel network stretching for about 1.5 kilometers.

yolande, another warning from the un about the amount of aid getting in at the moment? that�*s right. so these are the latest official figures that come through from the un, really looking at the three weeks that followed the 7th of may. that�*s the time that covers, really, israel�*s military offensive in rafah and just how much humanitarian aid supplies have dropped in that period, going down from an average of 176 lorry loads a day entering in the three weeks previous to 58 lorries. and, really, we know a lot about why that is. of course, as the israeli offensive began, it took control of the rafah border crossing, which was the main entry point for aid — that�*s been virtually closed ever since. the kerem shalom crossing, that was closed initially because of hamas rocket fire, which killed several israeli soldiers who were positioned nearby. when israel did reopen that, under us pressure,

as forces entered into rafah, there were battles with hamas and islamichhad, which really caused a difficult security situation for aid agencies close to that crossing point. aid has really been hampered ever since. the un figures also show, as we know, that more than a million people are said to have left the rafah area because of evacuation orders issued by the israeli military and ongoing military action in rafah. they�*re saying that this leaves people with a lack of shelter, a lack of security and lack of access to food and water. as well as that, there are three hospitals located in rafah — two of those have now been effectively closed because people have evacuated from there. and also one that is still functioning really has only sort of partial capacity. yolande knell talking to my colleague a little bit earlier. let me show you some live pictures

now from iceland because we are seeing these images of a volcano which erupted yesterday. fountains of molten lava, lots of smoke clouds billowing above that fissure and warnings of more volcanic activity in that area because studies have shown lover is accumulating below the ground. there are almost 1;00,000 people on the iceland nation. scientists warning eruptions can happen over and overfour scientists warning eruptions can happen over and over four decades scientists warning eruptions can happen over and overfour decades or even centuries to come. but there was are the latest dramatic pictures we are getting at the moment. millions of people have been voting

in south africa. the electoral commission of south africa says turn out in wednesday because my collection were high. formal results are not expected until the weekend. the ruling african congress is facing its toughest challenge yet, with widespread disappointment over the state of the economy, corruption and crime. the anc could lose its majority in parliament for the first time. our correspondence is at the official result centre north of johannesburg. catherine, what do you know so far?— know so far? yes, i'm not sure if ou can know so far? yes, i'm not sure if you can see _ know so far? yes, i'm not sure if you can see the _ know so far? yes, i'm not sure if you can see the screen _ know so far? yes, i'm not sure if you can see the screen right - know so far? yes, i'm not sure if i you can see the screen right behind me. these are screens that have been put up by the independent electoral commission and they are showing the results that are coming in. these are early results, coming in from a handful of polling stations. as it stands at the moment, 13.9 voting districts have posted, reported their results at the national tally centre. it shows that the anc, the

ruling party, has 1;3% of the vote. the democratic alliance, the official opposition here in south africa, has 26%. then you have the eff and mk party, offshoots of the anc, and they have about 8% each. these are very early results of course but it follows on the trend as we have seen in recent months from opinion polls, which shows that anc is expected to lose its majority in parliament. it is all also interesting to note some of the regional results we are getting at the moment. from the district where jacob zuma is strong and has a lot of support, his home province, his new party, mk party, appears to be gaining ground against the anc and could unseat the anc in that particular province. you mentioned there the voting turnout. yesterday, we saw long queues at different polling stations, in different parts of the country. a lot of voters were

talking about change and for analysts here watching those voting patterns yesterday, there is an expectation that people came out hoping for some kind of change. and hoping for some kind of change. and with their shift in voting behaviour, as you said we do not have the full results, what will it mean for the next phase of democracy there? it mean for the next phase of democracy there? , . , mean for the next phase of democracy there? , ., , , there? it is really interesting here in south africa. _ there? it is really interesting here in south africa. of _ there? it is really interesting here in south africa. of course, - there? it is really interesting here in south africa. of course, this . there? it is really interesting here in south africa. of course, this is| in south africa. of course, this is 30 years since the dawn of democracy in this country, when millions of black people were able to vote for the first time. the anc wears at the heart of that liberation struggle against the racist apartheid regime. since then, it has dominated politics in south africa. it has been a major party in government. it has been able to control several levers within government but now, some people see this as an evolution of south africa�*s democracy now, where you see numerous parties vying

for power, contesting for that power. but there is also a sense of disappointment within anc, whether it has done enough to provide critical services for people. so now if it loses its majority in parliament for the first time, that would mean it would have to form coalitions with different parties. those coalitions would obviously water down its control of government. but really people seeing this as potentially a watershed moment in south africa posit that history. moment in south africa posit that histo . ,., ., moment in south africa posit that histo . ., ,, .,~ moment in south africa posit that histo . ., ,, ., moment in south africa posit that histo . ., ,, history. good to speak to you, catherine- _ history. good to speak to you, catherine. we _ history. good to speak to you, catherine. we will _ history. good to speak to you, catherine. we will be - history. good to speak to you, catherine. we will be catching | history. good to speak to you, i catherine. we will be catching up with you in the next few days as the results keep coming in, thank you. each year thousands of fans of the pop star harry styles flock to the cheshire village where he grew up. starting next week, his supporters will be able to get a closer look into his life in a new guided tour of his old stomping ground. our cultural reporter has this report. cheering

we love you, harry! # harry styles is one of the biggest p0p # harry styles is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. # you know it�*s not the same... #. starting in one direction before launching a successful solo career. he shot to fame on the x factor... since then, the village where he is from has become a must see for fans. due to the weather today, the walk down to the viaduct itself will be quite muddy and challenging. hour. quite muddy and challenging. now, --eole quite muddy and challenging. now, people visiting _ quite muddy and challenging. now, people visiting the _ quite muddy and challenging. now, people visiting the chapel are offered to the new walking tour. more than 5000 fans are thought to have visited this village as air, almost equal to its entire population. the new tour will take those fans through a trip of local harry hotspots. to

those fans through a trip of local harry hotspots— those fans through a trip of local harry hotspots. to your right 'ust there hehhe fl harry hotspots. to your right 'ust there behind the i harry hotspots. to your right 'ust there behind the green �* harry hotspots. to your rightjust there behind the green metal- harry hotspots. to your rightjust. there behind the green metal gate harry hotspots. to your rightjust - there behind the green metal gate is harry�*s primary school. the there behind the green metal gate is harry's primary school.— harry's primary school. the tour euides harry's primary school. the tour guides faced _ harry's primary school. the tour guides faced a _ harry's primary school. the tour guides faced a competitive - harry's primary school. the tour. guides faced a competitive process to get the job. guides faced a competitive process to get thejob. i guides faced a competitive process to get the job-— guides faced a competitive process to get the job. to get the 'ob. i am from newjersey in the us. to get the job. i am from newjersey in the us- why _ to get the job. i am from newjersey in the us. why are _ to get the job. i am from newjersey in the us. why are you _ to get the job. i am from newjersey in the us. why are you giving - to get the job. i am from newjersey in the us. why are you giving a - to get the job. i am from newjersey in the us. why are you giving a tour| in the us. why are you giving a tour of harry styles" _ in the us. why are you giving a tour of harry styles' hometown? - in the us. why are you giving a tour of harry styles' hometown? i've - in the us. why are you giving a tour. of harry styles' hometown? i've been a fan of his for— of harry styles' hometown? i've been a fan of his for 14 _ of harry styles' hometown? i've been a fan of his for 14 years _ of harry styles' hometown? i've been a fan of his for 14 years and _ of harry styles' hometown? i've been a fan of his for 14 years and i - of harry styles' hometown? i've been a fan of his for 14 years and i saw- a fan of his for 14 years and i saw this a fan of his for 14 years and i saw thisiob _ a fan of his for 14 years and i saw thisiob and — a fan of his for 14 years and i saw thisjob and i live in manchester now and — thisjob and i live in manchester now and i— thisjob and i live in manchester now and ijust thisjob and i live in manchester now and i just thought thisjob and i live in manchester now and ijust thought it was my dream _ now and ijust thought it was my dream job— now and ijust thought it was my dream job and now and ijust thought it was my dreamjob and i had now and ijust thought it was my dream job and i had to do it and give— dream job and i had to do it and give it— dream job and i had to do it and give ita— dream job and i had to do it and give it a shot. tell dream job and i had to do it and give it a shot.— dream job and i had to do it and give it a shot. tell me a bit about ou. i give it a shot. tell me a bit about you i work _ give it a shot. tell me a bit about you i work in _ give it a shot. tell me a bit about you. i work in a _ give it a shot. tell me a bit about you. i work in a bakery. - give it a shot. tell me a bit about you. i work in a bakery. what - give it a shot. tell me a bit about you. i work in a bakery. what do | give it a shot. tell me a bit about. you. i work in a bakery. what do you do in the bakery? _ you. i work in a bakery. what do you do in the bakery? i— you. i work in a bakery. what do you do in the bakery? i serve _ you. i work in a bakery. what do you do in the bakery? i serve the - you. i work in a bakery. what do you do in the bakery? i serve the cakes. | do in the bakery? i serve the cakes. this is the bakery. _ do in the bakery? i serve the cakes. this is the bakery. it _ do in the bakery? i serve the cakes. this is the bakery. it is _ do in the bakery? i serve the cakes. this is the bakery. it is where - this is the bakery. it is where harry styles used to work part—time. so you hired harry styles when he was just a teenager, what was he like? he wasjust a teenager, what was he like? ., , ., ., , wasjust a teenager, what was he like? .,, ., ., , . ., wasjust a teenager, what was he like? ., ., , . ., like? he was a really nice lad, so easy going. _ like? he was a really nice lad, so easy going. such _ like? he was a really nice lad, so easy going, such a _ like? he was a really nice lad, so easy going, such a pleasure - like? he was a really nice lad, so easy going, such a pleasure to i like? he was a really nice lad, so i easy going, such a pleasure to have working _ easy going, such a pleasure to have working for— easy going, such a pleasure to have working for me. so nice with the customers _ working for me. so nice with the customers. did working for me. so nice with the customers-— working for me. so nice with the customers. , , ., customers. did he turn up on time? yes, his customers. did he turn up on time? yes. his timing _ customers. did he turn up on time? yes, his timing was _ customers. did he turn up on time? yes, his timing was fine, _ customers. did he turn up on time? yes, his timing was fine, no - customers. did he turn up on time? | yes, his timing was fine, no problem at atl _ yes, his timing was fine, no problem at all. ., ., ., , ., yes, his timing was fine, no problem at all. ., ., ., y., , yes, his timing was fine, no problem at all. ., ., ., , ., , ., at all. how long have you been a fan? since _ at all. how long have you been a fan? since 2010. _

at all. how long have you been a fan? since 2010. pretty - at all. how long have you been a fan? since 2010. pretty much i at all. how long have you been a fan? since 2010. pretty much of| at all. how long have you been a i fan? since 2010. pretty much of your life? much more _ fan? since 2010. pretty much of your life? much more than _ fan? since 2010. pretty much of your life? much more than half, _ fan? since 2010. pretty much of your life? much more than half, yes. i i life? much more than half, yes. i never had — life? much more than half, yes. i never had anyone _ life? much more than half, yes. i never had anyone to _ life? much more than half, yes. i never had anyone to really i life? much more than half, yes. i never had anyone to really go i life? much more than half, yes. i l never had anyone to really go with so its— never had anyone to really go with so it's really exciting coming here and doing — so it's really exciting coming here and doing the tour.— so it's really exciting coming here and doing the tour. have you ever actually met _ and doing the tour. have you ever actually met harry _ and doing the tour. have you ever actually met harry matt _ and doing the tour. have you ever actually met harry matt green i i actually met harry matt green i haven�*t, i met his dad. you might bump into him. i haven't, i met his dad. you might bump into him-— haven't, i met his dad. you might bump into him. i would like to one da , it bump into him. i would like to one day. it might _ bump into him. i would like to one day, it might happen. _ bump into him. i would like to one day, it might happen. other- bump into him. i would like to one day, it might happen. other stops| bump into him. i would like to one i day, it might happen. other stops on the tour include _ day, it might happen. other stops on the tour include the _ day, it might happen. other stops on the tour include the viaduct - day, it might happen. other stops on the tour include the viaduct where i the tour include the viaduct where the tour include the viaduct where the singer had his first kiss. it is also where he famously wrote his name in one direction documentary this is us. fans have now covered harry�*s wall with their own messages to him. behind it all, there is an important safety message. in the past, fans made their way to the viaduct using this road but locals say it is dangerous. by taking visitors in another direction, on a traffic free route, tour organisers hope to keep them safe. back at the viaduct and i couldn�*t go without

leaving my own heart, slate heart, that is. ok, very sweet for her. let me just show you some live pictures again we are getting in from iceland. they are incredibly dramatic and this is just south—west of the capital. it is the fifth in six months of these volcanic eruptions and it is two or three kilometres long. still expanding, we were hearing, and really an extraordinary sight there, as the molten lava is spewing into the air. the eruptions have forced the air. the eruptions have forced the evacuation of a spa and a small fishing town. the met office is saying 2.5 kilometres long at least. a state of emergency has been declared but air travel at the moment to and from iceland has not been affected and that is the

expectation of it staying in that position. that power has been cut off to the nearby town of grindavik at the moment. a few people refusing to leave but most people have evacuated. you can see molten rock shooting up to a height of 50 metres in the air. a very surreal sight, according to one of the photographers documenting at but extraordinary images from my son. —— from iceland. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello there, good morning to you. it does look like high pressure will be building in later this week into next week as well. we should see quite a lot of dry, settled and sunny weather. however, in the short term, we hold on to further showers at times and today, some of these could be quite heavy and thundery across parts of central and southern england. low pressure setting out into the north sea there, high pressure to the west — that�*s bringing northerly winds across the country.

outbreaks of rain this morning will tend to fragment. we�*ll see sunshine appearing, so it�*ll be sunny spells, scattered showers, variable cloud. these showers heavy and thundery through the midlands into southeast england. always a bit more cloud. outbreaks of rain affecting north sea coasts of eastern england there, with temperatures low to mid—teens. further west, though, where we have the sunshine, up to 18 or 19 degrees for southern england and also for the glasgow area. now as we head through tonight, it looks like those showers fade away. it does turn dry, though we hold onto the cloud, the breeze and outbreaks of rain across eastern england. so here, temperatures, double figures, but under clearer skies it will turn fairly chilly with temperatures dipping into single digits. so then for friday, we have high pressure starting to topple in from the west. so best the weather will be out towards the west. this feature still bringing thicker cloud, outbreaks of rain to eastern england, east anglia, maybe the far south east of england. some rain at times, which will tend to fizzle as we head through the latter parts of the day. but for scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales, a fine afternoon to come, a good deal of sunshine around. a bit of cloud just into the northwest of scotland. temperatures could be up to around the 20 celsius mark

in the sunniest spots. and then for saturday, we see this area of high pressure topple right in across the country, pushes those weather fronts away from the south east of england. however, with our air coming in from the north, slightly northeasterly, it�*ll feed in some clouds to the north sea coast of england, a bit of cloud to northern and western scotland, maybe northern ireland. but essentially, much of the country will have a fine start to the weekend, with plenty of dry, settled and sunny weather. that�*ll push temperatures up to 20 or 21 degrees in the warmest spots out towards the west, a little bit cooler across the north sea coasts. sunday into next week, our area of high pressure dominates the scene so it will stay dry. always feeding quite a bit of cloud, though, across the north of the uk, as you can see here for both edinburgh and belfast, maybe the odd spot of light rain or drizzle. best of the sunshine will tend to be towards southern and western areas. take care.

live from london, this is bbc news.

with five weeks until voters head to the polls, liberal democrats, labour and the conservatives pledge not to raise vat if they win power. here at bbc verify. — raise vat if they win power. here at bbc verify. we _ raise vat if they win power. here at bbc verify, we are _ raise vat if they win power. here at bbc verify, we are examining i raise vat if they win power. here at| bbc verify, we are examining claims from the tories and labour that their opponents have unfunded economic pledges that would cost uk families hundreds of pounds in the next parliament.— next parliament. controversy for labour as the — next parliament. controversy for labour as the parties _ next parliament. controversy for labour as the parties finalise i next parliament. controversy fori labour as the parties finalise the candidates before nomination deadline. a child is in a serious condition and three adults have been injured in a shooting in east london. please confirm two bodies have been found in the search for missing father and son in glencoe. vote counting is under way in south africa as the ruling anc party fights to keep its majority in parliament. and harry styles�* home seize sees fans on tour visiting landmarks connected to the singer.

hello, i�*m geeta guru—murthy. the conservatives and labour have ruled out increasing vat during the next parliament. promises have raised questions about how the parties will fund their spending plans and deliver on their commitments if they win the election in five weeks�* time. our political correspondent damian grammaticas reports. big ben strikes. midnight last night. and exactly one minute later, all business here ended. parliament dissolved. those who were mps must now clear their offices. to return, they must stand as candidates again. we stand with diane! but when it comes to the long—serving diane abbott, doubts swirl. last night, supporters gathered in her london constituency. she believes labour will not endorse her.

the national party is insisting that i be banned. they haven�*t communicated with me personally. they haven�*t given a reason for banning me. they just want me excluded from parliament. sir keir starmer has said that�*s not true, but the party must finalise its list of mps next week. i will be the candidate for hackney north and stoke newington! cheering. the leaders of both main parties, meanwhile, are turning to the economy and taxes, trading blows and promises. in an article for today�*s telegraph, the chancellorjeremy hunt claims keir starmer and rachel reeves have a plan to increase vat. and they don�*t want you to know about it until after polling day.

and he makes this commitment. a future conservative government will not increase income tax, national insurance or vat. that is an important commitment to people worried about the cost of living and people are worried in an election campaign to be worried about the labour party that can�*t make up its mind on those basic economic questions. last night, labour responded immediately. the shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, issued a rebuttal saying... "this is absolute nonsense. labour will not be increasing income tax, national insurance or vat. i want taxes on working people to be lower, not higher." both parties respond to such criticisms saying they will only make changes they can afford. but while they trade blows, both are accused of ignoring the biggest issue by far — the massive pressures on public spending any future government will face. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster.

labour�*s shadow chief secretary to the treasury darrenjones has also been speaking to bbc breakfast. he says labour has been very clear that it wants tax burdens to come down. conservative press office have set out a press release saying they have scored a goal against the labour party. but shadow chancellor rachel reeves, i, keirand others party. but shadow chancellor rachel reeves, i, keir and others have pointed to the fact that we want taxes to come down.— pointed to the fact that we want taxes to come down. sorry, i will interrupt- — taxes to come down. sorry, i will interrupt- i— taxes to come down. sorry, i will interrupt. i want _ taxes to come down. sorry, i will interrupt. i want us _ taxes to come down. sorry, i will interrupt. i want us to _ taxes to come down. sorry, i will interrupt. i want us to start i taxes to come down. sorry, i will interrupt. i want us to start this i interrupt. i want us to start this conversation with clarity. this is specifically about vat. this is about whether or not vat would have been raised or increased during the first parliament. rachel reeves and keir starmer were asked repeatedly if they would raise vat and there

was no yes or no answer given until yesterday evening. why? iterate was no yes or no answer given until yesterday evening. why?— was no yes or no answer given until yesterday evening. why? we are not raising vat- — yesterday evening. why? we are not raising vat- we _ yesterday evening. why? we are not raising vat. we are _ yesterday evening. why? we are not raising vat. we are not _ yesterday evening. why? we are not raising vat. we are not raising i raising vat. we are not raising income tax or national insurance. we talk about these taxes as a tax on working people because the majority of working people will know the big taxes they pay are those i have set out in their payslip and shopping and bills on a day—to—day basis. we have consistently said we want the tax burden on working people to come down because it�*s the highest it has beenin down because it�*s the highest it has been in 70 years. we did not plan to increase it. but none of our policies in the manifesto require us to do so, because those fully costed policies are paid for by other means. will income tax, national insurance or vat increase under a future labour government? no.

the liberal democrats say they would triple the tax on big digital companies — raising an extra £1.5 billion to pay for a mental health professional in every school in england. the party says thousands of children are being "left in limbo" by long waits for nhs treatment. earlier on bbc breakfast the liberal democrats education spokesperson, munira wilson, was asked about those plans. our political correspondent hannah miller is travelling with the lib dems in the west midlands. what is today�*s lib dem stunt? fihce dems in the west midlands. what is today's lib dem stunt?— today's lib dem stunt? once again, the liberal democrats _ today's lib dem stunt? once again, the liberal democrats are _ today's lib dem stunt? once again, the liberal democrats are going i today's lib dem stunt? once again, the liberal democrats are going for| the liberal democrats are going for a photo opportunity. that is ed davey going up to the slip and slide here in froome, which is a constituency that the liberal democrats won from the conservatives in a by—election last year. they have come here to campaign again. it's have come here to campaign again. it�*s in somerset, part of their tour of the west country that they are going to be doing throughout this

election campaign. ed davey, getting ready to sit in a rubber ring and slide down. let�*s hope we don�*t get splashed too much with water when that happens. i�*m not clear how nervous he is about this and how long he is going to stay at the top. he was paddleboarding earlier in the week. he he was paddleboarding earlier in the week. , , , ., week. he is 'ust sitting in now. or attempting — week. he isjust sitting in now. or attempting to _ week. he isjust sitting in now. or attempting to sit _ week. he isjust sitting in now. or attempting to sit in _ week. he isjust sitting in now. or attempting to sit in the _ week. he isjust sitting in now. or attempting to sit in the rubber i attempting to sit in the rubber ring. i don�*t know what wider point he is making by this. he ring. i don't know what wider point he is making by this.— he is making by this. he has been talkint he is making by this. he has been talking about _ he is making by this. he has been talking about mental _ he is making by this. he has been talking about mental health i he is making by this. he has been talking about mental health today and getting mental health professionals in every school. you could say slip and slide and having a laugh is good for your mental health. �* ., ' a laugh is good for your mental health. �* .,' ., , | a laugh is good for your mentali health._ i think a laugh is good for your mental i health._ i think he health. and off he goes. i think he is winning! — health. and off he goes. i think he is winning! he _ health. and off he goes. i think he is winning! he is _ health. and off he goes. i think he is winning! he is sitting _ health. and off he goes. i think he is winning! he is sitting enjoying i is winning! he is sitting en'oying

himself. i was i is winning! he is sitting en'oying himself. i was hoping i is winning! he is sitting en'oying himself. i was hoping for i is winning! he is sitting enjoying himself. i was hoping for an i himself. i was hoping for an almighty — himself. i was hoping for an almighty splash, _ himself. i was hoping for an almighty splash, but - himself. i was hoping for an almighty splash, but that i himself. i was hoping for an i almighty splash, but that hasn't almighty splash, but that hasn�*t happened, although it has started pouring with rain. so he is going to get wet regardless. there he is, ed davey standing up in his shorts. another picture from the campaign trailfor the liberal another picture from the campaign trail for the liberal democrats. very good, these photo moments. is he going to go again? possibly. bud he going to go again? possibly. and who else is — he going to go again? possibly. and who else is he doing that with? there is their candidate and various relatives of liberal democrat people getting involved. now it�*s really started raining, so anyone who doesn�*t get wet on the slip and slide is going to be soaked regardless of what happens. but the liberal democrats say they are using this to promote their policies around mental health. they want to triple the tax on social media companies. they say that would bring

in £1.5 billion which they would used to put mental health professionals in every school. the conservative party say that kind of thing is already going on. it is true that they have begun to introduce external support in schools for children. it hasn�*t reached every school yet. the labour party say they have a similar policy about getting mental health support into schools. the liberal democrats say they are different because they are aiming at every school, primary and secondary. they say that is because of the mental health crisis going on at the moment. but this is the first stop on a tour of the west country and the south—west that we can expect as they try to take the fight to those seats where they are second to the conservatives. it definitely looks like ed davey is going to have another go. has there been any deal _ going to have another go. has there been any deal with _ going to have another go. has there been any deal with the _ going to have another go. has there been any deal with the labour- going to have another go. has there been any deal with the labour party| been any deal with the labour party in terms of either of those two

parties soft paddling in seats where they might be stronger in order to challenge the conservatives, any talk of that? 50 challenge the conservatives, any talk of that?— talk of that? so there isn't an ex . licit talk of that? so there isn't an explicit deal _ talk of that? so there isn't an explicit deal that _ talk of that? so there isn't an explicit deal that we - talk of that? so there isn't an explicit deal that we know i talk of that? so there isn't an i explicit deal that we know of, talk of that? so there isn't an i explicit deal that we know of, but it�*s clear from the language being used that the liberal democrats consistently are attacking the conservative party for their record, keen to point out what they see as failures and areas where they said the conservative party has let people down. when i ask ed davey his thoughts on keir starmer, i asked him the other day if there�*s anything about keir starmer he doesn�*t like. he is very reluctant to criticise the labour party. so while they have ruled out the idea of going into coalition with the conservative party, something they did in 2010 which was widely seen as being hugely damaging for the

party�*s electoral prospects and they took a great hit in terms of the number of mps in parliament in elections since then, they have ruled out doing that with the conservative party. {l3h ruled out doing that with the conservative party.— ruled out doing that with the conservative party. off he goes atain, conservative party. off he goes again. just _ conservative party. off he goes again, just interrupt _ conservative party. off he goes again, just interrupt you. i conservative party. off he goes again, just interrupt you. he i conservative party. off he goes again, just interrupt you. he is| conservative party. off he goes i again, just interrupt you. he is in partnership with somebody. yes. again, just interrupt you. he is in partnership with somebody. yes, i believe that _ partnership with somebody. yes, i believe that is _ partnership with somebody. yes, i believe that is their _ partnership with somebody. yes, i believe that is their candidate. - partnership with somebody. yes, i | believe that is their candidate. and they are going to get to the end this time. ., ., ., , , this time. there are not many party leaders who — this time. there are not many party leaders who would _ this time. there are not many party leaders who would agree _ this time. there are not many party leaders who would agree to - this time. there are not many party leaders who would agree to be - this time. there are not many party l leaders who would agree to be filmed doing all these stunts, are there? no. ed davey, how's it going? having fun. this tourist _ no. ed davey, how's it going? having fun. this tourist business _ no. ed davey, how's it going? having fun. this tourist business is _ fun. this tourist business is fantastic _ fun. this tourist business is fantastic. everyone should come here in half— fantastic. everyone should come here in half term — fantastic. everyone should come here in half term-— in half term. using the opportunity to thank the _ in half term. using the opportunity to thank the businesses _ in half term. using the opportunity to thank the businesses that - in half term. using the opportunity to thank the businesses that are i to thank the businesses that are helping them. he says he is having

fun, and it looks like he is. share fun, and it looks like he is. are ou fun, and it looks like he is. are you tempted — fun, and it looks like he is. are you tempted to _ fun, and it looks like he is. are you tempted to have a go, hannah? you had a go at paddleboarding, didn't you? i you had a go at paddleboarding, didn't you?— you had a go at paddleboarding, didn't ou? ., ., ., ., ., didn't you? i would love to have a no! but didn't you? i would love to have a go! but we _ didn't you? i would love to have a go! but we will— didn't you? i would love to have a go! but we will have _ didn't you? i would love to have a go! but we will have to _ didn't you? i would love to have a go! but we will have to see - didn't you? i would love to have a go! but we will have to see if - didn't you? i would love to have a. go! but we will have to see if there is time afterwards. there is a serious matter of politics to get on with really? we serious matter of politics to get on with really?— with really? we will expect a piece to camera as _ with really? we will expect a piece to camera as you _ with really? we will expect a piece to camera as you come _ with really? we will expect a piece to camera as you come down. - with really? we will expect a piece to camera as you come down. of. to camera as you come down. of course, it is a serious business. the lib dems are succeeding because they are getting on air with these stunts. ed davey, possibly going back up for another go. they have got five weeks of these stunts, we will have to see where this heads and whether there are suitable health and safety precautions with all of these moves. hannah miller, thanks for now. let's get more on the financial questions around the political parties. we have seen a

pledge from labour along with the conservatives and lib dems not to increase vat. henry zeffman, our chief political correspondent, is with us. henry, on the financial promise of all the parties and what that means, the ifs think—tank have long said there are challenges of our spending commitments if you're not going to raise money by raising taxes and if you are just going to rely on economic growth. what is the political interpretation of what we have heard in the last few days? today turns out to be a day about tax and spend on the campaign trail. that was started byjeremy hunt, the chancellor, who wrote an article in the telegraph, a conservative supporting newspaper, last night in which he vowed that if the conservatives win the general election, they won't increase the headline rate of income tax, national insurance or vat. he

claimed that labour had a plan to increase vat because they have avoided committing to not doing so. well, not any more because last night, rachel reeves, in response to that article, the shadow chancellor said that labour would not increase income tax, national insurance or vat over the course of a parliament if they win the general election. they would match the conservatives. so the conservative search for a dividing line was unsuccessful. you are right to pose the question of what this means in the broader context for the uk public finances. a lot of experts say that even though we are already at a point where the uk tax burden is as high as it has ever been in peacetime, given the level of public spending and the level of tax receipts, actually, the levels of public spending in the uk are not plausible without increases in tax receipts

unless you have a period of sustained economic growth. so whether either major party, and the liberal democrats, when they are not on water slides, have also made the same commitment, whether any of those parties are matching up to what experts say is the scale of the fiscal challenges the uk faces is an important question. we fiscal challenges the uk faces is an important question.— fiscal challenges the uk faces is an important question. we will see what the manifesto — important question. we will see what the manifesto say _ important question. we will see what the manifesto say in _ important question. we will see what the manifesto say in the _ important question. we will see what the manifesto say in the next - important question. we will see what the manifesto say in the next few- the manifesto say in the next few days. on candidate selection, there are a few days left before the parties have to confirm who is standing in which seats. there have been ongoing rows with the starmer team and the left of the labour party. what is the latest on that, with some well—known names and new names coming into the frame in the last 2a hours? names coming into the frame in the last 24 hours?— last 24 hours? well, yesterday was chaos when — last 24 hours? well, yesterday was chaos when it _ last 24 hours? well, yesterday was chaos when it comes _ last 24 hours? well, yesterday was chaos when it comes to _ last 24 hours? well, yesterday was chaos when it comes to diane - last 24 hours? well, yesterday was i chaos when it comes to diane abbott, of course a very famous labour mp, labour's fifth longest serving mp and also, when she was elected in 1987, the first black female mp. i will spare you the ins and outs of

what happened yesterday, but where we stand now is that diane abbott has made clear that she wants to be the labour candidate again for hackney north and stoke newington, her constituency. but it appears that she is unlikely to be allowed to be. keir starmer was adamant yesterday that she hasn't been barred. that doesn't mean she won't be barred. the decision will be made on the upper labour's ruling national executive on tuesday. that is the party's self—imposed deadline for unveiling the candidates they will have in every constituency across england, scotland and wales. so let's see, but relations between keir starmer and the left of the labour party, which have not been good for some time, are getting worse. d0 good for some time, are getting worse. y ., good for some time, are getting worse. ,, ~ good for some time, are getting worse. ~ ,, ., ., worse. do you think the starmer team will be worried — worse. do you think the starmer team will be worried about _ worse. do you think the starmer team will be worried about that, _ worse. do you think the starmer team will be worried about that, or - worse. do you think the starmer team will be worried about that, or will - will be worried about that, or will they welcome that demonstrate that they welcome that demonstrate that they have in their view purged the left and they are finishing the job? there are differences of opinion on that. some supporters of keir

starmer think absolutely that, that this shows the public definitively that keir starmer has changed the labour party from the one he inherited from jeremy corbyn. if labour had won the last general election in 2019, diane abbott would have become home secretary. that tells you what has happened to the labour party in the intervening period, that it is now a question of whether she will even be allowed to be a labour candidate, let alone one of labour's ministers if they win. on the other hand, you have people who are not natural ideological bedfellows of diane abbott who generally support keir starmer's leadership, who worry that at this point, he and the labour campaign might start to look cruel and think addictive and worry that that might damage public perceptions —— it could look vindictive and that would damage perceptions of the man looking to be prime minister. and looking to be prime minister. and what about _ looking to be prime minister. and what about the _ looking to be prime minister. and what about the current prime minister rishi sunak and the conservative selection process? the

conservatives had the advantage of being able to call the election, but where the campaign team prepared? no, in a word. they have loads of selections are still to do, including in very safe seats where whatever the outcome of the election nationally, you can be confident that whoever they select will be mp for that seat. that matters if the conservatives win the general election, but also if, as the polls suggest is possible, if they lose, there is going to be a big debate in there is going to be a big debate in the conservative party about its future. so who gets chosen in this frantic last dash before nominations close to be the conservative candidate in those seats will be important notjust for candidate in those seats will be important not just for the candidate in those seats will be important notjust for the general election and notjust for those constituents who will be deciding who they want to represent their community, but also for the future of the conservative party and what direction it moves in, in or out of

government. direction it moves in, in or out of government-— direction it moves in, in or out of covernment. , ' . ., scotland's first minister, john swinney, says a generation of young people in scotland have been "robbed of opportunity" by westminster governments. the snp leader says the general election will give them a chance to "demand a better future than the main parties are willing to offer". let's speak to our scotland political correspondent lynsey bews. we have had these pictures ofjohn swinney out and about. what is their message today? john swinney out and about. what is their message today?— swinney out and about. what is their message today? john swinney has been in the seat of — message today? john swinney has been in the seat of edinburgh _ message today? john swinney has been in the seat of edinburgh west _ message today? john swinney has been in the seat of edinburgh west this - in the seat of edinburgh west this morning. it was an early start for him in the election campaign trail because holyrood business continues and he has first minister's questions to prepare for. that is coming up this afternoon. the edinburgh west seat is currently held by the liberal democrats and the snp are challenging for it in the snp are challenging for it in the election. today they are talking about their offer to young people. they are saying that young people

have been damaged by brexit, austerity and the cost of living crisis. and they blame it on the westminster government. they say they are offering independence as a choice for young people, and that would deliver change in scotland with the powers that would come with independence, including rejoining the european union in the future. how much is independence a question which will determine how people vote, or is it other issues like the economy, health and other social issues? , . ., issues? independence and the constitution _ issues? independence and the constitution is _ issues? independence and the constitution is always - issues? independence and the constitution is always a - issues? independence and the constitution is always a big - issues? independence and the l constitution is always a big issue at any election in scotland, but the parties here are focusing on issues such as the cost of living and the nhs, although the health service is devolved, the funding for the health service comes from westminster. it is a key concern for voters and it

will come into play in this election. forthe will come into play in this election. for the snp, will come into play in this election. forthe snp, it's will come into play in this election. for the snp, it's not been the easiest start to this campaign because instead of being able to talk about these issues, the issue of michael matheson, the former health secretary, has dominated over the last couple of days. he was found to be in breach of the msps code of conduct over an £11,000 ipad data bill which he initially said had been run up doing parliamentary work. he later admitted that the bill had actually been run up on holiday by his sons using the ipad as a hot spot to watch football. sanctions were brought forward against him at holyrood. those were record sanctions including a 27 day ban from parliament and the loss of 54 days of his salary. the snp refused to back those sanctions at holyrood yesterday. all the other opposition parties voted for them. that is an issue that has dominated

forjohn swinney so far. there is a big question mark over the use of so much political capital and defending someone like mr matheson at the time of the cost of living crisis. the tories say it is coming up on the doorsteps and they are seeking to exploit it. i spoke earlier to mary mccallan, who isjoining john mccallan, who is joining john swinney mccallan, who isjoining john swinney on his visit to edinburgh west. she is the net—zero and energy secretary in the scottish government. she says she is not hearing about the issue, she is hearing about the issue, she is hearing about the cost of living and austerity and she thinks that now that that punishment has passed through holyrood, a line should be drawn under the matter.— through holyrood, a line should be drawn under the matter. lynsey bews, thank ou. drawn under the matter. lynsey bews, thank you. other _ drawn under the matter. lynsey bews, thank you. other news _ drawn under the matter. lynsey bews, thank you. other news now. _ drawn under the matter. lynsey bews, thank you. other news now. four- thank you. other news now. four people including a child are in hospital after shooting near a restaurant in hackney in north—east london. police say the charges in a serious condition. officers were called to kingsland high street at 9.20 last night after reports of gunshots. no arrests have been made and an investigation into circumstances around the incident been launched. our reporter sent us

the latest. eyewitnesses have described kingsland high street as being very busy last night, when officers were called around 9.20. specialist firearms police and london ambulance arrived to this turkish restaurant on the high street. they found four people had been injured including a child. we are also being told that the child remains in a serious condition this morning. all four people are at an east london hospital. for now, kingsland high street, which would normally be very busy, this is a main thoroughfare into central london, remains closed. behind me, there are lots of cars and shops and restaurants that would have had cctv footage and information that police are now appealing for anyone to come forward with. this remains a fast—moving investigation. for now, no arrests have been made.

the wife of 34—year—old amie gray, who was killed on a beach in bournemouth last friday, says her "big smile will be hard to live without". a 38—year—old woman also remains in hospital. a 20—year—old man from croydon has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. our correspondent duncan kennedy reports. come on. she laughs. she was the woman who love to laugh and smile. every tribute paid to amie gray speaks of herfun—loving personality, especially here at her beloved football club. it's actually the dorset ladies futsal club, where she was coach in a sport that's a variation on five—a—side football. the club said she had incredible spirit, who oozed positivity and commitment. in this newly released photo, amie, on the left in glasses, beams at the camera with her wife sian. the couple, parents to a daughter. in a statement, sian said "words cannot describe the pain that we feel. amie was the most loving wife and mother.

i will miss you immensely, my love. to the moon and back forever and always". dorset police have continued to probe the bushes and weeds of the cliff that overlooks bournemouth beach. the scene is just a few yards from where amie was fatally stabbed on friday. dorset police have arrested a 20—year—old man from the croydon area of south london on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. he remains in custody. in their tribute, amie's sporting friends said that "sometimes you meet a person in life thatjust fits, makes you feel seen and will always have your back. amie was that person". the scottish parliament is expected to vote today to quash the convictions of sub—postmasters who were wrongly convicted during the

post office scandal. figures from scotland's prosecution service show around 60 people were convicted using evidence based on the horizon software. our reporter, katie hunter, has more. that's the post office here. basically, we got this in �*94 as a family business. when we first took over, it was me and my mum. i was originally going to be the postmaster, but then i was young at the time, so my mum decided best she goes on it. so basically she was working here, she was running it, everything was going fine. then all of a sudden, in 2009, auditors turn up, you've £35,000 missing. there was no explanation at all. at this point, ravinder naga says he told his mum to tell post office investigators that he had stolen the money. i knew my mum wasn't going to plead guilty to something she hadn't done because i knew what she's like. so obviously, if she would have been found guilty because everybody else was, i wasn't going to risk that happening or risk her even pleading guilty and going to jail because i honestly believe my mum, to my life to this day, she'd have went to jail. if somebody had to be sacrificed,

better me than my mum. they didn't know the horizon it system was flawed. so ravinder says he pled guilty to a crime he didn't commit. there are so many knock—on effects. he was sentenced to 300 hours community service. this isn'tjust like a theft conviction, this is robbing the post office. but notjust robbing the post office, which is a government thing, this is robbing your own mother. so if i brought somebody to you and said to you, "will you give this guy a job?" and you said, "oh, yeah, no worries." "he's a thief and he robs his own mum." the scottish parliament is expected to pass legislation this afternoon exonerating people with horizon convictions. but ravinder doesn't know if he'll be included because he wasn't the subpostmaster. for you having the cheek of not letting your mum go to jail and suffer for 15 years, we're not including you in the legislation. because there's no other way of looking at it, is it?

so basically, now you want to punish me for not punishing my mum. but you might be included? might be. listen, stranger things have happened. but we'll see. he's also appealing his conviction through the courts. prosecutors still haven't decided whether they'll oppose that appeal. for some people it's a tv programme, it's a news clip, whatever. to other people, it's their life. they've lived it. and it's like every time you're seeing a person and hearing another story about a person mistreated this way or another, it brings it back because you were treated that way. ravinder�*s parents built up a business portfolio in scotland from scratch. his mum is fully supporting his appeal. his dad died before the conviction. i can tell my kids about my dad and stuff, but i've got nothing to show them now. "oh, this is what your granddad... we've got this because your granddad

built this up and left it for us". because they robbed us of that start he gave us in life as well. can i ask you if you have any idea what he would make of what had happened to you all? i think he'd be devastated. what i do know is, if he was alive, he wouldn't have let my mum take the blame either. ravinder still can't be sure if or when his conviction will be quashed, but he knows he's better off than others. there's people whose family members are no longer here any more to feel the relief of being vindicated. where's their justice? that was ravinder naga speaking to our reporter katie hunter. a post office spokesperson said they apologise for the hurt and suffering caused to victims of the horizon it scandal, and that their focus remains on supporting the public inquiry. now it's time for a look at the weather, with stav da naos.

hello there, good morning to you. it does look like high pressure will be building in later this week into next week as well. we should see quite a lot of dry, settled and sunny weather. however, in the short term, we hold on to further showers at times and today, some of these could be quite heavy and thundery across parts of central and southern england. low pressure sitting out into the north sea there, high pressure to the west — that's bringing northerly winds across the country. outbreaks of rain this morning will tend to fragment. we'll see sunshine appearing, so it'll be sunny spells, scattered showers, variable cloud. these showers heavy and thundery through the midlands into southeast england. always a bit more cloud. outbreaks of rain affecting north sea coasts of eastern england there, with temperatures low to mid—teens. further west, though, where we have the sunshine, up to 18 or 19 degrees for southern england and also for the glasgow area. now as we head through tonight, it looks like those showers fade away. it does turn dry, though we hold onto the cloud, the breeze and outbreaks of rain across eastern england. so here, temperatures, double figures, but under clearer skies, it will turn fairly chilly with temperatures dipping

into single digits. so then for friday, we have high pressure starting to topple in from the west. so the best of the weather will be out towards the west. this feature still bringing thicker cloud, outbreaks of rain to eastern england, east anglia, maybe the far south east of england. some rain at times, which will tend to fizzle as we head through the latter parts of the day. but for scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales, a fine afternoon to come, a good deal of sunshine around. a bit of cloud just into the northwest of scotland. temperatures could be up to around the 20 celsius mark in the sunniest spots. and then for saturday, we see this area of high pressure topple right in across the country, pushes those weather fronts away from the south east of england. however, with our air coming in from the north, slightly northeasterly, it'll feed in some clouds to the north sea coast of england, a bit of cloud to northern and western scotland, maybe northern ireland. but essentially, much of the country will have a fine start to the weekend, with plenty of dry, settled and sunny weather. that'll push temperatures up to 20 or 21 degrees in the warmest spots out towards the west,

a little bit cooler across the north sea coasts. sunday into next week, our area of high pressure dominates the scene, so it will stay dry. always feeding quite a bit of cloud, though, across the north of the uk, as you can see here for both edinburgh and belfast, maybe the odd spot of light rain or drizzle. best of the sunshine will tend to be towards southern and western areas. take care. this is bbc news. the headlines: with five weeks until voters head to the polls — liberal democrats, labour and the conservatives pledge not to raise vat if they win power. here at bbc verify we are examining the claims from the tories and labour that their opponents have underfunded economic pledges which would end up costing uk families hundreds of pounds in the next parliament. controversy for labour

as the party finalises its constituency candidates before deadline. vote counting under way in south africa as the ruling anc party fights to keep its majority in parliament. # you know it's not the same as it was... #. and harry styles's hometown sees thousands of fans on tour visiting hammocks connected to the singer. hello. general election campaigning is under way. we are waiting to hear from the leader of plaid cymru, we will go to his speech as soon as it begins. we are expecting it any moment soon and all the parties are out and about. we are keeping across multiple events for you throughout the day.

with campaigning under way, there are also a number of interesting seats to watch. we are bringing you a picture of those every single day. and one is belfast east which has been a battle between the dup and the alliance party in recent years. earlier i spoke to our northern ireland political correspondent who gave us the background to that seat. eastern belfast is one of the fiercest battles, home to two of our political big beast, two party leaders going head—to—head for this seat. a lot of history between them. the dup leader gavin robinson is the incumbent, he won the seat in 2015. he has held it successfully ever since. the woman he won it for a man is trying to win it back is alliance party leader naomi long. she won in 2010, before gavin robinson reclaimed it five years later. since that, we have seen naomi long and gavin robinson most recently go head—to—head in 2019. she came

within 2000 votes of him then. she has a bigger profile now. she has faced criticism for keeping her role as stormont�*s justice faced criticism for keeping her role as stormont�*sjustice minister in the devolved assembly while trying to run this campaign. gavin robinson is facing challenges going into this election as well because remember, he has only been the dup leader for a couple of months, replacing sir jeffrey donaldson, who stood down after being charged with historical sex offences. he has two fights, one to save his see and want to lead his party into the election. it is also worth noting, smaller parties did not run in this seat in 2019 but they have mostly said they are going to stand this time, sol they have mostly said they are going to stand this time, so i think that makes for something of a showdown seat here in east belfast in the election night. tell seat here in east belfast in the election night.— seat here in east belfast in the election night. tell us also about the timing _ election night. tell us also about the timing of _ election night. tell us also about the timing of these _ election night. tell us also about the timing of these elections - election night. tell us also aboutj the timing of these elections and how that could affect turnout. it is hard to know _ how that could affect turnout. it 3 hard to know turnout in advance. what i would say is we have the 18 seats up for grabs in northern

ireland. last time around, the dup won eight, sinn fein won seven and the sdlp two and the alliance got one seat. sinn fein have a policy of abstention is, they don't take their seats on the green benches in the commons. forthem, this seats on the green benches in the commons. for them, this election is largely symbolic, about trying to leapfrog the dup to become the largest party at westminster. the one thing to bear in mind as we have the summer coming up, the election is the 4th ofjuly, that is one week away from the marching season typically northern ireland, which is quite symbolic for unionist communities. whether that needs to people turning out, if people are away on holiday for example, schools are closed, that is something we have to keep an eye on. the key question will be, can sinn fein make it a hat—trick to be the largest party and how will the dup fair, having come back to store money in the devolved assembly four months ago? will voters and unionists want to cast their votes on that? that the picture from belfast east. let me take you to the labour event thatis let me take you to the labour event that is just getting under way. keir

starmer campaigning in wales. of course, we are hearing from him. there are speeches also from vaughan gething and there will be questions that keir starmer is taking today as part of their campaign launch. we are also watching for you that plaid cymru launch. let me show you that, which is in bangor and we will listening to some of this event. speaking welsh. you would never know labour have been holding the reins of power for 25 years. we have labour have been holding the reins of powerfor 25 years. we have keir starmer coming to wales today with a rehashed version of his six pledges but wales of course have seen labour in charge of health, education. where is the change that they are offering, where is the change that they are offering? for us in plaid cymru, we are coming up with the new

ideas, the crown of state, the wales sovereign wealth fund. cheering and if like us, you believe that brexit and the effect of brexit are the elephant in the room, that the two unionist parties are afraid to mention, yes, we have a solution to rejoin the single market and the customs union. we will talk about those things that affect our communities. speaking welsh... studio: we believe that plaid cymru event, we will come back to it when their leader start speaking in the next few moments. let me take you back to the labour event in wales with keir starmer. irate back to the labour event in wales with keir starmer.— back to the labour event in wales with keir starmer. we go down to swansea, with keir starmer. we go down to swansea. she _ with keir starmer. we go down to swansea, she looks _ with keir starmer. we go down to swansea, she looks after- with keir starmer. we go down to swansea, she looks after us - with keir starmer. we go down to swansea, she looks after us and i with keir starmer. we go down to i swansea, she looks after us and last year we were in the gower, oxbridge. really beautiful. i love being here and it's fantastic to be back here

today in wales. and what an opportunity... we today in wales. and what an opportunity- - -_ today in wales. and what an opportunity... today in wales. and what an ouortuni ...~ , . opportunity... we will switch back to plaid cymru _ opportunity... we will switch back to plaid cymru and _ opportunity... we will switch back to plaid cymru and let's _ opportunity... we will switch back to plaid cymru and let's listen - opportunity... we will switch back to plaid cymru and let's listen to i to plaid cymru and let's listen to their leader. speaking welsh. in the week and a bit since the heavens — in the week and a bit since the heavens opened on rishi sunak, i've been _ heavens opened on rishi sunak, i've been on _ heavens opened on rishi sunak, i've been on a _ heavens opened on rishi sunak, i've been on a whistle—stop tour of wales — been on a whistle—stop tour of wales i— been on a whistle—stop tour of wales. i think i have covered all of the -- _ wales. i think i have covered all of the -- half— wales. i think i have covered all of the —— half of the constituencies already. — the —— half of the constituencies already, and the message i am hearing — already, and the message i am hearing from people is clear as daylight — hearing from people is clear as daylight. it is time to kick the tories — daylight. it is time to kick the tories out _ daylight. it is time to kick the tories out of power. they have left a trail_ tories out of power. they have left a trail of— tories out of power. they have left a trail of destruction and we cannot .et a trail of destruction and we cannot get rid _ a trail of destruction and we cannot get rid of— a trail of destruction and we cannot get rid of that government quickly

enough _ get rid of that government quickly enou . h. , enough. cheering but the _ enough. cheering but the message i enough. cheeringj but the message is enough. cheering - but the message is also enough. cheering _ but the message is also abundantly clear that _ but the message is also abundantly clear that people don't want labour to be _ clear that people don't want labour to be taking wales for granted either~ — either. for too long, either. — for too long, wales has been overlooked at westminster. uk parties — overlooked at westminster. uk parties and mps from wales for uk parties _ parties and mps from wales for uk parties putting ultimately the labour— parties putting ultimately the labour or the conservative whip in london _ labour or the conservative whip in london above their nation' interest. plaid _ london above their nation' interest. plaid cymru — london above their nation' interest. plaid cymru says no more. plaid cymru _ plaid cymru says no more. plaid cymru says _ plaid cymru says no more. plaid cymru says no more to austerity. plaid — cymru says no more to austerity. plaid cymru — cymru says no more to austerity. plaid cymru says no more to empty promises — plaid cymru says no more to empty promises. cymru says no more so narrow— promises. cymru says no more so narrow minded nostalgia and we say no more. _ narrow minded nostalgia and we say no more, don't we, ignoring wales at westminster? keir starmer will say it is time _ westminster? keir starmer will say it is time to — westminster? keir starmer will say it is time to turn a page but what does _ it is time to turn a page but what does it— it is time to turn a page but what does it say— it is time to turn a page but what does it say on that next labour page? — does it say on that next labour page? i— does it say on that next labour page? i will tell you what it says on the _ page? i will tell you what it says on the next labour page, it says, for wales, — on the next labour page, it says, forwales, see on the next labour page, it says, for wales, see westminster. we will

not allow— for wales, see westminster. we will not allow that to happen and plaid cymru _ not allow that to happen and plaid cymru is _ not allow that to happen and plaid cymru is the only party that offers that real _ cymru is the only party that offers that real welsh alternative in this election. — that real welsh alternative in this election, the party that will fight for fairness, for ambition, will fight _ for fairness, for ambition, will fight for— for fairness, for ambition, will fight for wales day in and day out. and remember, this is notjust about who holds— and remember, this is notjust about who holds the keys to 10 downing street _ who holds the keys to 10 downing street. this is about asking the people — street. this is about asking the people of— street. this is about asking the people of wales to consider who will best represent their streets? who will best— best represent their streets? who will best represent the interests of their families? will best represent the interests of theirfamilies? remember, wales' their families? remember, wales' boys theirfamilies? remember, wales' boys has _ theirfamilies? remember, wales' boys has been diluted at this election. _ boys has been diluted at this election, a significant drop in the number— election, a significant drop in the number of— election, a significant drop in the number of mps from 40 to 32 but we make _ number of mps from 40 to 32 but we make this _ number of mps from 40 to 32 but we make this pledge: we will not allow plaid cymru's voice to be silenced. we will— plaid cymru's voice to be silenced. we will not — plaid cymru's voice to be silenced. we will not allow wales' voice to be silent _ we will not allow wales' voice to be silent and _ we will not allow wales' voice to be silent and plaid cymru's voice and representing the interests of wales will never— representing the interests of wales will never be diminished, neither will never be diminished, neither will our— will never be diminished, neither will our commitment to the people of this country.

cheering so the message is clear. if so the message is clear. if you _ so the message is clear. if you do _ so the message is clear. if you do want change, and goodness knows, _ if you do want change, and goodness knows, i_ if you do want change, and goodness knows, i do. — if you do want change, and goodness knows, i do, think about how best to bring _ knows, i do, think about how best to bring about— knows, i do, think about how best to bring about that change. think of an exceptional— bring about that change. think of an exceptional young leader who knows every _ exceptional young leader who knows every blade of grass here and contrast— every blade of grass here and contrast it with the tories, who ultimately— contrast it with the tories, who ultimately will always seek out where — ultimately will always seek out where they think the grass is greener~ _ where they think the grass is greener. the polls tell us, the recent— greener. the polls tell us, the recent police and crime commissioner election— recent police and crime commissioner election tells us recently a vote for plaid — election tells us recently a vote for plaid cymru is essential to get rid of— for plaid cymru is essential to get rid of the — for plaid cymru is essential to get rid of the tories. it is without doubt — rid of the tories. it is without doubt plaid cymru that is in the driving — doubt plaid cymru that is in the driving seat, make no mistake about that _ driving seat, make no mistake about that but _ driving seat, make no mistake about that but we — driving seat, make no mistake about that. but we will work hard every minute _ that. but we will work hard every minute of — that. but we will work hard every minute of every day between now and the 4th _ minute of every day between now and the 4th of— minute of every day between now and the 4th ofjuly to win the trust of the 4th ofjuly to win the trust of the people!—

the people! cheering think hovhannes -- i the people! cheering think hovhannes -- of the people! cheering - think hovhannes -- of davis. the people! cheering _ think hovhannes -- of davis. you think hovhannes —— of davis. you cannot— think hovhannes —— of davis. you cannot spend _ think hovhannes —— of davis. you cannot spend a second in her company being _ cannot spend a second in her company being energised by her passion, by her sincerity, by her deep, deep sense— her sincerity, by her deep, deep sense of— her sincerity, by her deep, deep sense of duty to her community... the plaid — sense of duty to her community... the plaid cymru leader launching their event and they are of course fighting for those seats in wales, saying it is notjust about the fighting for those seats in wales, saying it is not just about the fate for number 10, it is also about who represents their streets and families in wales with that pitch that continues. also fighting in wales today as the labour leader keir starmer, let's listen in. hope and unity and rebuild our communities and country with labour. a government that works for you, that ties up, no more conflict between the first minister here and the prime minister in london, but

both working together for wales. imagine what could be delivered for wales, with that combination of two governments. this is a huge prize, to elect a government that wants devolution to work. that doesn't want the conflict, will get around the table, will work together and every day, deliver for the working people of wales. applause so the first thing we have to do is end that chaos and that division, and the good news is, the good news is, you don't have to put up with it any more. cheering and applause a vote for labour is a vote to turn the page, to change our country.

we have changed the labour party, put it back in the service of working people. we are humbly asking permission for the opportunity to change our country and put it back in the service of working people. now i know that will be difficult. i'm not going to stand here and say it will be easy. it will be difficult, tireless work but i have never shied away from the difficult. when i was heading up the crown prosecution service, we had to change it, it was difficult. many people said, don't do it, slow down, but we changed. when i worked in northern ireland, it was difficult work. we were trying to change the police service so that it served all communities. it was difficult, painstaking work, but we did it. and here in the labour party, we had to change our party and put it back in the service of working people. that wasn't easy. lots of people said, don't do it that way, don't go so fast, but we did it. we will never

shy away from that because driving through this for me has always been country first, party second. applause and the opportunity, the opportunity is now there to work together to deliver for wales and there is no brighter future without wales, because i believe that the solidarity of working people is not just our identity, it is our argument. it's the most powerful force for uniting all four nations across the united kingdom. so this is the change that we must bring about. it is difficult. it is ambitious. and like any ambition, you need first steps. you need to set out what the

big thing is that you want to change and what the first steps are going to be to realise that change. that is why i am proud to set out our first steps here today. as you would expect, ruthlessly well—prepared, thought through, ready to deliver, fully costed and fully funded, which is more than can be said for the idea is the tories are flinging on the table on a daily basis, or rummaging around in the toy box of bad ideas and putting one on the table everyday, unfunded and uncosted. so step one, economic stability. and in 2024, it feels odd to have to say to you that stability is change but it is. that is what we have not had, stability. stability is the foundation of growth. we won't get economic growth without stability. and we all know that if you lose control of the economy, its working people that will pay the

price. liz truss lost control of the economy, and in wales, working people on a mortgage are now paying an average of £240 more each and every month. rishi sunak says "we've turned the page" was not liz truss said, but the people who helped me in the house of lords. rishi sunak says, ok. and in wales, each and every day, families paying hundreds of pounds more as a reminder of the cast, they are paying for the damage that the tories did. tarter steele are paying the price. we have to invest if we want the future of steel in this country. —— tata steel. that's why we want to set up a national wealth fund, other countries have it. we can drive our industry forward, get the growth we need, the business is the partnership that will help us deliver. and that is why economic stability is step one and will

always be step one. step two, working with vaughan bring down those waiting lists. too many people on waiting lists. we will do that fully funded, fully costed. we are going to get rid of the non—dom tax status properly. that is the tax that allows the super—rich to be here in this country, making their money, but not paid their tax here. i don't agree with that. i think you should be paying your tax here and we will make sure that people do. we will also crackdown on those that are avoiding their tax and with that money, we will bring down the waiting lists. that means we can invest in england in the nhs, 40,000 appointments each and every week, what a difference that will make. but that of course, as you will know, means more money for the nhs here in wales, so that in wales we can build on the work that's being donein can build on the work that's being done in england. now this matters to me. my mum was a nurse. she was a

really proud nurse. there were some fantastic pictures of her in her nursing uniform, such pride. we saw this yesterday by the way as well, in worcester at the college where they are training up the next generation of nurses. i saw the same pride on the young people there that i saw in the pictures of my mum. it was her livelihood. but, of course, it became her lifeline, because she was extremely ill for most of her life and literally her life depended on the care that the nhs gave her time and time and time again. and there are other cases in this room, as i look around. so it matters to me, it matters to vaughan because of course the nhs saved his life earlier in his life. so it matters to me and the idea now of us being able to work together, to make sure the nhs is at its very best, capable of delivering, notjust back on its feet but fit for the future. of course, we are proud of the nhs, the

roots are right here. we look back with great pride every year in the labour movement and celebrate the nhs. it's one of the greatest achievements of any government ever, that labour achievement. i want not just to look back proudly, although i want to do that, i want to look forward and be able to say that the nhs that we will build will be there for the next 70 years for others to rely on it in a way that vaughan and i and my mum relied on it. step three, border security command. the government has lost control of our borders. lost control of our borders. lost control of our borders. 10,000 people this year alone, this year alone, have crossed the channel in smaller boats, 10,000. that is a record. so for all of the rhetoric that is a record number coming across. nobody but nobody should be making that dangerous journey across the channel. nobody but nobody. and it

is a test for all governments as to how they respond to it, and would be government. it is a test for the current government and for us, what is your response to this serious problem? exploited, vulnerable people being put in boats to go across the channel by gangs that are making huge amounts of money from them. and there is a choice, as there is in pretty well anything political, what is your response? you can either have a gimmick or a serious response. what has the gum leigh government gone for? a gimmick, there are scheme. rishi sunak never believed in it. when he first saw it as chancellor, he did not back it, he tried to block it, he did not think it would work. i am not surprised because if the numbers going to rwanda are less than 1% of those coming by small boats and 99%

are not telling. if you don't think that the criminal gangs running this trade are telling that to the people they are exploiting then you don't know criminal gangs. it was never going to work. he knew it wasn't going to work. he knew it wasn't going to work. he knew it wasn't going to work, but what did he do? he caved into his party. he didn't stick to his guns, he caved in. £600 million later of taxpayers money, it's not working and what has he done? he has called an election beer for it can be tested. —— before it can be tested. weakness upon weakness. in this change labour party we would go for serious solutions, this is a serious problem. a border security command, a new elite force with a new commander, bringing together m15, the police, national security agencies, crown prosecution service. an elite false, a new command, with new resources and new powers drawing

on counterterrorism powers. because when i was chief prosecutor, i had to work with police and law enforcement is across europe to bring down terrorist gangs. these were sophisticated terrorist gangs and we needed it and we brought them down and they are now serving time. i will never accept that somehow the only gangs that apparently we can't take down by the same means are the vile gangs running for smuggling trade. i will never accept that, we will break it! applause step four, great british energy, a publicly owned company... applause this is a company owned by the taxpayer, making money for the

taxpayer, making money for the taxpayer and investing in clean british power. i will tell you why we need it, because we have been overly exposed by the terrible decisions of this government. ten years or so ago, they said, cut the green nonsense and they stopped investing in renewables. they stopped the insulation we need on our homes and they left us exposed to the sort of challenges that we have internationally, exposed. and so when ukraine was invaded and putin invaded, we were more exposed than other countries and you are paying more on your bill because of the approach that they took. bills are up. we have got to turn that around. it is a challenge, we will rise to that challenge. we have lost ten years because of the approach of the tories but it is also probably the tories but it is also probably the single biggest opportunity we have notjust for lower bills but

for the next generation ofjobs. vaughan grand i went to holyhead portjust a few vaughan grand i went to holyhead port just a few weeks vaughan grand i went to holyhead portjust a few weeks ago now to look at the potential of that port for floating offshore wind and we have a plan to transform that port to make sure it can handle floating offshore wind. floating offshore wind is the next generation. it is going to be the game changer. and some country is going to be ahead and be the leader in the world. we have the skills, the potential, the ports, we need to take advantage of that and what have we got from this government? such a lack of direction thatjust as all the other countries are getting into the race, they are in the changing room, not prepared to have that happen. the race is on. i want to be notjust in that race but as you would expect with me, i want to win that race... keir starmer with the welsh launch, their south wales launch of the labour campaign. we also saw the plaid cymru launch, as well. all of

the parties are out and about. we are going to be with all of the teams throughout the day. but let's catch up first with the weather. hello there, good morning to you. it does look like high pressure will be building in later this week into next week as well. we should see quite a lot of dry, settled and sunny weather. however, in the short term, we hold on to further showers at times and today, some of these could be quite heavy and thundery across parts of central and southern england. low pressure setting out into the north sea there, high pressure to the west — that's bringing northerly winds across the country. outbreaks of rain this morning will tend to fragment. we'll see sunshine appearing, so it'll be sunny spells, scattered showers, variable cloud. these showers heavy and thundery through the midlands into southeast england. always a bit more cloud. outbreaks of rain affecting north sea coasts of eastern england there, with temperatures low to mid—teens. further west, though, where we have the sunshine, up to 18 or 19 degrees for southern england and also for the glasgow area. now as we head through tonight, it looks like those showers fade away. it does turn dry, though we hold onto the cloud, the breeze and outbreaks of rain

across eastern england. so here, temperatures, double figures, but under clearer skies it will turn fairly chilly with temperatures dipping into single digits. so then for friday, we have high pressure starting to topple in from the west. so best the weather will be out towards the west. this feature still bringing thicker cloud, outbreaks of rain to eastern england, east anglia, maybe the far south east of england. some rain at times, which will tend to fizzle as we head through the latter parts of the day. but for scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales, a fine afternoon to come, a good deal of sunshine around. a bit of cloud just into the northwest of scotland. temperatures could be up to around the 20 celsius mark in the sunniest spots. and then for saturday, we see this area of high pressure topple right in across the country, pushes those weather fronts away from the south east of england. however, with our air coming in from the north, slightly northeasterly, it'll feed in some clouds to the north sea coast of england, a bit of cloud to northern and western scotland, maybe northern ireland. but essentially, much of the country will have a fine start to the weekend, with plenty of dry, settled and sunny weather.

that'll push temperatures up to 20 or 21 degrees in the warmest spots out towards the west, a little bit cooler across the north sea coasts. sunday into next week, our area of high pressure dominates the scene so it will stay dry. always feeding quite a bit of cloud, though, across the north of the uk, as you can see here for both edinburgh and belfast, maybe the odd spot of light rain or drizzle. best of the sunshine will tend to be towards southern and western areas. take care. live from london. this is bbc news. with five weeks until voters head to the polls —

liberal democrats, labour and the conservatives pledge not to raise vat if they win power. we are examining the claims from the tories and labour that their opponents have underfunded economic pledges. controversy for labour as the parties finalise their constituency candidates before nomination deadline. a child is in a serious condition and three adults have been injured — in a shooting in east london. and — harry styles' hometown sees thousands of fans on tour — visiting landmarks connected to the singer. hello. welcome to bbc news. we are

bringing you, of course, all of the campaign coverage for the election in five weeks today. and we are going to be covering all of the party is, obviously the applied camry launch in wales. the welsh labour are launching at an event. keir starmer has been speaking. we will go back to that if we hear those questions start. there is a focus today on economic questions for all parties. the conservatives, lib dems and labour have ruled out increasing vat during the next parliament. the promises have raised questions about how the parties will fund their spending plans, and deliver on their commitments if they win the election in five weeks. our political correspondent damian grammaticas has this report. midnight last night. and exactly one minute later, all business here ended. parliament dissolved.

those who were mps must now clear their offices. to return, they must stand as candidates again. we stand with diane! but when it comes to the long serving diane abbott, doubts swirl. last night, supporters gathered in her london constituency. she believes labour will not endorse her. the national party is insisting that i be banned. they haven't communicated with me personally. they haven't given a reason for banning me. they just want me excluded from parliament. sir keir starmer has said that's not true, but the party must finalise its list of mps next week.

i will be the candidate for hackney north and stoke newington! cheering the leaders of both main parties, meanwhile, are turning to the economy and taxes, trading blows and promises. the chancellorjeremy hunt claims keir starmer and rachel reeves have a plan to increase vat. and they don't want you to know about it until after polling day. and he makes this commitment. a future conservative government will not increase any rate of income tax or national insurance. that is a very important promise to people who are worried about cost of living. i think people are right to be worried about a labour party that cannot make up its mind on a basic economic question. last night, labour responded immediately. the shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, issued a rebuttal saying...

both parties respond to such criticisms saying they will only make changes they can afford. but while they trade blows, both are accused of ignoring the biggest issue by far — the massive pressures on public spending any future government will face. damian grammaticus, bbc news, westminster. we saw the chance jeremy we saw the chancejeremy hunt speaking there. he said that labour have a £38.5 billion black hole in their spending plans. they refute that. we have been analysing the figures and we will cross over to our co—worker from figures and we will cross over to our co—workerfrom bbc figures and we will cross over to our co—worker from bbc verified. what do the numbers look like to you? {lin what do the numbers look like to ou? ' ., a, what do the numbers look like to ou? ' ., �*~, . ,

you? on the 17th of may jeremy hunt unveiled called _ you? on the 17th of may jeremy hunt unveiled called labour's _ you? on the 17th of may jeremy hunt unveiled called labour's tax rises. - unveiled called labour's tax rises. it says that labour has committed £238.5 billion of unfunded spending over the next four equal to over £2000 for each working household. darren jones £2000 for each working household. darrenjones of labour unveiled his own dossier at a press conference yesterday called conservative's interest rate rise. this two year claim £71 billion of unfunded conservative pledges and allege this would put people's monthly mortgage payments up by £350. some big and ominous numbers there. should we take them seriously? the answer is not really. these are some rather dodgy dossiers. the conservatives that made them questionable of sun assumptions about how much a future labour government would spend about things that are said about three

lunches. moreover, to get to that £38.5 billion figure they have added four years of suppose additional spending to make it sound bigger. it's a bit like your boss adding up your wages over the next four years and suggesting that that figure is your salary. as for labour, there figure for what they claim are unfunded tory pledges includes tens of billion pounds on items such as scrapping national insurance and inheritance tax which seem to be aspirations not policy. they are assuming there sum gets borrowed and pushes up interest rates in five years' time, citing the experience of liz truss's 2022 mini budget. treat both dossiers and those alarming numbers with some heavy scepticism. alarming numbers with some heavy sce ticism. ., ., , ., alarming numbers with some heavy sceticism. ., ., , ., ., “ scepticism. then for a stare at bbc verified. thank _ scepticism. then for a stare at bbc verified. thank you _ scepticism. then for a stare at bbc verified. thank you so _ scepticism. then for a stare at bbc verified. thank you so much, - scepticism. then for a stare at bbc verified. thank you so much, ben. |

our chief political correspondent is with us. on the question of diane abbott, first of all. we look at the other candidate issues for labour. what do we know about diane abbott's position today? plat what do we know about diane abbott's position today?— position today? not a lot. it is all uuite position today? not a lot. it is all quite confusing, _ position today? not a lot. it is all quite confusing, to _ position today? not a lot. it is all quite confusing, to be _ position today? not a lot. it is all quite confusing, to be honest. i position today? not a lot. it is all. quite confusing, to be honest. she had the whip restored a couple of days ago after more than a year—long suspension from the labour party. in that respect she is a labour politician in good standing who you would expect, just as a matter of course to roll over and become the candidate for the next parliament in what is a very safe labour seat in north—east london. however, there has been all sorts of rumour rings that they don't want her to be a candidate again in the seat that she has represented since 1987. the issueis

has represented since 1987. the issue is going to have to be settled one way or another because on tuesday labour's executive committee is meeting to determine the final stage of candidates across england, scotland and wales. what we are going to have to see in the next few daysis going to have to see in the next few days is some movement in reconciling diane abbott's wish to be the labour mp therefore as long as possible, thatis mp therefore as long as possible, that is what she said on the steps of hackney town hall last night. and the concerns of some in the labour campaign that they would rather her not to be the candidate.— not to be the candidate. there are auestions not to be the candidate. there are questions about _ not to be the candidate. there are questions about other _ not to be the candidate. there are questions about other candidate i not to be the candidate. there are i questions about other candidate seen as on the left of the party, some concerned that our people being handed out in favour of allowing starmer and the team to put in their favoured people. it starmer and the team to put in their favoured people.— favoured people. it has been a long-standing _ favoured people. it has been a long-standing practice - favoured people. it has been a long-standing practice that i favoured people. it has been a long-standing practice that in | favoured people. it has been a i long-standing practice that in the long—standing practice that in the weeks and days before polling day or before nominations closed in general

elections, labour leaders have imposed candidate of their choice, jeremy corbyn did that, ed miliband did that, tony blair did that, some of the most famous politicians became mps in that way. figures on the left of the labour party would argue that was happening the last few days has gone further and faster than previous leaders have done it. i don't know if that is true or not statistically. but it is certainly true that those candidates who were selected by labour's national executive rather than the party under the general election rules yesterday are overwhelmingly, sort of, big national westminster allies of, big national westminster allies of keir starmer and his leadership. that obviously is different to the kind of candidate who might�*ve been selected by local constituency party by selection plate taking place months or years ago. bind by selection plate taking place months or years ago. and they are also looking _

months or years ago. and they are also looking to _ months or years ago. and they are also looking to select _ months or years ago. and they are also looking to select a _ months or years ago. and they are also looking to select a lot - months or years ago. and they are also looking to select a lot of i also looking to select a lot of candidates on the conservative front. , candidates on the conservative front. ., , ., ., , front. gas. the conservative party called the selection _ front. gas. the conservative party called the selection but _ called the selection but nevertheless still have loads of candidates to select both in seats that they are likely to win and seats that they have almost no chance of winning. actually, the group of mps that they select, or candidates, ratherthey group of mps that they select, or candidates, rather they select in safer conservative seats are really important. if rishi sunak does pull off this amazing electoral turnaround and win this election, they will be the mps from which he draws his government. but if he doesn't win and there is a big debate about the future of the conservative party, then the kinds of people that the conservative party select in those constituencies are really important to determine what direction the conservative party moves on. {lin what direction the conservative party moves on.— what direction the conservative party moves on. on that specifically eo - le party moves on. on that specifically --eole are party moves on. on that specifically people are looking _ party moves on. on that specifically people are looking at _ party moves on. on that specifically people are looking at majorities i party moves on. on that specifically people are looking at majorities and the potential future conservative party leaders and who could still be remaining to even make that fight if it comes to it.

remaining to even make that fight if it comes to it— it comes to it. certainly true. some ofthe it comes to it. certainly true. some of the candidates _ it comes to it. certainly true. some of the candidates who _ it comes to it. certainly true. some of the candidates who are - it comes to it. certainly true. some of the candidates who are often i of the candidates who are often spoken about his future conservative leadership contenders are in ultra safe seats. james cleverly is not going to lose his seat unless something really dramatic and extraordinary happens. others are in slightly more marginal seats so penny mordant, for example, who was run for the leadership twice. she is in a more tricky seat. on a good night for labour, there is definitely a chance that she could lose that consistency. so a lot of people who are in those eventualities, should follow. hand people who are in those eventualities, should follow. and in the other parties, _ eventualities, should follow. and in the other parties, the _ eventualities, should follow. and in the other parties, the greens, i eventualities, should follow. and in the other parties, the greens, the i the other parties, the greens, the lib dems, welsh labour have had their launch today and plaid cymru. where are they standing? there was a lot of speculation about an election in autumn. why haven't all of the parties got this sorted out by now?

well, some of them do. particularly with the green party and the lib dems they would concede that they are running and more targeted campaign and the parties which hope to form the government. that is just the nature of how political system works. they do have people in crucial target seats. the green party are launching their election party are launching their election party today with four key candidate in four targeted seats. the liberal democrats are trying to build quite significantly from the number of mps that they have at the moment. they again, have quite a clear perspective and they are going very specifically after conservative held seats. they want to position themselves as opposition particularly in parts where there isn't much history of voting labour. thank you very much. we mentioned

plaid cymru. they have launched their campaign today. the leader said today that a vote for their party would keep conservatives out of wales and keep labour in check. it is time to kick the tories out of power. they have left a trail of destruction and we cannot get rid of that government quickly enough. but the message is also abundantly clear that people don't want labour to be taking ways for granted either. for too long wales has been overlooked as west minister, uk party is putting ultimately the labour or conservative whip in london above their nation's interest. plaid cymru says, no more. plaid cymru says no more to austerity plaid cymru says, no more to empty promises. plaid

cymru says, no more, don't we, too ignoring wales at westminster? keir starmer says it's time to turn a page. what does it say on the next labour page? i would tell you what it says. it says, for wales, see westminster. we will not allow that to happen and plaid cymru is the only party is the only party that will fight for fairness and will fight for wales day in, day out. the plaid cymru — fight for wales day in, day out. the plaid cymru leader launching their campaign today in the last couple of hours or so. they have also told the bbc that they would back her no—confidence vote for the first minister of wales. we will bring you more on that as soon as we get it. the liberal democrats are out and about today. our

political correspondent is travelling with them in the south—west in somerset. how wet or dry are any of you including the lib dems leader who launched another very game photo opportunity earlier? eeded. he hasjust got very game photo opportunity earlier? eeded. he has just got off the bus it at the football club talking to supporters are in a constituency that they took from the conservative party in a by—election last year. they are hoping to repeat that trick in the general election and in constituencies across the south—west in places where they are second to the conservative party. ed davey earlier said he was happy to get involved in photo opportunities, going down the slip and slide very close to her. i think he isjust about dried off and is delivering a speech to activists now. whether —— his dog might change, that is a word

that we are hearing from labour a lot but positioning the liberal democrats as a change option from the conservatives where they were second at the last election. what second at the last election. what can be read _ second at the last election. what can be read into _ second at the last election. what can be read into the _ second at the last election. what can be read into the seat - second at the last election. what can be read into the seat that they are targeting in terms of how many they are hoping to win this time? so, they are being very noncommittal when you ask exactly how many seats they would like to win at this general election. ed davey says he never likes to put a number on that kind of thing. we know that they are hoping to be the third largest party in westminster. that would give them more time in parliament, it would raise their profile to some extent. the snp have been the third party throughout the course of this parliament, from 2019, and they are hoping to be able to change that. that is the kind of goal, not to put a number on it at this point but to say that they would like to be third to labour and the conservative party in that sense. they are clearly being a lot more targeted in terms

of where they approach. i think we can expect to see them campaigning in the south—west quite heavily. rishi sunak visited the south—west yesterday and ed davey welcomed that saying, that proves it's a battle if the prime minister wants to turn up and campaign them. so, i think whether it is the south—west or other parts of the country where they have a history of having won their seats or where they, as i say, were second last time then they are not claiming that ed davey can be the next prime minister but they are hoping to chip away at conservatives seats. . , , ., ., ., seats. finally, did you get to go on the slide? and _ seats. finally, did you get to go on the slide? and what _ seats. finally, did you get to go on the slide? and what more - seats. finally, did you get to go on the slide? and what more stunts . seats. finally, did you get to go on i the slide? and what more stunts are the slide? and what more stunts are the lib dems going to pull out of the lib dems going to pull out of the bag to get this going for five weeks? it the bag to get this going for five weeks? ., , , , ., weeks? it does beg the question, where do you _ weeks? it does beg the question, where do you go _ weeks? it does beg the question, where do you go from _ weeks? it does beg the question, where do you go from slip - weeks? it does beg the question, where do you go from slip and i weeks? it does beg the question, i where do you go from slip and slide, paddle boarding. there is onejoke that they would do their manifesto

launch at chessington world of adventures. that is not confirmed, it was very much a joke at the time. they don't give us a huge amount of heads up, i have to say, as to what the stunts are going to be. i didn't know about probably about 50 minutes beforehand that it was going to be a slip and slide this morning. but they are definitely keen to keep up they are definitely keen to keep up the photo opportunities. i think they see it as a way of capturing attention, which is hard for a party that has fewer mps to grab that attention. and they see it as a way of getting themselves on screens, getting people's attention. and, to be fair, using them as an opportunity to talk about their policies. opportunity to talk about their olicies. �* , , ., ., opportunity to talk about their olicies. ~ , , ., ., , ., policies. are essential. that is at the heart of _ policies. are essential. that is at the heart of it. — policies. are essential. that is at the heart of it, of— policies. are essential. that is at the heart of it, of course. i policies. are essential. that is at the heart of it, of course. thank| the heart of it, of course. thank you very much, hannah. let's move on to other news. police have found two bodies in the search of a missing father and son. they

failed to return home yesterday. officers say that at this stage there are no suspicious circumstances and police confirmed that their car was found in the car park where they set off on tuesday. four people — including a child — are in hospital after a shooting near a restaurant in hackney, in north—east london. police say the child is in a serious condition. officers were called to kingsland high street at about 9:20 last night after reports of gunshots. no arrests have been made and an investigation into circumstances around the incident has been launched. our reporter, thomas magill, has the latest from the scene. yes. well, eyewitnesses have described kingsland high street as being very busy last night when officers were called around about 9:20pm. when specialist firearms, police and london ambulance arrived to this turkish restaurant here in the high street, they found four people had been injured, including a child. now, we're also being told that the child remains in a serious condition this morning. all four people are at an east london hospital. for now, kingsland high street,

which would normally be very busy — this is a main thoroughfare into central london — remains closed, as you can see behind me. there's lots of cars and shops and restaurants that would have had cctv footage and information that police are now appealing for, for anyone to come forward with. this remains a fast moving investigation. and for now, no arrests have been made. bbc news investigations has discovered widespread problems with nhs systems. the freedom of information request was sent to 122 major hospital trust. nearly half of those with electronic systems reported issues potentially affecting patient care. three deaths were also reported. it is said that

theissues were also reported. it is said that the issues are deeply concerning. nhs england said it is working closely with trust to review any concerns and provide additional support. to my baby boy. i miss you so much. my heart aches for you every day. i have so many things to tell you. when we see each other again, don, our parents are heartbroken. i smile, but my heart hurts. they wrote this letter to their son. you're always here and always gone. which he'll never hear. donal had sickle cell disease, cerebral palsy, and he was nonverbal. he was admitted to hospital in sheffield with cold like symptoms whenever he was in hospital. he should have had his vital signs checked hourly for a minimum of 6 hours, but it wasn't done for more than 12 hours. two weeks later, he died of pneumonia. you're fighting for a child's life. imagine.

just sat watching your child die as a parent. that's what we endured. the hospital's it system had made it difficult for staff to see his care plan. it was a screen with different side bars that nurses could go into, and in the right hand corner, a small square, which was the alert, which wasn't really visible. the it system should be set up in a way where you have to see, it should this be a tick box. or itjust doesn't allow you to move any further until you've read what you're supposed to read. it could be a matter of life or death. after danielle's inquest, the coroner said if clinicians can't see vital information like care plans, there was a real risk of further deaths. sheffield hospitals have apologised that darnell�*s care was below the standard they would expect. they said they've already made changes to limit the chances of this happening again and that it was implementing a new it system this year. it's not the only hospital with computer problems. we sent a freedom of information request to 122 major hospital trusts.

it revealed almost half of trusts with electronic patient records reported instances of potential patient harm linked to their systems. professorjoe mcdonald has overseen systems for years. professorjoe mcdonald has overseen systems for years-— systems for years. think about records, systems for years. think about records. you — systems for years. think about records, you make _ systems for years. think about records, you make problems. systems for years. think about | records, you make problems all systems for years. think about i records, you make problems all the time but electronic records give you the opportunity to make the same mistake thousands of times. mani; mistake thousands of times. many exerts mistake thousands of times. many experts agree _ mistake thousands of times. many experts agree that _ mistake thousands of times. many experts agree that digitising paper notes is the right thing to do but the costs are huge and different systems don't always connect between hospitals. systems don't always connect between hositals. ' :: :: ., . systems don't always connect between hositals. ' i: i: ., ., ,., hospitals. £100 million and in some cases ou hospitals. £100 million and in some cases you are _ hospitals. £100 million and in some cases you are looking _ hospitals. £100 million and in some cases you are looking at _ hospitals. £100 million and in some cases you are looking at several i cases you are looking at several hundred — cases you are looking at several hundred million pounds. that makes electric— hundred million pounds. that makes electric health record is probably the most — electric health record is probably the most expensive item on any hospital's— the most expensive item on any hospital's budget. it�*s the most expensive item on any hospital's budget.— hospital's budget. it's a broken 'iasaw. hospital's budget. it's a broken iigsaw- they — hospital's budget. it's a broken jigsaw. they don't _ hospital's budget. it's a broken jigsaw. they don't work - hospital's budget. it's a broken jigsaw. they don't work in i hospital's budget. it's a broken jigsaw. they don't work in a i hospital's budget. it's a broken| jigsaw. they don't work in a way hospital's budget. it's a broken i jigsaw. they don't work in a way you would expect the same system to

work. ,, ., , ., , work. nhs england said... his family ho -e that work. nhs england said... his family hope that his — work. nhs england said... his family hope that his death _ work. nhs england said... his family hope that his death will— work. nhs england said... his family hope that his death will force - hope that his death will force hospitals to urgently check that their it systems are safe. bbc news. the wife of 34—year—old amie gray, who was killed on a beach in bournemouth last friday, says her "big smile will be hard to live without". a 38—year—old woman also remains in hospital. a 20—year—old man from croydon has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. our correspondent duncan kennedy reports. come on. she laughs she was the woman who love to laugh and smile. every tribute paid to amie gray speaks of herfun—loving personality, especially here at her beloved football club. it's actually the dorset ladies futsal club where she was coach in a sport that is a variation on five—a—side football. the club said she had

incredible spirit, who oozed positivity and commitment. in this newly released photo, amie, on the left in glasses, beams at the camera with her wife sian. the couple, parents to a daughter. in a statement, sian said "words cannot describe the pain that we feel... dorset police have continued to probe the bushes and weeds of the cliff that overlooks bournemouth beach. the scene is just a few yards from where amie was fatally stabbed on friday. dorset police have arrested a 20—year—old man from the croydon area of south london on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. he remains in custody. in their tribute, amie's sporting friends said that "sometimes you meet a person in life thatjust fits, makes you feel seen and will always have your back. amie was that person".

bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello there, good morning to you. it does look like high pressure will be building in later this week into next week as well. we should see quite a lot of dry, settled and sunny weather. however, in the short term, we hold on to further showers at times and today, some of these could be quite heavy and thundery across parts of central and southern england. low pressure sitting out into the north sea there, high pressure to the west — that's bringing northerly winds across the country. outbreaks of rain this morning will tend to fragment. we'll see sunshine appearing, so it'll be sunny spells, scattered showers, variable cloud. these showers heavy and thundery through the midlands into southeast england. always a bit more cloud. outbreaks of rain affecting north sea coasts of eastern england there, with temperatures low to mid—teens. further west, though, where we have the sunshine, up to 18 or 19 degrees for southern england and also for the glasgow area. now as we head through tonight, it looks like those showers fade away. it does turn dry, though we hold onto the cloud, the breeze and outbreaks of rain across eastern england. so here, temperatures, double figures, but under clearer skies, it will turn fairly chilly with temperatures dipping

into single digits. so then for friday, we have high pressure starting to topple in from the west. so the best of the weather will be out towards the west. this feature still bringing thicker cloud, outbreaks of rain to eastern england, east anglia, maybe the far south east of england. some rain at times, which will tend to fizzle as we head through the latter parts of the day. but for scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales, a fine afternoon to come, a good deal of sunshine around. a bit of cloud just into the northwest of scotland. temperatures could be up to around the 20 celsius mark in the sunniest spots. and then for saturday, we see this area of high pressure topple right in across the country, pushes those weather fronts away from the south east of england. however, with our air coming in from the north, slightly northeasterly, it'll feed in some clouds to the north sea coast of england, a bit of cloud to northern and western scotland, maybe northern ireland. but essentially, much of the country will have a fine start to the weekend, with plenty of dry, settled and sunny weather. that'll push temperatures up to 20 or 21 degrees in the warmest spots

out towards the west, a little bit cooler across the north sea coasts. sunday into next week, our area of high pressure dominates the scene, so it will stay dry. always feeding quite a bit of cloud, though, across the north of the uk, as you can see here for both edinburgh and belfast, maybe the odd spot of light rain or drizzle. best of the sunshine will tend to be towards southern and western areas. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines. with five weeks before they head to the bows, liberal democrats and conservatives pledge not to raise vat. police confirm two bodies have been found in a search for a missing father and son in glencoe. counting is under way in south africa as a rolling anc party fight to keep its majority in parliament. let's bring you some more on the general election coverage. just park is on the road with the conservatives today. just, tell us where you are and what is the prime minister planning. ? and what is the prime minister ”lannin. ~ . ., ~ and what is the prime minister ”lannin. ~ . .«i , ., planning. ? we are making slow rouress planning. ? we are making slow progress out _ planning. ? we are making slow progress out of _ planning. ? we are making slow progress out of london, - planning. ? we are making slow

progress out of london, the i planning. ? we are making slow. progress out of london, the usual london traffic, not making a speedy iugghng london traffic, not making a speedy juggling so far but where we're heading to is buckinghamshire in the south—east of england. where the prime minister will be campaigning later on today. so far this morning there has been a lot of discussion and focus on the economy i will have to see what rishi sunak, the prime minister will want to talk about a little bit later by the toys went on the attack night. the chance that jeremy hunt claimed that there was some kind of secret plan from labour to raise vat, value added tax, one of those really important taxes, one of those really important taxes, one of the big three that people pay. a behead back pretty quickly saying no, that is not the case. we are not going to raise vat, adding to a wider pledge that both parties are making that they are not going to raise vat, they are not going to raise vat, they are not going to raise national insurance and they are not going to raise income tax either. one assumes, in precluding

those tax rises that are already embedded in because of rising allowances. the situation with both major parties saying that. the question that now backs is how are they going to find the various pledges that they are expected to make and they have already started making us election campaign. what you have already had party talking about is cracking down on tax avoidance. they are also conceding the public finances are tight and what you are seeing overall is a real contest between the labour party and conservative party who are trying to paint the other as a and making unfunded play dish and trying to pace themselves as the credible option —— back making unfunded pledges and trying to place themselves as a credible option. apparently, labour sources have told the bbc that jaron james,

apparently, labour sources have told the bbc that jaronjames, the apparently, labour sources have told the bbc thatjaronjames, the shadow chief treasury, meant to say that any labour government will meant to freeze any income tax rates and freeze any income tax rates and freeze any income tax rates and freeze any income tax threshold. labour intend to follow conservative's plans to freeze tax that shows through 2028. this is a policy chancellorjeremy hunt policy chancellor jeremy hunt confirmed policy chancellorjeremy hunt confirmed this morning. opposite, there is going to be a lot of debate about numbers, tax spending but getting details right in his huge rounds of interviews going to be very important. rounds of interviews going to be very important-— rounds of interviews going to be very important. absolutely, a lot of eo - le very important. absolutely, a lot of --eole be very important. absolutely, a lot of people be listening _ very important. absolutely, a lot of people be listening to _ very important. absolutely, a lot of people be listening to all— very important. absolutely, a lot of people be listening to all of- very important. absolutely, a lot of people be listening to all of this i people be listening to all of this and these bamboozling figures being thrown around. they have already been amended up to 2028, it appears that... is clearly the labour party

are trying to clarify their position there. but it's important to note is why is the economy taken centre stage notjust today but why is the economy taken centre stage not just today but we why is the economy taken centre stage notjust today but we have seen both parties trying to push as previously. obviously, there is a sentiment that the economy, the money and people's pockets, the taxes that they are having to pay is something that people really care about but the detail can be incredibly complicated and we have also come off the back of inflation, energy price rises, cost of living and the pandemic so, i think the party are notjust labour and conservative, but all the parties are releasing this as a central issue that they need to address. trying to tell us, your money, the money that you and will be safe with me. the idea of trying to push economic credibility. labour keep

saying that don't remember not long ago liz truss the former prime minister mini budget and the chaos that cause. labour is quite keen to talk about this issue as well. i was at a press conference yesterday, with their injuries, the shadow treasury secretary... they said the long—term premises by the conservatives were unfunded. the long-term premises by the conservatives were unfunded. the 155 have warned — conservatives were unfunded. the 155 have warned the _ conservatives were unfunded. the 155 have warned the conservative... i conservatives were unfunded. the 155 have warned the conservative... of i have warned the conservative... of taking tax specials frozen in 2021 rather than raising them in line with 2028 will bring more than a million people into higher tax thresholds by that time. of course as you said, labour are saying that they are following that same plan. the question of how much tax people are paying people of the don't want to pay more tax yet they still want better tax services and the question that all parties are having to

address that gap, can they persuade people to pay more or are they having to grow the economy to find any change that they are promising? growth in the economy, of course, every would—be government will say we have got a plan to grow the economy. whether that is by potentially planning future tax cuts, trying to breathe investments in the united kingdom but if it proves difficult to grow the economy in a substantial way over the coming years, then of course your tax incomes suffers as a result. wesley parties are trying to do is that they are saying the opposition —— what he parties are trying to do is that the opposition are saying this now, but what are they going to do in the future. we have got the manifesto in the coming weeks. people really want to start drilling down in the details and as i mentioned, when we look ahead when the next fiscal event might be under

government there is, everyone is saying that the public finances are really tight but you don't want to raise any of those big three taxes that people pay: national insurance income tax, vat. what does that mean when the economy doesn't grow? will we be looking at the world of spending cuts? we to be drawn into that conversation as they hit that campaign, they are trying to send out positive messages about themselves.— out positive messages about themselves. , . ~ , themselves. just parker, will be back with you — themselves. just parker, will be back with you throughout i themselves. just parker, will be back with you throughout the i themselves. just parker, will be| back with you throughout the day themselves. just parker, will be i back with you throughout the day of course on the conservative campaign for now. thank you very much. the green party has begun its lodge in bristol. . , �*, green party has begun its lodge in bristol. . , 2 ., green party has begun its lodge in bristol. . , h ., . green party has begun its lodge in bristol. . , 2 ., ., ., bristol. finally, it's on and we are read . ready. applause

i'm sure you can already tell how excited we are for this moment. loathe? excited we are for this moment. why? because at the — excited we are for this moment. why? because at the green _ excited we are for this moment. why? because at the green party _ excited we are for this moment. why? because at the green party we - excited we are for this moment. why? because at the green party we have .ot because at the green party we have got something to offer that no other party has _ got something to offer that no other party has real hope and real change. let's party has real hope and real change. let's face _ party has real hope and real change. let's face it. — party has real hope and real change. let's face it, this election is pretty— let's face it, this election is pretty historic. _ let's face it, this election is pretty historic. the - let's face it, this election is pretty historic. the poole i let's face it, this election is pretty historic. the poole is let's face it, this election is- pretty historic. the poole is clear that we _ pretty historic. the poole is clear that we are — pretty historic. the poole is clear that we are going _ pretty historic. the poole is clear that we are going to _ pretty historic. the poole is clear that we are going to see - pretty historic. the poole is clear that we are going to see the i pretty historic. the poole is clear| that we are going to see the back pretty historic. the poole is clear. that we are going to see the back of the conservatives. _ the conservatives. applause - applause “ as applause —— as you can see from the reaction from this room and from the reaction of people across the country, i think you will be saying it is about time to! this has been the chaotic and destructive period of government that any of us can remember. what we need, what al-qaeda is crying out for is real change —— what we need,

what our country is crying out for is change, real change.. we are apologising for our weak offer of housing. we want is more privatisation of the nhs is a good thing. the intelligence we face are so huge, people tell us that they are disappointed by the lack of ambition from the labour party. our politics is broken, our public services are on their knees and people are worse off now than when the conservatives came to power 14 years ago. the case of change is obvious. carla denyer and aid ramsay from their campaign launched today. just tell us more about the green party message and what they are hoping to achieve in this election. the really interesting points about this is, _ the really interesting points about this is, the — the really interesting points about this is, the greens _ the really interesting points about

this is, the greens are _ the really interesting points about this is, the greens are coming i the really interesting points about| this is, the greens are coming once again— this is, the greens are coming once again into _ this is, the greens are coming once again into bristol, _ this is, the greens are coming once again into bristol, they— this is, the greens are coming once again into bristol, they do- this is, the greens are coming once again into bristol, they do so- this is, the greens are coming once again into bristol, they do so in- again into bristol, they do so in april— again into bristol, they do so in april before _ again into bristol, they do so in april before the _ again into bristol, they do so in april before the local— again into bristol, they do so in april before the local electionsl again into bristol, they do so in. april before the local elections and what - _ april before the local elections and what - then — april before the local elections and what - then is _ april before the local elections and what — then is at _ april before the local elections and what — then is at the _ april before the local elections and what — then is at the very- april before the local elections and what — then is at the very city- april before the local elections and what — then is at the very city that| what — then is at the very city that were _ what — then is at the very city that were in. _ what — then is at the very city that were in. the — what — then is at the very city that were in, the greens— what — then is at the very city that were in, the greens came - what — then is at the very city that were in, the greens came in- what — then is at the very city that were in, the greens came in the i were in, the greens came in the local— were in, the greens came in the local elections. _ were in, the greens came in the local elections. the _ were in, the greens came in the local elections. the local- were in, the greens came in thej local elections. the local council now have — local elections. the local council now have a _ local elections. the local council now have a green _ local elections. the local council now have a green leader. - local elections. the local council now have a green leader. the i local elections. the local council- now have a green leader. the greens are open— now have a green leader. the greens are open to _ now have a green leader. the greens are open to use— now have a green leader. the greens are open to use that _ now have a green leader. the greens are open to use that as _ now have a green leader. the greens are open to use that as a _ are open to use that as a springboard _ are open to use that as a springboard in _ are open to use that as a springboard in their- are open to use that as a i springboard in their general election— springboard in their general election campaign. - springboard in their general election campaign. the i springboard in their general- election campaign. the election has been very— election campaign. the election has been very clear. _ election campaign. the election has been very clear, they— election campaign. the election has been very clear, they have - election campaign. the election has been very clear, they have a - election campaign. the election has been very clear, they have a got i election campaign. the election has been very clear, they have a got a l been very clear, they have a got a target _ been very clear, they have a got a target for— been very clear, they have a got a target for seats, _ been very clear, they have a got a target for seats, they've - been very clear, they have a got a target for seats, they've got i been very clear, they have a got a target for seats, they've got a - target for seats, they've got a candidate _ target for seats, they've got a candidate for— target for seats, they've got a candidate for the _ target for seats, they've got a candidate for the four - target for seats, they've got a candidate for the four seats, i target for seats, they've got a - candidate for the four seats, they have _ candidate for the four seats, they have just — candidate for the four seats, they have just been _ candidate for the four seats, they have just been doing _ candidate for the four seats, they have just been doing that - candidate for the four seats, they have just been doing that is - candidate for the four seats, they have just been doing that is out l have just been doing that is out front_ have just been doing that is out front of— have just been doing that is out front of the _ have just been doing that is out front of the st _ have just been doing that is out front of the st george's - have just been doing that is out front of the st george's venue i have just been doing that is out - front of the st george's venue where they had _ front of the st george's venue where they had the — front of the st george's venue where they had the election _ front of the st george's venue where they had the election rally. - front of the st george's venue where they had the election rally. they- they had the election rally. they want _ they had the election rally. they want to— they had the election rally. they want to throw _ they had the election rally. they want to throw all _ they had the election rally. they want to throw all their— they had the election rally. theyj want to throw all their resources into that's — want to throw all their resources into that's a _ want to throw all their resources into that's a big _ want to throw all their resources into that's a big effort. - want to throw all their resourcesi into that's a big effort. especially here in— into that's a big effort. especially here in bristol. _ into that's a big effort. especially here in bristol. their— into that's a big effort. especially here in bristol. their co—leader, i here in bristol. their co—leader, carla _ here in bristol. their co—leader, carla denyer— here in bristol. their co—leader, carla denyer will— here in bristol. their co—leader, carla denyer will be _ here in bristol. their co—leader, carla denyer will be stunning. . here in bristol. their co—leader, i carla denyer will be stunning. is carla denyer will be stunning. ts going — carla denyer will be stunning. ts going to— carla denyer will be stunning. ts going to be _ carla denyer will be stunning. ts going to be a_ carla denyer will be stunning. is going to be a really— carla denyer will be stunning. is going to be a really interestingj is going to be a really interesting contest _ is going to be a really interesting contest because _ is going to be a really interesting contest because the _ is going to be a really interesting contest because the greens - is going to be a really interesting contest because the greens will. is going to be a really interesting i contest because the greens will be say and _ contest because the greens will be say and they— contest because the greens will be say and they said _ contest because the greens will be say and they said he _ contest because the greens will be say and they said he repeatedly . say and they said he repeatedly today— say and they said he repeatedly today that — say and they said he repeatedly today that elections _ say and they said he repeatedly today that elections in - say and they said he repeatedly today that elections in the - say and they said he repeatedly| today that elections in the back, because — today that elections in the back, because that _ today that elections in the back, because that is _ today that elections in the back, because that is on _ today that elections in the back, because that is on their- today that elections in the back, because that is on their way- today that elections in the back, | because that is on their way out, you hear— because that is on their way out, you hear in— because that is on their way out, you hear in bristol— because that is on their way out, you hear in bristol without - because that is on their way out, you hear in bristol without any .

because that is on their way out, . you hear in bristol without any fear of listening — you hear in bristol without any fear of listening to _ you hear in bristol without any fear of listening to conservative - you hear in bristol without any fear of listening to conservative to - you hear in bristol without any fear of listening to conservative to get. of listening to conservative to get back in _ of listening to conservative to get back in again _ of listening to conservative to get back in again. that _ of listening to conservative to get back in again. that is _ of listening to conservative to get back in again. that is the - of listening to conservative to geti back in again. that is the message we will— back in again. that is the message we will repeat _ back in again. that is the message we will repeat many— back in again. that is the message we will repeat many many- back in again. that is the message we will repeat many many times. i back in again. that is the message . we will repeat many many times. one of the _ we will repeat many many times. one of the interesting _ we will repeat many many times. one of the interesting point _ we will repeat many many times. one of the interesting point is _ we will repeat many many times. one of the interesting point is whether- of the interesting point is whether the rate _ of the interesting point is whether the rate -- — of the interesting point is whether the rate —— writers— of the interesting point is whether the rate —— writers will— of the interesting point is whether the rate —— writers will behave - of the interesting point is whether the rate —— writers will behave ——| the rate —— writers will behave —— voters _ the rate —— writers will behave —— voters wilt— the rate —— writers will behave —— voters will behave _ the rate —— writers will behave —— voters will behave differently. - voters will behave differently. actuatty— voters will behave differently. actually some _ voters will behave differently. actually some of _ voters will behave differently. actually some of the - voters will behave differently. actually some of the voters . voters will behave differently. . actually some of the voters who voters will behave differently. - actually some of the voters who went to but _ actually some of the voters who went to but a _ actually some of the voters who went to but a tick _ actually some of the voters who went to put a tick over— actually some of the voters who went to put a tick over rocks _ actually some of the voters who went to put a tick over rocks in _ actually some of the voters who went to put a tick over rocks in a _ actually some of the voters who went to put a tick over rocks in a green- to put a tick over rocks in a green box in _ to put a tick over rocks in a green box in the — to put a tick over rocks in a green box in the poole _ to put a tick over rocks in a green box in the poole station- to put a tick over rocks in a green box in the poole station also - to put a tick over rocks in a green. box in the poole station also voted form _ box in the poole station also voted form that — box in the poole station also voted form that is — box in the poole station also voted for... that is our— box in the poole station also voted for... that is our hope _ box in the poole station also voted for... that is our hope that- box in the poole station also voted for... that is our hope that labour| for... that is our hope that labour is going _ for... that is our hope that labour is going to — for... that is our hope that labour is going to but _ for... that is our hope that labour is going to but a _ for... that is our hope that labour is going to put a cross _ for... that is our hope that labour is going to put a cross in- for... that is our hope that labour is going to put a cross in bristol. i is going to put a cross in bristol. they— is going to put a cross in bristol. they see — is going to put a cross in bristol. they see this _ is going to put a cross in bristol. they see this as _ is going to put a cross in bristol. they see this as they— is going to put a cross in bristol. they see this as they chose - is going to put a cross in bristol. they see this as they chose as l is going to put a cross in bristol. i they see this as they chose as his going _ they see this as they chose as his going to _ they see this as they chose as his going to be — they see this as they chose as his going to be in— they see this as they chose as his going to be in government- they see this as they chose as his going to be in government keir. going to be in government keir starmer— going to be in government keir starmer or— going to be in government keir starmer or rishi _ going to be in government keir starmer or rishi sunak, - going to be in government keir starmer or rishi sunak, thesei going to be in government keir. starmer or rishi sunak, these are not under— starmer or rishi sunak, these are not under that _ starmer or rishi sunak, these are not under that illusion, _ starmer or rishi sunak, these are not under that illusion, —— - not under that illusion, —— delusion _ not under that illusion, —— delusion. they— not under that illusion, —— delusion. they are - not under that illusion, —— delusion. they are prettyi not under that illusion, —— - delusion. they are pretty modest in that anrbition — delusion. they are pretty modest in that ambition. for— delusion. they are pretty modest in that ambition. for purposes - delusion. they are pretty modest in that ambition. for purposes is - delusion. they are pretty modest in that ambition. for purposes is whatj that ambition. for purposes is what they are _ that ambition. for purposes is what they are after _ that ambition. for purposes is what they are after. but _ that ambition. for purposes is what they are after. but what _ that ambition. for purposes is what they are after. but what they - that ambition. for purposes is what they are after. but what they really| they are after. but what they really want to _ they are after. but what they really want to see — they are after. but what they really want to see is _ they are after. but what they really want to see is a _ they are after. but what they really want to see is a green _ they are after. but what they really want to see is a green voice - they are after. but what they really want to see is a green voice in - want to see is a green voice in partiament— want to see is a green voice in parliament after— want to see is a green voice in parliament after the _ want to see is a green voice in parliament after the next - want to see is a green voice in i parliament after the next general

election — parliament after the next general election that— parliament after the next general election. that is— parliament after the next general election. that is going _ parliament after the next general election. that is going to- parliament after the next general election. that is going to be - parliament after the next general| election. that is going to be quite difficult _ election. that is going to be quite difficult because _ election. that is going to be quite difficult because there _ election. that is going to be quite difficult because there has - election. that is going to be quite difficult because there has been l election. that is going to be quite difficult because there has been a green _ difficult because there has been a green voice~ — difficult because there has been a green voice. caroline _ difficult because there has been a green voice. caroline lucas - difficult because there has been a green voice. caroline lucas has i difficult because there has been a i green voice. caroline lucas has been the mp_ green voice. caroline lucas has been the mp here~ — green voice. caroline lucas has been the mp here she _ green voice. caroline lucas has been the mp here. she ceases _ green voice. caroline lucas has been the mp here. she ceases to- green voice. caroline lucas has been the mp here. she ceases to be - green voice. caroline lucas has been the mp here. she ceases to be the l the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here~ _ the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here they— the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here they have — the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here they have got _ the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here. they have got to _ the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here. they have got to hold _ the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here. they have got to hold on - the mp here. she ceases to be the mp here. they have got to hold on to - here. they have got to hold on to brighton — here. they have got to hold on to brighton pavilion, _ here. they have got to hold on to brighton pavilion, which- here. they have got to hold on to brighton pavilion, which is- here. they have got to hold on to brighton pavilion, which is her. brighton pavilion, which is her seat. — brighton pavilion, which is her seat. they've _ brighton pavilion, which is her seat, they've got _ brighton pavilion, which is her seat, they've got the - brighton pavilion, which is her seat, they've got the deputy. brighton pavilion, which is her- seat, they've got the deputy leader standing _ seat, they've got the deputy leader standing there _ seat, they've got the deputy leader standing there. that _ seat, they've got the deputy leader standing there. that is— seat, they've got the deputy leader standing there. that is priority- standing there. that is priority number— standing there. that is priority number one. _ standing there. that is priority number one, hold _ standing there. that is priority number one, hold on - standing there. that is priority number one, hold on to- standing there. that is priority. number one, hold on to brighton, they have — number one, hold on to brighton, they have got _ number one, hold on to brighton, they have got to _ number one, hold on to brighton, they have got to get _ number one, hold on to brighton, they have got to get over - number one, hold on to brighton, they have got to get over a - number one, hold on to brighton, they have got to get over a few. number one, hold on to brighton, i they have got to get over a few more green _ they have got to get over a few more green mps _ they have got to get over a few more green mps are — they have got to get over a few more green mps are elected, _ they have got to get over a few more green mps are elected, especially. green mps are elected, especially here in— green mps are elected, especially here in bristol— green mps are elected, especially here in bristol west. _ green mps are elected, especially here in bristol west. [n _ green mps are elected, especially here in bristolwest._ here in bristol west. in terms of their pitch. _ here in bristol west. in terms of their pitch. it — here in bristol west. in terms of their pitch, it is _ here in bristol west. in terms of their pitch, it is obviously - their pitch, it is obviously fundamentally based on environmental concerns but it is broader than that isn't it? it concerns but it is broader than that isn't it? . . . concerns but it is broader than that isn't it? , . , . , isn't it? it is and degrees are very keen to emphasise _ isn't it? it is and degrees are very keen to emphasise they - isn't it? it is and degrees are very keen to emphasise they are - isn't it? it is and degrees are very keen to emphasise they are not i isn't it? it is and degrees are very i keen to emphasise they are notjust keen to emphasise they are not just a party— keen to emphasise they are not just a party that— keen to emphasise they are not just a party that talked _ keen to emphasise they are not just a party that talked about _ keen to emphasise they are not just a party that talked about the - a party that talked about the environment, _ a party that talked about the environment, that— a party that talked about the environment, that talks - a party that talked about the i environment, that talks about climate — environment, that talks about climate change. _ environment, that talks about climate change. they- environment, that talks about climate change. they have - environment, that talks about - climate change. they have criticised labour _ climate change. they have criticised labour for _ climate change. they have criticised labour for pulling _ climate change. they have criticised labour for pulling back _ climate change. they have criticised labour for pulling back on _ climate change. they have criticised labour for pulling back on that - labour for pulling back on that btedge — labour for pulling back on that pledge that _ labour for pulling back on that pledge that labour— labour for pulling back on that pledge that labour did - labour for pulling back on that pledge that labour did a - labour for pulling back on that pledge that labour did a few. labour for pulling back on that - pledge that labour did a few bounce back _ pledge that labour did a few bounce back spending _ pledge that labour did a few bounce back. spending 20, _ pledge that labour did a few bounce back. spending 20, —— _ pledge that labour did a few bounce back. spending 20, —— £20 - pledge that labour did a few bounce back. spending 20, —— £20 million. pledge that labour did a few bounce| back. spending 20, —— £20 million a year _ back. spending 20, —— £20 million a year the _ back. spending 20, —— £20 million a year. the green— back. spending 20, —— £20 million a year. the green said _ back. spending 20, —— £20 million a year. the green said they— back. spending 20, —— £20 million a year. the green said they would - back. spending 20, —— £20 million a year. the green said they would upi year. the green said they would up the spending — year. the green said they would up the spending on _ year. the green said they would up the spending on that, _ year. the green said they would up the spending on that, but- year. the green said they would up

the spending on that, but also - the spending on that, but also they've — the spending on that, but also they've got _ the spending on that, but also they've got a _ the spending on that, but also they've got a large _ the spending on that, but also they've got a large number. the spending on that, but also they've got a large number of| they've got a large number of policies — they've got a large number of policies that _ they've got a large number of policies that they _ they've got a large number of policies that they say - they've got a large number of- policies that they say differentiate themselves — policies that they say differentiate themselves from _ policies that they say differentiate themselves from particularly- policies that they say differentiate l themselves from particularly labour who then _ themselves from particularly labour who then got — themselves from particularly labour who then got their— themselves from particularly labour who then got their sights _ themselves from particularly labour who then got their sights on. - themselves from particularly labour who then got their sights on. they i who then got their sights on. they talk about— who then got their sights on. they talk about things _ who then got their sights on. they talk about things like _ who then got their sights on. they talk about things like social- talk about things like social housing, _ talk about things like social housing, increasing - talk about things like social| housing, increasing housing talk about things like social- housing, increasing housing supply. these _ housing, increasing housing supply. these are _ housing, increasing housing supply. these are two — housing, increasing housing supply. these are two that _ housing, increasing housing supply. these are two that bristol _ housing, increasing housing supply. these are two that bristol were - these are two that bristol were in.~~~ _ these are two that bristol were in.~~~ houses— these are two that bristol were in,... houses are _ these are two that bristol were in,... houses are very- these are two that bristol were. in,... houses are very expensive rental— in,... houses are very expensive rental properties _ in,... houses are very expensive rental properties are _ in,... houses are very expensive rental properties are not - in,... houses are very expensive rental properties are not very- rental properties are not very avaitabte~ _ rental properties are not very available. nhs, _ rental properties are not very available. nhs, a— rental properties are not very available. nhs, a big - rental properties are not very| available. nhs, a big priority. rental properties are not very- available. nhs, a big priority. the greens— available. nhs, a big priority. the greens say— available. nhs, a big priority. the greens say they _ available. nhs, a big priority. the greens say they will _ available. nhs, a big priority. the greens say they will find - available. nhs, a big priority. the greens say they will find much - available. nhs, a big priority. the . greens say they will find much more ntoney_ greens say they will find much more money they— greens say they will find much more money they accuse _ greens say they will find much more money they accuse labour _ greens say they will find much more money they accuse labour of - greens say they will find much more money they accuse labour of being i money they accuse labour of being due modest— money they accuse labour of being due modest in— money they accuse labour of being due modest in their— money they accuse labour of being due modest in their ambitions - money they accuse labour of being due modest in their ambitions of. due modest in their ambitions of accreting — due modest in their ambitions of accreting spending. _ due modest in their ambitions of accreting spending. the - due modest in their ambitions of accreting spending. the greens. due modest in their ambitions of. accreting spending. the greens will raise more — accreting spending. the greens will raise more tax. _ accreting spending. the greens will raise more tax, they— accreting spending. the greens will raise more tax, they said _ accreting spending. the greens will raise more tax, they said they - accreting spending. the greens will raise more tax, they said they will. raise more tax, they said they will put up _ raise more tax, they said they will put up taxation _ raise more tax, they said they will put up taxation for— raise more tax, they said they will put up taxation for the _ raise more tax, they said they will put up taxation for the highest - put up taxation for the highest earners~ — put up taxation for the highest earners. there _ put up taxation for the highest earners. there is _ put up taxation for the highest earners. there is clear- put up taxation for the highest earners. there is clear water. earners. there is clear water between _ earners. there is clear water between them _ earners. there is clear water between them and _ earners. there is clear water between them and labours, i earners. there is clear water- between them and labours, setting between _ between them and labours, setting between them _ between them and labours, setting between them and _ between them and labours, setting between them and the _ between them and labours, setting i between them and the conservatives which _ between them and the conservatives which the _ between them and the conservatives which the they— between them and the conservatives which the they hope _ between them and the conservatives which the they hope will— between them and the conservatives which the they hope will appeal - between them and the conservatives which the they hope will appeal to i which the they hope will appeal to some _ which the they hope will appeal to some voters~ _ which the they hope will appeal to some voters. they— which the they hope will appeal to some voters. they will— which the they hope will appeal to some voters. they will have - which the they hope will appeal to some voters. they will have some difficulty— some voters. they will have some difficulty in — some voters. they will have some difficulty in recent _ some voters. they will have some difficulty in recent times - some voters. they will have some difficulty in recent times over - difficulty in recent times over guys, — difficulty in recent times over guys, this— difficulty in recent times over guys, this does— difficulty in recent times over guys, this does on— difficulty in recent times over guys, this does on gaza. - difficulty in recent times over i

guys, this does on gaza. people perhaps— guys, this does on gaza. people perhaps don't _ guys, this does on gaza. people perhaps don't feel— guys, this does on gaza. people perhaps don't feel labour - guys, this does on gaza. people perhaps don't feel labour has i guys, this does on gaza. people i perhaps don't feel labour has been foresighted — perhaps don't feel labour has been foresighted enough— perhaps don't feel labour has been foresighted enough in— perhaps don't feel labour has been foresighted enough in their- perhaps don't feel labour has been foresighted enough in their call- perhaps don't feel labour has been foresighted enough in their call for| foresighted enough in their call for a ceasefire — foresighted enough in their call for a ceasefire in — foresighted enough in their call for a ceasefire in that _ foresighted enough in their call for a ceasefire in that conflict. - foresighted enough in their call for a ceasefire in that conflict. they. a ceasefire in that conflict. they hope _ a ceasefire in that conflict. they hope that — a ceasefire in that conflict. they hope that that _ a ceasefire in that conflict. they hope that that will _ a ceasefire in that conflict. they hope that that will appeal- a ceasefire in that conflict. they hope that that will appeal to - a ceasefire in that conflict. they. hope that that will appeal to some raters _ hope that that will appeal to some raters who— hope that that will appeal to some raters who will— hope that that will appeal to some raters who will be _ hope that that will appeal to some raters who will be a _ hope that that will appeal to some raters who will be a little - hope that that will appeal to some raters who will be a little bit - hope that that will appeal to some raters who will be a little bit kind i raters who will be a little bit kind of labour — raters who will be a little bit kind of labour. . ~ raters who will be a little bit kind of labour. . ,, , ., , raters who will be a little bit kind of labour. . ,, i. , . of labour. thank you very much indeed. of labour. thank you very much indeed- i _ of labour. thank you very much indeed. i am _ of labour. thank you very much indeed. i amjoined _ of labour. thank you very much indeed. i amjoined now- of labour. thank you very much indeed. i am joined now by - of labour. thank you very much - indeed. i am joined now by michael greg, former political correspondent who has founded tomorrow's mps. michael, thanks forjoining us. it is sort of extraordinary isn't it to see how many seats the main parties still need to sort out within days. it is just beginning with labour because there's a of conservation about the selection process, diane abbott is a key name, but others are seen on the left toto say it is carnage in the labour party right now is perhaps an exaggeration. but we saw now is perhaps an exaggeration. brit we saw diane abbott, she has been

sacked. the mp for brighton pavilion was sacked last night. a leading economist who was due to fight chingford and woodford green, she was sacked for remarks she made about gaza and her admiration for jeremy corbyn. now, replacements have got to be found in those seats, there is talk that azad myspace put into brighton pavilion. sorry, brighton kemps town. he briefly tried to become the candidate for brighton pavilion. there is a bit of a tussle with some of the east end sees between morgan it's really and keir starmer believe it or not. it is all going to happen today, labour was to have all of its candidates settled by midnight tonight. one problem with that is that they may get further retirements or further

assassination, as i call them. people have been sacked for one reason or another. on the conservative side, there is still about 30 seats that you would say are currently conservative held which still don't have a candidate so, a lot ofjockeying amongst ambitious would be conservative mps. in terms of the labour party, he said there is a tussle between mcsweeney and starmer. there is a seat in the east _ mcsweeney and starmer. there is a seat in the east end _ mcsweeney and starmer. there is a seat in the east end and _ mcsweeney and starmer. there is a seat in the east end and i _ mcsweeney and starmer. there is a seat in the east end and i as - mcsweeney and starmer. there is a seat in the east end and i as i - seat in the east end and i as i understand it, keir starmer was very much pressing for a camden councillor who did record camden that didn't —— morgan mcsweeney has got his own candidate for that seat, everyone could remain, much is on

the shortlist as well. there is a bit of a tussle going on there. i think keir starmer would not be happy with? camera. too happy with him being chosen for that seat. she is to work for him. the problem which then arises is what they do with abduljai who is close to starmer and has been trading for that seat, they will have to do find a message somewhere else. it has happened two or three times already this week. this is all a nitty—gritty and the tussling and the raw politics of late selections which were always like this. of course, what led to it was this massive rush of last minute retirement announcements earlier in the week, there were eight of them injust two weeks. the week, there were eight of them in just two weeks. it is quite extraordinary when hardly any labour

mps have announced their retirements over the last two or three years. they all did it last minute, that provides the labour high command with the excuse, can't have a proper democratic process, we will have to impose candidates in all of these seats. that gives an opportunity for all sorts of horse trading going on in the labour national executive. believe it or not, five neighbours of the labour national executive are being lined up —— for safe labour seats. it is quite extraordinary. it seats. it is quite extraordinary. it is but it is, it is raw politics. i mean all parties do this. there is a lot of talk of people being persuaded to retire because they are being persuaded... it persuaded to retire because they are being persuaded...— being persuaded... it were to be not normally quite _ being persuaded... it were to be not normally quite as _ being persuaded... it were to be not normally quite as crude _ being persuaded... it were to be not normally quite as crude as _ being persuaded... it were to be not normally quite as crude as some - normally quite as crude as some might say you will get a peerage if you leave your retirement. but there

will be nods and winks, this usually happen in the tony blair's years. one of the things he most regretted about being labour leader, was a number of media, labourmps about being labour leader, was a number of media, labour mps that he had to put into the house of lords so that they could get her hold of their seats to all the people they wanted to become labour mps. their seats to all the people they wanted to become labour mp5. the real problem here is that if you select your candidates through no selection processes involve a local party members, you don't always get in the house of commons the kind of people you want as a labour leader who are going to be a potential cabinet ministers. so, there is that if you select your candidates through no selection processes involving local party members, you don't always get in the house of commons the kind of people you want as a labour leader who are going to be potential cabinet ministers. so, there's also always that attention of the needs of forming the strongest government and they need of... they need of local voters who for someone who is going to be a good mp, preppy someone who is going

to be a good local councillor. this is one who will come to a head right now in this last—minute selections. the close of nominations is four o'clock on friday week, so they've still got eight days, there is still plenty of time for mp5 to decide they are going to jack it all in and leave a comment. there is time for parties to select new people. in the last election, in hartlepool, the conservatives, on the day of close nominations, they heist to find a new candidate because they believe it or not, the nomination papers were locked in the back of somebody�*s car at manchester airport. they could not get hold of it, the candidate itself was a long way from hartlepool and they had to quickly find a new candidate and they only got a nomination may kiss in with a new minutes to spare. there may be cases like that this

time as well.— turning to the middle east, the united nations says the amount of humanitarian aid entering gaza has decreased by two—thirds since israel began its military operation in rafah earlier this month. the israeli military says it has established full operational control over the philadelphi corridor along the gaza—egypt border, discovering dozens of rocket launchers and at least 20 cross—border smuggling tunnels there so far. a national security adviser to israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says he expects the war against hamas to continue for at least another seven months. israeli troops first moved into rafah several weeks ago, following months of international warnings against entering the area, where more than half of gazans had taken refuge after being displaced by months of fighting elsewhere in the strip. our middle east correspondent yolande knell has the latest.

this is the 14 kilometer strategically important strip of land that lies on the gaza egypt border. now, the israelis are saying that they have effective control of that corridor now and talking about what they have found. they're saying there have been multiple rocket launchers and rocket launch sites. they found, pointing out that they say in recent weeks something like 70 rockets and mortars have been fired by hamas from the rafah area, suggesting really that it was locating some of these launch sites very close to the border with egypt to try to avoid israel going after them and perhaps making a mistake and firing into egypt. they've also found, they say, some 20 tunnels which they believe were used to smuggle weapons into palestinian armed groups like hamas. and they say there may be more of these tunnels there, locating them and destroying them along this border area. now, all of this is likely to ratchet up tensions further between israel and egypt. egypt's concern will be that israeli forces will try to maintain a presence along this

border in the longer term. and also, they've been saying that, you know, egyptian security sources talking to the egyptian media, that that the tunnels are being used, they say, as an excuse by israel to justify its rafah offensive. and they say that they have dealt themselves effectively with smuggling tunnels, particularly over the past decade. each year, thousands of fans of the pop star harry styles flock to the cheshire village where he grew up. starting next week, his supporters who call themselves harries, will be able to get a closer look into his life on a new guided tour of his old stomping ground. our culture reporter noor nanji has this report. we love you, harry! # you're no good alone...# harry styles is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. # you know it's not

the same as it was...# starting in one direction before launching a successful solo career. he shot to fame on the x factor. # isn't she lovely...# since then, the village where he's from has become a must see for fans, known as harries. due to the weather today, the walk down to the viaduct itself will be quite muddy and challenging. now people visiting holmes chapel are being offered a new walking tour. more than 5,000 fans are thought to have visited this village last year. that's almost equal to its entire population. the new tour will take those fans through a trip through local harry hotspots. a little fun easter egg for you. to your right, just there behind those green metal gates is harry's primary school. the tour guides faced a competitive process to get the job. i'm gillian.

i'm from newjersey in the us. and why are you giving a tour of harry styles hometown? i've been a fan of his for 14 years and i saw this job and i live in manchester now. and ijust thought it was my dream job and i had to do it and give it a shot. so tell me a bit about you. i work in a bakery. what do you do in the bakery? i like serve the cakes in like the shop. - this is banville's bakery. this is the cheese counter. it's where styles used to work part time. so you hired harry styles when he was just a teenager. what was he like? he was a really nice lad. just so easygoing. such a pleasure to work... have working for me. so nice with the customers. did he turn up on time? yeah. his timekeeping was fine. yeah, no problem at all. how long have you been a fan? since about 2010. so since one direction's started. pretty much half your life? way more than half, yeah. i've never had anyone to really go with, so it's really exciting coming here and doing the tour. have you ever actually met harry? no, i haven't. i've met his dad. well, you might run into walking

around holmes chapel. i want to one day. i mean, it might happen but yeah... other stops on the tour include the tourmalet viaduct, where the singer had his first kiss. it's also where he famously wrote his name in the one direction documentary, this is us. and fans have now covered harry's wall with their own messages to him. behind it all, there's an important safety message. in the past, fans made their way to the viaduct using this road. but locals say it's dangerous. by taking visitors in another direction on a traffic—free route, tour organisers hope to keep them safe. back at the viaduct and i couldn't go without leaving my own heart. slate hart that is. noor nanji, bbc news in holmes chapel. the site of your first kiss, is that too much information for harry

styles? touching up for his fans. as have a look at the weather.- have a look at the weather. hello, aood have a look at the weather. hello, good morning _ have a look at the weather. hello, good morning to _ have a look at the weather. hello, good morning to you _ have a look at the weather. hello, good morning to you it _ have a look at the weather. hello, good morning to you it does - have a look at the weather. hello, good morning to you it does look. good morning to you it does look like high pressure will be building. we have got a lot of settled and sunny weather. we are onto showers, some of which could be quite heavy and thundery across parts of southern and central india. not only with across the country, outbreaks of rain would tend to fragment rain. sunshine will appear, scattered showers, rebel cloud, through the millions into south—east england. a bit small cloud, outbreaks of rain affected north sea coast over eastern england. low to mid—teens. further sunshine, also for the glasgow area. as we head into tonight, it does turn dry, we hold onto the clouds and breeze. into eastern england. clouds will also

fairly chilly, temperatures dip into single digits. on friday, we have high pressure toppling in from the west, this feature is still bringing thick cloud outbreaks of rain from england into east anglia. rain at times it would tend to fizzle as we head to the latter part of the day but for scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales are fine a good deal of sunshine to come around. temperatures could go up to the ten shoes —— 20 celsius in the wester sports. weather fronts away from the south—east of england, our air coming infrom from the south—east of england, our air coming in from the north, slightly north—easterly, it will feed into clouds and north—east code in coast of england. essentially, much of the country will have a fine start to the weekend, with plenty of dry ice and settled weather. that will push temperatures into 20 or 21

degrees in the war must spot out towards the west. a little bit warmer on the north sea coast. on saturday, it will stay dry, always feeding a bit of clout across the north of the uk. maybe the odd spot of drain and rizal. spots of such i would tend to be towards the southern areas. live from london. this is bbc news. with five weeks until voters

head to the polls — liberal democrats, labour and the conservatives pledge not to raise vat if they win power. controversy to labour as they finalise their can situate candidates before the deadline. a child is in a serious condition and three adults have been injured in a shooting in london. two bodies have been found in the search for a missing father and son. hello. the conservatives and labour have ruled out increasing vat during the next parliament. the promises have raised questions about how the parties will fund their spending plans, and deliver on their commitments if they win the election in five weeks. our political correspondent damian grammaticas has this report. midnight last night.

and exactly one minute later, all business here ended. parliament dissolved. those who were mps must now clear their offices. to return, they must stand as candidates again. we stand with diane! but when it comes to the long serving diane abbott, doubts swirl. last night, supporters gathered in her london constituency. she believes labour will not endorse her. the national party is insisting that i be banned. they haven't communicated with me personally. they haven't given a reason for banning me. they just want me excluded from parliament. sir keir starmer has said that's not true,

but the party must finalise its list of mps next week. i will be the candidate for hackney north and stoke newington! cheering the leaders of both main parties, meanwhile, are turning to the economy and taxes, trading blows and promises. the chancellorjeremy hunt claims keir starmer and rachel reeves have a plan to increase vat. and they don't want you to know about it until after polling day. and he makes this commitment... a future conservative government will not increase income tax, national insurance or vat. that is a very important promise to people who are worried about cost of living. i think people are right to be worried about a labour party that cannot make up its mind on those basic economic questions. last night, labour responded immediately. the shadow chancellor,

rachel reeves, issued a rebuttal saying... both parties respond to such criticisms saying they will only make changes they can afford. but while they trade blows, both are accused of ignoring the biggest issue by far — the massive pressures on public spending any future government will face. damian grammaticus, bbc news, westminster. the parties are still collecting their candidates. our chief political correspondent is with us. there has been car controversy about one labour candidate who puts in thing on social media today. what's the latest on that? he thing on social media today. what's the latest on that?— the latest on that? he was the labour candidate _ the latest on that? he was the labour candidate for _ the latest on that? he was the labour candidate for chingfordi the latest on that? he was the - labour candidate for chingford and woodford green currently held by the former conservative leader. he was

the candidate until yesterday when she found out that she had been effectively deselected by a panel of labour's national executives. that was the day after she had an interview with that panel where they have grilled her over some things that she had said and messages that she had liked on social media on! ex, formally known as twitter. she gave a very compelling interview to newsnight last night where she acknowledged the tweets that she had liked quite recently had indulged in anti—semitic tropes but she said that she didn't remember liking that tweet and didn't think that she had meant to do so. she put out a statement this morning that makes it very clear that she intends to come out fighting. she talks about consulting with her legal team and her political team. i am told by a friend of faiza shaheen that she intends to sue the labour party, to

challenge this decision legally. let's see how that progresses. in the past i think there has been some difficulties by challenging how political parties make decisions because in some cases in the eyes of a law they are essentially a private company and can do what they want but this changes things. it will be fascinating to see how this progresses. fascinating to see how this progresses— fascinating to see how this rouresses. , . fascinating to see how this -ro~resses. , . . progresses. many thanks indeed. we will of course — progresses. many thanks indeed. we will of course being _ progresses. many thanks indeed. we will of course being following - progresses. many thanks indeed. we will of course being following all - will of course being following all the different party events going on at the moment. we willjust take you live to the reform event talking about immigration. thea;r live to the reform event talking about immigration. they absolutely o-ened about immigration. they absolutely o ened all about immigration. they absolutely opened all the _ about immigration. they absolutely opened all the doors. _ about immigration. they absolutely opened all the doors. now - about immigration. they absolutely opened all the doors. now we - about immigration. they absolutely opened all the doors. now we have| opened all the doors. now we have got some 2.5 million people arrived in the uk injust the last got some 2.5 million people arrived in the uk in just the last two years alone. with no price, no premium pat’- alone. with no price, no premium pay. so that actually has a cost to the british taxpayer. it is simply unfair. so what we need to do is we

need to incentivise business to say, actually, if you want to employ people from overseas, that is fine but do you have got to pay a price for it. an employer immigration tax. because, actually, we want to incentivise to employ british workers. businesses will say, come on... studio: that is the leader of the reform party and we are covering all of party events. there is more on this on the bbc website and there will be further analysis of this event are there for you to. if you want to follow it, please do go to the website. let's catch up with our correspondence around the country covering all the different campaigns from the other parties. on the road with the conservatives here in london, with the lib dems in south—west. also we are with labour in south wales. let me start with

jess parker. where are you heading and what is the message from the conservatives today? hi. i and what is the message from the conservatives today?— conservatives today? hi. ithink we've only _ conservatives today? hi. ithink we've only moved _ conservatives today? hi. ithink we've only moved half - conservatives today? hi. ithink we've only moved half a - conservatives today? hi. ithink we've only moved half a mile i conservatives today? hi. i think. we've only moved half a mile since conservatives today? hi. i think- we've only moved half a mile since i last spoke to you, making glacial progress out of london. but we are heading to buckingham, the prime minister will be campaigning later. we are creeping out of the capital city. overnight, after a few days where we have seen the tories try and make something of a policy splurge, whether it's on national service, apprenticeships or pensions. overnight they have gone on the attack on labour. jeremy hunt the chancellor claiming that labour had a secret plan to raise vat, value added tax, the really important taxes that people pay. labour were quick out of the box saying, no, no that is not true. we don't have a plan to raise that at all. the conservatives are trying to put pressure on labour trying to flush them out on this vat. what it

is led to as both parties locking themselves into position when they are saying they're not going to raise these core taxes which are so important for the treasury which then raises the question which you mentioned earlier, how are they going to fund their plans if either of those parties then get into government?— of those parties then get into government? . ,, , ., , . government? thank you very much, jess. government? thank you very much, jess let's — government? thank you very much, jess let's go _ government? thank you very much, jess let's go to _ government? thank you very much, jess. let's go to hannah _ government? thank you very much, jess. let's go to hannah with - government? thank you very much, jess. let's go to hannah with the . jess. let's go to hannah with the lib dems in the south—west. there is a serious point behind this, isn't a? . ~ a serious point behind this, isn't a? ., ~' ., ., , a serious point behind this, isn't a? . ,, ., . a serious point behind this, isn't a? .«r ., , a? talking today about putting mental health _ a? talking today about putting mental health professional - a? talking today about putting | mental health professional into every school. they say that that is different to the other party's labour have made a similar pledge and the lib dems are saying that it would be a primary and secondary schools that it would be and so there is a slight difference there. the conservatives in government have been moving towards increasing mental health support in schools but

they aim for that to be external mental health advisers reaching, i think the current target is half of schools by march 2025. so the lib dems are basically saying, they should be a priority. it should go further. they are saying it would cost £1.5 billion and they say that that would be funded by tripling the tax on digital services, so social media companies, is where they say they would get the money. i don't if you can see, just behind me ed davey is out there still doing a couple of interviews. we are waiting for him to get back on the campaign bus. we are in a seat that they won in a by—election last year from the conservative party. it is one that they are hoping, i think, to keep hold of. their tour of the south—west has begun today, in some ways. we can expect to see them revisiting this area because it is an area that they clearly think they

can pick up seats from the conservative party.- can pick up seats from the conservative party. can pick up seats from the conservative pa . . ,, , ., �* , conservative party. thank you. let's to conservative party. thank you. let's no to conservative party. thank you. let's go to south — conservative party. thank you. let's go to south wales _ conservative party. thank you. let's go to south wales now— conservative party. thank you. let's go to south wales now with - conservative party. thank you. let's go to south wales now with labour. | go to south wales now with labour. we have seen keir starmer addressing supporters there. yes. we have seen keir starmer addressing sopporters there-— supporters there. yes, you can see the event behind _ supporters there. yes, you can see the event behind me _ supporters there. yes, you can see the event behind me is _ supporters there. yes, you can see the event behind me isjust - supporters there. yes, you can see | the event behind me isjust packing the event behind me is just packing up. keir starmerwas the event behind me is just packing up. keir starmer was here with many of their welsh labour candidates alongside some of his shadow cabinet colleagues, making the case to have a labour government in westminster alongside away labour government in wales, something he described as a huge prize. clearly there are questions following him today about diane abbott. when we spoke to him earlier he said, and denied there had been a purge of labour candidate and restated the position that he told us yesterday which was no decisions have been made on whether diane abbott was going to be their candidate and her london seat.

interestingly went on to pay tribute to her record describing her as a trailblazer. that is not clear what that yet means. still the position on diane abbott is that she intends to keep being the mp in her london seat but i think still many questions for keir starmer and diane abbott herself about her intentions too. . ~ abbott herself about her intentions too. . ,, , ., abbott herself about her intentions too. . ~' , ., , abbott herself about her intentions too. . ,, , . too. thank you very much indeed. sta in: in too. thank you very much indeed. staying in wales. _ we have been at the plaid cymru launch. what have we been hearing from them? rhun ap iorwerth says a vote for his party will keep the conservatives "out of wales" and also keep labour "in check". they will be swimming against the current hit against the election campaign because a0 odd seats to become 32 due to those boundary changes. this is not favourable for them, they won four seats in 2019

and some political experts say the equivalent this time around may only be two. i put it to rhun ap iorwerth, what is a true reflection on how it will go today and he said, look, the boundary changes don't help and doesn't work well for us and also in the election launch they only list three target seats. these are all target seats in welsh speaking heartland. some would say they are being very conservative in their choice of target seats and i put that as well to the leader rhun ap iorwerth that possibly there was ap iorwerth that possibly there was a lack of ambition there in the seats that they were targeting. he said, no, due to the current situation, the fact that boundary changes have changed and the post system, they were trying to be clever about the way they were doing things and maximising the number of seats they could when at this general election next month. studio: thank you very much for being with us. of course, it has been a busy morning and the focus has been on economic questions for

many of the parties today. conservatives, labour and lib dems all ruling out increasing vat after the general election which of course emphasises what they are going to do on their spending plan as we wait for the manifestos and the selection candidates are still continuing. there is some controversy especially on the left of the labour party. just to let you know the reform party event is just getting under way and you can follow that on the website if you look at the qr code, you can watch that it is still happening. of course, the live page on the bbc website is updating all of the latest lines from all of the parties as the candidates get their messages out. more politics here for you as we join messages out. more politics here for you as wejoin our messages out. more politics here for you as we join our colleagues for politics lie. that is it for us than out from her. —— politics live.

it's thursday. it's 1215 it's thursday. it's1215 and we are live in westminster.— live in westminster. what i can confirm is _ live in westminster. what i can confirm is that _ live in westminster. what i can confirm is that a _ live in westminster. what i can confirm is that a future - confirm is that a future conservative government will not increase income tax, national insurance or vat. i increase income tax, national insurance or vat.— increase income tax, national insurance or vat. i give you the direct answer. _ insurance or vat. i give you the direct answer. will _ insurance or vat. i give you the direct answer. will ill— insurance or vat. i give you the direct answer. will ill come - insurance or vat. i give you thej direct answer. will ill come tax, national— direct answer. will ill come tax, national insurance increase under a labour— national insurance increase under a labour government, no? the parties make big promises. _ labour government, no? the parties make big promises. long-term - labour government, no? the parties make big promises. long-term mp l make big promises. long—term mp diane abbott claimed that the parties are handing out a cull of labour candidates.— parties are handing out a cull of labour candidates. they 'ust won't be excluded — labour candidates. they 'ust won't be excluded from _ labour candidates. they just won't be excluded from parliament. - labour candidates. they just won't be excluded from parliament. the| be excluded from parliament. the situation in _ be excluded from parliament. the situation in relation to diane abbott — situation in relation to diane abbott is _ situation in relation to diane abbott is that no decision has been taken _ abbott is that no decision has been taken to— abbott is that no decision has been taken to bar her.— taken to bar her. another day another ed — taken to bar her. another day another ed davey _ taken to bar her. another day another ed davey election - taken to bar her. another day l another ed davey election stunt taken to bar her. another day - another ed davey election stunt but is it working? and we speak to the greens. can this be a breakthrough election for them? joining us today

forformer election for them? joining us today for former conservative