on energy labour are campaigning on energy security, we will be live with correspondence across the country on the campaign trails. the first head—to—head debate tonight between sir keir starmer and rishi sunak. coating is under way in india at the well�*s biggest ever election, with narendra modi expected to win a third term but without the landslide he expected. hello. a very warm welcome, i maryam moshiri. migration is centre stage in the general election campaign today, one day after nigel farage announced he is the new leader of the reform uk party and running for mp. the conservatives say if they win the general election there will be an annual cap on the number of migrant visas issued, a proposed plan which would give parliament a direct role in setting the level

with mps having a vote on the number. labour's yvette cooper has described it as meaningless as net migration has trebled since the last election. nigel farage says the uk should aim for zero net migration, thatis should aim for zero net migration, that is the difference between the numbers of people arriving and the numbers of people arriving and the number of people leaving the country. home secretaryjames country. home secretary james cleverly country. home secretaryjames cleverly says the idea is to balance the benefits and costs of migration. we know immigration, legal migration, has been too high over the last couple of years, we have already taken measures, as your report said it has now started to bring those figures down, measures opposed at the time by the labour party. but we also recognise, as your report says, benefits to migration. my mother came here as a migrant, as did many others in the uk who have contributed enormously to society and the economy. but migration, as with every other

public policy, comes at a cost, and balancing the benefits and cost is what the new policy will do. for the first time the migration advisory committee will crunch the numbers to look at both the benefits and costs of migration levels. the government will ban such a cap on the number of visas issued in that year, something that will be voted on by parliament. this will make sure we properly balance both the numbers of people coming here and the benefits they bring but also the cost, whether it is school places, housing demand, health places etc.— health places etc. speaking on the radio 4 today _ health places etc. speaking on the radio 4 today programme - health places etc. speaking on the radio 4 today programme to - health places etc. speaking on the radio 4 today programme to uk'sl radio 4 today programme to uk's nigel farage says he wants to deport people who come to britain illegally. people who come to britain illeuall . ,, . :: :: illegally. since 2004, when we open the doors, illegally. since 2004, when we open the doors. we _ illegally. since 2004, when we open the doors, we see _ illegally. since 2004, when we open the doors, we see the _ illegally. since 2004, when we open the doors, we see the incentives - illegally. since 2004, when we open the doors, we see the incentives for| the doors, we see the incentives for young british people to learn traits and skills, to work on site and make

money had been reduced because wages have come down, and we also have to encourage the millions who are not working to get back to work. we should deport people who come to britain illegally, and we used to. in the last year of the labour government we deported 45,000 people. now we are lucky if we deport more than 5000 or 6000. we will not be able to do any of this because of the increased activism of the european court of human rights and one of the main thing is we have to do is leave that court and get genuine sovereignty over our territory. and once people know that if they come to britain illegally they absolutely will not be allowed to stay, they will stop coming. rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will go head—to—head on the first televised debate of the general election campaign tonight. they are taking place in an hour—long programme on itv debating some of the key issues facing the uk and their plans to address them in front

of a live studio audience. iain watson has more. this is where it all began. the first televised election debate was back in 2010. and no, you're not miscounting. the leaders of three political parties were on stage — labour, the conservatives and nick clegg of the liberal democrats. some felt this gave the third party too much publicity. see, i agree with nick. last time round, it was a head—to—head clash. brexit was a big issue. are you going to campaign for leave or remain? - i want to bring people together. therefore, there will be a referendum in which that decision will be made by the british people and our government will abide by that decision. so much has changed in the five years since. borisjohnson was ousted as prime minister. jeremy corbyn has been expelled from the labour party. tonight's debate will feature rishi sunak and keir starmer. they usually clash every week at westminster, but, tonight, they'll face questioning from members of the public, not members of parliament.

rishi sunak has had a dress rehearsal — standing in for borisjohnson in 2019 in a multiparty debate. the conservatives are promising today to reduce migration by allowing mps to vote each year to cap the number of visas granted to those who want to come to the uk to work. labour say previous tory promises to get migration down have been broken. meanwhile, labour are highlighting their plans for a new publicly owned energy company, which they say would bring down bills. the conservatives claim that keir starmer will costjobs in the north sea oil and gas industries, but the party leaders are likely to try to hammer home their key campaign messages at the tv debates. the stage is set for tonight's clash. rishi sunak will argue that a corner has been turned and his plan for the economy is working, while keir starmer will use his legal background to try to put the conservatives' record in government on trial. but the final verdict will be delivered by the voters onjuly the 4th. iain watson, bbc news.

that is iain watson. earlier on the bbc we heard from pat mcfadden, labour's national campaign coordinator, talking about how he says sir keir starmer is preparing for the head—to—head debate with the prime minister. he says he is looking forward to it, adding that mr starmer is going through all the possible subject that might come up. good homework if you are going into a head—to—head debate. henry zeffman is our chief political correspondent. i want to focus on what the parties are putting forward, the conservatives talking about immigration and the pressure has been on them both from labour and the reform party, to make this a keyissue and the reform party, to make this a key issue despite the fact they have had 14 years to fix it already? that is exactly the _ had 14 years to fix it already? that is exactly the point, _ had 14 years to fix it already? twat is exactly the point, this is a significant announcement from the conservatives, they say if they would win the general election then for the first time they would give

parliament a vote each year on imposing a cap on the number of people who can come to the uk to work orjoin theirfamily people who can come to the uk to work orjoin their family members each year. the captain number would be proposed by an independent body, the migration advisory committee, then the government would propose that number formally to parliament but parliament being sovereign could alter it and the expectation would be that the number comes down. they are not putting a number on it. why? the conservatives, although they have not proposed a legal cap before, have a slightly difficult track record with suggesting numbers for immigration. a lot of those 14 years they had a target of bringing net migration down to the tens of thousands and david cameron and theresa may when she was home secretary were tasked with delivering that and they never delivered edge, a source of huge frustration to the right. and to the right is quite a crucial context in

the general election, especially after nigel farage's announcement yesterday that he is coming back to lead reform. he is desperate to make this, in his words, the immigration election. and a few days ago the leader of the labour party, sir keir starmer, in an interview with the sun on sunday said, read my lips, immigration will come down under labour. every party is talking about this, it is notjust a one—day thing, the parties move onto other things and this is moving to the heart of the election campaign. it is widely assumed that net migration is widely assumed that net migration is on its way down anyway over the next few years, possibly because of the student visas running out, so where does that leave policy because the conservatives are talking about sustainability and not specificity? absolutely right, immigration is coming down anyway, according to most projections, and the labour policy i mentioned was simply for immigration to come down. in an interview with laura kuenssberg on

sunday, shadow home secretary yvette cooper would not put a number on it, shejust said she cooper would not put a number on it, she just said she wanted immigration to come down unto the chief rabbi training and skilling up more bricks. —— she wanted immigration to come down by training and skilling up come down by training and skilling up more brits. there would be an extra legal point which if parliament is putting into law a specific number, but would be a specific number, but would be a specific number, but would be a specific number, no matter the external shocks or whatever else might happen. reform uk say they want net migration to fall to zero. net migration is when you is when you account also for people leaving the uk. �* , you account also for people leaving the uk. �*, ., ~ .,

the uk. let's talk about the debate, the uk. let's talk about the debate, the first head-to-head _ the uk. let's talk about the debate, the first head-to-head between - the uk. let's talk about the debate, the first head-to-head between sir| the first head—to—head between sir keir starmer and rishi sunak. pat mcfadden non—breakfast earlier said it is important —— on breakfast. what you boatmen have to do to get their message across to voters? —— what do both men to do? tt is what do both men to do? it is erha -s what do both men to do? it is perhaps the — what do both men to do? tt 3 perhaps the biggest moment so far, if you look at the opinion polls, there have been an awful lot and you should not over accountable one individual poll but the overarching trend remains that labour is way out in front and if anything during these couple of weeks of the campaign, the labour lead has nudged upwards. so there is an awful lot to lose, it might make members of the public to change their minds. he wants to re—establish or solidify in their minds their reasons for voting

labour and he has change the labour party and now he wants to change the country. from rishi sunak�*s point of view he has everything to gain, he is desperate to find some way to make that argument plans in the public�*s minds for why he wants a full term in downing street and he will not try to prosecute a case against keir starmer but he does not have a plan, but from rishi sunak�*s point of view the task became even more significant and potentially even harder yesterday when nigel farage made his announcement is coming back to lead to a four uk, not necessarily because conservative strategists think there is any prospect of reform winning many seats, i think most people think they will win one seat or non—, but if the conservatives lose more votes than they expect that it might enable even more labour victories, so rishi sunak needs to find a way in this relatively short debate to prosecute the case against keir

starmer and to reassure or try to hold close conservative voters micro the might be wavering with voting for reform. no pressure, prime minister. , , , ., ., ~ minister. the lib dems have talked about their introduction _ minister. the lib dems have talked about their introduction of - minister. the lib dems have talked about their introduction of free - about their introduction of free personal care, it sounds good, it sounds like it could be a vote winner, but they are having a bit of doubt about the way in which they are going to finance it and also the exclusion of dementia in this plan, because that is the be crisis looming for this country. t because that is the be crisis looming for this country. i would make a more — looming for this country. i would make a more general— looming for this country. i would make a more general point, - looming for this country. i would | make a more general point, isn't looming for this country. i would i make a more general point, isn't it striking to hear a party leader talking about social care. when i travel around the country lots of people are talking about this, but it is kind of absence from the electoral debate or was until this point, and sir ed davey the lib dem leader has personal experience of this, he has a son with severe disabilities and he and his wife are there certain�*s principal carers. he clearly has personal as well as

political reasons to try to put a and carers at the heart of the liberal democrats' election plans. why are the other parties not talking about social care so much? partly because it is an extremely complex, difficult and delicate area, partly because it is incredibly expensive and partly because in 2017 theresa may put a difficult and controversial plan to fund social care at the heart of the general election manifesto and ended up general election manifesto and ended up frankly tanking her campaign. so a lot of strategists in the main two parties feel scarred by that. some questions about the funding of the lib dems' plan but it is distinctive they have this and are advertising it and want to talk about. great to talk to you. _ it and want to talk about. great to talk to you, henry _ it and want to talk about. great to talk to you, henry zeffman, - it and want to talk about. great to talk to you, henry zeffman, thank you. liberal democrats are setting out a plan to introduce personal care.

let's speak to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. he is ona he is on a bus. where are you? mediacity and self—id, waiting to pull out on today's list of events. —— mediacity in salford. they want to highlight what henry was talking about, this offer on personal care. tell me more about how the lib dems feel this will be going down with voters, as had been mentioned, not a lot about social care has been spoken about during the election, do they feel it is a big issue for voters? t they feel it is a big issue for voters? ., , , voters? i think they feel it is certainly _ voters? i think they feel it is certainly a — voters? i think they feel it is certainly a big _ voters? i think they feel it is certainly a big issue - voters? i think they feel it is certainly a big issue for - voters? i think they feel it is certainly a big issue for lots | voters? i think they feel it is i certainly a big issue for lots of people. ed davey is talking about at least a million. they quote figures from age uk, 1.6 million people with

unmatched care needs. those are really critical for many families. elderly people, people in care, people who retired, working age people, people with disabilities, all of those people who need help with fire care who are not getting it. what they are talking about here is offering free care which would cover the care needs, it is not all the other things like the cost of accommodation and food and living expenses but this is to provide free care either in your home or in a residential setting, a care home. the idea would be help with medication, cleaning, hygiene, nursing care, mobility, all of that

help you might need. it is not something that is featured very highly in other parties, it is something that in previous elections parties have talked about, you might remember theresa may tried to talk about it and came pretty unstuck with criticism of her policies about the funding of eight. parties have shied away from the often. i think partly because about, because they view it as potentially politically tricky ground to get into with the costs, but also because it is not an issue for friends and people's consciousness, so many people until they are in a situation where they need care help for theirfriends they are in a situation where they need care help for their friends or family do not quite realise the way the situation exists and the difficulties. t the situation exists and the difficulties.— the situation exists and the difficulties. ., , ., difficulties. i heard ed davey on the today _ difficulties. i heard ed davey on the today programme - difficulties. i heard ed davey on the today programme where i difficulties. i heard ed davey on| the today programme where he difficulties. i heard ed davey on - the today programme where he was asked by nick robinson about the campaign he has put forward so far. he seems to be having fun, is it fun

for the lib dems this time? t he seems to be having fun, is it fun for the lib dems this time?- for the lib dems this time? i have done a little _ for the lib dems this time? i have done a little bit _ for the lib dems this time? i have done a little bit of _ for the lib dems this time? i have done a little bit of edge. -- - for the lib dems this time? i have done a little bit of edge. -- is - for the lib dems this time? i have done a little bit of edge. -- is it . done a little bit of edge. -- is it the following — done a little bit of edge. -- is it the following the _ done a little bit of edge. -- is it the following the lib _ done a little bit of edge. -- is it the following the lib dems - done a little bit of edge. -- is it the following the lib dems this | the following the lib dems this time? t the following the lib dems this time? ., , the following the lib dems this time? ~' , ., the following the lib dems this time? ~ , ., ., time? i think they are determined to net out time? i think they are determined to get out and — time? i think they are determined to get out and enjoy — time? i think they are determined to get out and enjoy themselves, - time? i think they are determined to get out and enjoy themselves, one l get out and enjoy themselves, one reason is clearly they want to, they are relatively relaxed about the campaign, relatively focused on where they want to point their efforts, so in some ways you might say there is a little bit less pressure or weight on their campaign, but at the same time also they realise, sir ed davey realises, it is a competitive marketplace out of the and he needs to get its ideas out, and if he seems to be doing those things are not taking himself too seriously, why not, i think, is the view. they are determined to enjoy themselves why they are doing this. —— while they are doing this. i think this. —— while they are doing this.

ithink damian this. —— while they are doing this. i think damian got the fun party. christine jardine is the lib dems' women and equality spokesperson and catch it —— and candidate for edinburgh west. we watch pictures of edinburgh west. we watch pictures of ed davey falling off a paddle board and he said he wants to connect to people and enjoys campaigning. it's not something you feel too? absolutely. one of the problems we have had in politics over the past few years as people do not feel connected to politicians and any effort we can make to rebuild those bridges and reconnect with people is important. ed is enjoying it but these things are designed to draw attention to policies and issues. the paddle boards photocall on lake windermere was to draw attention to the serious problem with raw sewage being pumped into the waterways, the fact that government has completely taken their eye off the ball and allowed water companies to do this

and we need action, it was to draw attention to proposed proposals for attention to proposed proposals for a blue flag scheme for rivers and to look at how we control sewage dumping. the companies are allowed to pay huge bonuses at the moment to their chief executives but that money could be reinvested in protecting our drinking water and bathing water.— protecting our drinking water and bathing water. every bit of fun has a serious message. _ bathing water. every bit of fun has a serious message. let's - bathing water. every bit of fun has a serious message. let's talk - bathing water. every bit of fun hasl a serious message. let's talk about the liberal democrats' policy saying that free personal care would be offered to older and disabled people are told if they got in government. i spoke to my chief political correspondent earlier and he said not many parties are concentrating on social care. do you think it is a big issue for people out there today? t big issue for people out there toda ? ., , big issue for people out there toda ? ~ , ., big issue for people out there toda ? ~' ,., today? i think it is a massive issue, today? i think it is a massive issue. it _ today? i think it is a massive issue. it is — today? i think it is a massive issue, it is an _ today? i think it is a massive issue, it is an issue - today? i think it is a massive issue, it is an issue for - today? i think it is a massive issue, it is an issue for nhsl today? i think it is a massive - issue, it is an issue for nhs staff who are dealing with the fact that the shortage of care workers is leading people to be stuck in

hospital, more than 12,500 people are regularly stuck in hospital, they cannot get the care they need which is not hospital care, meaning those birds are not available for people on the waiting list. it is a massive problem —— meaning those beds are not available. we need to make sure we have the staff to look after people any appropriate setting, very often their own home, and if we can pay people to pounds and if we can pay people to pounds an hour more and had stuff to do that then we can move people out of hospital where they do not want to be, they want to be at home and have the personal care at home —— if we can pay people £2 an hour mall. on a human level it is the best thing for those people and on a practical level it helps the movement within the nhs and help them tackle the waiting lists, which is such a huge problem. waiting lists, which is such a huge roblem. �* , waiting lists, which is such a huge roblem. v . ., waiting lists, which is such a huge roblem. �*, ., ~ ., problem. let's talk about funding, ou are problem. let's talk about funding, you are saying _ problem. let's talk about funding, you are saying that _ problem. let's talk about funding, you are saying that by _ problem. let's talk about funding, you are saying that by reversing i problem. let's talk about funding, l you are saying that by reversing tax cuts getting too big banks by the

conservative party you estimate you will be covering the £2.7 billion cost by 28—29, but the nuffield trust has looked at your figures and say that amount of money looks inadequate to cover what you are saying needs to be covered, do you think those figures add up? t saying needs to be covered, do you think those figures add up?- think those figures add up? i think so, and i think— think those figures add up? i think so, and i think when _ think those figures add up? i think so, and i think when the _ think those figures add up? i think| so, and i think when the manifesto comes out and has the full costings, you will see quite clearly we have costed it properly, we know what it will cost and how we would pay for it and one of the things we have done is identify this tax cut to big banks which would free up about £4 billion and we could put that towards this, but there are other areas which we will see in our manifesto which will show quite clearly... this is an area, we neglect it at our peril because far too often families are left to pick up too often families are left to pick up the pieces because the care

system simply is not therefore than i and millions of people in this country are going without the care they need and deserve it either because they are stuck in a hospital bed and cannot get out all the care is just not there for them and what we really need to do was to encourage more people to go into social care, which can be hugely rewarding as a profession and hugely rewarding... you rewarding as a profession and hugely rewarding- - -— rewarding... you would need to pay --eole rewarding... you would need to pay people better _ rewarding... you would need to pay people better to _ rewarding... you would need to pay people better to encourage - rewarding... you would need to pay people better to encourage people | rewarding... you would need to pay. people better to encourage people to go into that or open the doors on immigration to light more carers in from abroad, would you be willing to do that? we from abroad, would you be willing to do that? ~ ., ., from abroad, would you be willing to dothat? ~ ., ., , ., do that? we want to pay carers £2 an hour more to — do that? we want to pay carers £2 an hour more to encourage _ do that? we want to pay carers £2 an hour more to encourage more - do that? we want to pay carers £2 an hour more to encourage more people to do it. we should not need to open the door, what we should do is encourage more people to do it and make sure we have the social care workers there. this is all about paying people better to provide the service they want to provide,

because we have a similar system in scotland which we have had for more than 20 years now, just after devolution, it is one of the things the lib dems were instrumental in introducing here. the problems that have maybe emerged over time could be that we are now not paying social care workers enough and that is the single biggest issue in providing the care in a lot of areas. we are not providing young people with the salary to move in there. time not providing young people with the salary to move in there.— salary to move in there. time is runnina salary to move in there. time is running out. — salary to move in there. time is running out, one _ salary to move in there. time is running out, one more - salary to move in there. time is running out, one more question salary to move in there. time is - running out, one more question about dementia, i am running out, one more question about dementia, iam not running out, one more question about dementia, i am not sure it is covered in any of this plan and it is the crisis looming for this country. do you have a plan for those with dementia and their families? , ., , ., families? dementia is huge, we are affected by it _ families? dementia is huge, we are affected by it in _ families? dementia is huge, we are affected by it in my _ families? dementia is huge, we are affected by it in my family, - families? dementia is huge, we are affected by it in my family, my- affected by it in my family, my father—in—law suffered from dementia, it can be something which takes a long number of years and can

be done to market people can be cared for in their own homes very often, with dementia, for a long time, so it is another area where the social care package would help, it would allow people to be properly looked after in their homes. with dementia, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, neurological disorders, we need more research, we need investment in research to find the answers and to find a way of combating these conditions. we have made progress, particularly on dementia, but we really need to do more because as our population lives longer we will probably find that the problem increases. christine jardine, liberal— the problem increases. christine jardine, liberal democrats' - the problem increases. christine i jardine, liberal democrats' women jardine, liberal democrats' women and equality spokesperson and candidate for edinburgh west, thank you forjoining us. back to the conservatives, migration is very much a key issue for them. today

they are putting forward the idea of reducing the number of migrant visas every year, that is the plan. they say under the plan mps would vote on these numbers annually based on recommendations from the migration either —— migration advisory committee. home secretaryjames committee. home secretary james cleverly committee. home secretaryjames cleverly is on tour to put forward this plan. let's speak to our correspondent helen catt who's on the conservative campaign bus. the light is green behind you, i will tell you to go, what is happening today with the conservatives? how do they believe this will go down given voters can see their record over the past 14 years? immigration is a political problem for the conservatives, regardless of what you think of the pros or cons of immigration is an issue, the conservatives have promised that successive elections they will get the numbers down and we have seen a

large rise, the highest ever level, a couple of years ago in 2022. that had started to fall in the last year but after promising to bring it down over successive elections there is quite clearly a political issue which has been brought into sharp focus by nigel farage who will become the leader of reform, they will be pushing very hard on this issue with immigration in particular. what the conservatives have announced as they would introduce an annual cap set by parliament, voted on by mps, and they would give the responsibility for deciding the number for worker and family visas, people coming here to work or to be with their spouse, fiance, child or parents, a cap would be placed on that, the number would be placed on that, the number would be placed on that, the number would be worked out by an independent advisory body called the migration advisory committee and they would have to take into account they would have to take into account the economic impact to find the right level and the right number

which mps would then vote on. but it's the strategy the conservatives are putting forward to try to tackle their plan for this. we are talking about net migration, the difference between the number of people leaving the country and the number coming in. labour have called it meaningless, saying it is rehashing failed attempts because i have been attempts by the conservatives in the past to put a cap on migration which has not been meant. —— not been met. labour had said they would invest in skills to up skill workers to bring down migration that way but there was no details yet on how those plans would be enforced. helen, i will leave you _ plans would be enforced. helen, i will leave you to _ plans would be enforced. helen, i will leave you to carry _ plans would be enforced. helen, i will leave you to carry your- plans would be enforced. helen, i| will leave you to carry yourjourney on the conservative party campaign bus and we will carry on ourjourney here on bbc news with the weather with carol kirkwood. hello, again. we've got some rain moving southwards across the uk today, but beyond this we're looking at really the conditions turning that bit cooler notjust

by day but also by night. and we're also looking at sunshine and showers. a lot of the showers will be driven in on brisk winds across the northern half of the country. low pressure once again, it's driving our weather. these are the fronts attached to it. sinking south. you can see from the isobars, brisk winds in the north, but coming from a chilly direction, namely from the north—west. so all the blues returning to the north, temperatures slipping through the course of the day, hanging on to the milder conditions for longest further south today. so here's the rain. it will have moved out by the afternoon of scotland and northern ireland. sinking south, some of this will be heavy and squally behind it for northern ireland, northern england and scotland, it's a return to strong sunshine, but some heavy showers, some of which will be wintry above 800 metres on the mountains in scotland. and brisk winds. temperatures at best ten to 20 degrees. through this evening and overnight we say goodbye to the remnants of that rain. clear skies follow, but still a lot

of showers coming in in the brisk winds across the northern half of the country. still wintry on the tops of the mountains. and it's going to be a colder night than it was last night. so that's how we start the day tomorrow. tomorrow, we still have low pressure driving our weather. we've said goodbye to our weather front. you can see from the isobars still brisk winds coming in from this chilly direction, still bringing in a plethora of showers and still wintry on the tops of the mountains in scotland. we can see some of these showers across northern england, also northern ireland, a few getting into north wales. but south of that it's going to be largely dry with sunny spells. we could see the odd shower, but that will be the exception rather than the rule. and a bit cooler than today with highs ten to 17 degrees. then as we head on into thursday, closest to this area of low pressure to the centre is where we'll see all the showers. still blustery winds, a lot of seeing dry conditions with some sunshine, but cloud building through the course of the day and temperatures ten to about 18 degrees. then as we head beyond that, it still remains unsettled.

but into the weekend, high pressure may well take charge. things could settle down, and we're looking at highs of 20.

this is bbc news, the headlines: derivative promise to reduce the number of visas —— the conservatives promised. nigel farage, the leader

of comics reform says net migration should be zero. labour are campaigning on energy security as sir keir starmer says he would close the door on putin by closing britain's reliance on imported fuel if labour wins. the first head—to—head debate between sir keir starmer and rishi sunak takes place on itv. in the first televised debate of the general election, rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will go head to head, in an hour—long programme on itv. it's the first time for voters to hear the two political rivals debate some of the biggest issues affecting the uk and their plans to address them. so what can you expect to hear? our political correspondent, nick eardley, is taking a look. yes, the first head to head debate tonight, a big moment in the campaign, but which claims can you trust and which can't you? bbc verify is going to be here tonight looking at that. we don't know exactly what's going to come up, but we've been preparing, based

on some of the claims we've heard from keir starmer and rishi sunak in the past few days. and i wanted to mention a couple that it's worth casting a skeptical ear over if you hear them tonight. let's start with the economy, a key battleground. both parties have made big claims about what the other�*s policies would mean. so, what are the facts? the conservatives are claiming that there's a £38 billion gap in labour's spending plans and to fill it, taxes have to go up. it's worth being sceptical about this figure, though. it's based on treasury calculations, but the assumptions come from political advisers and some of them are questionable. for example, that doing things through the public sector is always a lot less efficient. labour have made a claim. i can show you it here, that there's a £71 billion gap in the conservatives' plans. there's a big dollop of caution on this one. this includes an assumption

that the conservatives will scrap national insurance. the tories have said they'd like to do that eventually, but not any time soon, and they say they won't do it unless the money is available. so when you hear these claims, there's politics at play. both of the parties are trying to persuade you they'd be better with the country's money. but the most important figures will be the ones we get later in the month in the manifestos. we will scrutinise it all again. one other thing i wanted to touch on quickly, a question that might come up tonight. is the economy moving in the right direction? rishi sunak wants to persuade you yes, keir starmer wants you to be more sceptical. let's look at two measures of this. one is inflation. it's true to say that inflation has gone down significantly since rishi sunak took over as prime minister. we will want some of the credit for it. labour question how much you feel it in your pocket.

that's one area. another is economic growth, because it's true to say, at the start of 2024, there was economic growth. but when you come further along, that was after the uk entered recession. and if you look at the last couple of years as a whole, the picture is a lot less positive. certainly when compared with other major economies, like the us. so this, and the skepticism about some of these claims, keep all of that in your head when you hear the debate tonight. we'll have a look a bit more of what's said later and we'll bring you more of it tomorrow morning on breakfast. i think bbc verifier likes more than claims flying around. let's speak to dr nick anstead, associate professor in the department of media and communications at london school of economics who has researched tv election debates. you have researched election debates and you are a good person to talk to about. firstly, these are two men talking to the public. but our

people actually voting for sir keir and rishi sunak or are they voting for parties? doesn't it feel a bit more presidential debatey done this way basically? tt’s more presidential debatey done this way basically?— way basically? it's a really interesting _ way basically? it's a really interesting question. - way basically? it's a really interesting question. this| way basically? it's a really i interesting question. this is way basically? it's a really - interesting question. this is one of the reasons why the united kingdom didn't have debates for a very long time. logically, it didn't really seem to fit with our political system. what we know is that in recent decades, campaigns have generally become more presidential like. there has been a high level of focus on the leader. but it is worth noting that there are some problems with this model ofjust having these two party leaders standing up on stage. forabout two party leaders standing up on stage. for about one third of the constituencies in the country, this choice between labour and conservatives in first or second place or whatever order isn't actually the choice they are faced with. they are faced with some other

choice. the other thing, maybe some of your viewers have played with some of these online tools where you can generate a result in terms of what the parliament might look like, actually, there's a huge impact in terms of the other parties and what numbers you feed into that. it could make a very big difference to what the parliament ultimately looks like. in that sense, you are getting an important part of the election tonight because it clearly is important and it's very likely that one of these two people will be prime minister. but you are only getting a part of what is going on in the country and the constituencies.- in the country and the constituencies. ~ ., ., ~ ., constituencies. what are the kind of ositive constituencies. what are the kind of positive reasons _ constituencies. what are the kind of positive reasons why _ constituencies. what are the kind of positive reasons why this _ constituencies. what are the kind of positive reasons why this debate - constituencies. what are the kind of positive reasons why this debate is l positive reasons why this debate is a good idea?— a good idea? ultimately, ithink art of a good idea? ultimately, ithink part of the _ a good idea? ultimately, ithink part of the problem _ a good idea? ultimately, ithink part of the problem is _ a good idea? ultimately, ithink part of the problem is the - a good idea? ultimately, i think. part of the problem is the positive reason is also the negative reason. right. tn reason is also the negative reason. richt. ., reason is also the negative reason. riht. ., , , reason is also the negative reason. riht. .,, , ., reason is also the negative reason. richt. .,, , ., ,., right. in a sense that it is a moment — right. in a sense that it is a moment where _ right. in a sense that it is a moment where we - right. in a sense that it is a moment where we can - right. in a sense that it is al moment where we can focus right. in a sense that it is a - moment where we can focus on the election, people will pay attention in a very particular way. viewership

has declined. the first debate in 2010 got about 10 million viewers and last time we were down to just below 7 million. it does provide that moment of focus where people pay attention. but the counterpoint of that as it may be sucks some of the life out of the campaign overall. it becomes the centre point to the extent that it eclipses other parts of the campaign. we can certainly make a case that they are a good thing, that they do provide this moment where we can reflect on the key question is, we can possibly hold potential prime ministers accountable for the future actions. two key a much wider conversation is taking place was that you have looked into this and researched tv debates. tiara this and researched tv debates. how can the whole — this and researched tv debates. how can the whole system and the whole system be improved to fairly reflect the electoral landscape of the country? to give viewers and the electorate what they need, what they

deserve? tt t electorate what they need, what they deserve? . ., ., ~ electorate what they need, what they deserve? _, ., ~ ., . ., deserve? if i could make one change i think it is deserve? if i could make one change i think it is that — deserve? if i could make one change i think it is that we _ deserve? if i could make one change i think it is that we wouldn't - deserve? if i could make one change i think it is that we wouldn't be - i think it is that we wouldn't be just talking about tv debates now. i mean, you would probably be unsurprised to hear, given that i write about this, my busiest day with the media probably every five years because people want to talk about tv debates on the day that they are actually happening. but what i would love is to actually have a conversation about tv debates outside of the election period. in other words, we don't reach the situation where we don't know whether they are happening and they are organised very rapidly and then they are largely organised through, clearly, the way political parties behave as they act in a self—interested manner. we need to have a wider conversation about what would be good principles to actually enshrine in a tv debate regime. and these aren't easy principles. sometimes they are contradictory. for example, we might want inclusion. that might mean we want

more participants, smaller parties taking part. but the counterpoint to thatis taking part. but the counterpoint to that is that you get less accountability will stop if you remember in 2015, we had the seven way debate —— less accountability. and between all of the parties. that didn't generate a conversation about some of the promises the larger parties were making, for example to hold a referendum on britain's eu membership, which turned out to be massively consequential. i'm not saying these are easy choices, there is not some simple principle we should adhere to but we need to balance them out over the debate season in terms of pluralism, accountability, the type of conversation we're having. interesting to point out the bbc is going to be hosting a seven way debate, hosted by mishal husain friday 7th ofjune for anyone interested. it has been good to talk to you. i have knighted you already! amazing, arise sir nick, i'm kidding. doctor nick, thank you very much, see you soon.—

kidding. doctor nick, thank you very | much, see you soon._ 0h, much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear, much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear. there — much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear. there you _ much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear, there you go. _ much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear, there you go. if _ much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear, there you go. if only _ much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear, there you go. if only i - much, see you soon. thank you. oh, dear, there you go. if only i had - dear, there you go. if only i had the power! labour is promising to end britain's reliance on energy from what it calls "rogue foreign states" such as russia if it wins the election. the party says its plans to invest in renewables will save families up to £300 on their average annual energy bills from 2030. pat mcfadden is labour's national campaign co—ordinator and has been giving more detail about the policy. renewable energy is now actually cheaper than oil and gas. one of the tasks of any government is to prepare the country for the future. one of the things we would say in this election is that the conservatives haven't prepared the country for the future. and energy is a pretty good example of that. because when russia invaded ukraine and we had that enormous price spike, we were too reliant on international oil and gas markets. so we've got to invest

now because if we had another spike like that, we'd bejust as vulnerable today as we were two years ago. this is a down payment on more energy security in the future. lower bills in the long term because renewable energy is cheaper and insulating ourselves from being manipulated by dictators like putin or other people who control the lion's share of the oil and gas in the world. it's not something that will happen overnight but year on year, this is an investment the country has to do. government will have painful spending. the institute for fiscal studies says schools' spending power and teachers pay have been squeezed since 2010 while falling pupil numbers raise the future prospect of school closures or fewer teachers. let's speak to brennanjefferies, our education correspondent. tell us

about the future of education in this country. about the future of education in this country-— about the future of education in this country. about the future of education in this count . , , , ., this country. this sets out where we are now in — this country. this sets out where we are now in terms _ this country. this sets out where we are now in terms of _ this country. this sets out where we are now in terms of how— this country. this sets out where we are now in terms of how much - this country. this sets out where we are now in terms of how much is - are now in terms of how much is being spent in england in schools. and teachers are possibly pay. two crucial issues. are people, the amount being spent in 2024, once you take all the rising prices into account, it is at the same level it was in 2010. and that is despite extra cash going in in recent years because of lots of different price rises. teachers�* pay on average is down 6% since 2010. that�*s against a background of a similar rise across the wider economy in other people�*s earnings. if you look at the most experienced teachers, their pay is down 11% since 2010. that matters because one of the first decisions any new education secretary would have to take is on the pay deal for teachers for the next year. these

figures will feel the pressure from unions to match inflation and fully funded. ~ ., ., , ., unions to match inflation and fully funded. ., ., , ., _ unions to match inflation and fully funded. ~ ., ., , ., _ ., funded. what do they mean by a ainful funded. what do they mean by a painful set _ funded. what do they mean by a painful set of — funded. what do they mean by a painful set of choices? _ funded. what do they mean by a painful set of choices? what - funded. what do they mean by a painful set of choices? what are | funded. what do they mean by a . painful set of choices? what are the choices? , ., , choices? over the next few years, we will see a fall — choices? over the next few years, we will see a fall in _ choices? over the next few years, we will see a fall in pupil _ choices? over the next few years, we will see a fall in pupil numbers. - choices? over the next few years, we will see a fall in pupil numbers. we i will see a fall in pupil numbers. we have seen a bulge of population going through england�*s schools and there is a 5% fall over the next few years. if you kept the spending at the same level, keeping up with inflation as it is now, for each child in england�*s schools, in theory, that would free up about £3.5 theory, that would free up about 5.5 billion. the question is, what £3.5 billion. the question is, what do you do with that? do you spend it to try and meet the rising bill that is coming from the needs of children with special educational needs? there has been an increase, for example, in children being picked up with speech and language problems coming out of the pandemic. more diagnosis of autism. do you spend it

there? do you spend it on school buildings? or do you claw it back to government to go elsewhere given the state of public finances? and if you took it away from education, because the numbers of pupils are going down, that could lead to falling staff and even some school closures. 0k, staff and even some school closures. ok, good to talk to you, thank you. scottish party leaders have clashed in their first televised debate of the general election campaign — with disagreements on the future of oil and gas, austerity and the legacy of the conservative government. the 90—minute debate was on stv last night, and our scotland political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, was watching. for the very first time in this campaign, scottish party leaders go head to head in debate. the first scottish election debate. none of these four leaders are personally standing at this election, but an opportunity to pitch to voters, nonetheless. in key seats up and down scotland, if everyone who wants to beat the snp votes together

for the scottish conservatives, we can end their obsession with independence for good. our country is crying out for change. and after 14 years of tory chaos and failure, this is an opportunity scotland cannot afford to miss. we all know the westminster system is broken. _ it's delivered austerity, brexit and the cost—of—living crisis. i scotland deserves better. i'm asking you to vote snp - to put scotland's interests first. we badly need some hope and a change of direction. well, scottish liberal democrats are all about hope, and we�*re part of the change that�*s coming. first topic — the oil and gas sector. well, i'm in favour of a just transition to net zero. and the problem with what anas has set out is that there is a very direct damage going to be done to the oil and gas sector as a consequence of the tax plans that he's put forward, and which the conservatives have put into place. just to make this clear,

you support higher taxes for people earning £29,000 a year in scotland — for example, nurses — but not higher taxes, windfall taxes, on the oil and gas giants making record profits. are you personally, and the snp, in favour of granting new oil and gas licences? yes or no? i'm in favour of there being a climate compatibility test... why can't you just give a straight answer? - i think what we�*ve just seen here is an example of two parties that have been in power for far too long. the snp and labour will be key rivals at this election. this is good for scotland, john! you cannot escape the fact that you've signed up to the tories' fiscal agenda. you have said you're desperate - to get rid of this tory government, i but all you've done in this electionl campaign is attack the labour party. douglas ross admitted the preparation for liz truss�* mini budget wasn�*t there. and that hadn't been done, and i hold my hands up — i assumed that had been done. the greens called their exclusion from this event outrageous. stv said they were comfortable with their decision. there�*ll be more arguments, more

questions, and more debate to come. there is an even bigger election happening in india. about six weeks it has taken because there is 1 billion people voting. mahendra modi, current prime minister, is forecast to win again with a coalition but not the landslide he was hoping for. let�*s speak to the bbc�*s arun—o—day mukharji is in delhi. what do we know about these results? the early trend suggesting another victory for mr modi._ victory for mr modi. that's right. the big headline _ victory for mr modi. that's right. the big headline take _ victory for mr modi. that's right. the big headline take away - victory for mr modi. that's right. the big headline take away from j victory for mr modi. that's right. - the big headline take away from this day so far as what you just mentioned. it was widely anticipated that the ruling party of prime minister mahendra modi would come back with a landslide. there was talk and the prime minister himself said they would likely cross 400 seats with a parliament strength of 543 but that doesn�*t seem to be

happening. that is where the key political analysis lies. the bjp, which has been in powerfor the last ten years, it looks like they might just need the help of the coalition parties to form a government. again, we still don�*t have the final numbers. i will call caution to give you a final picture but this is important to point out, a party that was in its campaign said they would cross 400 seats, that they were relying on the last ten years of their governments, hoping to capitalise on that, hoping to capitalise on that, hoping to capitalise that narendra modi would get an absolute majority, it is important to understand what this election was about. prime minister narendra modi of the bjp and dozens of opposition parties which united to form a coalition front call the india alliance, a battle between two entities, prime minister modi as well as the india alliance. on one

hand there are reports about the bjp not faring as well as they had hoped, there is also gains that the indian opposition alliance has made and that is where the story lies. let�*s talk a bit about the size of this election, that is one of the things that interests a lot of people in the uk. about1 billion people in the uk. about1 billion people voting. how has that been handled? how is it handled every time it happens, it seems incredible. tt time it happens, it seems incredible.— time it happens, it seems incredible. ., , , incredible. it does. if! can 'ust tell incredible. it does. if! can 'ust teuyou. — incredible. it does. if! can 'ust teuyou. “fl incredible. it does. if! can 'ust tell you, it has i incredible. it does. if! can 'ust tell you, it has been �* incredible. it does. if! canjust| tell you, it has been happening incredible. it does. if! canjust i tell you, it has been happening in about 45 degrees heat where i am standing at the moment. it is a testament to the people and officials who have carried out this election. that is an important aspect to reflect. having said that, nearly 970 million eligible voters in the country, half of them women and you have 543 parliamentary constituencies which went to the polls over a period of nearly one month and a half. a mammoth exercise. that in itself is something that is always a marvel when we track in the elections over

the past decades. logistically, there was a huge presence of officials from both the election commission and the security agencies, which put this election to task. it is important to understand how political parties have been campaigning for well over 6—7 months, crisscrossing various states, delivering their campaign speeches and going forward in these elections. we should get a sense in the next couple of hours of what exactly is the final picture that emerges, whether the bjp will need the support of alliance partners and if so how much? in a sense, that will give a sense of what will be the next five years. whether it will be a government which relies a lot on consensus from other political parties or whether it will be a bjp, like in the past, we have seen able to take its own decisions because it has absolute majority. at the moment, the picture doesn�*t seem to be going in that direction as the bjp hoped. b. be going in that direction as the bjp hoped-— be going in that direction as the bjp hoed. �* ., ,�* ., bjp hoped. a few hours' time and we will aet a bjp hoped. a few hours' time and we will get a clearer _ bjp hoped. a few hours' time and we will get a clearer picture _ bjp hoped. a few hours' time and we will get a clearer picture of _

bjp hoped. a few hours' time and we will get a clearer picture of what - will get a clearer picture of what is happening in the indian election. thank you very much, good to speak to you, as always. immigration is likely to be one of the biggest issues in this election. the conservatives have announced a new annual cap on visas in a bid to bring migration levels down. so, let�*s take a look at the latest figures released just before rishi sunak called the general election. net migration to the uk — that�*s the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country — fell 10% last year after hitting a record high in 2022. in the year to december 2023, the number of people arriving to the country was 685,000, a fall from 764,000 the year before. but the ons said it is "too early to say if this is the start of a new downward trend". the biggest driver of migration last year was work. there was also an increase in the number of people arriving from outside the european union on work visas, ons figures suggest. for areas like boston in lincolnshire, immigration has changed the face of the population of the once small farming and fishing town. jake zuckerman has more.

we welcome people, as we have throughout the centuries, to come to our country to work, to contribute and to be part of our society. ten countriesjoined the european union in 2004, including poland, lithuania, and latvia. many came to boston to find work in agriculture. migrant labour is hugely important. without it, we wouldn�*t be producing the food that we do. we have to take control of our borders. some claim this immigration has put pressure on local health services, education and housing. when politicians want to talk about immigration, they always seem to end up here in boston. and there are politicians who say that immigration is the number—one issue in this election. but are they right? what is the most important issue for people living here in boston?

what are your big issues, then, for this election? what�*s important for you, do you think? the world security around ukraine and if that�*s going to alter if we have a change of government. i think immigration is a big issue. if i hadn�*t mentioned anything, would it have been on your list of things that really bothered you? probably the fourth thing on the list. what are the things that you really worry about? taxes and everything's going up in price and, well, things have just changed so much in the last few years. where would it figure on the list for you, migration? well, halfway down, i suppose. we�*ve got politicians here who are who are saying immigration, it�*s the main issue in the election. do you think they�*re right? i think we are struggling most of the time when the busy times come in the summer, especially, with labour. labour. people — not enough to work in the places and it�*s a struggle for the economy of the country. what are the things that are going

to make a difference to who you vote for, do you think? i think honesty, i think the cost of living. we're worried about the number of people that come here from foreign lands and we're not quite sure whether it's too fast. i think it�*s going to have to be a case of if they�*re going to bother with nhs funding. well, this national service thing is ridiculous. and whether or not they actually care about anyone under the age of 60. pay more attention to the homeless, because you see some foreigners coming. i'm not saying that they don't have some right to come, but then the people thatare there, they're not getting enough assistance. well, if you had time, i would give you a small rap. give me a rap about the election, then. 0k. # election is coming # it do come every four years # everybody excited # some people want this, they want that # give and take and choose the best # what can be the best? # we will never know until we get the rest.#

you're welcome. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello, again. we�*ve got some rain moving southwards across the uk today, but beyond this we�*re looking at really the conditions turning that bit cooler notjust by day but also by night. and we�*re also looking at sunshine and showers. a lot of the showers will be driven in on brisk winds across the northern half of the country. low pressure once again, it�*s driving our weather. these are the fronts attached to it sinking south. you can see from the isobars, brisk winds in the north, but coming from a chilly direction, namely from the north—west. so, all the blues returning to the north, temperatures slipping through the course of the day, hanging on to the milder conditions for longest further south today. so, here�*s the rain. it will have moved out by the afternoon of scotland and northern ireland. sinking south, some of this will be heavy and squally.

behind it for northern ireland, northern england and scotland, it�*s a return to strong sunshine, but some heavy showers, some of which will be wintry above 800 metres on the mountains in scotland. and brisk winds. temperatures at best ten to 20 degrees. through this evening and overnight, we say goodbye to the remnants of that rain. clear skies follow, but still a lot of showers coming in in the brisk winds across the northern half of the country. still wintry on the tops of the mountains. and it�*s going to be a colder night than it was last night. so that�*s how we start the day tomorrow. tomorrow, we still have low pressure driving our weather. we�*ve said goodbye to our weather front. you can see from the isobars still brisk winds coming in from this chilly direction, still bringing in a plethora of showers and still wintry on the tops of the mountains in scotland. we can see some of these showers across northern england, also northern ireland, a few getting into north wales. but south of that it�*s going to be largely dry with sunny spells. we could see the odd shower, but that will be the exception rather than the rule.

and a bit cooler than today with highs ten to 17 degrees. then as we head on into thursday, closest to this area of low pressure to the centre is where we�*ll see all the showers. still blustery winds, a lot of us seeing dry conditions with some sunshine, but cloud building through the course of the day and temperatures ten to about 18 degrees. then as we head beyond that, it still remains unsettled. but into the weekend, high pressure may well take charge. things could settle down, and we�*re looking at highs of 20.

live from london, this is bbc news. migration on the election agenda. the conservatives promised to reduce the number of visas available to migrants if they win onjuly the 4th. labourare migrants if they win onjuly the 4th. labour are campaigning on energy security as sir keir starmer says today he would close the door on putin by reducing british

reliance on imported fossil fuels. tonight, the first head—to—head debate between keir starmer and rishi sunak. an independent think tank says the next government faces tough choices on education to tackle england�*s schools�* squeezed budgets. counting is under way in india where the well�*s biggest election is taking place. prime minister narendra modi is expected to win a record third term, but without the landslide he expected. hello, i�*m maryam moshiri. welcome to bbc news. migration�*s centre stage this morning in the general election campaign. the conservatives say if they win the general election there would be an annual cap on the number of migrant visas issued. the proposed plan would give parliament a direct role in setting the level, with mps having a vote on the number. labour�*s yvette cooper has decribed the annoucement as meaningless as net migration has

trebled since the last election. the new reform uk leuta nigel farage says the uk should aim for zero net migration. —— the new reform uk leader. that�*s the difference between numbers of people arriving and leaving. the home secretary james cleverly says the idea is to balance the benefits and costs of migration. we know immigration, legal migration, has been too high over the last couple of years, we have already taken measures which as your report says has started to bring those figures down, measures are opposed at the time by the labour party. but we also recognise, as your report said, there are benefits to migration. my mother came here as a migrant, as did many other people in the uk who have contributed enormously to society and our economy. it migration, with any other public policy, comes as a —— at a cost and balancing benefits and

costis at a cost and balancing benefits and cost is what the new policy will do. for the first time the migration advisory committee will crunch the numbers to look at both the benefit and the costs of migration levels. the government will ban such a cap on the number of visas issued in that year, something voted on by parliament, which will make sure we properly balance both the numbers of people coming here and the benefits they bring but also the costs, whether it is school places, housing demand, health places etc. speaking on the today programme, reform uk�*s nigel farage says he wants to deport people who come to britain illegally. since 2004 when we opened the doors, we see that actually the incentives for young british people to learn traits and skills, to work on site and make money, have been reduced, wages have come down. we also had to encourage the millions who are not

working to get back to work. we should deport people who come to britain illegally, and we used to. over the last year of the labour government we deported 45,000 people. now we are lucky if that is more than 5000 6000. we will not be able to do any of this of the increased activation of —— activism of the european court of human rights and one of the main things we have to do is leave that court and get genuine sovereignty over our territory. once people know that if they come to britain illegally they absolutely will not be allowed to stay, they will stop coming. absolutely will not be allowed to stay, they will stop coming. here absolutely will not be allowed to stay, they will stop coming. here is the list of candidates _ stay, they will stop coming. here is the list of candidates we _ stay, they will stop coming. here is the list of candidates we know - stay, they will stop coming. here is| the list of candidates we know about so far standing on the clacton constituency. as always the bbc news website will have a complete list of candidates once they are all confirmed. let�*s get more on the political landscape today with our correspondents at westminster. let�*s

start talking about what the conservative party is putting forward to, their immigration plans. they are talking about giving mps a say in terms of migration figures, talking about bringing migration down, but what we have seen from think tanks and statistics, migration is already coming down? yes, by something like 60,000 last year, but it has come down from a huge high of 764,000 to a couple of years ago. this is a few years after britain voted to leave the eu, the conservatives are promising to take control of the borders and reduce migration. the conservatives have gone on to reduce net migration by tens of thousands. clearly net migration since then has soared, so what they are promising as if they are re—elected, experts will crunch the numbers, as you say, and look at

the numbers, as you say, and look at the numbers, as you say, and look at the numbers of migrants needed for essential industries and so one and then parliament will have a say on a cap, with the expectation that net migration due to a clampdown on visas would actually be reduced. importantly, the conservatives are not giving numbers and now in terms of what net migration should be reduced to, which is why people like yvette cooper for labour are saying it is an empty promise. let�*s yvette cooper for labour are saying it is an empty promise.— it is an empty promise. let's talk about the tv _ it is an empty promise. let's talk about the tv debate _ it is an empty promise. let's talk about the tv debate that - it is an empty promise. let's talk about the tv debate that will. it is an empty promise. let's talk about the tv debate that will be | about the tv debate that will be happening later this evening. i spoke to a tv political debate expert who talked about the importance of getting the message across to the electorate. what do you think sir keir starmer and rishi sunak need to concentrate on this evening? tt sunak need to concentrate on this evenin: ? , ., , ., evening? it will be a big moment, the first head-to-head _ evening? it will be a big moment, the first head-to-head of - evening? it will be a big moment, the first head-to-head of only - evening? it will be a big moment, | the first head-to-head of only two the first head—to—head of only two debates between the two men likely

to be prime minister afterjuly the 4th. full keir starmer he must make sure he does not put a foot wrong and you could expect a cautious approach, no drama starmer, it has been called. for rishi sunak, the prime minister, the conservative microlitre, clearly needs a game changer if you look at the opinion polls. —— the conservative leader. he warns that labour governments tend to leave with people because my taxes going up. it is more important tonight i think for keir starmer. it will be interesting because it is in front of a live audience to see how the men interact with questions from the men interact with questions from the floor, it is those moments in previous debates that have really sparked the imagination and occasionally created news. we all remember _ occasionally created news. we all remember the _ occasionally created news. we all remember the 2010 _ occasionally created news. we all remember the 2010 debate - occasionally created news. we all remember the 2010 debate which included the lib dem leader at the

time, sir ed davey will not be included this evening. today he is campaigning about personal care reform, specifically wanting to provide free personal care for adults. there has been criticism of this policy from some think tanks in terms of costing, but speaking to other political commentators they say social care is a big issue and the lib dems are really putting it forward? ., , forward? social care is complicated and expensive _ forward? social care is complicated and expensive and _ forward? social care is complicated and expensive and it _ forward? social care is complicated and expensive and it is _ forward? social care is complicated and expensive and it is 13 - forward? social care is complicated and expensive and it is 13 years - and expensive and it is 13 years since i was a report commissioned by the conservative government saying there should be a cap on care costs. since then, politicians of most major parties have ignored it because they put it almost ended too difficult box. ed davey says it is possible to do something about it by introducing free day to day care for adults in need and he would pay for

that by a tax on the big banks. it has to be said that some experts say that would not raise enough to deliver their care needed to but certainly it is one of those areas where the lib dems think they can talk about a policy that really matters to voters, and for ed davey it is also very personal because he cared for his mother as a teenager and also has a severely disabled son that he and his wife care for now. let�*s talk about the reform party, nigel farage, their new leader, says this is the election of immigration. is that a feeling you get?— is that a feeling you get? certainly niel is that a feeling you get? certainly nigel farage _ is that a feeling you get? certainly nigel farage would _ is that a feeling you get? certainly nigel farage would like _ is that a feeling you get? certainly nigel farage would like it - is that a feeling you get? certainly nigel farage would like it to - is that a feeling you get? certainly nigel farage would like it to be . is that a feeling you get? certainly| nigel farage would like it to be but it depends where you go across the uk. it is a bigger issue in some parts of the uk than others. nigel farage which argue that it�*s all linked in terms of migration, with pressure on housing and so on.

certainly it is the number one issue for reform uk, which used to be the brexit party, arguing that the conservatives have failed to control immigration, his solution is far tighter curbs, effectively onin, one out. he thinks that a part of a million people leave the uk every year than half a million more could be allowed in on visas, but that would be a drastic tightening of the system as it is now and some employers would say that would not give them the staff, the skilled staff that they need in order to keep the economy growing. it is that issue, and we earlier heard james cleverly talking about striking the balance between the two, that is really centre stage as part of the immigration debate.— immigration debate. david, as alwa s, immigration debate. david, as

always. great _ immigration debate. david, as always, great to _ immigration debate. david, as always, great to talk - immigration debate. david, as always, great to talk to - immigration debate. david, as always, great to talk to you, l immigration debate. david, as - always, great to talk to you, thank you so much. emigration is what nigel farage says the selection is all about and the conservatives have put forward their plans. let�*s bring in an immigration lawyer who joins plans. let�*s bring in an immigration lawyer whojoins us from plans. let�*s bring in an immigration lawyer who joins us from london. talk me through what you make of everyone�*s policies and bad points on immigration. tt everyone's policies and bad points on immigration.— everyone's policies and bad points on immigration. if we talk about the conservatives _ on immigration. if we talk about the conservatives continuing _ on immigration. if we talk about the conservatives continuing with - on immigration. if we talk about the conservatives continuing with the i conservatives continuing with the rwanda plan as search, despite the fact that not a single flight has taken off, labour had said they will not proceed with that. the conservatives have said they will put a cap on migration numbers. we heard this before under theresa may and david cameron, caps were searched, it failed, whether the public believe them or not, when they had a chance to enact this, but it�*s something different altogether. labour says that they have tried to

bring the migration down by giving migrants already hear the skills to take thejobs. how long migrants already hear the skills to take the jobs. how long that will take the jobs. how long that will take and what will happen in the meantime, that has not been explained by labour. instead of the rwanda plan they will invest that money into a new border force, a new unit and a returns unit. returns are down under this government and labour will return more people but they say should not be here and stop they say should not be here and stop the people smugglers and smash the gangs, as keir starmer has often said. so essential differences at the moment, they are both talking about bringing down net migration in that respect. reform, as we are hearing now, are proposing a warning, one out policy, an immediate stop on everywhere and one in, one out. that will really affect

the care sector and affect british businesses. we have heard of a tax on british businesses who want to hire foreign workers, that will not go down well with british businesses.— go down well with british businesses. ., ., ., businesses. you have outlined the different policies _ businesses. you have outlined the different policies on _ businesses. you have outlined the different policies on what - businesses. you have outlined the different policies on what is - businesses. you have outlined the different policies on what is wrong j different policies on what is wrong with them, what should your solution be? fit. with them, what should your solution be? �* , , , . with them, what should your solution be? a processing centre in france like the green _ be? a processing centre in france like the green party _ be? a processing centre in france like the green party proposes, . be? a processing centre in france | like the green party proposes, just like the green party proposes, just like italy have signed a deal with albania, in order to stop at least some of those people making the journey across the channel and to offer a safe route to apply for asylum. the other is to talk to businesses and sectors, talk about numbers, and at the same time get them to train british people. this is a long—term project with no immediate fakes as we have seen, so to call it an immigration election, i am not sure that actually works. the other thing is to use the people who living illegally, give them an

amnesty, not giving these a straightaway that show you have a skill and perhaps he will think about it, if you pay a fee and you will earn a certain amount we will perhaps give you rolling yearly visas every year, in dubai you can go on a work permit but they will never make it permanent or a citizen, as long as you are working and your employers looking after you and your employers looking after you and your employers looking after you and you are not a burden on the stage, something similar to that. we have 1.5 million people already here, lots of them are in the black economy, working cash in hand. no party has issued a solution other than saying we will try to send them back, which is impossible.— back, which is impossible. thank ou, back, which is impossible. thank you. hariab _ back, which is impossible. thank you, harjab bhangal, _ back, which is impossible. thank you, harjab bhangal, for- back, which is impossible. thank| you, harjab bhangal, for bringing back, which is impossible. thank you, harjab bhangal, for bringing us yourideas you, harjab bhangal, for bringing us your ideas on bbc news. let�*s now talk about this evening. rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will go head—to—head during their first televised debate of the general election campaign tonight. the two leaders are taking part in an hour long programme on itv, debating some of the key issues

facing the uk — and their plans to address them — in front of a live studio audience. with more, here�*s our political correspondent iain watson. this is where it all began. the first televised election debate was back in 2010. and no, you�*re not miscounting. the leaders of three political parties were on stage — labour, the conservatives and nick clegg of the liberal democrats. some felt this gave the third party too much publicity. you see, i agree with nick. last time round, it was a head—to—head clash. brexit was a big issue. are you going to campaign for leave or remain? - i want to bring people together. therefore, there will be a referendum in which that decision will be made by the british people and our government will abide by that decision. so much has changed in the five years since. borisjohnson was ousted as prime minister. jeremy corbyn has been expelled from the labour party. tonight�*s debate will feature rishi sunak and keir starmer. they usually clash every week at westminster, but, tonight, they�*ll face questioning from members of the public, not members of parliament.

rishi sunak has had a dress rehearsal — standing in for borisjohnson in 2019 in a multiparty debate. the conservatives are promising today to reduce migration by allowing mps to vote each year to cap the number of visas granted to those who want to come to the uk to work. labour say previous tory promises to get migration down have been broken. meanwhile, labour are highlighting their plans for a new publicly owned energy company, which they say would bring down bills. the conservatives claim that keir starmer will costjobs in the north sea oil and gas industries, but the party leaders are likely to try to hammer home their key campaign messages at the tv debates. the stage is set for tonight�*s clash. rishi sunak will argue that a corner has been turned and his plan for the economy is working, while keir starmer will use his legal background to try to put the conservatives�* record in government on trial. but the final verdict will be delivered by the voters onjuly the 4th. iain watson, bbc news.

it isa it is a big evening for sir keir starmer, his first head—to—head debate with rishi sunak. the labour party has put forward a policy today, these are pictures from earlier today in greater manchester where he has been for a couple of days and where the debate will be taking place later. here he is meeting people, ithink, in the lobby of a hotel, i don�*t know. i would hate to guess, but it is somewhere in greater manchester. labour has chosen today to put its energy policy at the top of its agenda. the party has said the uk needs to be, in its words, less reliant on fossil fuels from overseas, arguing that energy use from countries like, for example, russia, are a big security risk which leaves the uk vulnerable to global events. this leads the uk

vulnerable in turn to a huge spike in prices which happens when the uk left ukraine —— when russia invaded ukraine in 2022. there is the idea of a project paid for by a windfall tax on existing big energy firms which would add up to investment in cleaner, greenerand which would add up to investment in cleaner, greener and domestically generated power that will not only be cheaper for bill payers, it says, but also less likely to be buffeted by events around the world. we are seeing someone boiling a kettle year, i can tell you that the energy policy sir keir starmer is talking about is very much geared towards families, the labour party saying that policy will save families a few hundred pounds a year on their energy bills. that is what they are concentrating on. they talk about

the uk being a little bit less reliant on fossil fuels. i think we can hear a little bit from sir keir starmer earlier today. the conservatives _ starmer earlier today. the conservatives have - starmer earlier today. the conservatives have let - starmer earlier today. twe: conservatives have let emigration get out of control. we have record numbers of people coming to this country and they have now said they are going to have a visa cap, they have not said what the number and so there is a visa cap without a cap, we had a visa cap before, rishi sunak argued to get rid of it, which they did in 2020, now they have come back to it without a number, which is utter chaos. they have lost control. that is why the selection cannot come soon enough because the country is crying out to say and the chaos, insert some control, turnip agent to rebuild the country with labour. on immigration we have to tackle the centre issue that we need a skill strategy in this country so

we don�*t need so many people arriving on work visas, and we have to hammer down on bad bosses who are not complying with labour standards. we would ban them from recruiting people from abroad. if you don�*t comply with our labour standards you should not be allowed to recruit from abroad.— should not be allowed to recruit from abroad. ., ., . . , from abroad. you have criticised the conservatives _ from abroad. you have criticised the conservatives for _ from abroad. you have criticised the conservatives for not _ from abroad. you have criticised the conservatives for not setting - from abroad. you have criticised the conservatives for not setting a - conservatives for not setting a number that you have not set a number. do you want to guarantee that you will cut net migration every year? t that you will cut net migration every year?— that you will cut net migration every year? that you will cut net migration eve ear? ., ., ., ., every year? i want immigration to come down. _ every year? i want immigration to come down. it _ every year? i want immigration to come down, it is _ every year? i want immigration to come down, it is far _ every year? i want immigration to come down, it is far too _ every year? i want immigration to come down, it is far too high. - every year? i want immigration to j come down, it is far too high. will ou cut come down, it is far too high. will you cut net _ come down, it is far too high. will you cut net migration every year? come down, it is far too high. will. you cut net migration every year? it you cut net migration every year? tt is far too you cut net migration every year? tt is fartoo high, you cut net migration every year? tt is far too high, it is now more than twice as high as when we were in the eu, that is the irony of it. this prime minister, for all his tough talk, is the most liberal prime minister when it comes to immigration. those numbers have gone through the roof. so immigration. those numbers have gone through the roof.— through the roof. so you will guarantee — through the roof. so you will guarantee it _ through the roof. so you will guarantee it will _ through the roof. so you will guarantee it will come - through the roof. so you will guarantee it will come down | through the roof. so you will - guarantee it will come down under a labour government? thea;r guarantee it will come down under a labour government?—

guarantee it will come down under a labour government? they need to come down, we labour government? they need to come down. we have — labour government? they need to come down. we have a — labour government? they need to come down, we have a plan _ labour government? they need to come down, we have a plan to _ labour government? they need to come down, we have a plan to cut _ labour government? they need to come down, we have a plan to cut down - down, we have a plan to cut down that you cannot wish them time, which is what the tories are doing, plugging numbers on wishing and hoping for the best. we need to understand why they are high, have a skill strategy and bear down on bad bosses undercutting labour standards. that is what we would do. studio: that speak to our political correspondent hannah miller in bolton where the labour leader has been. if your camera can stage itself, there we go. the labour leader sir keir starmer has been talking to pensioners in a cafe in bolton, which i believe it�*s where you are. what has he said, how has the conversation flowed? fine you are. what has he said, how has the conversation flowed?— you are. what has he said, how has the conversation flowed? one of them remarked to — the conversation flowed? one of them remarked to me _ the conversation flowed? one of them remarked to me after— the conversation flowed? one of them remarked to me after he _ the conversation flowed? one of them remarked to me after he spoke - the conversation flowed? one of them remarked to me after he spoke to - remarked to me after he spoke to them that he seemed very relaxed, he was chatting to them about their concerns, hearing from them and we can chat to some of the people who spoke to keir starmer a few minutes to go and get their take on how it

went down. this is mandy and margaret who said they were happy to chat to us. we were invited here by the labour party, what did you make of keir starmer? at, the labour party, what did you make of keir starmer?— of keir starmer? a very nice gentleman. _ of keir starmer? a very nice gentleman, much _ of keir starmer? a very nice gentleman, much better- of keir starmer? a very nice l gentleman, much better than of keir starmer? a very nice i gentleman, much better than i expected. he explained —— i explained everything to him and he was quite _ explained everything to him and he was quite shocked at my experience with the _ was quite shocked at my experience with the hospital, that is about it. very, _ with the hospital, that is about it. very, very— with the hospital, that is about it. very, very understanding. what was your reaction to him, margaret? titer? your reaction to him, margaret? very relaxed, your reaction to him, margaret? very relaxed. very — your reaction to him, margaret? very relaxed, very charming, he was saying — relaxed, very charming, he was saying he — relaxed, very charming, he was saying he is— relaxed, very charming, he was saying he is on— relaxed, very charming, he was saying he is on the _ relaxed, very charming, he was saying he is on the campaign. relaxed, very charming, he was i saying he is on the campaign trail and it— saying he is on the campaign trail and it is— saying he is on the campaign trail and it is hectic— saying he is on the campaign trail and it is hectic but _ saying he is on the campaign trail and it is hectic but he _ saying he is on the campaign trail and it is hectic but he also - saying he is on the campaign trail and it is hectic but he also has . saying he is on the campaign trailj and it is hectic but he also has his son who _ and it is hectic but he also has his son who is — and it is hectic but he also has his son who is taking _ and it is hectic but he also has his son who is taking his _ and it is hectic but he also has his son who is taking his gcses, - and it is hectic but he also has his son who is taking his gcses, so i and it is hectic but he also has hisl son who is taking his gcses, so his nunders— son who is taking his gcses, so his minders in— son who is taking his gcses, so his minders in two— son who is taking his gcses, so his minders in two places _ son who is taking his gcses, so his minders in two places at _ son who is taking his gcses, so his minders in two places at once, - son who is taking his gcses, so his minders in two places at once, i. minders in two places at once, i think. _ minders in two places at once, i think. but— minders in two places at once, i think. but he_ minders in two places at once, i think, but he came _ minders in two places at once, i think, but he came across- minders in two places at once, ij think, but he came across really well and — think, but he came across really well and i— think, but he came across really well and i wish _ think, but he came across really well and i wish him _ think, but he came across really well and i wish him all- think, but he came across really well and i wish him all the - think, but he came across really well and i wish him all the best. what _ well and i wish him all the best. what is — well and i wish him all the best. what is it— well and i wish him all the best. what is it like, _ well and i wish him all the best. what is it like, you _ well and i wish him all the best. what is it like, you are - well and i wish him all the best. what is it like, you are not- well and i wish him all the best. what is it like, you are not in. well and i wish him all the best. i what is it like, you are not in the political game very often, all the cameras turning up, the labour party turning up, what do you make of it all? , , ,

all? very interesting, very exciting. _ all? very interesting, very exciting, only _ all? very interesting, very exciting, only found - all? very interesting, very exciting, only found out i all? very interesting, very - exciting, only found out about it last night, — exciting, only found out about it last night, just had to turn up and that was— last night, just had to turn up and that was it. — last night, just had to turn up and that was it, very good.— that was it, very good. feeling starstruck. _ that was it, very good. feeling starstruck, margaret? - that was it, very good. feeling starstruck, margaret? a - that was it, very good. feeling starstruck, margaret? a littlel that was it, very good. feeling i starstruck, margaret? a little bit, it was— starstruck, margaret? a little bit, it was charming _ starstruck, margaret? a little bit, it was charming to _ starstruck, margaret? a little bit, it was charming to meet - starstruck, margaret? a little bit, it was charming to meet candle . it was charming to meet candle turned — it was charming to meet candle turned -- — it was charming to meet candle turned -- li2— it was charming to meet candle turned —— liz kendall— it was charming to meet candle turned —— liz kendall too - it was charming to meet candle turned —— liz kendall too and i it was charming to meet candle turned —— liz kendall too and it it was charming to meet candle i turned —— liz kendall too and it is good _ turned —— liz kendall too and it is good to— turned —— liz kendall too and it is good to meet— turned —— liz kendall too and it is good to meet people _ turned —— liz kendall too and it is good to meet people from - turned —— liz kendall too and it is good to meet people from other. good to meet people from other areas. _ good to meet people from other areas. it— good to meet people from other areas. it has— good to meet people from other areas, it has been— good to meet people from other areas, it has been very- good to meet people from other. areas, it has been very enjoyable. let's _ areas, it has been very enjoyable. let's find — areas, it has been very enjoyable. let's find another— areas, it has been very enjoyable. let's find another group _ areas, it has been very enjoyable. let's find another group of - areas, it has been very enjoyable. let's find another group of peoplej let�*s find another group of people who chatted with him. hello. what did you make of keir starmer? t”

speak to pauline in the _ really good. i want to make sure we speak to pauline in the blue - speak to pauline in the blue cardigan. do you want to tell everyone what you asked keir starmer? d0 everyone what you asked keir starmer? , everyone what you asked keir starmer?— everyone what you asked keir starmer? , starmer? do i look this way? ok. i asked keir— starmer? do i look this way? ok. i asked keir if— starmer? do i look this way? ok. i asked keir if he _ starmer? do i look this way? ok. i asked keir if he slept _ starmer? do i look this way? ok. i asked keir if he slept in _ starmer? do i look this way? ok. i asked keir if he slept in his - starmer? do i look this way? ok. i asked keir if he slept in his labour| asked keir if he slept in his labour van because — asked keir if he slept in his labour van because of— asked keir if he slept in his labour van because of all— asked keir if he slept in his labour van because of all the _ asked keir if he slept in his labour van because of all the travelling . asked keir if he slept in his labour| van because of all the travelling he does _ van because of all the travelling he does i— van because of all the travelling he does. ., van because of all the travelling he does. ~' , ., ., , , does. i think the question was, why does. i think the question was, why does he sleep? _ does. i think the question was, why does he sleep? and _ does. i think the question was, why does he sleep? and he _ does. i think the question was, why does he sleep? and he laughed. . does. i think the question was, why does he sleep? and he laughed. --j does he sleep? and he laughed. —— why does he sleep? what did you think of its reaction?— think of its reaction? remarkably warm, friendly _ think of its reaction? remarkably warm, friendly and _ think of its reaction? remarkably warm, friendly and confident, - think of its reaction? remarkably i warm, friendly and confident, which seems _ warm, friendly and confident, which seems to— warm, friendly and confident, which seems to me — warm, friendly and confident, which seems to me he _ warm, friendly and confident, which seems to me he has _ warm, friendly and confident, which seems to me he has developed - warm, friendly and confident, whichj seems to me he has developed over the time _ seems to me he has developed over the time he — seems to me he has developed over the time he has _ seems to me he has developed over the time he has been _ seems to me he has developed over the time he has been a _ seems to me he has developed over the time he has been a leader, - seems to me he has developed over the time he has been a leader, i- the time he has been a leader, i thought— the time he has been a leader, i thought he — the time he has been a leader, i thought he came _ the time he has been a leader, i thought he came across- the time he has been a leader, i thought he came across really. the time he has been a leader, i. thought he came across really well and i_ thought he came across really well and i thought— thought he came across really well and i thought it _ thought he came across really well and i thought it was _ thought he came across really well and i thought it was quite - and i thought it was quite interesting, _ and i thought it was quite interesting, he _ and i thought it was quite interesting, he shook- and i thought it was quite interesting, he shook my| and i thought it was quite - interesting, he shook my hand. my hand _ interesting, he shook my hand. my hand is— interesting, he shook my hand. my hand is moist _ interesting, he shook my hand. my hand is moist. he _ interesting, he shook my hand. my hand is moist. he had _ interesting, he shook my hand. my hand is moist. he had a _ interesting, he shook my hand. my hand is moist. he had a cool, - interesting, he shook my hand. my hand is moist. he had a cool, dry. hand is moist. he had a cool, dry hands _ hand is moist. he had a cool, dry hands ~— hand is moist. he had a cool, dry hands ~ he — hand is moist. he had a cool, dry hands ~ he is— hand is moist. he had a cool, dry hands. . he is obviously- hand is moist. he had a cool, dry

hands. . he is obviously relaxed, j hands. . he is obviously relaxed, basically — hands. . he is obviously relaxed, basically he _ hands. . he is obviously relaxed, basically. he was _ hands. . he is obviously relaxed, basically. he was quite _ hands. . he is obviously relaxed, i basically. he was quite impressive, i basically. he was quite impressive, i have _ basically. he was quite impressive, i have to _ basically. he was quite impressive, i have to say — basically. he was quite impressive, i have to say tan _ basically. he was quite impressive, i have to say-— basically. he was quite impressive, i have to say. can i ask anyone what matters to — i have to say. can i ask anyone what matters to you _ i have to say. can i ask anyone what matters to you in — i have to say. can i ask anyone what matters to you in this _ i have to say. can i ask anyone what matters to you in this general- matters to you in this general election? ., ., ,., , matters to you in this general election? ., ., , ., election? that labour wins on the tories move _ election? that labour wins on the tories move out _ election? that labour wins on the tories move out of— election? that labour wins on the tories move out of government. i election? that labour wins on the - tories move out of government. would ou alwa s tories move out of government. would you always have _ tories move out of government. would you always have said _ tories move out of government. would you always have said that? _ tories move out of government. would you always have said that? no, - tories move out of government. would you always have said that? no, it - tories move out of government. would you always have said that? no, it is - you always have said that? no, it is such a long — you always have said that? no, it is such a long time _ you always have said that? no, it is such a long time this _ you always have said that? no, it is such a long time this government. you always have said that? no, it is l such a long time this government has been in. _ such a long time this government has been in. i_ such a long time this government has been in, i think it is time for a change — been in, i think it is time for a chance. �* , , , been in, i think it is time for a chance. , ,, . ., change. any issue in particular makes you _ change. any issue in particular makes you want _ change. any issue in particular makes you want to _ change. any issue in particular makes you want to vote? - change. any issue in particular. makes you want to vote? earlier change. any issue in particular- makes you want to vote? earlier we a . ree that makes you want to vote? earlier we agree that one _ makes you want to vote? earlier we agree that one of— makes you want to vote? earlier we agree that one of the _ makes you want to vote? earlier we agree that one of the main - makes you want to vote? earlier we agree that one of the main issues i agree that one of the main issues was to— agree that one of the main issues was to do— agree that one of the main issues was to do with _ agree that one of the main issues was to do with the _ agree that one of the main issues was to do with the green - agree that one of the main issues was to do with the green agenda, reducing — was to do with the green agenda, reducing carbon— was to do with the green agenda, reducing carbon emissions - was to do with the green agenda, reducing carbon emissions and i was to do with the green agenda, reducing carbon emissions and so was to do with the green agenda, - reducing carbon emissions and so on. ithink— reducing carbon emissions and so on. i think we _ reducing carbon emissions and so on. i think we all— reducing carbon emissions and so on. i think we all agreed _ reducing carbon emissions and so on. i think we all agreed it _ reducing carbon emissions and so on. i think we all agreed it should - reducing carbon emissions and so on. i think we all agreed it should be - i think we all agreed it should be one of— i think we all agreed it should be one of labour's _ i think we all agreed it should be one of labour's top _ i think we all agreed it should be one of labour's top priorities. thank— one of labour's top priorities. thank you _ one of labour's top priorities. thank you for— one of labour's top priorities. thank you for talking - one of labour's top priorities. thank you for talking to - one of labour's top priorities. thank you for talking to us i one of labour's top priorities. i thank you for talking to us and staying around and allowing the whole of the media to chat to you too. it seems like there are some quite happy voters in bolton, i should say of course they were invited by the labour party, not all

of them labour members, some people here who have been previously counsellors and things but a campaign visit for keir starmer i had the debate tonight as he goes away now and start to really prepare. away now and start to really re are. . away now and start to really --reare. . ,, away now and start to really --reare. ., ., , prepare. can you tell the lady in blue that i _ prepare. can you tell the lady in blue that i can _ prepare. can you tell the lady in blue that i can thoroughly - prepare. can you tell the lady in j blue that i can thoroughly relate prepare. can you tell the lady in i blue that i can thoroughly relate to putting your big foot in it over and over again, putting your big foot in it over and overagain, i do putting your big foot in it over and over again, i do it all the time. t will do that. over again, i do it all the time. i will do that. thank _ over again, i do it all the time. i will do that. thank you - over again, i do it all the time. i will do that. thank you very - over again, i do it all the time. i i will do that. thank you very much, hannah miller, _ will do that. thank you very much, hannah miller, in _ will do that. thank you very much, hannah miller, in bolton, - will do that. thank you very much, | hannah miller, in bolton, following the labour campaign. the liberal democrats are today setting out what they describe as bold plans to fix the crisis in care services in england. the party says it will provide free personal care to support older or disabled people in their own homes, which they claim will ease pressure on the nhs. the lib dems calculate the plans will cost an extra £2.7billion a year, but independent experts suggest it�*s likely to be higher. let�*s speak to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. they have let you out of the bus,

you are now outside? {jut they have let you out of the bus, you are now outside?— you are now outside? out at the fresh air for _ you are now outside? out at the fresh air for a _ you are now outside? out at the fresh air for a little _ you are now outside? out at the fresh air for a little bit, - you are now outside? out at the fresh air for a little bit, the - fresh airfor a little bit, the first stop today, sir ed davey will appear in a a few minutes and then come down to launch this policy, this proposal. it is an issue actually pretty close to his own personal heart, his own interests. he is a carer himself at home and he wants to make this part of his pitch. they are saying that essentially this is a core issue that needs to be tackled, they will make it an important part of their manifesto, something that is quite often that might get less attention from other parties if you like and at the heart of it is what you are saying, but offer, that plan, for free personal care at home or in a presidential setting. it would be the actual care elements, so help

with your hygiene, medicine, mobility, that sort of stuff, the caring part would be free based on your needs, not your ability to pay. the idea is that would free up people, free up the health service, they reckon that the latest figures in april also there were around 4000 people in beds in the nhs waiting to be discharged either into residential homes or personal to mark their own homes, waiting for kerr to be organised and sorted out for them. that would free up space in the nhs and money and it would also take a lot of strain off carers and people having to either go without care at the minute or having to find themselves care. tt is to find themselves care. it is interesting — to find themselves care. it is interesting how _ to find themselves care. it is interesting how the - to find themselves care. it is interesting how the lib dems are focusing on social care. lots of people really believe it is

important. people really believe it is important-— people really believe it is important. people really believe it is imortant. , ,, important. exactly. it is an issue with a lot— important. exactly. it is an issue with a lot less _ important. exactly. it is an issue with a lot less presence, - important. exactly. it is an issue with a lot less presence, if- important. exactly. it is an issue with a lot less presence, if you . with a lot less presence, if you like, in people�*s consciousness of the big issues. people know about problems and issues with the nhs, issues with gps, for example, that would social care there is a huge issue, a huge need to. it can be very, very expensive, in some cases people having to sell their homes to fund it but i think there is much less awareness of the issue until it hits home for you and your own family, which is part of the reason that the lib dems say they want to focus on this. equally i think it is kind of a tricky issue politically, there are parties who have tried to tackle this before and found it is quite a problematic area and they can get in trouble. i think back in 2010 labour was accused of planning

a death tax as they were looking at ways of funding this. theresa may was accused of a dementia tax when she was looking at ways to fund this on the 2017 election which was seen as a pivotal part of that election campaign, those criticisms. and the problem she had in that campaign. sometimes i think politicians are attempting to shy away from this, lib dems say they want to grasp the nettle, some questions about whether the package on offer has enough funding. they say it would result in savings in the health service which would also be important but essentially there are three elements, one is the personal care free based on needs, the other would be a tax on banks, restoring the bank levy phased out or reduced since 2016, and sir ed

davey... do you want to grab him? at are ou davey... do you want to grab him? at are you looking _ davey... do you want to grab him? at are you looking forward _ davey... do you want to grab him? at are you looking forward to _ davey... do you want to grab him? at are you looking forward to today's - are you looking forward to today�*s events. what have you got for us today? tt events. what have you got for us toda ? , , ., today? it will be blue and it will come down- — today? it will be blue and it will come down. studio: _ today? it will be blue and it will come down. studio: it- today? it will be blue and it will come down. studio: it is- today? it will be blue and it will. come down. studio: it is always today? it will be blue and it will- come down. studio: it is always fun with ed davey- _ come down. studio: it is always fun with ed davey. yes. _ come down. studio: it is always fun with ed davey. yes. i— come down. studio: it is always fun with ed davey. yes. i am _ come down. studio: it is always fun with ed davey. yes. i am not- come down. studio: it is always fun with ed davey. yes. i am not sure i come down. studio: it is always fun with ed davey. yes. i am not sure if| with ed davey. yes. i am not sure if i should with ed davey. yes. i am not sure if i should spoil— with ed davey. yes. i am not sure if i should spoil the _ with ed davey. yes. i am not sure if i should spoil the surprise _ with ed davey. yes. i am not sure if i should spoil the surprise but - with ed davey. yes. i am not sure if i should spoil the surprise but it - i should spoil the surprise but it looks like something to do with django. ——jenga. but there is looks like something to do with django. —— jenga. but there is the care, funding from banks and pay that carers receive, boosting care wages to £2 and i were above the minimum wage, because one of the issuesis minimum wage, because one of the issues is the lack of staff. t will! issues is the lack of staff. i will leave you _ issues is the lack of staff. i will leave you to — issues is the lack of staff. i will leave you to work _ issues is the lack of staff. i will leave you to work out - issues is the lack of staff. i will leave you to work out what - issues is the lack of staff. i will leave you to work out what ed | leave you to work out what ed davey�*s latest fun ploy is. damian

grammaticas following the lib dem campaign bus which always looks like fun. migration on the election agenda, the conservatives promised a new visa cap to reduce the number of migrants entering britain if they win the election. labour are campaigning on energy security today with sir keir starmer saying he would close the door on putin by reducing britain two reliance on imported fossil fuels. tonight the first head—to—head debate between sir keir starmer and rishi sunak will take place. and an independent think tank says the next garment faces tough choices on education to tackle england�*s schools squeezed budgets. and another huge election, counting is under way in india as the world�*s biggest election takes place. premised on narendra modi is expected to win a third term but without the landslide he hoped for. within the wider general election, it is the battleground seats where

the fiercest campaigning will take place that are often the most interesting. let�*s focus on two of those constituencies, bristol central and monmouthshire. let�*s speak to two respondents, bbc bristol kate simpson and in chepstow in monmouthshire our wales correspondent thomas morgan. thank you forjoining us —— peter simpson. let�*s talk about where you are, bristol central. it is a bit different to the other seats in bristol and explain to viewers at home why stop good morning from bristol harbour—side. t will! home why stop good morning from bristol harbour-side.— bristol harbour-side. i will spare ou the bristol harbour-side. i will spare you the nautical _ bristol harbour-side. i will spare you the nautical puns. _ bristol harbour-side. i will spare you the nautical puns. no, - bristol harbour-side. i will spare you the nautical puns. no, no, . bristol harbour-side. i will spare you the nautical puns. no, no, i| you the nautical puns. no, no, i love the nautical _ you the nautical puns. no, no, i love the nautical puns, - you the nautical puns. no, no, i love the nautical puns, never i you the nautical puns. no, no, i. love the nautical puns, never spare me theirs! ., ., me theirs! you are right in the sense that _ me theirs! you are right in the sense that this _ me theirs! you are right in the sense that this is _ me theirs! you are right in the sense that this is a _ me theirs! you are right in the sense that this is a bit - me theirs! you are right in the sense that this is a bit of- me theirs! you are right in the sense that this is a bit of an i sense that this is a bit of an anomaly, bristol central. when it comes to issues like small boats, bristol central see themselves as

rather aggressive and supportive of refugees, immigration and it is one of the most pro—eu supporting places in the entire country. for that reason and a few others, it is seen as a battle between the green party and labour, traditionally strong and they hold all the parliamentary seats here but the green party have form if there is such a thing. last month�*s city council elections, there was the largest party and won there was the largest party and won the most seats and crucially won every single counsellor seat within this parliamentary constituency. the co—leader of the party, carla denyer, has been talking up their chances. this is a priority seat. a word of caution, the greens have talked up their chances in parliamentary elections before in this city without success. they are up this city without success. they are up against labour�*s candidate the shadow cabinet minister who in 2019, albeit in a different constituency that has now been changed, won a

majority of 28,000. they are the sort of numbers, that is the sort of swing, the green party is looking to battle against. it is not insurmountable. as i say, form is on their side, insurmountable. as i say, form is on theirside, but insurmountable. as i say, form is on their side, but it is very much a tough battle and they have talked up their chances before. what tough battle and they have talked up their chances before.— their chances before. what are the issues that — their chances before. what are the issues that bristol _ their chances before. what are the issues that bristol central - their chances before. what are the issues that bristol central voters i issues that bristol central voters are worried about elsewhere in bristol and around bristol? talked about one of _ bristol and around bristol? talked about one of them. _ bristol and around bristol? talked about one of them. it _ bristol and around bristol? talked about one of them. it is _ bristol and around bristol? talked about one of them. it is an - bristol and around bristol? talked i about one of them. it is an anomaly because he would be hard—pressed to find a bristolian accent in this part of the city. a lot of affluent areas here. also there are a lot of students. in that sense, lots of private renters. housing is a key issue. house prices in general in bristol have been shooting up but particularly rent, which has been so adversely affected by rising inflation, mortgage increases. they arejust inflation, mortgage increases. they are just unaffordable for a lot of people in this city. you�*ve got a

lot of constituents here that are very receptive from any party that have policies of how to deal with what is a long—term ongoing housing crisis in the city. what is a long-term ongoing housing crisis in the city.— crisis in the city. thank you, pete. i will crisis in the city. thank you, pete. i will leave — crisis in the city. thank you, pete. i will leave you _ crisis in the city. thank you, pete. i will leave you there _ crisis in the city. thank you, pete. i will leave you there for— crisis in the city. thank you, pete. i will leave you there for a - crisis in the city. thank you, pete. | i will leave you there for a moment and take viewers to wales to chepstow in monmouthshire to speak to our wales correspondent thomas morgan. this is a rural welsh seat. what are the issues that are worrying voters where you are? —— tomos morgan. worrying voters where you are? -- tomos morgan-— worrying voters where you are? -- tomos morgan. similar to what we have 'ust tomos morgan. similar to what we have just heard _ tomos morgan. similar to what we have just heard in _ tomos morgan. similar to what we havejust heard in bristol. - tomos morgan. similar to what we have just heard in bristol. the - have just heard in bristol. the house — have just heard in bristol. the house prices. because monmouthshire in recent— house prices. because monmouthshire in recent times after the tolls were scrapped _ in recent times after the tolls were scrapped on the severn bridge has become _ scrapped on the severn bridge has become more of a bristol commuter location _ become more of a bristol commuter location for — become more of a bristol commuter location for bristol, that has arisen — location for bristol, that has arisen house prices. it is a rural constituency but has got some lovely towns _ constituency but has got some lovely towns such _ constituency but has got some lovely towns such as chepstow, monmouth, abergavenny. due to those boundary changes _ abergavenny. due to those boundary changes that have recently taken

place. _ changes that have recently taken place. it — changes that have recently taken place, it has also incorporated the newport _ place, it has also incorporated the newport east seat. these boundary changes— newport east seat. these boundary changes that have happened, some little experts say it has benefited labour _ little experts say it has benefited labour more so than any of the other parties _ labour more so than any of the other parties in _ labour more so than any of the other parties in wales. —— some political experts _ parties in wales. —— some political experts. that is the thinking in this seat— experts. that is the thinking in this seat as well. in 2019 it was won— this seat as well. in 2019 it was won again — this seat as well. in 2019 it was won again by the current welsh secretary— won again by the current welsh secretary for the tories they have held this _ secretary for the tories they have held this seat since 2005. to give you an _ held this seat since 2005. to give you an impression of how important this seat— you an impression of how important this seat is, — you an impression of how important this seat is, when sir keir starmer came _ this seat is, when sir keir starmer came to _ this seat is, when sir keir starmer came to wales last week, this was the first— came to wales last week, this was the first constituency he came to. itjust— the first constituency he came to. itjust shows the first constituency he came to. it just shows you how much they are targeting _ it just shows you how much they are targeting this seat and how much they are — targeting this seat and how much they are targeting all of the tory seats— they are targeting all of the tory seats in— they are targeting all of the tory seats in wales. and also all the seats— seats in wales. and also all the seats that — seats in wales. and also all the seats that other former welsh secretaries are also sitting. this one as _ secretaries are also sitting. this one as i — secretaries are also sitting. this one as i mentioned is the current sitting _ one as i mentioned is the current sitting welsh secretary. the welsh conservatives also launched their election— conservatives also launched their election campaign from this constituency last week. again,

showing — constituency last week. again, showing you how important this battleground will be moving forward. let's battleground will be moving forward. let's talk _ battleground will be moving forward. let's talk about david davis. if he let�*s talk about david davis. if he does go on to lose his seat, how much of a shock with that be, tomos? as you mentioned, he has held it since _ as you mentioned, he has held it since 2005 — as you mentioned, he has held it since 2005. of himself and the former— since 2005. of himself and the former welsh secretaries in the other— former welsh secretaries in the other constituencies in wales or the old constituencies, what they have now become, some may say that this is possibly— now become, some may say that this is possibly the safest. he has a notional— is possibly the safest. he has a notional majority of about 10,000. but given— notional majority of about 10,000. but given the way the boundaries have changed, there is a risk for him to— have changed, there is a risk for him to be — have changed, there is a risk for him to be won by labour. this seat itself, _ him to be won by labour. this seat itself, monmouthshire, as it was, as only ever— itself, monmouthshire, as it was, as only ever been held by the tories and the _ only ever been held by the tories and the labour party. they are making — and the labour party. they are making a — and the labour party. they are making a huge push, the labour party. _ making a huge push, the labour party. to — making a huge push, the labour party, to try and win this back in this election. it would be somewhat of a shock— this election. it would be somewhat of a shock but not as much of a

shock— of a shock but not as much of a shock as — of a shock but not as much of a shock as i — of a shock but not as much of a shock as i mentioned some of those other— shock as i mentioned some of those other constituencies where some of the other— other constituencies where some of the other former welsh secretaries are sitting — the other former welsh secretaries are sitting across wales. as i mentioned, it is such a key battleground. that has been emphasised by the fact that sir keir starmer— emphasised by the fact that sir keir starmer came here last week for his first visit— starmer came here last week for his first visit to — starmer came here last week for his first visit to wales. and the welsh conservatives launched their election— conservatives launched their election campaign from here. it would _ election campaign from here. it would be — election campaign from here. it would be really interesting to see how that — would be really interesting to see how that battle plays out. back in 2019. _ how that battle plays out. back in 2019. i_ how that battle plays out. back in 2019, i should also mention, the lib 2019, ishould also mention, the lib dems— 2019, i should also mention, the lib dems came — 2019, i should also mention, the lib dems came third, the greens came forth— dems came third, the greens came forth and _ dems came third, the greens came forth and plaid cymru came fifth. there _ forth and plaid cymru came fifth. there is— forth and plaid cymru came fifth. there is a — forth and plaid cymru came fifth. there is a full list of candidates on the — there is a full list of candidates on the website.— there is a full list of candidates on the website. there are indeed. pete and tomos, _ on the website. there are indeed. pete and tomos, thank— on the website. there are indeed. pete and tomos, thank you. - on the website. there are indeed. | pete and tomos, thank you. pete, on the website. there are indeed. - pete and tomos, thank you. pete, you didn�*t give me any nautical punts, where are they? didn't give me any nautical punts, where are they?— didn't give me any nautical punts, where are they? sorry about that. full steam — where are they? sorry about that. full steam ahead _ where are they? sorry about that. full steam ahead for _ where are they? sorry about that. full steam ahead for the - where are they? sorry about that. full steam ahead for the general. full steam ahead for the general election! ., ., ., ., election! ok, no, we have to do better. election! ok, no, we have to do better- next — election! ok, no, we have to do better. next time, _ election! ok, no, we have to do better. next time, get - election! ok, no, we have to do better. next time, get some i election! ok, no, we have to do i better. next time, get some more election! ok, no, we have to do - better. next time, get some more for me! i will. better. next time, get some more for me! iwill. thanks better. next time, get some more for me! i will. thanks very much to both of you. we can show you the candidates for monmouthshire...

as always, they are on the bbc website. here are the ones for monmouthshire. if you move on and show us the ones for bristol... there we go. here are the ones for bristol central and as always, the bbc will have a full list of candidates once they have been released. in the first televised debate of the general election, rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will go head—to—head tonight, in an hour—long programme on itv. it�*s the first time voters will hear the two rivals for number ten debate the big issues and their plans to address them. so what can you expect to hear? our political correspondent nick eardley is taking a look. yes, the first head to head debate tonight, a big moment in the campaign, but which claims can you trust and which can�*t you? bbc verify is going to be here tonight looking at that. we don�*t know exactly what�*s going to come up, but we�*ve been preparing, based on some of the claims we�*ve heard

from keir starmer and rishi sunak in the past few days. and i wanted to mention a couple that it�*s worth casting a skeptical ear over if you hear them tonight. let�*s start with the economy, a key battleground. both parties have made big claims about what the other�*s policies would mean. so, what are the facts? the conservatives are claiming that there�*s a £38 billion gap in labour�*s spending plans and to fill it, taxes have to go up. it�*s worth being sceptical about this figure, though. it�*s based on treasury calculations, but the assumptions come from political advisers and some of them are questionable. for example, that doing things through the public sector is always a lot less efficient. i can show you it here, that there�*s a £71 billion gap in the conservatives�* plans. there�*s a big dollop of caution on this one.

this includes an assumption that the conservatives will scrap national insurance. the tories have said they�*d like to do that eventually, but not any time soon, and they say they won�*t do it unless the money is available. so, when you hear both of these claims, you know politics is at play. both parties are trying to persuade you they�*d be better at handling the country�*s money. but the most important figures will be the ones we get later in the month in the manifestos. we will scrutinise it all again. one other thing i wanted to touch on quickly, a question that might come up tonight. is the economy moving in the right direction? rishi sunak wants to persuade you yes. keir starmer wants you to be more sceptical. let�*s look at two measures of this. one is inflation. it�*s true to say that inflation has gone down significantly since rishi sunak became prime minister. he will want some of the credit for it. labour will question how much

you feel it in your pocket. another is economic growth, because it�*s true to say, at the start of 2024, there was economic growth. 0f of 0.6%. that was after the uk entered recession. and if you look at the last couple of years as a whole, the picture is a lot less positive. certainly when compared with other major economies, like the us. so this, and the skepticism about some of these claims, keep all of that in your head when you hear the debate tonight. we�*ll have a look a bit more of what�*s said later and we�*ll bring let�*s speak to sophie stowers, researcher for the think tank uk in a changing europe. good to talk to you, thanks for joining us. why do you think tv debates are gaining popularity in the uk. not with people watching at home, because viewing figures are down by popularity with the media

and politicians? t down by popularity with the media and politicians?— and politicians? i think we are startin: and politicians? i think we are starting to _ and politicians? i think we are starting to see, _ and politicians? i think we are starting to see, you _ and politicians? i think we are starting to see, you know, i and politicians? i think we are i starting to see, you know, more engagement with these type of tv debates because realistically your average voter isn�*t someone who is watching prime minister�*s questions, they see small snippets of politicians on the news and social media. it really gives politicians a platform to lay out what they are about and appeal to the average voter who will be making that decision at the polls. do voter who will be making that decision at the polls.- voter who will be making that decision at the polls. do they make any difference _ decision at the polls. do they make any difference to _ decision at the polls. do they make any difference to how _ decision at the polls. do they make any difference to how people - decision at the polls. do they make any difference to how people vote, | any difference to how people vote, do you think? t any difference to how people vote, do you think?— any difference to how people vote, do you think? i think obviously they are uuite a do you think? i think obviously they are quite a novelty _ do you think? i think obviously they are quite a novelty in _ do you think? i think obviously they are quite a novelty in this _ do you think? i think obviously they are quite a novelty in this country, | are quite a novelty in this country, we have only had them since 2010 so the evidence is mixed. we know they get quite a big viewing figures. we know that polling from places like the electoral reform society suggest voters do take it into account. but if you look at what is the most prominent time we think a debate might have had an impact, 2010 with nick clegg mania after the first debate when nick clegg�*s popularity surged and the lib dems went first in the polls, they lost after the election that followed. it is hard to decipher whether interest and the things that happened have an impact

at the ballot box at the end of the day. at the ballot box at the end of the da . ~ . at the ballot box at the end of the da . . ., ., . , . , ., day. we are watching pictures of that debate _ day. we are watching pictures of that debate from _ day. we are watching pictures of that debate from 2010. - that debate from 2010. interestingly, then there were three of them, weren�*t there? the lib dems, the conservatives, and labour. tonight it is only labour and conservatives. on friday, the bbc is hosting all seven parties. is there a difference in the way people perceive the head to head tos and the one with more parties? do they find one confusing and the other easier to digest? —— head—to—heads. they are different. from the head to heads and by virtue of two candidates, they have more time to speu candidates, they have more time to spell out what they are about, what they would do in government and it is kind of a replica of what we see in prime minister�*s questions. for a lot of viewers, it is more of a familiar contest. in those multiparty debates, often a lot of voters are seeing some of these parties for the first time. new characters that they are unfamiliar with and you often see people in smaller parties�* popularity surge in these debates. 2015 or 17 with the snp, plaid cymru, the greens, all

those party leaders got surges in popularity after those multiparty debates. we also see the main two parties, the conservatives and labour, in those multiparty debates, they get... from each side. on friday you will see the conservatives facing a lot of questions and accusations from nigel farage and reform and labour on the left from parties like the greens and the snp. left from parties like the greens and the snp-— left from parties like the greens and the snp. , ., ., ., i. and the snp. sophie, good to get you on the show — and the snp. sophie, good to get you on the show to _ and the snp. sophie, good to get you on the show to talk— and the snp. sophie, good to get you on the show to talk about _ and the snp. sophie, good to get you on the show to talk about what - and the snp. sophie, good to get you on the show to talk about what is i on the show to talk about what is going to be i�*m sure a really interesting debate this evening. let�*s talk about labour. labour is promising to end britain�*s reliance on energy from what it calls "rogue foreign states" such as russia if it wins the election. the party says its plans to invest in renewables will save families up to £300 on their average annual energy bills from 2030. pat mcfadden is labour�*s national campaign co—ordinator that is a few years away. renewable energy is now actually cheaper than oil and gas, and one of the tasks of any government is to prepare

the country for the future. and one of the things we�*d say in this election is that the conservatives haven�*t prepared the country for the future, and energy is a pretty good example of that. because when russia invaded ukraine and we had that enormous price spike, we were too reliant on international oil and gas markets. so we�*ve got to invest now, because if we had another spike like that, we�*d bejust as vulnerable today as we were two years ago. this is a down payment on more energy security in the future, lower bills in the long term, because renewable energy is cheaper, and insulating ourselves from being manipulated by dictators like putin or other people who control the lion�*s share of the oil and gas in the world. it�*s not something that will happen overnight but year on year, this is an investment the country has to do.

labour�*s national executive committee is meeting injust over an hour�*s time to endorse the party�*s candidate for the general election. remember, diane abbott�*s selection as a candidate could be confirmed at that meeting. it has been a controversial few weeks. let�*s cross live to speak to tom, editor of the independent pro—labour website, labour list. good to talk to you, what are we expecting in terms of diane abbott?— what are we expecting in terms of diane abbott? ,., ., ., ., ., ., diane abbott? good morning, good to be with ou diane abbott? good morning, good to be with you today. _ diane abbott? good morning, good to be with you today. it _ diane abbott? good morning, good to be with you today. it has _ diane abbott? good morning, good to be with you today. it has been - diane abbott? good morning, good to be with you today. it has been a - be with you today. it has been a huge subject of controversy, what will happen to diane abbott over the past week or two and one of the answer is that labour has given or previously was giving what is the crunch meeting of the national executive committee today that will make the final say on diane abbott. having said that, the past few days we have seen the shift from starr and labourfrom suggesting we have seen the shift from starr and labour from suggesting that diane is able to stand and unnamed sources suggesting she will get the

nomination —— from keir starmer. she said herself she will likely to. accordingly, the expectation now seems to be far from this been quite the crunch meeting i think people had expected, actually we will see the parties but of the governing body, the nec, rubber stamp what most people now expect to be the case, which is diane abbott standing in hackney north, a situation that just a few weeks ago looked really, really in doubt.— just a few weeks ago looked really, really in doubt. tom, for those who are watching _ really in doubt. tom, for those who are watching those _ really in doubt. tom, for those who are watching those who _ really in doubt. tom, for those who are watching those who have - really in doubt. tom, for those who are watching those who have no i really in doubt. tom, for those who l are watching those who have no idea what the problem is, talk us through the diane abbott story from the very beginning. why is it that she wasn�*t allowed to stand at one point? where has the confusion come from? you are testin: me has the confusion come from? you are testing me there! _ has the confusion come from? you are testing me there! ok, _ has the confusion come from? you are testing me there! ok, this _ has the confusion come from? you are testing me there! ok, this started i testing me there! ok, this started with the letter diane abbott wrote to the observer in which i think she said that racism experienced by irish people, jewish people, and gypsy irish people, jewish people, and gypsy roma and travellers, people of that ethnic background is that they are not subject all their lives to racism in the same way that black

people are. it was published by the observer and caused a huge controversy at the time and diane was promptly suspended by labour. time has rumbled on. that was well over a year ago. slightly bizarre that this wasn't wrapped up sooner. a few weeks ago, labour faced continued questions over this. i think there was a suggestion then that she would indeed get to the whip back. that was quickly followed, people would assume that she would run, that was then quickly followed by an anonymous story in the times suggesting actually she would be barred. again, that caused a huge lot of controversy, an outpouring of support from a lot of people across labour and beyond for diane abbott. for her to stand. it prompted a row back from labour to suggest, actually, yeah, in the past few days, rather than this being something that is independent totally of keir starmer and of

seniorfigures, actually, the party seems happy for her to stand now. a win for diane abbott. find seems happy for her to stand now. a win for diane abbott.— win for diane abbott. and a win for ou, win for diane abbott. and a win for you. tom. — win for diane abbott. and a win for you. tom. that— win for diane abbott. and a win for you, tom, that was _ win for diane abbott. and a win for you, tom, that was a _ win for diane abbott. and a win for you, tom, that was a really - win for diane abbott. and a win for you, tom, that was a really well. you, tom, that was a really well expend, thank you. a labour source has said about this whole kind of continuation, this story, it will hopefully be very short and uneventful nec meeting, according to a party source. we need to put this behind us. how quickly do you think sir keir starmer wants to put this behind the party? i sir keir starmer wants to put this behind the party?— behind the party? i think so. i think is that — behind the party? i think so. i think is that source _ behind the party? i think so. i think is that source suggests, | behind the party? i think so. i. think is that source suggests, my expectation is this meeting will have fewer fireworks that may be people might have expected a few weeks ago. my understanding is that by about midday today, members of the nec governing body will get one long list to approve en masse of labour candidates. my understanding is that the overwhelming majority of those will be approved, bar a couple. diane abbott does look set to be approved. i don't know more details i can share on those not set to be approved yet. as you say,

given a really difficult week for labour, in terms of controversy not just over diane, but also over the likes of faiza shaheen, left wing in the party and lloyd russell lloyd, getting deselected. accusations of a purge from the left and on the flip side, lots of keir starmer allies getting senior posts. it has been quite a week of drama when maybe a lot of people would rather labour was talking about policies they voters to hear.— was talking about policies they voters to hear. tom, it has been really good _ voters to hear. tom, it has been really good to — voters to hear. tom, it has been really good to talk _ voters to hear. tom, it has been really good to talk to _ voters to hear. tom, it has been really good to talk to you. - voters to hear. tom, it has been really good to talk to you. editor of the independent pro—labour website labour list, thank you for answering my questions. from one election to another even bigger one. it is in india. the general election there. the alliance bjd alliance, there. the alliance bjd alliance, the main opposition alliance is doing better than expected. markets in india have fallen 6% on this

news. these are very early results. of course, the tally could change as more votes are counted across india. it is a huge election with nearlyi billion people voting. let's listen. it was widely anticipated that the ruling party of prime minister mahendra modi would come back with a landslide. there was talk and the prime minister himself said they would likely cross 400 seats with a parliament strength of 543 but that doesn't seem to be happening. that is where the key political analysis lies. the bjp, which has been in power for the last ten years, it looks like they might just need the help of the coalition parties to form a government. again, we still don't have the final numbers. i will caution to give you a final picture but this is important to point out.

a party that, in its campaign, said they would cross 400 seats, that they were relying on the last ten years of their governments, hoping to capitalise on that, hoping to capitalise on brand narendra modi would get an absolute majority. it is important to understand what this election was about. prime minister narendra modi of the bjp and dozens of opposition parties which united to form a coalition front called the india alliance, a battle between two entities, prime minister modi as well as the india alliance. on one hand, there are reports about the bjp not faring as well as they had hoped, there is also gains that the indian opposition alliance has made and that is where the story lies. let's talk a bit about the size of this election, that is one of the things that interests a lot of people in the uk. abouti billion people voting. how has that been handled? how is it handled every time it happens, it seems incredible? it does.

if i can just tell you, it has been happening in about 45 degrees heat where i am standing at the moment. it is a testament to the people and officials who have carried out this election. that is an important aspect to reflect. having said that, nearly 970 million eligible voters in the country, half of them women and you have 543 parliamentary constituencies which went to the polls over a period of nearly a month and a half. a mammoth exercise. that in itself is something that is always a marvel when we track in the elections over the past decades. logistically, there was a huge presence of officials from both the election commission and the security agencies, which put this election to task. it is important to understand how political parties have been campaigning for well over 6—7 months, crisscrossing various states, delivering their campaign speeches and going forward in these elections. we should get a sense in the next couple of hours of what exactly is the final picture that emerges. whether the bjp will need the support of alliance partners

and if so how much? that will give a sense of what will be the next five years. whether it will be a government which relies a lot on consensus from other political parties or whether it will be a bjp, like in the past, we have seen able to take its own decisions because it has absolute majority. at the moment, the picture doesn't seem to be going in that direction as the bjp hoped. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello, again. we've got some rain moving southwards across the uk today, but beyond this we're looking at really the conditions turning that bit cooler notjust by day but also by night. and we're also looking at sunshine and showers. a lot of the showers will be driven in on brisk winds across the northern half of the country. low pressure once again is driving our weather. these are the fronts attached

to it sinking south. you can see from the isobars, brisk winds in the north, but coming from a chilly direction, namely from the north—west. so, all the blues returning to the north, temperatures slipping through the course of the day, hanging on to the milder conditions for longest further south today. so, here's the rain. it will have moved out by the afternoon of scotland and northern ireland. sinking south, some of this will be heavy and squally. behind it for northern ireland, northern england and scotland, it's a return to strong sunshine, but some heavy showers, some of which will be wintry above 800 metres on the mountains in scotland. and brisk winds. temperatures at best ten to 20 degrees. through this evening and overnight, we say goodbye to the remnants of that rain. clear skies follow, but still a lot of showers coming in in the brisk winds across the northern half of the country. still wintry on the tops of the mountains. and it's going to be a colder night than it was last night. so that's how we start the day tomorrow. tomorrow, we still have low pressure driving our weather. we've said goodbye to our weather front. you can see from the isobars

still brisk winds coming in from this chilly direction, still bringing in a plethora of showers and still wintry on the tops of the mountains in scotland. we can see some of these showers across northern england, also northern ireland, a few getting into north wales. but south of that it's going to be largely dry with sunny spells. we could see the odd shower, but that will be the exception rather than the rule. and a bit cooler than today with highs ten to 17 degrees. then as we head on into thursday, closest to this area of low pressure to the centre is where we'll see all the showers. still blustery winds, a lot of us seeing dry conditions with some sunshine, but cloud building through the course of the day and temperatures ten to about 18 degrees. then as we head beyond that, it still remains unsettled. but into the weekend, high pressure may well take charge. things could settle down, and we're looking at highs of 20.

live from london this is bbc news. migration on the election agenda, a new visa cap to stop migrants entering britain if they win the election. nigel farage, a candidate, says net migrations should be zero.

labour are says net migrations should be zero. labourare campaigning says net migrations should be zero. labour are campaigning on energy security, we will be live without correspondence around the country on those campaign trails. tonight, the first head—to—head debate between keir starmer and rishi sunak. another big election to tell you about, counting is under way in india at the world's biggest election, prime minister narendra modi is expected to win a third term without the landslide he'd hoped for. hello, welcome to bbc news. migration centre stage in the election campaign today with the conservatives saying they would impose an annual cap on the number of migrant visas if they win. the proposal would give parliament a direct role in setting the level with mps voting on the number. labour says the conservatives have allowed immigration to get out of control. and the new reform uk

leader says the uk should aim for zero net migration, yvette cooper has also been critical of the migration plans. the home secretary james cleverly says the idea is to balance the benefits and cost of migration. we balance the benefits and cost of miaration. ~ ~' ., balance the benefits and cost of miaration. ~ ~ ., ., ., ., migration. we know that immigration, le . al migration. we know that immigration, legal migration. _ migration. we know that immigration, legal migration, has _ migration. we know that immigration, legal migration, has been _ migration. we know that immigration, legal migration, has been too - migration. we know that immigration, legal migration, has been too high - legal migration, has been too high over the last couple of years. we have taken measures already which has now started to bring those figures down. measures that were opposed at the time by the labour party. we also recognise as your report said there are benefits to migration, my mother came here as a migrant as did many other people in the uk who have contributed enormously to our society and our economy. but migration with every other public policy comes at a cost. balancing the benefits and cost is what our new policy is going to do. for the first time, we are going to get migration advisory committee to

crunch the numbers to look at both the benefit and the costs of migration levels, the government will then set a cap on the number of visas they will issue in that year, something that will be voted on by parliament. this will sure we properly balance both the numbers of people coming here and the benefits they bring but also the cause, whether it is school places, housing demand, health places etc. speaking on the today — demand, health places etc. speaking on the today programme, _ demand, health places etc. speaking on the today programme, reform - demand, health places etc. speaking on the today programme, reform uk said they want to deport people who come to britain illegally. since said they want to deport people who come to britain illegally.— come to britain illegally. since we o-ened come to britain illegally. since we opened the _ come to britain illegally. since we opened the doors _ come to britain illegally. since we opened the doors in _ come to britain illegally. since we opened the doors in 2004, - come to britain illegally. since we opened the doors in 2004, we - come to britain illegally. since we | opened the doors in 2004, we see that actually the incentives for young — that actually the incentives for young british people to go and learn trades— young british people to go and learn trades and _ young british people to go and learn trades and skills, to work on sites to make _ trades and skills, to work on sites to make money have been reduced because _ to make money have been reduced because wages obviously have come down, _ because wages obviously have come down, we _ because wages obviously have come down, we also have two encourage the millions_ down, we also have two encourage the millions who _ down, we also have two encourage the millions who are not working to get back to _ millions who are not working to get back to work. we should deport people — back to work. we should deport people who come to britain illegally

and we _ people who come to britain illegally and we used to. in the last year of the labour— and we used to. in the last year of the labour government, we deported 45.000 _ the labour government, we deported 45,000 people. now, we are lucky if we deport _ 45,000 people. now, we are lucky if we deport more than five 6000 people — we deport more than five 6000 people. we are not going to be able to do— people. we are not going to be able to do any— people. we are not going to be able to do any others of the increased activism — to do any others of the increased activism of— to do any others of the increased activism of the european court of human _ activism of the european court of human rights and one of the main thing _ human rights and one of the main thing is _ human rights and one of the main thing is we — human rights and one of the main thing is we have to is to leave that court _ thing is we have to is to leave that court and — thing is we have to is to leave that court and to— thing is we have to is to leave that court and to get genuine sovereignty over our— court and to get genuine sovereignty over our territory. court and to get genuine sovereignty over ourterritory. do court and to get genuine sovereignty over our territory. do you know something? once people know that if the come _ something? once people know that if the come to britain illegally absolutely will not be allowed to stay, _ absolutely will not be allowed to stay, they will stop coming. here is a list of candidates _ stay, they will stop coming. here is a list of candidates we _ stay, they will stop coming. here is a list of candidates we know - stay, they will stop coming. here is a list of candidates we know about | a list of candidates we know about so far standing in the clacton constituency which nigel farage is standing in. the bbc website will have a complete list once they are confirmed. keir starmer has been commenting on immigration during a visit to the bridge cafe in bolton and greater manchester. have a listen. ., , ., , ., listen. the conservatives have let emigration _ listen. the conservatives have let emigration get — listen. the conservatives have let emigration get out _ listen. the conservatives have let emigration get out of _ listen. the conservatives have let emigration get out of control, - listen. the conservatives have let emigration get out of control, we| emigration get out of control, we have got record numbers of people coming to this country and the have

said they are going to have a visa cap, they don't know what the number is, it is a cap without a cap. we have had if his account before, rishi sunak got rid of it, and there are going back to without a number. it is utter chaos, they have lost control. and that is why the selection cannot come soon enough, the country is crying out, end the chaos, insert some control, turn the page and start to rebuild the country with labour. on immigration we have to tackle the central issue, we have to tackle the central issue, we need a skill strategy in this country so we don't have to have so many people arriving on work visas and we have to have a dam on bad bosses who are not complying with labour standards, we would ban them from recruiting people if they do not comply with our standards, they should not be allowed to recruit from abroad.—

from abroad. you criticise the conservatives _ from abroad. you criticise the conservatives were _ from abroad. you criticise the conservatives were not - from abroad. you criticise the| conservatives were not setting from abroad. you criticise the i conservatives were not setting a number but you have not done that. do you want to guarantee to people you will cut near migration every year? ? iwant you will cut near migration every year? ? i want immigration to come down, it's far too high. met down, it's far too high. net migration _ down, it's far too high. net migration is _ down, it's far too high. net migration is far _ down, it's far too high. net migration is far too - down, it's far too high. lief migration is far too high. this government has lost control, it is now than twice as high as it was when we were in the european union. there is the irony. this minister for all his tough talk, is the most liberalfeminist when it for all his tough talk, is the most liberal feminist when it comes to immigration. the numbers are through the roof. idistill immigration. the numbers are through the roof. ~ , ., ., ., the roof. will you guarantee it will come down _ the roof. will you guarantee it will come down under _ the roof. will you guarantee it will come down under a _ the roof. will you guarantee it will come down under a labour - the roof. will you guarantee it will- come down under a labour government? we cannot wedge them down, that is what the tories are doing, hoping for the best, you have to understand why there are high, the scale structure is not here, we need to fix it and bear down on bad bosses who are undercutting labour standards, that is what we would do. lets across live and speak to our political correspondent who is in

westminster. it is very much pressure from both sides on the conservative party in terms of their immigration policy both from the labour party and indeed from reform uk. ., , ., , ., labour party and indeed from reform uk. the conservatives today choosing to talk about — uk. the conservatives today choosing to talk about immigration, _ to talk about immigration, traditionally, a strong issue for them, but the last few elections, them, but the last few elections, the conservatives have entered the campaign promising to reduce net migration. under david cameron, they promised to reduce it to the tens of thousands, as we have seen over the last few years, it has gone to the hundreds of thousands even since we left the european union. rishi sunak under pressure from both sides, others are, you have nigel farage, the new leader of reform saying he wants net migration to be effectively zero, so the number of people coming to britain would only match those who have left the country. what you have with keir

starmer from country. what you have with keir starmerfrom labour's point of country. what you have with keir starmer from labour's point of view is him promising to reduce net migration, but, again, not putting numbers on it. the conservatives today being very careful not to put numbers on it because they have tried that before and had their fingers burnt in successive election campaigns. fingers burnt in successive election cam -~ains. , fingers burnt in successive election cam-tains. , ., ~ fingers burnt in successive election cam-tains. , . ~' . fingers burnt in successive election cam-tains. , ., ~ ., ., campaigns. lets talk about labour and what they _ campaigns. lets talk about labour and what they are _ campaigns. lets talk about labour and what they are pushing - campaigns. lets talk about labour and what they are pushing forward today, policies on energy, david, they are talking about trying to be less reliant on the uk on energy from other countries, in particular russia but bringing the bills down for people. how popular will it be? if it works, it would be popular, there are questions about how it will work. the idea is to set up a new publicly owned company called great british energy, they do that by putting a windfall tax on some of the other energy, big energy companies, by increasing borrowing slightly. that company would be

designed to leave in more investment in renewables, offshore wind and so on. that, labourargued, would in renewables, offshore wind and so on. that, labour argued, would make the uk less dependent on imports from oil and gas from overseas and particularly in the case of russia, the price shock that we all felt in our energy bills mark after the invasion of ukraine two years ago. keir starmer bridging the point that labour would also tackle the issue of energy security, but also trying to bring it home by saying, well, actually, if we are less dependent on import, this could cut your bills mark too. ,., ., ., ., ~ on import, this could cut your bills mark too. ., ., ~ ., on import, this could cut your bills marktoo. ., ., ~ ., . mark too. good to talk to you. we have been — mark too. good to talk to you. we have been talking _ mark too. good to talk to you. we have been talking a _ mark too. good to talk to you. we have been talking a lot _ have been talking a lot about migration and immigration, let's take a look at the latest figures. these were released just before rishi sunak called the general election. net migration to the uk,

to explain, that is the difference between the number of people arriving and those leaving sale 10% last year after hitting a record high in 2022. in the year to december 2023, the number of people arriving to the country was 685,000, thatis arriving to the country was 685,000, that is a fall from 764,000 a year before. the office of national statistics said it is too early to say if this is the start of a new downward trend. the biggest driver of migration last year was work. there was also an increase in the number of people arriving from outside the european union on work visas. forareas outside the european union on work visas. for areas like boston in lincolnshire, outside the european union on work visas. for areas like boston in lincolnshire, immigration outside the european union on work visas. for areas like boston in lincolnshire, immigration has changed the face of the population of what was once a small farming and fishing town. that is where jake is. we welcome people as we have throughout the centuries to come to our country to work, to contribute and to be part of our society. ten

countriesjoin and to be part of our society. ten countries join the european and to be part of our society. ten countriesjoin the european union in 2004, including poland, lithuania and latvia. many came to boston to find work in agriculture.— find work in agriculture. migrant labour is hugely _ find work in agriculture. migrant labour is hugely important, - find work in agriculture. migrant. labour is hugely important, without it, we would not produce the food we do. we it, we would not produce the food we do. ~ ., ., ., ~ .., ., it, we would not produce the food we do. ~ ., ., .,~ ., ., do. we have to take control of our borders. some _ do. we have to take control of our borders. some claim _ do. we have to take control of our borders. some claim that - do. we have to take control of our- borders. some claim that immigration has ut borders. some claim that immigration has put pressure _ borders. some claim that immigration has put pressure on _ borders. some claim that immigration has put pressure on local— borders. some claim that immigration has put pressure on local health - has put pressure on local health services, education and housing. when politicians want to talk about immigration, they always seem to end “p immigration, they always seem to end up here in boston. there are politicians who say that immigration is the number one issue in this election. are they right? what is the most important issue for people living here in boston? what are your big issues for this election? what is important for you? the big issues for this election? what is important for you?— is important for you? the world security around _ is important for you? the world security around ukraine, - is important for you? the world security around ukraine, if - is important for you? the world security around ukraine, if that| is important for you? the world i security around ukraine, if that is going to alter, if we change government. i think immigration is a big issue. if

government. i think immigration is a big issue. iii government. i think immigration is a bi issue. . �* ., big issue. if! hadn't mentioned it, is on your — big issue. if! hadn't mentioned it, is on your list? _ big issue. if! hadn't mentioned it, is on your list? the _ big issue. if! hadn't mentioned it, is on your list? the fourth - big issue. if! hadn't mentioned it, is on your list? the fourth thing i big issue. if! hadn't mentioned it, | is on your list? the fourth thing on the left. is on your list? the fourth thing on the left- what— is on your list? the fourth thing on the left. what are the _ is on your list? the fourth thing on the left. what are the things i is on your list? the fourth thing on the left. what are the things you l the left. what are the things you really worry about?— really worry about? taxes and everything _ really worry about? taxes and everything is _ really worry about? taxes and everything is going _ really worry about? taxes and everything is going up - really worry about? taxes and everything is going up in i really worry about? taxes and | everything is going up in price, things— everything is going up in price, things such as change so much in the last few— things such as change so much in the last few years. things such as change so much in the last few years-— last few years. where we don't fi . ure last few years. where we don't fiaure on last few years. where we don't figure on the — last few years. where we don't figure on the list, _ last few years. where we don't figure on the list, migration? l figure on the list, migration? halfway down, i suppose. latte figure on the list, migration? halfway down, i suppose. we have oliticians halfway down, i suppose. we have politicians here _ halfway down, i suppose. we have politicians here who _ halfway down, i suppose. we have politicians here who are _ halfway down, i suppose. we have politicians here who are saying i politicians here who are saying immigration is the munition the election. do you think that right? when it's busy in the summer, we are struggling, with not enough people working. it's a struggle for the economy of the country.- working. it's a struggle for the economy of the country. what are the thin . s that economy of the country. what are the things that are _ economy of the country. what are the things that are going _ economy of the country. what are the things that are going to _ economy of the country. what are the things that are going to make - economy of the country. what are the things that are going to make a i things that are going to make a difference to who you vote for? honesty, and the cost of living, we are worried — honesty, and the cost of living, we are worried about the number of people _ are worried about the number of people who come here from foreign

lands— people who come here from foreign lands and _ people who come here from foreign lands and we're not sure it's too fast _ lands and we're not sure it's too fast i_ lands and we're not sure it's too fast. ., , lands and we're not sure it's too fast. ~ , ., ., ., ., fast. i think it is going to have to be a case — fast. i think it is going to have to be a case of _ fast. i think it is going to have to be a case of they _ fast. i think it is going to have to be a case of they are _ fast. i think it is going to have to be a case of they are going i fast. i think it is going to have to be a case of they are going to i be a case of they are going to bother— be a case of they are going to bother with— be a case of they are going to bother with nhs— be a case of they are going to bother with nhs funding, i be a case of they are going to bother with nhs funding, the| bother with nhs funding, the national— bother with nhs funding, the national service _ bother with nhs funding, the national service thing - bother with nhs funding, the national service thing is i national service thing is ridiculous. _ national service thing is ridiculous. whether- national service thing is ridiculous. whether or. national service thing is . ridiculous. whether or not national service thing is - ridiculous. whether or not they actually— ridiculous. whether or not they actually care _ ridiculous. whether or not they actually care about _ ridiculous. whether or not they actually care about anyone i ridiculous. whether or not they. actually care about anyone under ridiculous. whether or not they- actually care about anyone under the a-e actually care about anyone under the age of— actually care about anyone under the age of 60~ _ actually care about anyone under the age of 60~ paar— actually care about anyone under the aaeof60. ., ., ., age of 60. pay attention to the homeless. _ age of 60. pay attention to the homeless, some _ age of 60. pay attention to the homeless, some foreigners i age of 60. pay attention to the i homeless, some foreigners come, age of 60. pay attention to the - homeless, some foreigners come, i'm not seeing we don't have the right to come, but the people who are here are not getting enough assistance. if you had time, i would give you a wrap. election is coming, it comes every four years, everybody excited, some people want this, some people want that, we ought to understand, give and take, what country is the best? we will not know until we get the rest. . the rest. there we have it, the election wrap. _ the rest. there we have it, the election wrap, why _ the rest. there we have it, the election wrap, why not? i the rest. there we have it, the l election wrap, why not? election time is the time to get different. we have been hearing about

immigration and this is going to be a big issue. let's go live to the researcher at the migration observatory at the university of oxford. what is it that is going to help fill these vacancies that employers are seeing without opening the door further on employers are seeing without opening the doorfurther on immigration? the door further on immigration? political the doorfurther on immigration? political parties are saying they want to close that door and bring immigration down.— want to close that door and bring immigration down. migration is one wa , fillin: immigration down. migration is one way, filling vacancies _ immigration down. migration is one way, filling vacancies across - immigration down. migration is one way, filling vacancies across the i way, filling vacancies across the economy, but it's not the only way. employers and policymakers can improve pay and working conditions, to makejobs more improve pay and working conditions, to make jobs more attractive to workers who are already in the uk. they do not need to have labour at all, they can automate processes and use machinery rather than workers..

migration is one of the options available, but these are two examples of other things that can be done instead. d0 examples of other things that can be done instead-— done instead. do you think net migration _ done instead. do you think net migration could _ done instead. do you think net migration could fall— done instead. do you think net migration could fall if- done instead. do you think net migration could fall if we i done instead. do you think net migration could fall if we see l migration could fall if we see people being paid betterfor these jobs? has it not been the case is ourjobis jobs? has it not been the case is ourjob is that people in this country do want to do. the care sector is a _ country do want to do. the care sector is a good _ country do want to do. the care sector is a good example. i country do want to do. the care sector is a good example. the i sector is a good example. the migration advisory committee when it recommended care workers were added to the skilled worker route, migrant care workers were able to get visas, they also recommended that pay and working conditions in the sector were improved because that is what they consider the underlying issue to be. this comes to a trade—off in thatjobs can be made more attractive by improving pay and conditions, but that may be difficult for some employers if profit margins are tight, or in the

case of public services, it comes without financial cost, obviously, there are many priorities for the government, spending money in one area means not spending it money in another area. area means not spending it money in another area-— another area. reform uk says this is the election — another area. reform uk says this is the election of— another area. reform uk says this is the election of immigration, - another area. reform uk says this is the election of immigration, but i the election of immigration, but others are saying this is not the case everywhere in the country and in some areas, immigration is not really a priority compared to others. ., , . , others. you see an interesting difference _ others. you see an interesting difference in _ others. you see an interesting difference in opinion _ others. you see an interesting difference in opinion surveys l difference in opinion surveys between people at the centre recently said they were going to vote for the labour party, and people who said fairly recently they were going to vote for the conservative party. among labour voters, people said they were going to, as a whole, they tend to be quite ambiguous about migration, no real strong feelings positively or negatively, and it was fairly low down on their list of issues in terms of how important migration was. for people who said they were going to vote for the conservative

party, it is one of the biggest issues among these voters and they tend to be more negative about the issue. it is certainly not the case that all voters think the same way about migration, and something about it as a more important issue than others do. it as a more important issue than others do— others do. thank you very much for 'oinin: others do. thank you very much for joining us- — others do. thank you very much for joining us- let's — others do. thank you very much for joining us. let's talk _ others do. thank you very much for joining us. let's talk about - joining us. let's talk about scotland because the scottish party leaders have clashed in the first televised debate of the general election campaign with disagreements on the future of oil and gas, austerity and the legacy of the conservative government. the 90 minute debate was on stv last night and there's gotten corresponding was watching it. what were the highlights of last night's 90 minute debate? it highlights of last night's 90 minute debate? . , . , debate? it was an interesting structure with _ debate? it was an interesting structure with each _ debate? it was an interesting structure with each of- debate? it was an interesting structure with each of the i debate? it was an interesting i structure with each of the leaders of the parties here in scotland who won seats at the last general election getting an opportunity to

quiz each other, it was perhaps more civilised than previous debates of this kind. remember, none of these party leaders have seats at westminster, they are all politicians at holyrood. there was an element of focusing in on default policies, policy areas like health and education, but also those big issue areas like oil and gas, transition to net zero. independence, of course. and an opportunity for each of the party leaders to set out their stalls. scottish labour talking about themselves as being the party of change. the conservatives who will be campaigning hard not least in the north—east of scotland, that area were oil is an important issue. saying that the snp are down and in their words it was time for a knockout. the lib dems saying this is a chance for people who voted for the lib dems bringing them a fair dealfor theirfamilies

the lib dems bringing them a fair deal for their families and for scotland. and the snp leaderjohn swinney saying they were doing everything they could to protect scotland in tough times. at one point, —— one point thatjohn swinney made in terms of their arguments, he said that labour to lose in terms of the general election, in a sense, arguing that a vote for labour would be a wasted vote for labour would be a wasted vote here in scotland because if they were going to get in at westminster, then the snp vote was needed to protect scotland's interest. it was an interesting new twist on the snp argument as to why to vote for them. you know, he has got a challenge on his hands, the poll would suggest there are a lot of seats in play in the general election here in scotland, and

certainly labour have their eyes on a lot of seats across the central belt and are hopeful they can win some and ease their path to downing street should they when that vote in july. street should they when that vote in jul . . ., street should they when that vote in jul . . ~' , ., , street should they when that vote in jul . ., ~' , ., , . street should they when that vote in jul. .mg , . , july. thank you very much. rishi sunak and _ july. thank you very much. rishi sunak and keir _ july. thank you very much. rishi sunak and keir starmer - july. thank you very much. rishi sunak and keir starmer will i july. thank you very much. rishi sunak and keir starmer will go l sunak and keir starmer will go head—to—head during the first televised debate of the general election campaign tonight. the two leaders are taking part in an hour long programme on itv debating some of the key issues facing the uk and their plans on how to address them in front of a live studio audience, no less, with more, here is our political correspondent. this is where it all began. the first televised election debate was back in 2010. no, you are not miss quentin, the leaders of three political parties were on stage, labour, conservatives and nick clegg of the lib dems. some thought this give the third party too much

publicity. last time round, it was a head—to—head clash, brexit was a big issue. such a man are you going to campaign for issue. such a man are you going to campaignfora issue. such a man are you going to campaign for a leave or remain? there will be a referendum in which that decision will be made by the british— that decision will be made by the british people and our government will abide — british people and our government will abide by that decision. 30 british people and our government will abide by that decision. so much has changed — will abide by that decision. so much has changed in _ will abide by that decision. so much has changed in the _ will abide by that decision. so much has changed in the last _ will abide by that decision. so much has changed in the last five - will abide by that decision. so much has changed in the last five years, | has changed in the last five years, borisjohnson has changed in the last five years, boris johnson ousted has changed in the last five years, borisjohnson ousted as prime minister, jeremy corbyn expelled from the labour party. tonight's debate will feature rishi sunak and keir starmer, the usual clash at westminster, tonight, they will face questioning from members of the public, not members of parliament. rishi sunak has had a dress rehearsal, standing in for boris johnson in 2019, in a multiparty debate. the conservatives are today to reduce migration by allowing mps to reduce migration by allowing mps to vote each year to cap the number of visas granted to those who want to come to the uk to work. labour see previous tory promises to get migration down have been broken while labour are highlighting their plans for a new publicly owned

energy company which they say would bring down bills. the conservatives say keir starmer will costjobs in the north sea oil and gas industries. the party leaders are likely to try and hammer home the key campaign messages at the tv debates. the stage is set for tonight's clash, rishi sunak well argue that the corner has been turned on the economy is working. keir starmer will use his legal background to put the conservatives record in government on trial. the final verdict will be delivered by the voters. onjuly the 4th. during debates like this, politicians throw various facts at each other. how do we fact check those facts? let's cross live to the chief executive of the fact checking charity, full fact. he was a senior bbc correspondent for bbc reality check, it is good to see you. talk me

through what the difficulties are following a debate like this, being able to check the facts simultaneously as you are watching. a lot of it is preparation, politicians do a lot of work trying to work out what they're going to be asked about, and we do a lot of work preparing for the answers we think they are going to give. sometimes, it's about knowing the thing to be fact checked before that they keep saying during a campaign, for example, labour keep saying that 7.5 million people are on the nhs waiting list, it is actually 6.3 million. the tories keep saying that labour was 's plans would allow an initial 100,000 migrants from the european union into the country every year, we think we have the numbers wrong. we had things like that ready to go, they have said a lot, suspect there will see them again. and then it is about knowing where the sources of information are. knowing how to look really quickly like sites like the office

for national statistics, for the numbers, that are actually important, politicians have got a story to tell, it's about narrative, but what we want them to do is to tell the story based on statistics which stand up to scrutiny. lets talk about _ which stand up to scrutiny. lets talk about some _ which stand up to scrutiny. lets talk about some of _ which stand up to scrutiny. lets talk about some of those claims, you have mentioned two, what other claim specifically would we be looking at this evening?— this evening? elections are always about the economy, _ this evening? elections are always about the economy, i _ this evening? elections are always about the economy, i think- this evening? elections are always about the economy, i think there l about the economy, i think there will be a lot about the economy which is going to be important. the arrival of nigel farage in the centre of the campaign means there is going to be emphasis on immigration, obviously, there are clear differences between the two main parties on the rwanda policy for example. there is a lot on that. one of the things we do, i'm sure the bbc does the same, you call them explainer is, not to wait until the bad stuff comes out and fact check it, make sure good information is out there in the first place. putting facts out in the form of

here are all the facts we think it's interesting for voters to know about the specific issue. we will do that during the course of the debate. we don't care the way voters well but we care that they have access to the information to make an informed choice. for politicians, it's really important, they know as we know that trust in politics and politicians is that a ito year low, if they want to start rebuilding that, they have to be as honest and accurate with voters as they can be, it's essential. they need to take the lead in restoring the trust. tbtre lead in restoring the trust. are the less lead in restoring the trust. are they less honest _ lead in restoring the trust. are they less honest now than the pass? it's difficult to see if it's worse or better, it's not noticeably better in the selection and a new challenge is generative ai, anyone can create, produce and distribute their own version of reality within seconds, something that would have taken an enormous amount of processing powerjust a few taken an enormous amount of processing power just a few years ago. it can be done at the click of

mouse. we can use technology, we have ai tools that we will be using during the debate this evening which basically uses a large language model to check for the language in which claims are made and it can instantly check on is this a claim thatis instantly check on is this a claim that is being made before? have we fact check this before? we have not quite got to the point having a ticker tape along the bottom of the screen and as someone says something, true orfalse, we are not quite there and we will probably never quite be there because the machine cannot fact check on their own, we need human beings to add context and caveat and that takes time. we can do it quicker than ever before and we think it's really important during an election to hold politicians to account. goad important during an election to hold politicians to account.— politicians to account. good to see ou back politicians to account. good to see you back on _ politicians to account. good to see you back on the — politicians to account. good to see you back on the bbc. _ politicians to account. good to see you back on the bbc. thank- politicians to account. good to see you back on the bbc. thank you i politicians to account. good to see l you back on the bbc. thank you very much. let's have a look at the weather now. we have been moving

south, the conditions are turning cooler, not only by day, but also by night. we are looking at sunshine and showers, a lot of the showers will be driven on brisk winds across the northern half of the country. low pressure is driving our weather, these are the fronts attached to it sinking so, you can see from the isobars, brisk winds in the north, coming from a chilly direction, namely from the north—west. all the blue is returning to the north, temperatures going down during the day, hanging onto mild conditions for the longest further south. the rain will have moved up by the afternoon of scotland and northern ireland, going south, some heavy, behind it, for northern ireland, northern england and scotland, he returned to strong sunshine, showers, some will be wintry above 800 metres on the mountains of scotland on brisk winds. temperatures at best ten to 20 celsius. this evening and overnight goodbye to the remnants of the rain, clear skies follow, a lot of showers

coming on the wind across the northern half of the country, still wintry on the tops of the mountains. it cold night, colder than last night. that's how we start the day tomorrow, we still have low pressure driving our weather, we have said goodbye to our weather front, you can see from the isobars, still brisk winds from the chilly direction, bringing a plethora of showers and wintry on the tops of the mountains in scotland. some of the mountains in scotland. some of the showers across northern england, northern ireland, a few in north wales, south of that, largely dry with sunny spells. we could see the odd shower, that would be the exception, cooler than today with highs paying to 17 degrees. on thursday, closest to the area of low pressure to the centre, all the showers, blustery winds, a lot of us in dry conditions were sunshine, but cloud building through the day,

temperatures ten to 18 degrees. beyond that, it remains unsettled, at the weekend, high pressure may well take charge and things could settle down and we are looking at highs of 20 celsius.

migration on the election agenda, conservatives promise a new visa

card. labourcampaigning on card. labour campaigning on energy security, sir keir starmer singh he would close the door on putin by reducing britain's alliance on fossil fuels. tonight, rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will go head—to—head in the first televised debate of the campaign this time. counting is under way in india at the world's biggest election. prime minister narendra modi is expected to win a third term. the conservatives say they want to introduce a new annual cap on visas introduce a new annual cap on visas in a bid to reduce overall migration. bbc verify has been looking at the possible impact that such a plan could have. he is in the newsroom. these visa reforms are already working, getting net migration numbers down, and that a new cap would give more help. specifically the home secretary james beverley claims the government

successfully capped migration by one tenth last year and that existing visa restrictions would prevent 3000 fewer people being eligible to come to the uk in future. is that accurate? it is correct, next migration fell by around 10% in 2023. net migration ending in the year ending december 2023 was down from 764,000 to 685,000. however, this was largely due to a major drop in flows of people coming to settle in flows of people coming to settle in the uk from hong kong and ukraine via humanitarian roots, not the government's visa measures which only came into effect this year. they claim that these new visa restrictions, such as restricting ability of care workers to bring dependence will ultimately reduce numbers is based on home office analysis of the migrants who came in 2023, and would not have been eligible to come today. at some of those people might come in other

ways. these are cap could help other conservatives have not today specified eight number for it. the tories are also claiming labour would let a quarter of 250,000 more people come to the uk from the eu every year as part of a sweetheart deal they want to negotiate with europe. this is based on a think tank report which assumes a future labour government would set up an asylum return steel with the eu, and reverse that new rule blocking care workers from bringing their dependents. that does not really correspond with anything labour has actually said. labour are seeking an eu returns agreement if they win power but they also said they would not sign up to eight pan— eu asylum scheme, so any agreement would have to be outside that. labour has also not indicated it would scrap the new care worker visa rules.

bbc verify looking into the facts and figures with regard to migration, which of course is the policy put forward today by the conservatives but also an important one for all the parties involved in the election. within the wider general election it is the battleground seats where the fiercest campaigning will take place. we are focusing on two of those constituencies this morning. any moment our wheels correspond that will tell us how things are looking in chepstow. but first, here is ebc bristol's pete simpson who will tell us about bristol central and why it's different to other constituencies. i will spare you the nautical plans. never spare me those. you are right in the sense that this is a bit of an anomaly, bristol central. insofar as when it comes to issues like small boats, bristol central is a new constituency, one of five in the city, people here they see

themselves as rather progressive and supportive of refugees, of immigration, it is one of the most pro—eu supporting places in the entire country. for that reason and if few others this is very much being seen as a battle between the green party and labour. labour traditionally strong in bristol, currently hold all the parliamentary seats here. at the green party have form, if there is such a thing. at last month city council elections they were the largest party, they won the most seats, and crucially, they won every single council seat within this parliamentary constituency. and that is why their candidate, the co—leader of the party, has been talking up their chances. they see this is very much a priority target seat. word of caution, the greens have talked up their chances in parliamentary elections before in this city. without success. they are up against a labour candidate, shadow cabinet

minister, who in 2019 and a different constituency which has now been changed, won a majority op 28,000. they are the sort of numbers, that sort of swing, that the green party is looking to battle against. it is not insurmountable. as i say, form is on their side, but it is very much a tough battle and they have talked up their chances here before. the issues that bristol central voters worry about, how do they differ elsewhere —— from elsewhere? it is a bit of an anomaly. you would be hard pressed to find a bristolian accent and is part of the country. there is a lot of affluent areas here. also, a lot of students. in that sense, housing is a issue. house prices in a general in bristol have been shooting up, but particularly rents, which have been so adversely affected by rising inflation, mortgage increases. they

arejust inflation, mortgage increases. they are just unaffordable for a lot of people in the city. you have a lot of constituents here that are very receptive to any party that have policies of how to deal with what is a long—term ongoing housing crisis in the city. i will leave you there for a moment. to wales, chepstow, monmouthshire, this is a rural welsh seat. what are theissues this is a rural welsh seat. what are the issues that are worrying voters where you are? one of them is similar to what we havejust one of them is similar to what we have just heard they are in bristol, house prices. because monmouthshire has in recent times, after the tolls were scrapped on the severn bridge, has become more of a commuter, a bristol commuter location. that has risen house prices here. it is a rural constituency, but has got some lovely towns, such as chepstow, monmouth. due to boundary changes

that have recently taken place, it is also incorporated an area of the old newport east. all these boundary changes some political experts say has benefited labour more than any of the other parties in wales. that is the thinking of political experts when it comes to this. in 2019 it was won by david t c davies, currently welsh secretary for the tories stop they have held the seat since 2005. just to give you an impression of how important this seat is, when sir keir starmer came to wales last week this was the first constituency he has come to. itjust first constituency he has come to. it just shows you first constituency he has come to. itjust shows you how much they are targeting this seat, and how much they are targeting all of the tory seats in wales. and also, all the seats in wales. and also, all the seats that former welsh secretary is sitting in. the welsh conservatives

also launched their campaign from this constituency last week. again, just showing you how important this battleground will be, moving forward stop if david tc davies doesn't want to lose his seat how much of a shock would that be? he has held that since 2005. of himself and the former welsh secretary is in the other constituencies in wales, or the old constituencies in wales, or the old constituencies that they have now become, some may say that this is possibly the safest. he has a notional majority of about 10,000, but given the way the boundaries have changed, it was a risk for him to be won back by labour. the seat itself, monmouthshire, as it was, has only ever been held by the tories and the labour party, so the labour party is making a huge push to try to win this back in the

selection. it would be somewhat of a shock, but not as much of a shock as in some of those other constituencies were some of the other former welsh secretaries are sitting across wales. but it is such a key battleground, i think that has been emphasised by the fact that sir keir starmer came here last week, and the fact that the welsh conservatives have launched their election campaign from here. interesting to see how that battle plays out. back in 2019, the lib dems came third, the greens came fourth. there is a full list of candidates on their website. here is the full list of candidates. the bbc will have the full list of candidates once nominations have closed. there you have that bristol

central one is that we know about so far. it has been confirmed that a newborn baby found in east london on a freezing night injanuary is the third child abandoned by the same parents. dna tests have established that baby elsa is the sibling of two babies, a boy and a girl, found in similar circumstances. bbc news has been given permission to report the details after a family courtjudge said the story was of great public interest. despite police appeals, the baby's parents have not been traced. talk me through how you came across this story, and the process to get here. over the last year or so, family courts and in that and wales have been allowing journalists to report in a more meaningful way than before most of this is work that i have been undertaking for the bbc, others have been doing it for other media. as part of that, when many courts joined the transparency pilot at the start of the year, i started going

to east london family court. in east london family court the case of bb elsa arrived, because it is up to the family court to decide what happens to a baby in those very exceptional circumstances where they are abandoned, no trace of their family, no trace of their identity. i was following the case, in the course of the case there was mention of these dna tests that were being done to see whether she might be related to these other two abandoned babies. when those results came through, i made an application, along with pa media, for us to be able to report the results of that dna test. because the fact that they are full siblings is exceptional. it is very unusual for one baby to be abandoned in britain today. it is without precedent or three newborn babies from the same parents to be left in this way. we argued it was very much in the public interest, and we also argued that this might spur a new hunt, a

new search, rather, for the mother, and also put the spotlight on the mother, and the conditions in which she found herself. because we do not know anything about her, except that these babies were abandoned very soon after birth. baby elsa still has her umbilical cord, which could indicate the mother had no medical attention when she gave birth. these are concerning details. obviously the police have renewed their appeal asking for information, and we are hoping that she may be found, that ways may be found to help her, if she needs help. what has happened to these children? any more information we can give the public? we can say that the older two are adopted. bb elsa is in care. they are all doing very well. —— bb elsa. even though they are foundlings,

they have no connection, no identity,. thank you for that. breaking news. we are hearing from the labour nec that labour's barking candidate, darren rodwell, has been removed from the list of election candidates being approved by the party's national executive committee this lunchtime. we know that this was a decision that was due to be made at around midday today. the decision follows bc reports on his conduct. an internal process into allegations concerning mr rodwell is under way at the nec, and the nec is likely to be taken —— a decision on the candidate in coming hours. this is with regards to darren rodwell, who claimed, there were claims a labour candidate had asked police not to respond if they were contacted by a resident, that he was

planning to confront at their home. these were claims that were made earlier. mr rodwell was labour general election candidate at barking and leader of barking and dagenham council. we are now getting reports he has been removed from that list. we will give you more information on that nec meeting as we get it. let us talk to you about that lib dems. they are today setting out what they describe as, bold plans to fix the crisis in care services in england. the party says it will provide free personal care to support older or disabled people in their own homes, which they claim will ease pressure on the nhs. lib dems could make the plans would cost an extra £2.7 billion per year, but independent experts suggest it is likely to be higher. let us cross live now and speak to our political correspondent, who is with the lib dems. it is raining now, you have an umbrella. i bet you wish you were back on that bus.

i do. we will be back on it shortly. as you come to me, sir ed davey isjust on his way back to the bus. sir ed davey has been at this event here, where they had, as you would expect from the lib dems, did you enjoy that? sir ed davey saying he has knocked down the blue wall. what we can show you as the boxes being stowed away now. a giantjen get set painted in blue which they set up. and sir ed davey, moments of the day, he was pulling bricks out of that blue wall until it came tumbling down. a not very subtle analogy. not quite a wall that they want voters to know that this is their aim, to take conservative blue seats, the blue wall, and that is

their aim, seats, the blue wall, and that is theiraim, their primary seats, the blue wall, and that is their aim, their primary target stop and he was reeling off a list of those seats that he was hoping the lib dems can take. and all this, you talk about strategists, what they say is that this is what they know they need to get their message through in a crowded competitive field. a much bigger conservative and labour machines that they are up against. they think it is kind of working. they think it is kind of working. they are getting attention. i am seeing pictures now of what they called the blue wall. it is like a blue django tower of pisa. it is leaning and now it is falling. that is the analogy? —— jenga tower. they are having fun while ——jenga tower. they are having fun while doing it, they don't want to look too serious, they don't want to look too serious, they think the other campaigns are looking a bit serious and stiff, and that they want to show that they have a lighter side, a more human

side, even while they want to talk about serious issues. today's serious issue is all about social care, and their idea to have three social care in england for all the care needs adults, and also carers, they want higher paid carers, £2 extra above the minimum wage for carers. thank you very much. davey and outside the lib dem bus. someone inside a bus, inside the conservative campaign bus. immigration very much in focus for the conservatives today. they are coming under a huge amount of pressure over migration both from the labour party and also from reform uk. yes they are. the home secretary to day out campaigning on this issue, very keen to stress that there policy on immigration that they have put out this morning is not being

influenced by reform uk and developments they are, not be influenced by nigel farage, he is insistent that this is being done in the best interest of the british people. the policy that they have announced this morning would be that if they are re—elected they would introduce an annual cap on the number of worker and family visas that could be issues. those are people coming to the uk for work and, to live their fiance or spouse or partner. they would put a cap on the number of those, but the government would take advice from the migration advisory committee, which is an independent body, which would crunch the numbers, as they put it, to weigh up the economic benefit and they will come up with a numberfor a cap. ministers would then decide on it. and then they would put it to parliament, so it would put it to parliament, so it would have to be conferred by a vote of mps. that is what they are considering it tojuicing. they have come under pressure, most of from the announcement yesterday

that nigel farage is now standing in the election, and saying that he wants to make this an immigration election. there was a little —— there was already particle pressure on the conservatives, largely because over the past few elections, successful elections, they have promised to bring immigration numbers down. we have seen in recent years they have been very high. 2022 they reached their highest level, highest level of net migration that we have seen. it did come down a bit last year and the home secretary was very keen to point out that the government has taken further action, for example in changing the minimum salary that a worker needs to be able to earn to be able to get a worker's visa, and on restricting the ability of people who are coming here to work in health and social care, oras here to work in health and social care, or as international students, to bring dependents with them. pieces that will have an impact, a knock on, but the want to introduce this plan which they say will further reduce, they want to keep

producing those numbers. that is broadly the conservative plan. it has been questioned by other parties, as you would expect. labour has said it is a meaningless announcement, and rehashing failed attempts, because of cuts to have been attempts in the past by the conservatives to put a cap on migration. helen, good to talk to you. helen, good to talk to you. helen, inside the conservative campaign bus. in the india general election narendra modi is leading in early counting, but an opposition is doing better—than—expected. numbers are short of the landslide predicted for narendra modi. it was widely anticipated that the ruling party of prime minister there is a body would come back with a

landslide, there was talk by themselves and prime minister narendra modi they were likely to have 400 seats on their own on a pallet of the strength of 543 but that does not seem to be happening. that is where the key political analysis lies, that the bjp which has been in powerfor the last ten years, at the moment looks like they mightjust need the help of coalition parties to form a government. again, we do not have the final numbers, sol government. again, we do not have the final numbers, so i am cautious to give you a sense of what the final picture will be, but this in itself is important to point out, that a party which was during his campaign had said they would cross 400 seats, relying on the last ten years of the governance, hoping to capitalise on that, capitalise on brand, that narendra modi would get this sort of absolute majority. it is also important to understand what this election was about. you had progress in negligible day of bjp on one side, also dozens of opposition parties which united to form a

coalition front called the india alliance. this battle has been between two entities, narendra modi i india alliance. on one hand there are reports bjp not feeling as feeling as well as they had hoped, there is also gains that india alliance has made, that is where the story lies. let us talk about the size of this election, that interest what the people the uk. around 1 billion people the uk. around 1 billion people voting. how has that been handled? how is it handled every time it happens? it seems incredible. it does. it has been happening in 45 degrees heat where i'm standing at the moment. it is a testament to the people as well as the officials who have carried out the selection. that is an important aspect to reflect as well. nearly 970 million eligible voters in the country, half of them women, 543 parliamentary constituencies which went to the polls over a

period of half a month, a mammoth exercise, that in itself is something that is always a marvel when we are tracking indian elections. in terms of logistics, there was a huge presence of officials from both the election commission as well as the security agencies, which put this election to task, but also important to understand how political parties have been campaigning for well over six or seven months, crisscrossing various states, delivering campaign speeches, and going forward in these elections. we should get a sense in the next couple of hours what exactly is the final picture that emerges, whether the bjp will need support of alliance partners, if so how much? that'll give a sense of what will be the next five years, whether a government which relies on consensus of other critical parties, or whether it will be eight bjp which lie in the past is able to take its

own decisions because it has an absolute majority. now, the weather. rain moving southwards across the uk today. beyond this we are looking at conditions telling that bit cooler, notjust by day, but also by night. also looking at sunshine and showers. a lot of showers will be across the northern half of the country. these are the fronts. sinking south. you can see from the isobars, brisk winds in the north, but coming from a chilly direction, namely from the northwest. so all the blues returning to the north, temperatures slipping

through the course of the day, hanging on to the milder conditions for longest for the south today. so here's the rain. it will have moved out by the afternoon of scotland and northern ireland sinking south. some of this will be heavy and squally behind it for northern ireland, northern england and scotland, it's a return to strong sunshine, but some heavy showers, some of which will be wintry above 800 metres on the mountains in scotland. and brisk winds, temperatures at best ten to 20 degrees through this evening and overnight we say goodbye to the remnants of that rain. clear skies follow, but still a lot of showers coming in in the brisk winds across the northern half of the country. still wintry on the tops of the mountains. and it's going to be a colder night than it was last night. so that's how we start the day tomorrow. tomorrow, we still have low pressure driving our weather. we've said goodbye to our weather front. you can see from the isobars still brisk winds coming in from this chilly direction, still bringing in a plethora of showers and still wintry on the tops of the mountains in scotland. we can see some of these showers across northern england, also

northern ireland a few getting into north wales. but south of that it's going to be largely dry with sunny spells. we could see the odd shower, but that will be the exception rather than the rule. and a bit cooler than today with highs ten to 17 degrees. then as we head on into thursday, closest to this area of low pressure to the centre is where we'll see all the showers. still blustery winds, a lot of dry conditions with some sunshine, but cloud building through the course of the day and temperatures ten to about 18 degrees. then as we head beyond that, it still remains unsettled. but into the weekend, high pressure may well take charge. things could settle down. and we're looking at highs of 20.

live from london, this is bbc news. migration on the election agenda. the conservatives promised to reduce the number of visas available to migrants if they win onjuly the 4th. labourare campaigning on energy security — keir on energy security — starmer said he would closet

door keir starmer said he would close the door on president putin... and tonight — the first head to head debate — between sir kier starmer and rishi sunak. and counting is under way in india, at the worlds biggest election takes place — with prime minister narendra modi expected to win a third term — but without the landslide he hoped for. hello, i'm maryam moshiri. welcome to bbc news. migration's centre stage this morning in the general election campaign. the conservatives say if they win the general election there would be an annual cap on the number of migrant visas issued. the proposed plan would give parliament a direct role in setting the level, with mps having a vote on the number. keir starmer says labour have allowed immigration to get out of

control. nigel farage said the uk should aim for zero net migration. the home secretaryjames should aim for zero net migration. the home secretary james cleverly says the idea is to balance the benefits and costs of migration. we know immigration, legal migration, has been too high over the last couple of years, we have already taken measures which as your report says has started to bring those figures down, measures are opposed at the time by the labour party. but we also recognise, as your report said, there are benefits to migration. my mother came here as a migrant, as did many other people in the uk who have contributed enormously to society and our economy. but migration as with every public policy comes with a cost and balancing the benefits and causes what a new policy is going to do. igrate what a new policy is going to do. we will what a new policy is going to do. - will get a migration advisory

committee to crunch the numbers, to look at both the benefit and the costs of migration levels. the government will then set a cap on the number of visas they will issue in that year, something that will then be voted on by parliament. this will make sure we properly balance both the numbers of people coming here and the benefits they bring, but also the cost, whether in school places, housing demand, health places, housing demand, health places, etc. speaking on the today programme, reform uk's nigel farage says he wants to deport people who come to britain illegally. since 2004 when we opened the doors, we see that actually the incentives for young british people to learn trades and skills, to work on site and make money, have been reduced, wages have come down. we also have to encourage the millions who are not working to get back to work. we should deport people who come to britain illegally, and we used to. over the last year of the labour

government we deported 16,000 people. now we are lucky if that is more than 5000, 6000. we will not be able to do any of this of the increased activism of the european court of human rights and one of the main things we have to do is leave that court and get genuine sovereignty over our territory. once people know that if they come to britain illegally they absolutely will not be allowed to stay, they will stop coming. here is the list of candidates we know about so far standing on the clacton constituency. as always the bbc news website will have a complete list of candidates once they are all confirmed. keir starmer has been commenting on immigration during a visit to the bridge cafe in bolton. we have got record numbers of people coming to this country and they have no said

they are going to have a visa cap, they are going to have a visa cap, they have not said what the number is, they have a visa cap without a cap, we did have a visa cap before? rishi sunak got rid of it in 2020, and now they're going back to it without a number. it is utter chaos. they have lost control. and that is why the selection cannot come soon enough, the country is crying out, in the chaos that, inserts and control, turn the page, start to rebuild the country with labour. on immigration, we have to tackle the central issue which as we need a skill strategy in this country so we do not have to have so many people arriving on work visas and we have to hammer down on bad bosses who are not complying with labour standards, and we would ban them from recruiting people from abroad, if you do not comply with their labour standards, you should not be allowed to recruit from abroad. you criticise the _ to recruit from abroad. you criticise the conservatives for not setting a number, but you have not setting a number, but you have not set a number, setting a number, but you have not seta number, can setting a number, but you have not set a number, can you guarantee to

people you are cognate migration every year? son? yes, iwant immigration to come down, it is far too high. can you guarantee that? net migration is far too high, this covenant has lost control. it is now more than twice as high as it was when we were in the european union, thatis when we were in the european union, that is the earning of it. this prime ministerfor all that is the earning of it. this prime minister for all his tough talk, is the most liberal prime minister when it comes to migration. those numbers have gone through the roof. flan those numbers have gone through the roof. . , ., ., ., those numbers have gone through the roof. . , ., . ., .., roof. can you guarantee it will come down under — roof. can you guarantee it will come down under a _ roof. can you guarantee it will come down under a labour _ roof. can you guarantee it will come down under a labour government? | roof. can you guarantee it will come i down under a labour government? we down under a labour government? , have a plan to bring them down, you cannot wish them down, the tories are plucking numbers and hoping for the best, you have to understand why there are high, the skill structure is not here, we need to fix and bear down on bad bosses who are undercutting labour standards. that is what we would do. that undercutting labour standards. that is what we would do.— is what we would do. that was keir starmer. meanwhile, _ is what we would do. that was keir starmer. meanwhile, labour's- starmer. meanwhile, labour's candidate in the back and considering has been removed from

the less being approved by the executive committee. it follows allegations about his conduct. let's cross to our correspondent in westminster. what do we know about why this has happened? the westminster. what do we know about why this has happened?— why this has happened? the national executive committee _ why this has happened? the national executive committee of _ why this has happened? the national executive committee of labour - why this has happened? the national executive committee of labour is - executive committee of labour is meeting today to rubber—stamp the list of candidates going forward into the general election. the deadline for which is thursday. we have learned in the last half hour that darren rodwell, the candidate for backing in east london has been removed from that process pending an internal process investigation into allegations about him. that is under way. it's not clear yet he will ultimately be allowed to be labour's candidate there. it should be said he has said there are unfounded allegations about his conduct in the media and he has been taking legal advice about that. as of now, we do

not know for sure whether he will want to be the candidate, clearly, another hiccup in the process of choosing candidates after labour problems with diane abbott last week. ., ., ., problems with diane abbott last week. ., ~ week. now it looks like we will get a clear picture _ week. now it looks like we will get a clear picture of— week. now it looks like we will get a clear picture of who _ week. now it looks like we will get a clear picture of who is _ week. now it looks like we will get a clear picture of who is going - week. now it looks like we will get a clear picture of who is going to i a clear picture of who is going to be running for labour by the deadline on thursday. let's talk about the conservatives policy put forward today on migration. the pressure on the tory party from both sides, from reform uk and labour unless. nigel fire edge was my entry into the fight, if you like, as the new leader of reform, has put immigration higher up the agenda. he: has always said it should be on immigration election, the voters want to talk about immigration about the political parties don't. today, the political parties don't. today, the conservatives are choosing to talk about it. they are saying that they will reduce net migration which

has risen in recent years. it used to be a strong political issue for the conservatives to talk about reducing migration, david cameron promised to reduce it to the tens of thousands a year, but as we have seenin thousands a year, but as we have seen in recent years, it has been in the hundreds of thousands, and even today, they are saying they would change the way that it's calculated so they would be a cap on visas, there are still not prepared to say what the number of those visas should be, although they say the expectation would be to reduce net migration overall. the expectation would be to reduce net migration overall.— migration overall. the liberal democrats — migration overall. the liberal democrats are _ migration overall. the liberal democrats are setting - migration overall. the liberal democrats are setting out. migration overall. the liberal. democrats are setting out what migration overall. the liberal- democrats are setting out what they describe as bold plans to fix the crisis in care services in england. the party says it will provide free personal care to support older or disabled people in their own homes which they claim will ease pressure on the nhs. lib dems calculate their plans will cost an extra £2.7 billion a year but independent experts suggest it is likely to be

far higher. let's cross live and speak to our political correspondent who is with the lib dems, and you are on the move now, you were standing outside the bus, to being on the bus. earlier on, you had an interview, and in prom interview with ed davey carrying a box, it has gone down very well on twitter. me gone down very well on twitter. we had gone down very well on twitter. - had just stopped, we were off the bus, the lib dems do this every day, despise everyone do something, and we happen to be talking to you when ed davey came down, appeared off the bus and headed off in his —— with his giant box which was his moment of the day. i can let you into a secret, even he doesn't quite know what is coming every day. his campaign team organise these things and then let him know. today, what they had was this blue tiber that

they had was this blue tiber that the put up. it was meant to be a wall, but you get the idea. pull the breaks out, it tumbles down. that was the photo opportunity. as you were saying, the issue of social care, the lib dems plan, they say that needs to be dealt with, i million people are at least not getting help they need, you said this is about people in their homes, it's not only people in their homes, it's not only people in their homes, it is also in residential care, to provide the care element of that free so that would be in your home, or in a residential home, help with medicines, washing, hygiene, ability, —— mobility, that sort of thing. we can give you a sense of ed davey talking about that short time ago. davey talking about that short time a . o. , , davey talking about that short time a i o, , , , davey talking about that short time auo. , , y . davey talking about that short time auo.,, , ., davey talking about that short time

auo., .,, davey talking about that short time a'o. , , , . ., , ., ago. gets very close to my heart, i have been — ago. gets very close to my heart, i have been a _ ago. gets very close to my heart, i have been a carer _ ago. gets very close to my heart, i have been a carer for _ ago. gets very close to my heart, i have been a carer for most - ago. gets very close to my heart, i have been a carer for most of - ago. gets very close to my heart, i have been a carer for most of my l have been a carer for most of my life, _ have been a carer for most of my life. i_ have been a carer for most of my life. i cared— have been a carer for most of my life, i cared for my mother when she was terminally ill, i looked after my granny— was terminally ill, i looked after my granny when she was frail, and now i_ my granny when she was frail, and now i look— my granny when she was frail, and now i look after my wife. i understand how family care is under pressure. _ understand how family care is under pressure, there are millions of families— pressure, there are millions of families looking after their loved ones _ families looking after their loved ones and — families looking after their loved ones and they need more support. we also need _ ones and they need more support. we also need to— ones and they need more support. we also need to invest in social care, these _ also need to invest in social care, these are — also need to invest in social care, these are the care workers who are paid, _ these are the care workers who are paid, need — these are the care workers who are paid, need to make sure they get a decent _ paid, need to make sure they get a decent minimum wage, we are saying to pens— decent minimum wage, we are saying to pens and _ decent minimum wage, we are saying to pens and are above the national minimum — to pens and are above the national minimum wage at least. we need more people _ minimum wage at least. we need more people to _ minimum wage at least. we need more pe0pte to be _ minimum wage at least. we need more people to be supportive in care. to look at _ people to be supportive in care. to look at their— people to be supportive in care. to look at their loved ones waiting to be discharged from hospital so they do not _ be discharged from hospital so they do not have to go into hospital, if we do _ do not have to go into hospital, if we do that, — do not have to go into hospital, if we do that, we rescue our nhs. our nhs on _ we do that, we rescue our nhs. our nhs on its _ we do that, we rescue our nhs. our nhs on its knees. one of the main reasons— nhs on its knees. one of the main reasons is— nhs on its knees. one of the main reasons is people do not invest in social— reasons is people do not invest in social care — reasons is people do not invest in social care and family carers. our package — social care and family carers. our package today does that. it�*s package today does that. it's interesting. _ package today does that. utt�*s interesting, but how much will it cost and how will it be funded? the

ersonal cost and how will it be funded? the personal care is 2.7 billion a year and the — personal care is 2.7 billion a year and the extra money for care workers would _ and the extra money for care workers would cost _ and the extra money for care workers would cost 1_ and the extra money for care workers would costi billion. 3.7 billion. we are — would costi billion. 3.7 billion. we are saying the tax cuts to the hi i we are saying the tax cuts to the big banks — we are saying the tax cuts to the big banks which the conservatives have given should be reversed. that would _ have given should be reversed. that would raise — have given should be reversed. that would raise {4.3 billion more than a policy~ _ would raise {4.3 billion more than a policy~ are _ would raise {4.3 billion more than a policy. are other aspects, we think this is— policy. are other aspects, we think this is an _ policy. are other aspects, we think this is an essential investment to save _ this is an essential investment to save our— this is an essential investment to save our and to provide the care that people need.— save our and to provide the care that people need. that is the policy staff, i that people need. that is the policy staff. i want — that people need. that is the policy staff. i want to _ that people need. that is the policy staff, i want to play _ that people need. that is the policy staff, i want to play that _ that people need. that is the policy staff, i want to play that leg - that people need. that is the policy staff, i want to play that leg of - staff, i want to play that leg of you with ed davey walking. such a man are you looking forward to today's event? you have a prop for us. �* , ., ., , , today's event? you have a prop for us. 3 ., ., , , you today's event? you have a prop for us— you are l us. it's going to be blue. you are heafina us. it's going to be blue. you are hearing about — us. it's going to be blue. you are hearing about the _ us. it's going to be blue. you are hearing about the social- us. it's going to be blue. you are hearing about the social care - us. it's going to be blue. you are i hearing about the social care issue, they want the attention from moments like this but to focus on serial policies. like this but to focus on serial olicies. . , ., . ., , .,

policies. that is what elections are about, policies. that is what elections are about. grabbing — policies. that is what elections are about, grabbing moments- policies. that is what elections are about, grabbing moments and - policies. that is what elections are - about, grabbing moments and bringing life and colour to events. in terms of election coverage, we are going to politics live on the bbc. later on we will carry on with news and election coverage with our colleagues. we will underline all the policy push backs today from the three main parties as well as looking into the debate that happened on stv last night. i'm looking ahead to the big debate tonight between rishi sunak and keir starmer which will go on itv for one hour later. this is bbc news.

it isjuicy, it is it is juicy, it is 1215 and we are live in westminster. the new reform uk leader calls for zero net migration. uk leader calls for zero net migration-— uk leader calls for zero net migration. uk leader calls for zero net miaration. ~ ., ., migration. we were told we would get control of her — migration. we were told we would get control of her borders, _ migration. we were told we would get control of her borders, that _ control of her borders, that immigration numbers would come down, they have exploded. ads,

immigration numbers would come down, they have exploded.— they have exploded. a labour government _ they have exploded. a labour government would _ they have exploded. a labour government would open - they have exploded. a labour government would open the l they have exploded. a labour . government would open the door they have exploded. a labour - government would open the door and weave _ government would open the door and weave people to enter our country. the conservatives promised to introduce an annual cap on migration introduce an annual cap on migration in the face of devastating polls for the party. the lib dems are also hoping to knock the tories with a plan to provide free personal care for adults. plan to provide free personal care foradults. hf plan to provide free personal care for adults. ., ., ,. for adults. if we do that, we rescue our nhs, for adults. if we do that, we rescue our nhs. our _ for adults. if we do that, we rescue our nhs, our nhs _ for adults. if we do that, we rescue our nhs, our nhs is _ for adults. if we do that, we rescue our nhs, our nhs is on _ for adults. if we do that, we rescue our nhs, our nhs is on its - for adults. if we do that, we rescue our nhs, our nhs is on its knees. i our nhs, our nhs is on its knees. tonight? rishi sunak and keir starmer go head—to—head for the first time in a tv debate. and with big names stepping down from parliament, we look at the anticipated changing of the guard at westminster. joining us today, the minister for legal migration, labour harriet harman, and the left—wing media outlet, the founder of conservative home, tim montgomery. this is politics live, election 2024.