time tomorrow. see you at the same time tomorrow. goodbye for now. if it wins the election in three weeks' time. the party leader sir keir starmer said wealth creation and steadiness would be central to his government. stability over chaos. long—term over short—term. an end to the desperate era of gestures and gimmicks, and a return to the serious business of rebuilding our country. applause. helen from crewe in cheshire. here was labour's manifesto does not stick around for a few minutes, and i will tell you what's in it. did you have any inside information when you made the bet? i clearly made a huge error ofjudgment. an aide to the prime minister tells us he's sorry over betting on a july election — three days before it was called. # once more, you open the door...#

and celine dion on the illness that's kept her away from the stage — and how she's determined to sing again. i'll be on stage. i don't know when exactly, but trust me, i will. and the fans start preparing early before scotland kick off tomorrow against germany at the start of the euros. and coming up on bbc news — scotland fans are ready on the eve of the opening game of euro 2024 against hosts germany. we'll have the latest from the camp. good evening. sir keir starmer has unveiled labour's plan for government if they win the election.

their manifesto promises that wealth creation will be the party's number one priority. there were no policy surprises — with previously announced details including 40,000 more nhs appointments each week in england, and the recruitment of 6,500 new teachers as well as the launch of a new border security command to tackle gangs organising small boat channel crossings. sir keir promised not to raise personal taxation or vat, except on private schools. in a moment, faisal islam will be going through some of labour's economic plans and looking at whether they add up, but first chris mason is in crewe for us this evening. chris. yes, good evening to you from the blustery car park of crewe alexandra and the stadium behind me. keir starmer headed here to cheshire having spent the morning in manchester, unveiling this, the labour manifesto, my rucksack

getting heavy with these manifestos as the week trundles on. he picked a particular place in manchester, reeta, for the big launch today, the cooperative building, the home of the cooperative movement, which has its roots just up the road the cooperative movement, which has its rootsjust up the road in rochdale and those connections to the labour party. so here is the story of labour's day. the labour movement's past and perhaps its future. it's been a good week for the printing trade, all these manifestos. keir week for the printing trade, all these manifestos. keir starmer was here at the office _ these manifestos. keir starmer was here at the office of _ these manifestos. keir starmer was here at the office of the _ here at the office of the cooperative almost 18 months ago to start setting out his vision for government. and, as if to underline that there would be no surprises today, he was back again. wealth creation is _ today, he was back again. wealth creation is our _ today, he was back again. wealth creation is our number _ today, he was back again. wealth creation is our number one - today, he was back again. wealth l creation is our number one priority. growth is our core business, the only route to improving the prosperity of our country and the living standards of working people. not everyone in here was convinced.

it's the same old tory policies. point_ it's the same old tory policies. point made, it was an early escorted departure for her as sir keir responded. we departure for her as sir keir remanded-— departure for her as sir keir resonded. ~ ., , ., , ., responded. we gave up on being a -a of responded. we gave up on being a party of protest — responded. we gave up on being a party of protest five _ responded. we gave up on being a party of protest five years - responded. we gave up on being a party of protest five years ago. - responded. we gave up on being a| party of protest five years ago. the labour leader said his own upbringing meant he understood the reality of many families' lives. i know what it feels like to be embarrassed, to bring your mates over because the cup is threadbare and the window is cracked that make the cup is threadbare. i was responsible for that, because i did put a football through it. find responsible for that, because i did put a football through it.— put a football through it. and he emphasised _ put a football through it. and he emphasised his _ put a football through it. and he emphasised his promise - put a football through it. and he emphasised his promise on - put a football through it. and he emphasised his promise on tax. | put a football through it. and he i emphasised his promise on tax. we will not emphasised his promise on tax. , will not raise income tax. we will not raise national insurance. we will not raise vat. that is a manifesto commitment. , ., manifesto commitment. hmm, but what about other taxes, _ manifesto commitment. hmm, but what about other taxes, i _ manifesto commitment. hmm, but what about other taxes, i thought? _ manifesto commitment. hmm, but what about other taxes, i thought? i- manifesto commitment. hmm, but what about other taxes, i thought? i will- about other taxes, i thought? i will ask him about that later. find ask him about that later. and another thing, _ ask him about that later. jifuc anotherthing, because ask him about that later. fific another thing, because there ask him about that later. e'"ic another thing, because there may ask him about that later. el"ic another thing, because there may be some people here today who say, where is the surprise? where is the rabbit out of the hat? to which i

say, if you want politics as pantomime, i hear clacton is nice this time of year.— this time of year. that a 'oke at niel this time of year. that a 'oke at nigel farage-s * this time of year. that a 'oke at nigel farage's expense. _ this time of year. that a joke at nigel farage's expense. this i this time of year. that a joke at i nigel farage's expense. this was keir starmer�*s conclusion. i nigel farage's expense. this was keir starmer's conclusion. i invite ou all to keir starmer's conclusion. i invite you all to join _ keir starmer's conclusion. i invite you all to join our _ keir starmer's conclusion. i invite you all to join our mission - keir starmer's conclusion. i invite you all to join our mission to - keir starmer's conclusion. i invite you all to join our mission to stop the chaos, turn the page and start to rebuild our country. thank you so much. . ~ to rebuild our country. thank you so much. ., ., much. right in the thick of it now. let's see who _ much. right in the thick of it now. let's see who we _ much. right in the thick of it now. let's see who we can _ much. right in the thick of it now. let's see who we can grab - much. right in the thick of it now. let's see who we can grab for- much. right in the thick of it now. let's see who we can grab for a i let's see who we can grab for a word. rachel reeves, what happens if growth doesn't happen? i word. rachel reeves, what happens if growth doesn't happen?— growth doesn't happen? i re'ect this idea that we — growth doesn't happen? i re'ect this idea that we can't be h growth doesn't happen? i re'ect this idea that we can't be any h growth doesn't happen? i reject this idea that we can't be any better- idea that we can't be any better than we are today. are idea that we can't be any better than we are today.— idea that we can't be any better than we are today. are you going to win? well. no _ than we are today. are you going to win? well, no votes _ than we are today. are you going to win? well, no votes have _ than we are today. are you going to win? well, no votes have been - than we are today. are you going to win? well, no votes have been cast| win? well, no votes have been cast et and win? well, no votes have been cast yet and we — win? well, no votes have been cast yet and we are _ win? well, no votes have been cast yet and we are certainly _ win? well, no votes have been cast yet and we are certainly not - yet and we are certainly not complacent. yet and we are certainly not complacent-— yet and we are certainly not complacent. yet and we are certainly not comlacent. ~ . ., complacent. we are fighting for every single _ complacent. we are fighting for every single vote. _ complacent. we are fighting for every single vote. is _ complacent. we are fighting for every single vote. is there - complacent. we are fighting for. every single vote. is there enough in here to excite people? there is nothing new, is there? this in here to excite people? there is nothing new, is there?— nothing new, is there? this is a serious programme _ nothing new, is there? this is a serious programme to - nothing new, is there? this is a serious programme to deliver l nothing new, is there? this is a l serious programme to deliver the change _ serious programme to deliver the change this country needs. are you auoin to change this country needs. are you going to win? _ change this country needs. are you going to win? a — change this country needs. are you going to win? a single _ change this country needs. are you going to win? a single vote - change this country needs. are you going to win? a single vote has - change this country needs. are you j going to win? a single vote has not been cast- — going to win? a single vote has not been test we _ going to win? a single vote has not been cast. we are _ going to win? a single vote has not been cast. we are fighting - going to win? a single vote has not been cast. we are fighting hard - going to win? a single vote has not been cast. we are fighting hard for| been cast. we are fighting hard for every— been cast. we are fighting hard for every vote — been cast. we are fighting hard for every vote. we been cast. we are fighting hard for every vote-— every vote. we take nothing for ranted. every vote. we take nothing for granted- you — every vote. we take nothing for granted. you have _ every vote. we take nothing for granted. you have nailed - every vote. we take nothing for granted. you have nailed that l granted. you have nailed that script, haven't you? you delivered

itjust like script, haven't you? you delivered it just like that. script, haven't you? you delivered itjust like that. plenty here have a message to deliver, by hand and by bus. next stop, crewe in cheshire, and that question i want to put to keir starmer. you have been explicit about income tax, national insurance and vat. what about capital gains tax in fuel duty and council tax? you have not been as explicit on those? ~ . , you have not been as explicit on those? ~ ., , ., ., , ., , those? we have set out our plans in our manifesto. _ those? we have set out our plans in our manifesto, which _ those? we have set out our plans in our manifesto, which say _ those? we have set out our plans in our manifesto, which say it's - those? we have set out our plans in our manifesto, which say it's a - our manifesto, which say it's a manifesto full of hope and change for the future. so the plans in our manifesto are set out. none of them require tax rises over and above the specific ones that we have set out well in advance of the manifesto. what is the plan in those opening weeks and months? if you get the chance? to weeks and months? if you get the chance? ., . , weeks and months? if you get the chance? ., ., , ., ., ,, chance? to earn every vote, taking nothin: chance? to earn every vote, taking nothing for — chance? to earn every vote, taking nothing for granted. _ chance? to earn every vote, taking nothing for granted. we _ chance? to earn every vote, taking nothing for granted. we will- chance? to earn every vote, taking nothing for granted. we will start l nothing for granted. we will start the work on 40,000 appointments in the work on 40,000 appointments in the nhs to clear our backlog on waiting lists. we will start the work on setting up great british energy, setting up our border security command, starting to recruit 6500 teachers we need and

starting to recruit 13,000 neighbourhood police. they are all step one. that will be the day after the election that we done on that, sleeves rolled up, hitting the ground running. but sleeves rolled up, hitting the ground running.— sleeves rolled up, hitting the ground running. but there is still len of ground running. but there is still plenty of road — ground running. but there is still plenty of road to _ ground running. but there is still plenty of road to trundle - ground running. but there is still plenty of road to trundle over . ground running. but there is still plenty of road to trundle over in | plenty of road to trundle over in this campaign. polling day is three weeks today. chris mason, bbc news, at the modern flake stadium in crewe. as we've been hearing, economic credibility is at the heart of labour's pitch to be the party of government. but do their numbers add up? 0ur economics editor faisal islam has been looking at what they've promised, and how those promises will be paid for. faisal. thanks, reeta. the labour manifesto is a very modest change to tax and spending designed to communicate really one thing — that keir starmer and rachel reeves want to be trusted to promote economic stability and run a steady ship. let's take a look at how they say it all adds up. there are just under £5bn of giveaways. the biggest three

are an extra 40,000 nhs appointments a week at a billion, and then several thousand new expert teachers and mental health staff at under half a billion each. add in a raft of other policies — breakfast clubs and dentistry reforms — these are really quite small policies, but we get up to £4.8bn. that will be paid for by £7.3bn of revenue raisers. the biggest ones are a tax crackdown and vat on private schools. so if you look at the giveaways and the takeaways at the same time, there's a difference. it leaves £2.5bn unallocated, in day to day spending. that's money they are choosing not to spend on purpose, to send a message of prudence and caution. however, labour will maintain the conservatives' current income tax threshold freeze — a big tax rise, and an implied squeeze on some areas of public spending. so the plan seems to require a much improved economy. the economy might grow better than expected,

either because we get lucky or because of labour party policies, but we certainly can't be sure of it. so what we really need to understand is, what would the choices be if the economy doesn't grow? and i'm afraid we really didn't get a sense of that. there was a sense of, "we're not going to raise taxes, we're not going to cut spending, we're going to meet these fiscal rules". but without additional growth, you can't do all of those three things, orat least, i can't see how you do it. so in this manifesto, keir starmer squares not putting up the main rates of tax, investing in the future, not borrowing more and never returning to austerity by getting the economy to grow faster with a plan to slash red tape on building homes and infrastructure. these plans already see the tax burden heading for post—war highs. but if growth does not materialise, this modest manifesto could end up being a signifcant straitjacket on a possible labour government. thank you, faisal. so the all—important question — what do voters who deserted labour

for the tories at the last election think of their plans? well, the newly formed constituency of newton aycliffe and spennymoor in county durham has been created largely from the former constituency of sedgefield — tony blair's old seat. in 2019, many seats in this area were part of the so—called red wall — that had been staunchly labour, but which now turned to borisjohnson's conservatives. danny savage has spent the day there, finding out whether labour's pledges have changed minds. labour say they are pro—business and pro—workers. mi labour say they are pro-business and pro-workers— pro-workers. all of our customers are blue-chip _ pro-workers. all of our customers are blue-chip companies. - pro-workers. all of our customers are blue-chip companies. we - pro-workers. all of our customers | are blue-chip companies. we have pro-workers. all of our customers - are blue-chip companies. we have got are blue—chip companies. we have got nissan, amazon. 50 are blue-chip companies. we have got nissan, amazon.— nissan, amazon. so no surprise that the were nissan, amazon. so no surprise that they were watching _ nissan, amazon. so no surprise that they were watching what _ nissan, amazon. so no surprise that they were watching what sir - nissan, amazon. so no surprise that they were watching what sir keir - they were watching what sir keir starmer had to stay today at this manufacturing firm in newton aycliffe. manufacturing firm in newton a cliffe. �* ., , , aycliffe. i'm looking for stability and to be honest, _ aycliffe. i'm looking for stability and to be honest, from - aycliffe. i'm looking for stability and to be honest, from what - aycliffe. i'm looking for stability and to be honest, from what he | aycliffe. i'm looking for stability - and to be honest, from what he said about keeping taxes stable, that gives me a sense of a strong government in terms of carrying on the economy without too much

disruption. so it provides a good foundation for businesses and business owners to compete with foreign nations for business. louie foreign nations for business. we make delicious beer, unique beer. nearby. _ make delicious beer, unique beer. nearby, nick smith runs a brewery. he wasn't to move by labour's plans. i would like to have seen a few more bold i would like to have seen a few more hold and _ i would like to have seen a few more bold and brave suggestions from mr shannen _ bold and brave suggestions from mr starmer. the whole message seems to be starmer. the whole message seems to he that_ starmer. the whole message seems to he that we _ starmer. the whole message seems to be that we are better than the alternative, which is the incumbent government. and alternative, which is the incumbent government-— government. and it's that good enou~h? government. and it's that good enough? i _ government. and it's that good enough? i think— government. and it's that good enough? i think it _ government. and it's that good enough? i think it would - government. and it's that good enough? i think it would be - government. and it's that good i enough? i think it would be good enou:h enough? i think it would be good enough for— enough? i think it would be good enough for most _ enough? i think it would be good enough for most people. - enough? i think it would be good enough for most people. he - enough? i think it would be good enough for most people. he quit| enough for most people. he quit bein: a enough for most people. he quit being a chemistry _ enough for most people. he quit being a chemistry teacher - enough for most people. he quit being a chemistry teacher to - enough for most people. he quit| being a chemistry teacher to brew beer, so he also has thoughts on the manifesto pledge to get 6500 teachers into classrooms. my ex—colleagues and friends and family who are _ ex—colleagues and friends and family who are teachers, i see their will to teach— who are teachers, i see their will to teach being sapped and i think 6500 _ to teach being sapped and i think 6500 seems like a drop in the ocean compared _ 6500 seems like a drop in the ocean compared to people who are leaving. this beautician plasma is owned by 28—year—old emily. she is pleased to see a pledge to help first—time

buyers. to see a pledge to help first-time bu ers. ., , . , see a pledge to help first-time bu ers. .,, .,, ., see a pledge to help first-time bu ers. .,, ., ., ., buyers. to be able to save for a house, buyers. to be able to save for a house. you _ buyers. to be able to save for a house. you can _ buyers. to be able to save for a house, you can do _ buyers. to be able to save for a house, you can do nothing - buyers. to be able to save for a house, you can do nothing andl buyers. to be able to save for a l house, you can do nothing and go nowhere. housing prices are ridiculous in relation to wages and stuff like that. it's massively difficult. . , . stuff like that. it's massively difficult. ., , ., ., difficult. katie is a mum of three is self-employed. _ difficult. katie is a mum of three is self-employed. their - difficult. katie is a mum of three is self-employed. their biggest | is self-employed. their biggest concern is _ is self-employed. their biggest concern is a _ is self-employed. their biggest concern is a family? _ is self-employed. their biggest concern is a family? i _ is self-employed. their biggest concern is a family? i have - is self-employed. their biggest concern is a family? i have an l concern is a family? i have an eight—month—old son. i have gone back to work and i am really to get him into a nursery.— him into a nursery. labour in their manifesto — him into a nursery. labour in their manifesto are _ him into a nursery. labour in their manifesto are pledging _ him into a nursery. labour in their manifesto are pledging 3000 - him into a nursery. labour in their manifesto are pledging 3000 new| manifesto are pledging 3000 new nursery classes across the country. that's got to be good news for you, but do you think you will see one in this village? i but do you think you will see one in this village?— but do you think you will see one in | this village?_ some this village? i would hope so. some --eole we this village? i would hope so. some people we talked — this village? i would hope so. some people we talked to _ this village? i would hope so. some people we talked to were _ this village? i would hope so. some people we talked to were still- people we talked to were still uncertain about who they are going to vote for next month. will the labour manifesto win them over? danny savage, bbc news, sedgefield. let's get a final thought from chris mason, who is now in crewe, where he interviewed the labour leader. a manifesto launch with no new policies beyond what they've already announced, what should we read into that?

labour, i think, labour, ithink, are labour, i think, are trying to be paragons of predictability. rabbits and hats are very much out of fashion. they want to give the sense of a sort of stolid stability. but that's not exactly rocket fuel to the soul of those who might want to be enthused by an option in a few weeks' time, rather than plumping for it. but labour's conclusion is that they are miles ahead in the opinion polls, they must be doing something right, and they are desperate not to throw that away. they have also concluded that if they offered to the moon on a stick, they offered to the moon on a stick, they wouldn't be able to afford it and no one would believe that they could deliver it either. so they think that by being stable and cautious and careful, that that is a counterpoint to what has gone before, and so can be popular if not necessarily exciting. 0ne before, and so can be popular if not necessarily exciting. one final necessarily exciting. 0ne final thought— necessarily exciting. one final thought— it is remarkable that a remarkable that a party that was on its uppers five years ago is now

three weeks away from a general election and is the racing favourite to break the habit of its own lifetime and actually win. chris mason in crewe, _ lifetime and actually win. chris mason in crewe, thank - lifetime and actually win. chris mason in crewe, thank you. i the waiting list for hospital treatments in england has gone up slightly over the past month. latest nhs figures show that the waiting list hit 7.57 million at the end of april, up 30,000 on the previous month — but still lower than the september peak. the numbers waiting for treatment are a key election issue, with all parties putting forward measures to clear the backlog. a former aide to the prime minister says he made "a huge error ofjudgment" when he placed a bet on the date of the election, reportedlyjust days before rishi sunak called the vote. craig williams, who is standing as a conservative candidate, says the gambling commission is making "routine inquiries", with which he is co—operating. joe pike caught up with him in welshpool.

politics often rewards gamblers. hi, mr williams. joe pyke from bbc news. but this bet isn't paying off. do you have inside information when you place your bet on the election date? i have made a statement. it's an independent process with the gambling commission now. shes independent process with the gambling commission now. as rishi sunak's closest _ gambling commission now. as rishi sunak's closest parliamentary i gambling commission now. as rishi sunak's closest parliamentary aide, | sunak's closest parliamentary aide, he sits behind the pm at pmqs. eater? he sits behind the pm at pmqs. every time i sit behind _ he sits behind the pm at pmqs. every time i sit behind him, _ he sits behind the pm at pmqs. every time i sit behind him, i _ he sits behind the pm at pmqs. every time i sit behind him, i try— he sits behind the pm at pmqs. er time i sit behind him, i try to wear a tie. time i sit behind him, i try to wear atie. �* . time i sit behind him, i try to wear a tie. �* ., ~ ., a tie. but what did he know when he re ortedl a tie. but what did he know when he reportedly placed — a tie. but what did he know when he reportedly placed £100 _ a tie. but what did he know when he reportedly placed £100 on _ a tie. but what did he know when he reportedly placed £100 on there i reportedly placed £100 on there being ajuly reportedly placed £100 on there being a july election, three days before his boss's surprise announcement? did before his boss's surprise announcement?— before his boss's surprise announcement? , ~ ., ., announcement? did he know that you were calling — announcement? did he know that you were calling a — announcement? did he know that you were calling a july _ announcement? did he know that you were calling a july election _ announcement? did he know that you were calling a july election when i announcement? did he know that you were calling a july election when he . were calling a july election when he led his— were calling a july election when he led his bet— were calling a july election when he led his bet on that? it�*s were calling a july election when he led his bet on that?— led his bet on that? it's very disappointing _ led his bet on that? it's very disappointing news. - led his bet on that? it's very disappointing news. you i led his bet on that? it's veryj disappointing news. you will led his bet on that? it's very i disappointing news. you will have seen craig williams say it was a huge error ofjudgment. there is an independent inquiry that is ongoing, which is necessarily confidential as well as independent. you will appreciate that given that, it wouldn't be appropriate to comment while that is ongoing. fiend

wouldn't be appropriate to comment while that is ongoing.— while that is ongoing. and mr williams is _ while that is ongoing. and mr williams is not _ while that is ongoing. and mr williams is not being - while that is ongoing. and mr. williams is not being completely clear. i won't be expanding on that. did you have any inside information? i made a huge error ofjudgment. that's for sure, and i apologise and i will be working in montgomeryshire and glyndwr on the door is now. but did ou and glyndwr on the door is now. but did you have any inside information when you place that bet? shes i did you have any inside information when you place that bet?— when you place that bet? as i said, i will not be — when you place that bet? as i said, i will not be expanding _ when you place that bet? as i said, i will not be expanding on - when you place that bet? as i said, i will not be expanding on that i i will not be expanding on that statement. if. i will not be expanding on that statement-— i will not be expanding on that statement. , ., , , statement. is that because you did have inside — statement. is that because you did have inside information? _ statement. is that because you did have inside information? i'm i statement. is that because you did have inside information? i'm not. have inside information? i'm not ex - andin . have inside information? i'm not expanding because _ have inside information? i'm not expanding because it _ have inside information? i'm not expanding because it is - have inside information? i'm not expanding because it is an i expanding because it is an independent process. the expanding because it is an indeendent rocess. , independent process. the gambling commission — independent process. the gambling commission are _ independent process. the gambling commission are looking _ independent process. the gambling commission are looking at - independent process. the gambling commission are looking at it i independent process. the gambling commission are looking at it now. l independent process. the gambling| commission are looking at it now. it sounds like you did know that there was an election coming and you were trying to take advantage of that. i will not be adding to the statement. do you see why your constituents might feel that looks dodgy? do you have an apology, mr williams? in welshpool, while some seem to disappointed... i welshpool, while some seem to disappointed. . ._ welshpool, while some seem to disappointed. . .— disappointed... i think it's very foolish. disappointed. .. i think it's very foolish- i— disappointed... i think it's very foolish. i don't _ disappointed... i think it's very foolish. i don't understand i disappointed... i think it's very foolish. i don't understand why disappointed... i think it's very i foolish. i don't understand why he did it. ., , ., foolish. i don't understand why he did it-_ 0thers| did it. there was no need. others are supportive- — did it. there was no need. others are supportive. that _ did it. there was no need. others are supportive. that is _ did it. there was no need. others are supportive. that is really i did it. there was no need. others are supportive. that is really lessi are supportive. that is really less

important — are supportive. that is really less important than the things that we are coping with in life. so important than the things that we are coping with in life.— are coping with in life. so you will still vote for _ are coping with in life. so you will still vote for him? _ are coping with in life. so you will still vote for him? oh, _ are coping with in life. so you will still vote for him? oh, yeah. i are coping with in life. so you will still vote for him? oh, yeah. the| still vote for him? oh, yeah. the gambling commission is now investigating, because using confidential information to gain an advantage could amount to cheating, which is a criminal offence. joe pyke, bbc news, welshpool. and here's the full list of the candidates standing in the montgomeryshire and glyndwr constituency. the prime minister was away from the campaign trail today — he was attending the g7 summit in italy with other world leaders. officials say the summit has made good progress on a deal to use the interest on frozen russian assets to help ukraine. it's thought the amount generated so far comes to around £3 billion a year. the liberal democrats are calling for extra money to help young carers with their education. sir ed davey wants to provide extra financial support for schools to help young people who balance care responsbilities with their education. latest figures show that around 30% of young carers are missing school. the snp leaderjohn swinney was in leith to wish the scotland

men's national team well in the euros, along with a message about his party's stance on the european union. mr swinney said returning to the eu as an independent country would be the "next best thing" to scotland getting to the final of the tournament. it's thursday, so it's question time tonight. here's fiona bruce. the taylor swift bandwagon has left edinburgh. now it's question time's turn. scotland's role in a general election campaign, three weeks away, will be a big one. we have the leading politicians on our panel. we are live on bbc one, eight o'clock. now it is 18 minutes past six. 0ur now it is 18 minutes past six. our top story... labour's sir keir starmer sets out his plans for government if his party wins the election in three weeks' time. and still to come, we're with scotland fans in germany starting the party early. coming up on bbc news — there'll be no rafael nadal at wimbledon this year.

the 22—time grand slam champion — a fans' favourite at sw19 — said he was saddened to miss out, but wants to focus on the olympics later this summer. in the run—up to polling day, we're getting the latest from our reporters across the uk, finding out about the key issues in their areas. in a moment, we'll hearfrom bbc merseyside political reporter claire hamilton in southport, but first to bbc somerset political reporter michelle ruminski in glastonbury. good evening. at the glastonbury festival starts in two weeks. but already things are kicking off politically here. in the foothills of glastonbury are three new constituency. they are traditionally liberal democrat conservative battlegrounds. the polls are

suggesting that things are on a knife edge. head north to wells and mendip hills and the former liberal democrat mp tessa munt lost to james heappey. she wants a return to parliament, he is standing down. 0nly last week the conservative party names are counted meg powell chandler. in terms of issues somerset has a rural, ageing population who really want access to an nhs dentist. the spiralling cost of adult social care almost bankrupt somerset council earlier in the year and farmers are having a tough time also, which brings me back to the glastonbury festival. the headline act as jewellery pop. in two weeks' time we will know who will be making the headlines across the country and who will be the main political act. michelle, thank you. now to claire

hamilton in southport for us. when it comes to the red wall it doesn't get much more red than merseyside. every single constituency is a labour stronghold in the region, in 2019 of their biggest majority is at the top five are in the area. apart from here in southport. the seat is the only one in merseyside held by the conservatives. it was a liberal democrat heartland until the tories won it in 2017. for a while it was a three—way marginal which meant the liberal democrats, labour and the tories also take could win it. it remains a labour target and with recent gains in local council elections the party here reckon they are in with a chance of turning southport red. it is a seaside town, its grand high street was apparently the inspiration for parisian boulevards. like many coastal resorts though it is struggling to compete with other holiday

destinations with better weather and the high street has seen an increasing number of empty shops. 0chil people say that boosting tourism is a real priority for them as well as asking who will find the millions of pounds needed to renovate southport�*s famous peer which is closed behind me. renovate southport's famous peer which is closed behind me.- which is closed behind me. thank ou, which is closed behind me. thank you. claire _ which is closed behind me. thank you, claire hamilton. _ and a full list of the candidates standing in the general election is available on our website. plaid cymru has also set out its general election manifesto today, offering what it called a "positive vision" for wales. the party's leader, rhun ap iorwerth, said his party would "fight every day" for the billions owed to wales from the cancellation of the high speed 2 rail project. 0ur wales correspondent, hywel griffith, was at the launch in cardiff. no election buying of flowers, i guess? there's a big occasion coming and plaid cymru want voters focused on their finances. it claims wales is being short—changed and needs a new funding model,

even though public spending per head here is already higher than the uk average. you want more money for wales. who gets less? of course, this is a uk government decision. as things stand, london gets more than anywhere else within the united kingdom. wales has the need. it needs better public funding than we presently get. i am arguing here for wales because the needs here are so self—evident. so what would they do with any extra money? the manifesto pledges include recruiting 500 new gps and an extra £20 per week in child benefit. there's also a promise to eventually rejoin the eu. there'd be tax increases too. the message pitched towards traditional labour voters, drawing them towards a nationalist party, careful not to scare them away. in your speech you covered a lot of ground. there was one word was missing. can you guess what it was? carry on. independence. you didn't mention it once in your speech. i had to go to page 42 in your manifesto to find a reference.

do you just accept its not a vote winner? well, listen, you're asking me now about independence, because you're talking to the leader of a pro—independence political party. you know, people know that we're in favour of independence. i talk openly about my desire for wales to take the levers of change. not in your speech, you didn't, you didn't mention it a single time. what have you got in your hands there, hywel? page 42, that's where the independence is. it's our manifesto, which includes independence, because we believe that wales won't reach its potential until we take those levers of change into our own hands. plaid's own destiny depends on persuading people on the doorstep it can make a difference in westminster, notjust in wales. hywel griffith, bbc news. she's one of the world's best known female vocalists, but a year ago celine dion was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome. it's a disease which causes her muscles to spasm, seriously affecting her ability to sing. now a new documentary follows her vocal rehabilitation and shows fans why she's been away from the limelight. 0ur la correspondent

emma vardy went to meet her. my voice is the conductor of my life. she's one of the most powerful vocalists in the music industry. but celine dion's announcement more than a year ago left fans wondering whether she would ever perform again. i've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder. i came to meet celine in las vegas, where she's been recovering, and she described how her vocal problems began on tour. my voice needed to...was struggling. i was starting to push a little bit. for just an example... she sings: # the whispers in the morning... _ i was more doing... more forced: # the whispers in the morning... _ you're forcing it to me. you're pushing. despite the warning signs, she had tried to keep the show on the road. these shows were sold out for a year and a half, going around the globe and...

i'm going to say to people, "excuse me about my spasm." the condition stiff person syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes muscles to spasm. but it can be managed. celine says she made this documentary to show fans why she's had to take time away from the stage. i miss it so much. the people. if i can't run, i'll walk. if i can't walk, i'll crawl. what are your hopes for performing again? i will have to be rehabilitated vocally. but you'll be back on stage again doing shows? absolutely. celine dion is synonymous with las vegas. her residencies here lasted 16 years and were the best—selling series of vegas concerts of all time. and it's here where she says she's determined to make her return.

i'll be on stage. i don't know when exactly. but trust me, i will. i will scream it out loud. the timing is unclear, but she's determined that audiences will hear her distinctive and much—loved voice again. emma vardy, bbc news, las vegas. football — and the euros kick off tomorrow, with a big game for scotland. they're playing against the hosts germany. from munich, here's dan roan. more than a quarter of a century has passed since scotland fans last had the chance to follow their team overseas at a major tournament. in1998, 18 years old, i never had the money. i thought, "you know what? i'll sit this one out and go to the next one." i'm now 46. and there are few bigger fixtures than this. the opening match of the euros against the hosts, three times champions, germany here in munich. look at everybody here. they're going to do it.

yes. come on, scotland! unfortunately, i don't have a match ticket. i you just wanted to be here. yeah. we'll find somewhere i to watch it, won't we? aye. # no scotland, no party! you'll have heard the song. you'll be spoiling the hosts' party if you crash this. we're the hosts really. have a look about. this is our city. this evokes memories of the opening match of that 1998 world cup, scotland scoring against mighty brazil before narrowly losing. again, they'll be underdogs, but after impressing in qualifying hopes are high this could be the first scotland side to reach the knockout stage of a major tournament. it doesn't get much tougher, but it's one we're excited by. we're excited by the challenge, we're excited by what's ahead. and if we can perform the way i know we can perform, then i believe we can be the ones that create the history. 24 teams will play in ten different venues across germany. after tomorrow's opener in munich, england, start their campaign on sunday in gelsenkirchen, with berlin hosting the final next month. security, meanwhile,

is ramping up amid concerns over current geopolitical tensions and the threat of hooliganism. it's one of the biggest challenges for the last 20 years we have in germany now. every police officer will be on duty. so we're doing everything to provide here a safe and secure journey in this great tournament in germany. these fans are hoping to witness what would be one of the biggest wins in the history of scottish football, already enjoying the most easily accessible major men's tournament since 2016, with hundreds of thousands of british supporters expected here in germany throughout the tournament. these will be the first finals featuring georgia and there will be huge support for ukraine, too. commentator: what about this for a flick? _ and among many stars is cristiano ronaldo at his sixth euros. in this football—mad nation, a tournament set to provide no shortage of drama. dan roan, bbc news, munich. time for a look at the weather. here's chris fawkes... it should be dry for the opening

match there, scotland against germany in munich, but i can say the same for us. today we have seen cloud and rain working on from the west and it has been another cool day. the warmest spot in east anglia, even the temperature is below average but quite widely five or six below the june below average but quite widely five or six below thejune average today. quite a cool day. the reason, we had an area of low pressure, this cloud that training from the this area of low pressure, we will get pretty bored with it because it will be with us through friday. saturday, sunday and still hanging around into monday. the weather very gradually will get a bit less grim with the rain turning were showery. tonight we will see the rain band pushing east across england, north across scotland, becoming so moving across northern scotland later in the night. showers then following in to wales and west in england with longer spells of rain returning to northern ireland later in the night. 10-12 the northern ireland later in the night. 10—12 the overnight lows. tomorrow,

particularly with penrith in scotland where it will