live in plymouth in devon, with two weeks to - live in plymouth in devon, with two weeks to the _ - live in plymouth in devon, with two weeks to the election, - - live in plymouth in devon, with two weeks to the election, we - two weeks to the election, we continue our tour of key constituencies, looking at the issues that matter to you. today, we will focus on the issue of the cost of living here in the city. the bank of england will announce its latest decision on interest rates at lunchtime — a day after the rate of inflation fell back to its target of 2%. and scotland keep their euro hopes alive, after a draw with switzerland. in cologne. hello. good morning, thank you forjoining us. the bbc can reveal that the conservative candidate being looked into by the gambling commission over a bet relating to the timing of the general election is married to the party's director of campaigns, tony lee. laura saunders is the party's

candidate in bristol north west. it is not known when the bet was placed orfor how much money. ms saunders has been approached for comment by the bbc and has not replied. it comes as a police officer, working as part of the prime minister's close protection team, was suspended and later arrested — also over an alleged bet about when the general election would take place. our political correspondent, harry farley, reports. earlier today, i spoke with his majesty the king to request the dissolution of parliament. the king has granted this request and we will have a general election on the lith ofjuly. that announcement from the prime minister last month came as a surprise to many, including in his own party. now, the gambling commission says it's investigating possible offences relating to bets placed on the timing of the election. the use of insider information for an unfair advantage when betting can be a criminal offence. one of those being looked into by the watchdog is laura saunders. she has worked for the tories since 2015 and is being investigated

for a bet she allegedly placed, although it's not known when or for how much money. ms saunders has not yet commented on the claims. hello, mr williams. last week, another conservative candidate and a former aide to the prime minister, craig williams, apologised and said he had made a huge error ofjudgment, after allegations he had placed a £100 bet on a july election three days before it was called. a conservative party spokesman told the bbc... these revelations come as a separate incident in which a police officer in the prime minister's close protection team was suspended and later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over alleged bets they made. the matter has also been referred to the independent office for police conduct. with just two weeks to go until polling day, it seems july the lith is a date which is still causing controversy for the conservative party.

harry farley, bbc news, in westminster. secretary of state housing michael gove was asked this morning about the conservative candidate being looked into by the gambling commission.— looked into by the gambling commission. well, it is deeply regrettable — commission. well, it is deeply regrettable if _ commission. well, it is deeply regrettable if anyone - commission. well, it is deeply regrettable if anyone has - commission. well, it is deeply regrettable if anyone has been speculating, betting on the result of the election on the basis of inside information. but at the moment, we've got an investigation, a process going on. i think led by the gambling commission. and so we will have to wait to see what they conclude. but it certainly is, you know, pretty, what is the word? disappointing i think at least behaviour.

nick eardley from bbc verify has been looking at some of the general election claims. the big thing is the green plan promises a lot more spending and a lot more tax. let's start with the spending. let's look at this list. 53 billion for health care. 30 billion for income support, billions more for education, transport, overseas aid. the plan amounts to a 160 billion a year extra in day—to—day spending. there is also 90 billion more a year from capital spending. the bulk of that on creating a greener economy. so a lot of money, a lot more than the other parties are promising. bearin the other parties are promising. bear in mind, labour promising about 10 billion of extra spending every year. this is a whole other level. next question, how to pay for it? here is a list the greens are providing. big increases as you can see in personal tax, much of it a

new wealth tax which would be 1% in people with assets of more than £10 million, 2% on assets above £10 billion. the greens are hoping for a massive 91.3 billion through carbon taxes. taxes in this plan raising 172 billion extra in total every year. the greens also say they would allow themselves just under 80 billion in extra debt annually to fund some of their plans, too. there is no doubt this would be a massive change. but among the experts, there is some scepticism. the institute for fiscal studies says it is doubtful they could raise the 90 billion they want from carbon taxes. the ifs also reckons it will be tough to implement the big wealth tax the greens are planning. 0thers tax the greens are planning. others have said the plans don't include enough detail to assess properly. so from the greens, big plans come up with a big cost, also some big questions about whether it would all

work. == questions about whether it would all work. , , ., , ., , questions about whether it would all work. , _, , ., , work. -- big plans with a big cost. nick eardley _ work. -- big plans with a big cost. nick eardley from _ work. -- big plans with a big cost. nick eardley from bbc _ work. -- big plans with a big cost. nick eardley from bbc verify. - work. -- big plans with a big cost. nick eardley from bbc verify. the | nick eardley from bbc verify. the question time special is happening in york. henry zeffman. i will talk to you later about the setup for the question time programme in a moment. these allegations around election bets are bound to feature. the conservative spokesman saying, let's see what the outcome of an investigation is, but is that going to wash given we are a couple of weeks away from the boat? it is certainly going to be a morning and afternoon and a day of very difficult questions for the conservatives and rishi sunak over this case —— the vote. the story was already extraordinary last night when chris mason revealed that a second conservative candidate laura saunders in bristol north west was being probed by the gambling

commission over an allegation she placed a bet on the timing of the general election. but the disclosure in the last hour or so that she is married to a man called tony lee, the conservative party's director of campaigns, ithink the conservative party's director of campaigns, i think doesjust the conservative party's director of campaigns, i think does just give this significantly more political importance. if you can keep up to me yesterday, we also found out that a member of rishi sunak�*s close protection team, a metropolitan police officer, had been suspended andindeed police officer, had been suspended and indeed later arrested by the metropolitan police over allegations that that police officer had placed a bet and potentially committed misconduct in public office. i think the fact that that police officer was suspended by the met will pile questions onto rishi sunak over whether he should suspend the two conservative candidates from the conservative candidates from the conservative party while these investigations are ongoing. i think thatis investigations are ongoing. i think that is where the politics of the story is now going to go. find that is where the politics of the story is now going to go. and of course, story is now going to go. and of course. the _ story is now going to go. and of course, the story _ story is now going to go. and of course, the story could - story is now going to go. and of course, the story could well - story is now going to go. and of - course, the story could well feature tonight in the debate. tell is a bit

more about how things are being set “p more about how things are being set up for the question time tonight and these questions from the studio audience —— tell us. these questions from the studio audience -- tell us.— these questions from the studio audience -- tell us. yes, talking of tou~h audience -- tell us. yes, talking of tough questions — audience -- tell us. yes, talking of tough questions for _ audience -- tell us. yes, talking of tough questions for rishi _ audience -- tell us. yes, talking of tough questions for rishi sunak, i tough questions for rishi sunak, tough questions for rishi sunak, tough questions forfour tough questions for rishi sunak, tough questions for four political leaders here at the university of york tonight. injust leaders here at the university of york tonight. in just over 11 hours' time, on this stage behind me, you will have rishi sunak, keir starmer, ed davey the leader of the liberal democrats and john swinney the leader of the scottish national party one by one facing half an hour of questioning from a live studio audience. i think it is a massive moment in this campaign because it is only two weeks to go until polling day, two weeks today and there are not a lot of set piece moments left. set piece moments where the candidates, the leaders can try to find a way to shake up the state of this race, to find new arguments to try to persuade the public notjust here in the auditorium, but at home to find new ways and new reasons to vote for

them. and so that really amplifies them. and so that really amplifies the stakes here tonight, especially for the two men who might be prime minister onjuly the 5th, keir starmer or rishi sunak. minister on july the 5th, keir starmer or rishi sunak. henry, thank ou ve starmer or rishi sunak. henry, thank you very much- _ starmer or rishi sunak. henry, thank you very much. henry _ starmer or rishi sunak. henry, thank you very much. henry zeffman - starmer or rishi sunak. henry, thank you very much. henry zeffman in - you very much. henry zeffman in york. and this evening, fiona bruce is hosting a question time leaders' special with the leaders of the four biggest political parties in great britain. the two—hour special will be broadcast on bbc one, bbc iplayer and here on bbc news, with signing from 8 o'clock this evening. tom simons is travelling on the campaign bus at the moment. the party clearly or to talk about their theme for the day. ijust party clearly or to talk about their theme for the day. i just wonder party clearly or to talk about their theme for the day. ijust wonder how difficult it is going to be to amplify that and get out from under

this conversation about alleged betting irregularities.— this conversation about alleged betting irregularities. well, i have been on this _ betting irregularities. well, i have been on this bus _ betting irregularities. well, i have been on this bus a _ betting irregularities. well, i have been on this bus a few— betting irregularities. well, i have been on this bus a few times - betting irregularities. well, i have been on this bus a few times and | betting irregularities. well, i have i been on this bus a few times and we have been here before, haven't we? only a couple of weeks ago, the conservatives were keen to talk about core messaging and they had to answer for the about core messaging and they had to answerfor the prime about core messaging and they had to answer for the prime minister puzzlement decision to come back early from d—day. and now we have this latest controversy about bets that appear to have been placed around the time the election was announced —— the prime minister's decision. i suspect when michael gove who we are following today on a visit to west london to housing developments, i suspect when he is asked about that, he will say there is an investigation going on at the gambling commission and he cannot say anything further. although i think he has said what has happened is, quote, regrettable. but when you have to start every interview with that sort of questioning, it is much more difficult. on housing, michael gove has been pushed this morning about his plans or the party's plans

for building new houses. he has admitted on the today programme that, we haven't done as well as we should. i can hear a protest, it is possible somebody has picked up that the boss is here and senior politicians may be on board. but let's push on a little way. he has said the conservatives haven't done as well as they could on housing. he has blamed partly eu rules and also said labour won't match the conservatives's offer on stamp duty. they are offering an amnesty on stamp duty for first—time buyers of properties costing up to four and £25,000. and he said they may also reap value council tax bands, something that hasn't been done for something that hasn't been done for some decades. labour say they won't do that, but that is the battle line this morning drawn across the issue of housing. this morning drawn across the issue of housina. ., ., ~ ,, , of housing. tom, thank you very much, of housing. tom, thank you very much. tom _ of housing. tom, thank you very much, tom simons. _

of housing. tom, thank you very much, tom simons. and - of housing. tom, thank you very much, tom simons. and labour| of housing. tom, thank you very . much, tom simons. and labour are focusing their campaigning today on that issue, a key issue, housing. they say they will bring in extra protections for renters, cracking down on high rents and poor living conditions in the private rental sector. the liberal democrats are promising to invest £300 million in the next parliament to fill 1.2 million potholes a year. the party says money in the existing roads budget will be re—directed to local councils. as we count down to election day, we're speaking to people across the uk to find out what's important to them, and what might win their vote next month. we're in constituencies all over the country, and today, we're in plymouth sutton and devonport. which is where we find our roaming correspondent, nicky schiller. another beautiful day and another glorious backdrop for your conversations with voters. absolutely, aren't i the lucky one? we are in plymouth in devon. this is

quite a famous part of plymouth. it is the home. if you know your history, sir francis drake was playing a game of bowls when the spanish armada was spotted in the english channel and he is said to have insisted on carrying on with his game of bowls. he did of course go on to defeat the spanish fleet. interestingly, he didn't win his game of bowls here in plymouth. we are out and about as you said looking at some of the issues that matter to people as we get towards the general election. the bbc audiences team is part of your voice, your vote, has been listening to what you want us to talk about and time and time again, the top issueis and time and time again, the top issue is the cost of living, which issue is the cost of living, which is why we are in the city. i am being ——i is why we are in the city. i am being —— i amjoined by miles is why we are in the city. i am being —— i am joined by miles davis. when it comes to the cost of living, the city, it is a tale of two cities. �* , ,., , ., , the city, it is a tale of two cities. �* , , .,, i. the city, it is a tale of two cities. , , the city, it is a tale of two cities. , , cities. absolutely, as you can see, it is an incredibly _ cities. absolutely, as you can see, it is an incredibly beautiful- it is an incredibly beautiful location here. there are some very

affluent areas in plymouth, but there are also some pockets of real deprivation, where you have some wards in the top 10% and even the top 1% of the most deprived places and that is in the country. and you can really see that. i was talking to somebody from a charity that gives food to food banks and says demand hasjust gives food to food banks and says demand has just gone up and gives food to food banks and says demand hasjust gone up and up. it said the sort of problems he is seeing now, he feels might take a generation to fix. i seeing now, he feels might take a generation to fix.— generation to fix. i was born in devon so _ generation to fix. i was born in devon so i _ generation to fix. i was born in devon so i know the _ generation to fix. i was born in devon so i know the area - generation to fix. i was born in devon so i know the area quite generation to fix. i was born in - devon so i know the area quite well on the one thing i always remember as a child is the naval port devonport and it is a huge employer. we have devonport, the largest naval port in western europe. we have the commandos being housed here. there is babcock which is also a huge employer come up with the refurbishment and dealing with the

nuclear submarines as well. it has a huge impact on the city. we nuclear submarines as well. it has a huge impact on the city.— huge impact on the city. we talked about it being _ huge impact on the city. we talked about it being a _ huge impact on the city. we talked about it being a tale _ huge impact on the city. we talked about it being a tale of— huge impact on the city. we talked about it being a tale of two - huge impact on the city. we talked about it being a tale of two citiesl about it being a tale of two cities when it comes cost of living, also politically. when it comes cost of living, also oliticall . ~ , when it comes cost of living, also politically-— politically. absolutely. the city can move _ politically. absolutely. the city can move between _ politically. absolutely. the city can move between labour- politically. absolutely. the city can move between labour and| can move between labour and conservative. at the moment, we are hearing in devonport this morning —— here in devonport, in the constituency of what was luke pollard the labour mp. and further north, you have the plymouth moor view constituency, which was held by johnny mercer, the veterans mp. luke pollard is ahead at the moment in the polls. johnny mercer looks like he is facing a very tough challenge, he is facing a very tough challenge, he is facing a very tough challenge, he is a former army captain and is facing a challenge from fred thomas, the labour candidate, a former royal marine who looks to be pressing him very hard. so they will have a tough battle between them onjuly 4th. fin battle between them onjuly 4th. on devolution is an interesting issue here in the city.—

devolution is an interesting issue here in the city. absolutely, there was devolution _ here in the city. absolutely, there was devolution deal _ here in the city. absolutely, there was devolution deal on _ here in the city. absolutely, there was devolution deal on the - here in the city. absolutely, there was devolution deal on the table i here in the city. absolutely, there l was devolution deal on the table for devon. plymouth is a labour—run council. the other two councils, torbay and devon county, went pressing ahead with the devolution deal, but plymouth opted out. the feeling that we are getting now is if there is a labour government coming in injuly, it could be that plymouth city council ops back in to have a labour—controlled council, we would have a lot more faith in the labour government pressing ahead with the devolution they have promised, which could mean quite a substantial investment for the city. miles will be with us throughout the day. you can see behind me sweet stour, 72 feet and 93 steps, i haven't been picked, but it has a connection to the election. back in the suffragettes campaigning for a vote for women place a home—made bomb at the bottom of this tower. it

didn't go off because the british weather intervened. a cost of wind blew out the fuse. i am going to head towards a cafe later because i need some coffee. i will talk to some of the people there about the issue of cost of living here in the city. great to get the snippets of history as well as all the political chat. thank you so much. we will see you later. you'll be able to see a list of all the candidates standing in plymouth sutton and devonport at this general election on your screen 110w. and you can see a list of all the candidates standing in all the constituencies across the country on the bbc news website. put in your postcode to see the candidates in your constituency. we were talking about the question time special in york where the leaders of the four biggest parties in great britain will face questions from an audience. so what are the secrets of

winning an argument? let's speak to someone who knows better than most. let's speak to world debating champion and author of good arguments, bo so. joining me from tokyo. thank you for being on the programme this morning. so this isn't a debate tonight in the true sense, but it is clearly speaking under pressure for the four politicians, if you are advising someone heading into a very pressurised speaking situation, what would you tell them to do? i pressurised speaking situation, what would you tell them to do?— would you tell them to do? i think it is above — would you tell them to do? i think it is above all— would you tell them to do? i think it is above all to _ would you tell them to do? i think it is above all to respond - would you tell them to do? i think it is above all to respond to - would you tell them to do? i think it is above all to respond to the i it is above all to respond to the call of the question, to the thrust and strength of the opposing argument. there is a tendency for these political debates to become dualling press conferences. they are at their least revealing, least useful in that form. and it is in the moments when politicians break away from the script, when they say,

i actually have something to say to that and they engage with one another that personality, competence, perspective comes through. so that is where the magic of debate and as you say, live conversation resides. that is the first bit of advice. and if i may add a second, it would be that in a debate, it can be very easy to get comfortable in the mode of criticising the opponent, to come up with a million reasons why any given position they raise is going to be problematic. but in the end, a debate as a comparison between two different proposals. and no single argument is going to fail for its imperfection if it is not shown that there is a better alternative. so after you have gone through the hard work of criticising and poking holes, there has to be a switch where you then talk about a positive vision and provide an alternative. i

think that is the second bit. hove think that is the second bit. how im ortant think that is the second bit. how important is _ think that is the second bit. how important is nonverbal communication, the body language and so on in this situation? and the second part to this question, do insults and raised voices earn points in the eyes of the audience or not? �* ., , points in the eyes of the audience or not? 1, , . . points in the eyes of the audience or not? 1, , ., ., , points in the eyes of the audience ornot?., ., , . _ or not? body language is incredibly im ortant or not? body language is incredibly important and _ or not? body language is incredibly important and in _ or not? body language is incredibly important and in particular, - or not? body language is incredibly important and in particular, i- or not? body language is incredibly important and in particular, i think| important and in particular, i think people are looking for authenticity, for conviction and openness to other perspectives. not all of us are experts in tax policy and environmental policy, but we have a pretty good sense of when someone is selling us a bag of lemons or something they don't themselves believe. we know when someone in their conviction is speaking with so much certainty that they are not making room for our perspectives and taking that into account. all of that comes through in gesture, body and speech. that is going to be an important part of how these debates are seen. on the question about insults, look, this is a dark

element and really a shadow of debate that in emphasising confrontation and directing —— direct engagement, you can sometimes end up rewarding spectacles of strength and domination. that has been a big part of for example president trump's playbook on how he used the presidential debates. so i think it is on us as members of the audience to say, this is the kind of conversation that we want. regardless of whether it is someone who is on our side landing one of these blows or not, what we want is a genuine discussion on the merits of the issues, rather than a kind of schoolyard show of domination. brute schoolyard show of domination. we are out of time, butjust give me a name. who do you think the best speaker around is now?— name. who do you think the best speaker around is now? look, the best debaters _ speaker around is now? look, the best debaters in _ speaker around is now? look, the best debaters in the _ speaker around is now? look, the best debaters in the political - best debaters in the political traditions that i am involved with people like nelson mandela, people who elaborated a commonwealth tradition of debate. i hope it is

something we can continue to work on and perfect. b0 something we can continue to work on and erfect. 1, ,, ., something we can continue to work on and perfect-— and perfect. bo seo, really interesting _ and perfect. bo seo, really interesting to _ and perfect. bo seo, really interesting to talk - and perfect. bo seo, really interesting to talk to - and perfect. bo seo, really interesting to talk to you, | and perfect. bo seo, really - interesting to talk to you, thank you very much. interesting to talk to you, thank you very much-— interesting to talk to you, thank you very much. the search is continuing for a british teenager who's gone missing in tenerife. 19—year—old jay slater flew to the island for a music festival, but has not been seen for three days. our reporter louisa pilbeam has the latest. jay slater hasn't been seen since monday. this video was posted on social media the day before he vanished, having fun with friends on his first holiday without his family. a desperate search using drones and dogs has been under way in this mountainous region in the northwest of the island, where he's believed to have last been. the days are hot and the nights get very cold. from the point of view of the residents, it's been quite remarkable, to be honest with you, because the way that this has just been blown up across social media, blown up in the press, it's been quite overwhelming,

to be honest, for everyone. and the expat residents over here have reallyjumped on board and are offering with rental cars if anybody needs them, or lifts up to the area where the search is taking place. jay spent the weekend at a music festival. after meeting people on sunday night, he headed to the far north—west of the island to stay with them and hasn't been seen since. a friend said jay called her on monday, saying he was going to walk the ten—hour trek back to the south of the island. but the call was cut off when his battery ran out. jay was wearing this grey t—shirt with green on the shoulders when he disappeared. jay's mum has now flown to the island to help with the search. she's described the situation as "traumatic and horrendous", and said her son is a great person, who everyone wanted to be with. the uk foreign office say they are supporting jay's family,

a family who are all hoping for positive news. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. our correspondent nick garnett is in tenerife. hello. bring us up—to—date on the search forjay. 50 hello. bring us up-to-date on the search forjay— search forjay. so it is now a cou - le search forjay. so it is now a couple of — search forjay. so it is now a couple of hours _ search forjay. so it is now a couple of hours into - search forjay. so it is now a couple of hours into the - search forjay. so it is now a | couple of hours into the third search forjay. so it is now a - couple of hours into the third day of jay being couple of hours into the third day ofjay being missing. the couple of hours into the third day of jay being missing. the search couple of hours into the third day ofjay being missing. the search has been starting again this morning. this is a mountain road that leads over from this is a mountain road that leads overfrom santiago, which is one of the main towns in the north, to the small little villages. and it is one of those villagers that jay was at when he got in touch with one of his friends to say he didn't know where he was or what was happening and he was thinking of trying to walk back. that walk is incredibly difficult. it would be incredibly difficult if you had the right equipment and jay was in a t—shirt and shorts and trainers. it literally is the wrong gear for this type of environment.

and as we heard in that report, it gets incredibly cold at night here and incredibly hot during the day. it has been very windy as well. and we don't think he had any water with him and we know he didn't have any battery in his mobile phone. what is the mystery is why he hasn't been in touch and stopped anybody who may have passed him over the few days because it is fairly busy round here. you have seen vehicles going past him. why he didn't stop anybody to ask if you could ring home. he knew the mobile phone number off by heart of his mother and yet there has been no cause. it is a real mystery and that's why the search has been taken so seriously. the family is delighted and pleased with the way the search is being run and the way the search is being run and the size and scale. expatriates have come forward, people who know this area and go walking in this area. you can see what the terrain is like. there is scrubland, there are deep ravines, mountainous areas as well. it is very difficult to walk

around. even if you are on the road. off the road, it is almost impossible. that's why drones have been involved and the helicopter has flown over as well to see what they can find. at the moment, it literally looks like he has disappeared off the face of the earth. . ~ disappeared off the face of the earth. w' . ~ disappeared off the face of the earth. w ., ,, i. , disappeared off the face of the earth. ., ,, i. , . earth. nick, thank you very much, from tenerife. _ scotland's hopes of progressing to the euros knockout stages are still alive after a 1—1 draw with switzerland. a big improvement from their 5—1 hammering by germany in the opening game. john watson is in frankfurt for us. here's his thoughts on last night's match. were you listening when scotland got that result last night? it was incredible. when the fans and the players were singing flower of scotland before that match, the hairs on the back of your neck were standing up. you got a sense of the passion, and importantly for scotland, that party will continue because they drew 1—1 with switzerland last night and that result keeps their european journey alive. it was a dream start for them.

manchester united midfielder scott mctominay putting them ahead, albeit with help of a deflection, a big deflection, but switzerland soon hit back. just take a look at that from a world—class finish from the former liverpool player xherdan shaqiri. the celebration not quite as well executed as the goal, though. but they needed to get that result and they did so, scotland, and that means it keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase at this euros. it definitely lifted the spirits of the scottish supporters back home. our correspondent catriona renton was in a fanzone in glasgow. look, this is a result for us tonight. we are absolutely thrilled that we've got a point. sometimes, during that match, it looked a little bit hairy, that switzerland could have two disallowed goals. but then we got there, got a 1—1 draw, which means that we are still in this tournament. and people here this evening have been in absolutely great spirits, loving tonight. and the atmosphere has been so positive.

we picked ourselves up, we dusted ourselves down from friday's defeat to germany, and look at what we did tonight. and i've got some folk behind me here who are really, really thrilled about the result. just tell me, megan, how you feel about the result tonight. do you know what, we are still in the game, so we're going to win. come on, scotland! and what about yourself? i feel exactly the same as megan, so all i can say is, _ come on, scotland boys! 1—1, you know, a draw, we wouldn't normally be that happy, but we really are happy tonight with that. 'mon scotland! we're feel really, really, really proud of that scottish team, aren't we? we really are. we're going to make it. do you know what, scotland never wins, but we're always here to party. come on, scotland! aaargh! laughter. and there you go, that kind of sums it up, i think. not sure we can use this microphone ever again, but we have had an absolutely fantastic night here tonight. everybody was in great, great spirits all the way through.

we've really picked ourselves up and we've proved that we are still in this tournament... come on, scotland! and we really hope that we are going to make it through to the next round. and we'll find that out on sunday, when we play hungary, but we've got everything in it now. we've got everything to win it. the challenges of live broadcasting, everybody having a great time. england will be looking to secure their place in the last 16 when they face denmark in frankfurt this afternoon. that is a euros. now we willjoin nicky campbell on bbc radio 5 live for an election special. and theyjoin us now on bbc news and bbc two. where are you? wherever you are, get in touch. two weeks to go. the polls are saying this is going to be an absolute disaster for the conservative party. there is talk of

this supermajority. alarm bells really are ringing and openly, leading conservatives are saying, we are heading for the cliff here. and they are saying that this must not happen because it is bad for the country. so your views on what could well be a supermajority. interesting questions this morning, wejust had one interesting questions this morning, we just had one from a listener who is asking a question about the polling itself. before we take your calls, we want you to tell us what's happening on your doorstep, on the ground where you are. are you getting the same vibes as the polls are. does it reflect what's happening in your neighbourhood, in the massive figures for labour, the shrinking tory vote, the advancing reform vote. chris hopkins is with us. director of political research at setanta who conducted a poll for the telegraph. the screaming

headline in the telegraph this morning about the catastrophe. tory wipe—out is the headline. we had a good questionnaire, while you are there, chris, these polls, how accurate are they, how do do them, because a caller there said, i have never been asked.— because a caller there said, i have never been asked. sure, the polling historically has _ never been asked. sure, the polling historically has a _ never been asked. sure, the polling historically has a really _ never been asked. sure, the polling historically has a really high - historically has a really high degree of accuracy. that has improved over time and roughly the academic research into this implies that generally speaking at a general election six out of seven general election six out of seven general election is the polls have been within a reasonable error margin. i think that's frankly a pretty good record. i think a lot of the accusations that the polling is often wrong i think is just incorrect. i think sometimes a lot of it is down to the interpretation, frankly. i think also your caller made a point that we don't know the questions, we don't know who has commissioned it. we do know all of that, all reputable polling

companies in uk are members of the british polling council and are held to transparency guidelines, the data tables are published and are free to look at on the websites, as is the same for all british polling council members will stop i think polling in the uk at least is incredibly transparent and we absolutely can do more to improve potentially on some of the mrp models but ultimately john curtice, on the tv talking about polling all the time, was a former president, he stepped down since he has retired, but we are held to an incredibly high standard in the uk. . flan held to an incredibly high standard in the uk- -— held to an incredibly high standard | in the uk- -_ i in the uk. . can i ask a question? i “ust want in the uk. . can i ask a question? i just want to _ in the uk. . can i ask a question? i just want to put — in the uk. . can i ask a question? i just want to put this _ in the uk. . can i ask a question? i just want to put this out _ in the uk. . can i ask a question? i just want to put this out as - in the uk. . can i ask a question? i just want to put this out as well, . just want to put this out as well, if the polling companies have got this wrong, it would be historically unprecedented and they would never have got anything so wrong in the history of getting things so wrong and it would be embarrassing for them. a quick question.-

and it would be embarrassing for them. a quick question. when you talk about accuracy _ them. a quick question. when you talk about accuracy and _ them. a quick question. when you talk about accuracy and error- talk about accuracy and error margin, _ talk about accuracy and error margin, what is that? i mean, you know, _ margin, what is that? i mean, you know. what— margin, what is that? i mean, you know, what is the error margin? in a standard know, what is the error margin? standard 2000 know, what is the error margin? i�*i —. standard 2000 person opinion poll, essentially the error margin is 95% of the time the true figure of each party is in two percentage points. if the conservatives are on a4 then in theory 95% of the time the true figure is between 42 and 46. obviously the conservatives are not on a4 obviously the conservatives are not on m; at the minute but that's for the illustration. on 44 at the minute but that's for the illustration.— the illustration. lastly, chris, . ive the illustration. lastly, chris, rive us the illustration. lastly, chris, give us the — the illustration. lastly, chris, give us the numbers. - the illustration. lastly, chris, give us the numbers. anyonej the illustration. lastly, chris, - give us the numbers. anyone turning on the telly or radio right now, what are the numbers on your poll that have caused concern in consternation in conservative cohorts questioning over opinion poll numbers have labour on a4 and the conservatives on 23, giving labour a 21 point opinion lead. when we put that in the mrp sea production we estimate labour could

win a 516 seats and the conservatives left with 53. it puts the liberal democrats and 50 meaning those two parties will be fighting it out to be the official opposition. lives in leicester, charlotte in carmarthen and alison near rugby, good morning. is that what you are hearing, those numbers, does that reflect what you are picking up where you live? i does that reflect what you are picking up where you live? i live in a brand-new _ picking up where you live? i live in a brand-new constituency. - picking up where you live? i live in a brand-new constituency. it - picking up where you live? i live in a brand-new constituency. it is - a brand—new constituency. it is called mid leicestershire and looks like a banana shape around west leicester. part of it was formally in hinckley and bosworth, part was south leicestershire and part elsewhere. so you have areas that have a strong green representation, areas that have a strong lib dems representation. and the polls are really interesting in our area. i think the tories are coming out, vote green and get red. and the labour party is coming out with vote green get blue. it is neck and neck,

the polling seems to put it within 2% for labour and the conservatives. what do you feel about the prospect of a supermajority. michael gove said this morning, while he was doing the rounds, and i want to know what people think about this, good for politics, good for parliament and democracy or not, he says it would not be good. he said it would entrench and give labour the ability to entrench itself in power and form a forever government. do you think that would be a good thing, a massive labour majority? i that would be a good thing, a massive labour majority? massive labour ma'ority? i think niel massive labour ma'ority? i think niger rarage h massive labour ma'ority? i think nigel farage has — massive labour majority? i think nigel farage has given _ massive labour majority? i think nigel farage has given a - massive labour majority? i think nigel farage has given a shining | nigel farage has given a shining example of what it is to be a one—man opposition party. he has commanded the airwaves. he has gone on and really listed his agenda, just one person. caroline lucas as

well, absolutely brilliant mp, highlighting green issues. i think the effectiveness of an opposition isn't dictated by the number of mps that you have. it's how you carry yourself, it's what you do and how yourself, it's what you do and how you get your message out to the public. so i'm not worried about labour having a really big majority. as long as people like ed davey, and the leader of the greens escapes me, i'm sorry... it the leader of the greens escapes me, i'm sorry- - -— i'm sorry... it is co-leaders with the green _ i'm sorry... it is co-leaders with the green parties. _ i'm sorry... it is co-leaders with the green parties. as _ i'm sorry... it is co-leaders with the green parties. as to - i'm sorry... it is co-leaders with | the green parties. as to whether they will be there is a moot point but we shall see. don't go anywhere, you might come back. charlotte, what do you think about this, what are you feeling, what's in your water? i don't know, i think it's always been like a _ don't know, i think it's always been like a labour— don't know, i think it's always been like a labour conservative kind of, because _ like a labour conservative kind of, because they are the main two parties — because they are the main two parties and i think a lot of parties

are coming — parties and i think a lot of parties are coming in now as kind of doctor but i've _ are coming in now as kind of doctor but i've always wanted to vote green for my— but i've always wanted to vote green for my first _ but i've always wanted to vote green for my first but i think because how i can't _ for my first but i think because how i can't take — for my first but i think because how i can't take the risk of either conservative or reform getting in so i will vote _ conservative or reform getting in so i will vote labour but i think reform _ i will vote labour but i think reform have got so much publicity because _ reform have got so much publicity because of all the publicity nigel farage _ because of all the publicity nigel farage has previously done, being on i'm a _ farage has previously done, being on i'm a celebrity and i think it's kind — i'm a celebrity and i think it's kind of. — i'm a celebrity and i think it's kind of. i_ i'm a celebrity and i think it's kind of, i don't know, about young voters _ kind of, i don't know, about young voters as— kind of, i don't know, about young voters as well, because i've had conversations in school for example of people _ conversations in school for example of people being like, vote for reform _ of people being like, vote for reform. and i'm like, it's not a joke _ reform. and i'm like, it's not a joke it's — reform. and i'm like, it's not a joke. it's kind of scary howl reform. and i'm like, it's not a joke. it's kind of scary how i think his publicity— joke. it's kind of scary how i think his publicity previously has helped him get _ his publicity previously has helped him get followers. you his publicity previously has helped him get followers.— his publicity previously has helped him get followers. you could argue it's like that _ him get followers. you could argue it's like that for _ him get followers. you could argue it's like that for all _ him get followers. you could argue it's like that for all of _ him get followers. you could argue it's like that for all of them, - it's like that for all of them, really. but i'm interested because they are not perceived as being... they have done a lot of tiktok and everything but they are not perceived by many as being a party particularly appealing to the young. your friends who are supportive of them, what are their reasons for

liking them question or him? i wouldn't really class them as my friends! — wouldn't really class them as my friends! they do it's like, they say it as _ friends! they do it's like, they say it as a _ friends! they do it's like, they say it as a joke — friends! they do it's like, they say it as a joke. but this whole thing is not _ it as a joke. but this whole thing is not a — it as a joke. but this whole thing is not a joke. you should genuinely put a _ is not a joke. you should genuinely put a vote — is not a joke. you should genuinely put a vote down of who you want, not as a joke, _ put a vote down of who you want, not as a joke, if— put a vote down of who you want, not as a joke, if that makes sense. it as a joke, if that makes sense. [i does as a joke, if that makes sense. does make as a joke, if that makes sense. it does make sense, it is that protest thing, it's that staring it up thing, it's that staring it up thing, chucking in a stink bomb and running away and seeing what happens. alison in rugby and rob in sacks monday. it could be you. you can get in touch. this is the opinion poll that matters on the phonein opinion poll that matters on the phone in that matters. what does alison want to say? i phone in that matters. what does alison want to say?— alison want to say? i was a conservative _ alison want to say? i was a conservative voter - alison want to say? i was a conservative voter but - alison want to say? i was a conservative voter but this | alison want to say? i was a - conservative voter but this time i will not be voting for conservative because i have no choice. i have 1a

and 16—year—old children who want to go to university. they will have to pay tuition fees. they are likely not to be able to get paid work because they have to do voluntary work at 18 in the conservative manifesto. what employer is going to hire someone at weekends when every month they have to go out and do a day of voluntary work? that month they have to go out and do a day of voluntary work?— day of voluntary work? that is interesting — day of voluntary work? that is interesting because _ day of voluntary work? that is interesting because they - day of voluntary work? that is interesting because they have| day of voluntary work? that is - interesting because they have put that up there as an election, this national service idea, as a policy that would attract votes. perhaps votes from the older generation who have a certain perception about young people but it doesn't wash in your house. it young people but it doesn't wash in your house-— your house. it can't wash my hands because my — your house. it can't wash my hands because my children _ your house. it can't wash my hands because my children wouldn't - your house. it can't wash my hands l because my children wouldn't survive if they went to university, it will be out of the bank of mum and dad to help them. because what employers would hire someone knowing that once a month you have to take a day off

for voluntary service.— a month you have to take a day off for voluntary service. alison, thank ou. for voluntary service. alison, thank you- rob. — for voluntary service. alison, thank you- rob. a — for voluntary service. alison, thank you. rob, a word _ for voluntary service. alison, thank you. rob, a word on _ for voluntary service. alison, thank you. rob, a word on the _ for voluntary service. alison, thank i you. rob, a word on the conservative party from you as a conservative voter. if these wipe—out predictions come to fruition. voter. if these wipe-out predictions come to fruition.— come to fruition. good morning. i think it would _ come to fruition. good morning. i think it would be _ come to fruition. good morning. i think it would be a _ come to fruition. good morning. i think it would be a good - come to fruition. good morning. i think it would be a good thing - come to fruition. good morning. i think it would be a good thing for| think it would be a good thing for the conservatives if they get wiped out. purely because they will have to reset _ out. purely because they will have to reset. everything at the moment, they are _ to reset. everything at the moment, they are seeing reform as their opposition so they are moving further— opposition so they are moving further to— opposition so they are moving further to the right. if they get wiped — further to the right. if they get wiped out they can completely reset. they have _ wiped out they can completely reset. they have to fight for the middle ground _ they have to fight for the middle ground they have any hope of being returned _ ground they have any hope of being returned to power in the future. they— returned to power in the future. they have — returned to power in the future. they have just got to clear the right _ they have just got to clear the right wing out from the party, reset. — right wing out from the party, reset, move back towards the middle and then— reset, move back towards the middle and then people like me may vote for them _ and then people like me may vote for them again — and then people like me may vote for them again. that and then people like me may vote for them again-— them again. that would help you to vote for them _

them again. that would help you to vote for them again. _ them again. that would help you to vote for them again. they - them again. that would help you to vote for them again. they say - them again. that would help you to vote for them again. they say thatl vote for them again. they say that if this poll is right, two of the survivors after the next election for the conservatives would be tom tugendhat and kemi badenoch. some big beasts would fall. tom tugendhat and kemi badenoch sounds to me like and kemi badenoch sounds to me like a leadership campaign for the soul of the party. a leadership campaign for the soul of the party-— of the party. very much so, yeah. how much — of the party. very much so, yeah. how much of _ of the party. very much so, yeah. how much of a — of the party. very much so, yeah. how much of a party _ of the party. very much so, yeah. how much of a party there - of the party. very much so, yeah. how much of a party there will. of the party. very much so, yeah. how much of a party there will be | how much of a party there will be left to— how much of a party there will be left to fight for, i'm not sure about — left to fight for, i'm not sure about. the only problem there is i can't _ about. the only problem there is i can't see — about. the only problem there is i can't see kemi badenoch moving back to the _ can't see kemi badenoch moving back to the centre. pis can't see kemi badenoch moving back to the centre-— to the centre. as a tory, how are ou to the centre. as a tory, how are you going — to the centre. as a tory, how are you going to _ to the centre. as a tory, how are you going to vote. _ to the centre. as a tory, how are you going to vote, may _ to the centre. as a tory, how are you going to vote, may i - to the centre. as a tory, how are you going to vote, may i ask? i l you going to vote, may i ask? i don't know, nicky. i know howl you going to vote, may i ask? i don't know, nicky. i know how i will not be _ don't know, nicky. i know how i will not be voting. don't know, nicky. i know how i will not be voting-— not be voting. how won't you be votin: ?! not be voting. how won't you be voting?! laughter _ voting?! laughter i can't vote for the conservatives at the _ i can't vote for the conservatives at the moment. ijust can't be done. do you _ at the moment. ijust can't be done. do you share — at the moment. ijust can't be done. do you share the fears michael gove

is expressing this morning that a super majority will mean labour will in a sense be able to rig appointments and the system and get votes? votes for citizens, votes for 16—year—olds and prisoners. he said it will all change and we will be locked out of power by these changes. and it will be a forever government. it's not a political truism that you need a strong position, isn't it best to mark it is. ., . , , ., position, isn't it best to mark it is. ., ., ., position, isn't it best to mark it is. politics is a fear game, don't vote for them _ is. politics is a fear game, don't vote for them because - is. politics is a fear game, don't vote for them because this - is. politics is a fear game, don't vote for them because this is i is. politics is a fear game, don't i vote for them because this is what they will— vote for them because this is what they will do, be scared of what they will do _ they will do, be scared of what they will do. there is no knowledge that's— will do. there is no knowledge that's what they will do. votes for 16—year—olds is not a red line for me _ 16—year—olds is not a red line for me if— 16—year—olds is not a red line for me if you — 16—year—olds is not a red line for me. if you are able to vote at 16, the reality— me. if you are able to vote at 16, the reality is— me. if you are able to vote at 16, the reality is you will probably not vote until — the reality is you will probably not vote until you are 19 anyway, the way the — vote until you are 19 anyway, the way the cycle falls. you should be able to _ way the cycle falls. you should be able to vote over 18, absolutely. so that means — able to vote over 18, absolutely. so that means more 18—year—olds can

devote _ that means more 18—year—olds can devote by— that means more 18—year—olds can devote by reducing the age to 16. thats— devote by reducing the age to 16. that's a _ devote by reducing the age to 16. that's a good thing in my book. i 'ust that's a good thing in my book. i just think— that's a good thing in my book. i just think it's so... for the tories to say— just think it's so... for the tories to say a — just think it's so... for the tories to say a supermajority is a bad thing. — to say a supermajority is a bad thing, given the majority they had last time — thing, given the majority they had last time with boris, i mean, that's 'ust last time with boris, i mean, that's just disingenuous.— just disingenuous. talking of which come and stay _ just disingenuous. talking of which come and stay there _ just disingenuous. talking of which come and stay there if _ just disingenuous. talking of which come and stay there if you - just disingenuous. talking of which come and stay there if you can. i come and stay there if you can. katie in borehamwood. good morning. and lee in leamington spa, good morning. some other news this morning, you mention there, rob of the man to whom you refer to as boris. this came out this morning, boris. this came out this morning, borisjohnson has announced the release date for his unrestrained, it says here, memoir. laughter it will give his account of his time in downing street will stop it is called unleashed, published by william collins on october the 10th. it will give an account of his time

in downing street, it is called unleashed and it will be out on the 10th of october stop a little bit of a stocking filler for you all. how do you fancy that? fabulous. katie, on the general issue, what are people saying where you are and do people saying where you are and do people in any way fear this possible supermajority?— superma'ority? from my point of view, i supermajority? from my point of view. i agree _ supermajority? from my point of view, i agree with _ supermajority? from my point of view, i agree with one _ supermajority? from my point of view, i agree with one of- supermajority? from my point of view, i agree with one of your i view, i agree with one of your callers previously, in terms of i feel like the middle of the road small sea conservative voter will be pushed out. —— small c conservative voter will be pushed out. going back to the polling, it was more of an academic question, do polling results influence votes? if you put a poll out where someone gets a

great majority, do people think, i don't need to vote because they will get in anyway. or do people think, there is no point voting. especially with first past the post, so that was more of an academic question. it is an interesting one, it is human psychology and its one that where a party way ahead in the polls would be rather worried that it could breed complacency. but then a party way behind in the polls would be rather worried it might breed contempt. so it can go both ways, every which way. contempt. so it can go both ways, every which way-— contempt. so it can go both ways, every which way. yeah, because there is a lot of talk— every which way. yeah, because there is a lot of talk about _ every which way. yeah, because there is a lot of talk about the _ every which way. yeah, because there is a lot of talk about the polls, - is a lot of talk about the polls, and someone earlier was talking about the accuracy and i don't know whether there are questions about should we have polls at all and whether that influences photos. my concern is also around voter

turnout. the younger generation thinking their vote doesn't count. i'm of the opinion that sitting at home is not making a statement. going to the ballot is making a statement. perhaps if there was a high turnout and you had to vote, and there was a lot of torn or spoiled ballots it might make politicians think, there are a lot of people who don't like any of us. the conservative line is very much, this could happen, and they are trying to shore up their vote by pointing out it could be a supermajority and making people feel they should be quite worried about that. really interesting as to the effect polls might have on how people will vote and how they consider the main parties along the course of the election campaign stop we have lee, margaret in rotherham, who is a conservative photo. good morning. good morning and lovely to

hear your voice. what do you think about this wipe—out scenario? itrefoil. about this wipe-out scenario? well, not in the constituencies _ about this wipe-out scenario? well, not in the constituencies i _ about this wipe-out scenario? well, not in the constituencies i live i about this wipe—out scenario? well, not in the constituencies i live in, but in _ not in the constituencies i live in, but in a _ not in the constituencies i live in, but in a couple of rotherham constituencies i don't think we even have a _ constituencies i don't think we even have a conservative standing. as i said to _ have a conservative standing. as i said to your— have a conservative standing. as i said to your research, i have lived all over— said to your research, i have lived all over the — said to your research, i have lived all over the uk. said to your research, i have lived all overthe uk. i have never said to your research, i have lived all over the uk. i have never lived anywhere — all over the uk. i have never lived anywhere where there hasn't been a completely safe seat for either labour, — completely safe seat for either labour, conservative, or even when i lived _ labour, conservative, or even when i lived in _ labour, conservative, or even when i lived in scotland in inverness, the leader— lived in scotland in inverness, the leader of— lived in scotland in inverness, the leader of what was then the liberal party, _ leader of what was then the liberal party, russelljohnson. leader of what was then the liberal party, russell johnson.— party, russelljohnson. russell johnson, party, russelljohnson. russell johnson. yeah- _ party, russelljohnson. russell johnson, yeah. so _ party, russelljohnson. russell johnson, yeah. so i _ party, russelljohnson. russell johnson, yeah. so i have i party, russelljohnson. russell| johnson, yeah. so i have always voted and _ johnson, yeah. so i have always voted and will _ johnson, yeah. so i have always voted and will always _ johnson, yeah. so i have always voted and will always vote, i johnson, yeah. so i have always voted and will always vote, but | johnson, yeah. so i have always i voted and will always vote, but my voted and will always vote, but my vote doesn't count for anything. i'm not going _ vote doesn't count for anything. i'm not going to — vote doesn't count for anything. i'm not going to get them to vote conservative round here. if! not going to get them to vote conservative round here. if i put a conservative round here. if i put a conservative poster up in my window i think— conservative poster up in my window i think i_ conservative poster up in my window i think i would get it smashed in!

oh dear~ — i think i would get it smashed in! oh dear. are you still a believer in the conservatives? i oh dear. are you still a believer in the conservatives?— the conservatives? i have to be because there _ the conservatives? i have to be because there are _ the conservatives? i have to be because there are none - the conservatives? i have to be because there are none of- the conservatives? i have to be because there are none of the i the conservatives? i have to be i because there are none of the others i would _ because there are none of the others i would ever— because there are none of the others i would ever vote for. you because there are none of the others i would ever vote for.— i would ever vote for. you are not tem ted i would ever vote for. you are not tempted by _ i would ever vote for. you are not tempted by nigel _ i would ever vote for. you are not tempted by nigel farage? - i would ever vote for. you are not tempted by nigel farage? i i i would ever vote for. you are not tempted by nigel farage? i think| tempted by nigel farage? i think the have tempted by nigel farage? i think they have made _ tempted by nigel farage? i think they have made a _ tempted by nigel farage? i think they have made a mess - tempted by nigel farage? i think they have made a mess of- tempted by nigel farage? i think they have made a mess of it, i tempted by nigel farage? i thinkj they have made a mess of it, but tempted by nigel farage? i think. they have made a mess of it, but on they have made a mess of it, but on the other— they have made a mess of it, but on the other hand i think the others would _ the other hand i think the others would make even more of a met. i think— would make even more of a met. i think a _ would make even more of a met. i think a vote — would make even more of a met. i think a vote for reform is a vote for labour— think a vote for reform is a vote for labour because they are just a flash— for labour because they are just a flash in_ for labour because they are just a flash in the — for labour because they are just a flash in the pan. as i say, my vote doesn't _ flash in the pan. as i say, my vote doesn't mean... i lived in part of north— doesn't mean... i lived in part of north yorkshire where it was conservative, and they had trouble getting _ conservative, and they had trouble getting someone to stand from the labour— getting someone to stand from the labour party. i knew my vote, even though _ labour party. i knew my vote, even though i_ labour party. i knew my vote, even though i was — labour party. i knew my vote, even though i was voting conservative, it didn't— though i was voting conservative, it didn't mean— though i was voting conservative, it didn't mean anything. i think it's a shame _ didn't mean anything. i think it's a shame that — didn't mean anything. i think it's a shame that proportional representation was not explain fully when _ representation was not explain fully when we _ representation was not explain fully when we had the referendum, because i was really— when we had the referendum, because i was really disappointed in that. if people — i was really disappointed in that. if people understood it they would know _ if people understood it they would know that their vote actually did count _ know that their vote actually did count for — know that their vote actually did

count for something.— know that their vote actually did count for something. you're right, and people — count for something. you're right, and people said — count for something. you're right, and people said the _ count for something. you're right, and people said the system i count for something. you're right, and people said the system being| count for something. you're right, i and people said the system being put forward at the time was rather opaque and was not the best system they could have put forward. thank you, margaret. jason in high wycombe, good morning. goad you, margaret. jason in high combe, aood morninu. ., wycombe, good morning. good morning, nic and wycombe, good morning. good morning, nicky and thank— wycombe, good morning. good morning, nicky and thank you _ wycombe, good morning. good morning, nicky and thank you for _ wycombe, good morning. good morning, nicky and thank you for having _ wycombe, good morning. good morning, nicky and thank you for having me - wycombe, good morning. good morning, nicky and thank you for having me on i nicky and thank you for having me on the show. , ,., , ., ., , ., the show. these polls, what do you think of what _ the show. these polls, what do you think of what could _ the show. these polls, what do you think of what could happen - the show. these polls, what do you think of what could happen and i the show. these polls, what do you i think of what could happen and where are you on all this? i think of what could happen and where are you on all this?— are you on all this? i genuinely believe that _ are you on all this? i genuinely believe that a _ are you on all this? i genuinely believe that a supermajority i are you on all this? i genuinely believe that a supermajority is| are you on all this? i genuinely i believe that a supermajority is what this country needs. i will explain why. i have voted conservative since 1992. even throughout the bad times, i carried on voting conservative because i genuinely believed it was the right thing to do. i look at the state of this country and i am disgusted by it. i really am beyond disgusted by it. i really am beyond disgusted by it. i really am beyond disgusted by it. i run a family retail shopjust outside disgusted by it. i run a family retail shop just outside high wycombe. we have a lot of local shoppers. i have known them for

years and years, the vast majority of my customers. and let me tell you, they are skint. they are skint because of all the... i you, they are skint. they are skint because of all the. . ._ because of all the. .. i think we have just _ because of all the. .. i think we have just lost _ because of all the. .. i think we have just lost the _ because of all the. .. i think we have just lost the line. - because of all the. .. i think we have just lost the line. he i because of all the. .. i think we l have just lost the line. he didn't sound very happy. carry on! i will give you another shot.— sound very happy. carry on! i will give you another shot. people are skint and fed _ give you another shot. people are skint and fed up. _ give you another shot. people are skint and fed up. the _ give you another shot. people are skint and fed up. the one - give you another shot. people are skint and fed up. the one thing i give you another shot. people are l skint and fed up. the one thing that i get more i write about than anything else, it's day after day... more irate about than anything else... he is not happy, dissolution, and he says even as a tory things would change. interesting hearing that. good morning, leave. you have been there a while, sorry. what would you like to say? ikla

a while, sorry. what would you like to sa ? ., ., , a while, sorry. what would you like tosa ? ., ., , ., a while, sorry. what would you like to sa ? ., ., , ., ., to say? no worries, good morning and thank ou to say? no worries, good morning and thank you for— to say? no worries, good morning and thank you for having _ to say? no worries, good morning and thank you for having me _ to say? no worries, good morning and thank you for having me on. _ to say? no worries, good morning and thank you for having me on. i - to say? no worries, good morning and thank you for having me on. ithink- thank you for having me on. i think in terms _ thank you for having me on. i think in terms of— thank you for having me on. i think in terms of this election, i'm hearing _ in terms of this election, i'm hearing a _ in terms of this election, i'm hearing a lot of people saying this election— hearing a lot of people saying this election is— hearing a lot of people saying this election is boring, the campaigning is boring. _ election is boring, the campaigning is boring. it — election is boring, the campaigning is boring, it is not an exciting campaign _ is boring, it is not an exciting campaign trail. i truly believe that that isn't— campaign trail. i truly believe that that isn't a — campaign trail. i truly believe that that isn't a bad thing, considering the last— that isn't a bad thing, considering the last few years and whatever we have gone — the last few years and whatever we have gone through in the last few years _ have gone through in the last few years. personally i think i am a believer— years. personally i think i am a believer that politics, while people should _ believer that politics, while people should be — believer that politics, while people should be engaged in it, it shouldn't be this sort of pantomime or series _ shouldn't be this sort of pantomime or series that people are tuning into to — or series that people are tuning into to get the next segment of drama — into to get the next segment of drama that's going on. sol into to get the next segment of drama that's going on. so i think a little _ drama that's going on. so i think a little bit _ drama that's going on. so i think a little bit of— drama that's going on. so i think a little bit of boring and normality will be — little bit of boring and normality will be quite good. that being said, i do think— will be quite good. that being said, i do think in— will be quite good. that being said, i do think in terms of the supermajority, i'm obviously a big believer— supermajority, i'm obviously a big believer in — supermajority, i'm obviously a big believer in democracy, sol supermajority, i'm obviously a big believer in democracy, so i think a supermajority, while i i am wanting

a labour— supermajority, while i i am wanting a labour government, and that's probably— a labour government, and that's probably the way i am going to be voting. _ probably the way i am going to be voting. we — probably the way i am going to be voting, we also need a credible opposition is to make sure we have a government— opposition is to make sure we have a government being held to account. while _ government being held to account. while i— government being held to account. while i desperately do not want that to be the _ while i desperately do not want that to be the tories, i do still, like i said _ to be the tories, i do still, like i said but— to be the tories, i do still, like i said but want a credible opposition. who is— said but want a credible opposition. who is the — said but want a credible opposition. who is the best politician of all of them on the horizon that you would like to see in an ideal world leading that opposition to labour? leading the opposition? hmm... who leading the opposition? hmm. .. who would best leading the opposition? hmm... tramp would best told labour leading the opposition? hmm... big“ir> would best told labour to account? leading the opposition? hmm. .. who would best told labour to account? i. would best told labour to account? i like the leader of the green party, she comes — like the leader of the green party, she comes across really well in the campaign — she comes across really well in the campaign and in debates. she seems to be getting what's going on on the ground _ to be getting what's going on on the ground i— to be getting what's going on on the ground. i am to be getting what's going on on the ground. lam not to be getting what's going on on the ground. i am not a to be getting what's going on on the ground. lam not a particularly to be getting what's going on on the ground. i am not a particularly big green _ ground. i am not a particularly big green voter, or would vote for them particularly, — green voter, or would vote for them particularly, but like i said, i

think— particularly, but like i said, i think she _ particularly, but like i said, i think she comes across quite well in the debates compared to the others. whoiust _ the debates compared to the others. whojust score points the debates compared to the others. who just score points and try to rip each _ who just score points and try to rip each other— who just score points and try to rip each other apart, basically. interesting, opposition from the left. lynn is in kingsclere. what's your view of things with two weeks to go bust and yet i think it is too close to call. i think the polling will not be accurate because everybody i speak to and will not be accurate because everybody i speak to- will not be accurate because everybody i speak to and i speak to a lot of people. _ everybody i speak to and i speak to a lot of people. i — everybody i speak to and i speak to a lot of people, i have _ everybody i speak to and i speak to a lot of people, i have clients i everybody i speak to and i speak to a lot of people, i have clients who l a lot of people, i have clients who come to see me every day, we have no clue who to vote for any more. we have no faith in the tories after the barco and phenomenal waste that happened during covid and the disaster that was brexit, whether you are a brexiteer or remainer. and

then the antics from borisjohnson. i thought politicians were supposed to be inspirational people that you could look to and think, i trust you with our country. well, there hasn't been anybody for forever that you would look to and think, i trust you. i don't trust labour. because i think labour will tax and spend. because that's part of socialism, isn't it, redistribution of wealth. i think there is a huge majority of people who are squeezed. this is the squeezed middle that we have heard so much about over the last few years. and i don't know who i am going to vote for. ijust don't know, and i think a great many people don't really know. some people don't really know. some people will carry on voting for their chosen party because that's what they have always done. some people will think better the devil you know. iflat people will think better the devil

ou know. ., , , , .,, ., you know. not presenting this as a great choice- _ you know. not presenting this as a great choice- i _ you know. not presenting this as a great choice. i don't _ you know. not presenting this as a great choice. i don't think - you know. not presenting this as a great choice. i don't think you i you know. not presenting this as a great choice. i don't think you feel| great choice. i don't think you feel there is a great choice here. ida. great choice. i don't think you feel there is a great choice here.- there is a great choice here. no, i don't think— there is a great choice here. no, i don't think there _ there is a great choice here. no, i don't think there is. _ there is a great choice here. no, i don't think there is. we _ there is a great choice here. no, i don't think there is. we have i there is a great choice here. no, i don't think there is. we have had | don't think there is. we have had two party politics for far too long. which one do you choose? i will probably get into trouble for saying this but the choices, it's a bit like choosing which sti you want! they are all as bad as one another. it's about trust. and the gentleman you spoke with a moment ago, i think it was lee, we want boring, we want stable. we want safe and secure after the pandemic, which has blighted so many lives. but we don't have that choice. and ijust don't know, i have no clue. and when it comes to the day, i think that the exit polls are likely to be much more accurate, because i think people are dithering. people at the

moment are just people are dithering. people at the moment arejust like, i don't know. if the polls are that wrong, it's bad news for the polling companies, i have to say. a great call, thank you, and thank you for the parallel. i felt sti was a system of proportional representation, personally, but there we are! alan in wolverhampton, good morning. this isjust coming in, some newsjust coming in, tony lee, director of campaigns at the conservative party, has taken a leave of absence. a party spokesperson has told the bbc he left the campaign yesterday. his wife, laura saunders is the conservative candidate being looked into by the gambling commission over a bet relating to the timing of the general election. laura saunders has been approached for comment by the bbc and has not replied. putting that out there, we'll come to alan shortly now. good morning. goad

shortly now. good morning. good mornin: , shortly now. good morning. good morning. nice _ shortly now. good morning. good morning, nice to _ shortly now. good morning. good morning, nice to speak _ shortly now. good morning. good morning, nice to speak to - shortly now. good morning. (13mg. morning, nice to speak to you. shortly now. good morning. good i morning, nice to speak to you. great thin to morning, nice to speak to you. great thing to speak _ morning, nice to speak to you. great thing to speak to _ morning, nice to speak to you. great thing to speak to you. _ morning, nice to speak to you. great thing to speak to you. and _ morning, nice to speak to you. great thing to speak to you. and i - morning, nice to speak to you. great thing to speak to you. and i want you to speak to the nation. do you agree with the polls? i you to speak to the nation. do you agree with the polls?— agree with the polls? i think the olls are agree with the polls? i think the polls are slightly _ agree with the polls? i think the polls are slightly over _ agree with the polls? i think the i polls are slightly over exaggerated. i can't see a labour landslide of that proportion because it would need a massive swing in an enormous number of seats to do that. i do think the polls are fairly accurate in that i think labour will win the election but hopefully not by as much as his forecast. ii election but hopefully not by as much as his forecast.— election but hopefully not by as much as his forecast. if they do win it b as much as his forecast. if they do win it by as much _ much as his forecast. if they do win it by as much as — much as his forecast. if they do win it by as much as his _ much as his forecast. if they do win it by as much as his forecast, i much as his forecast. if they do win it by as much as his forecast, do i it by as much as his forecast, do you perceive a problem in that, if it is a landslide? i you perceive a problem in that, if it is a landslide?— it is a landslide? i don't think it is healthy _ it is a landslide? i don't think it is healthy to — it is a landslide? i don't think it is healthy to have _ it is a landslide? i don't think it is healthy to have such - it is a landslide? i don't think it is healthy to have such a i it is a landslide? i don't think it i is healthy to have such a one-sided is healthy to have such a one—sided political system for any country. i

think an element of challenge by the other party is always healthy because it keeps everyone on their feet, it keeps everyone directed the right way. white to make a few people are saying that. kevin is in north essex. to people are saying that. kevin is in north essex— people are saying that. kevin is in north essex. ., ., ., , ., , north essex. to do a couple of texts first, the pr — north essex. to do a couple of texts first, the pr or— north essex. to do a couple of texts first, the pr or similar _ north essex. to do a couple of texts first, the pr or similar discussion i first, the pr or similar discussion raises its head again and i am all for it, but people forget that we voted on it and we rejected it, that's john voted on it and we rejected it, that'sjohn in derby voted on it and we rejected it, that's john in derby shuffles voted on it and we rejected it, that'sjohn in derby shuffles up another one, i'm not sure why polling matters. it's about the lith ofjuly votes. it's pointless to me, a bit like people saying who their favourites are for the euros. my only concern is will kieran tierney be fit for the final. thank you very much to those on telly for watching. they will be leaving us now. plenty more to come with loads more calls. we aren't want to know what you think. i will come to you kevin

after the news. is that ok? {lit after the news. is that 0k? of course it is. i— after the news. is that 0k? of course it is. i don't _ after the news. is that 0k? of course it is. i don'tjust - after the news. is that 0k? of course it is. i don't just want l after the news. is that 0k? 0f| course it is. i don't just want to course it is. i don't 'ust want to give ou course it is. i don't 'ust want to give you so h course it is. i don't just want to give you 30 seconds, _ course it is. i don't just want to give you 30 seconds, i - course it is. i don't just want to give you 30 seconds, i want i course it is. i don't just want to give you 30 seconds, i want to | course it is. i don'tjust want to i give you 30 seconds, i want to give you half an hour if you want. you can have the platform to say exactly what you want to say. and everybody else, call us and text, this one, a massive supporter of labour but we need an effective opposition to assure government accountability for i want to give the conservatives the kicking they deserve though. it's an interesting angle. massive labour supporters, maybe you get a massive majority, is that a massive problem for our democracy? what is it like where you are? live from london, this is bbc news. a second conservative candidate is being looked into by the gambling commission over an alleged bet relating to the timing of the general election.

they are married to the tory�*s director of campaigning. i am they are married to the tory's director of campaigning. i am live here in plymouth _ director of campaigning. i am live here in plymouth in _ director of campaigning. i am live here in plymouth in devon - director of campaigning. i am live here in plymouth in devon having| director of campaigning. i am live | here in plymouth in devon having a coffee with the ladies at the southway community cafe. we will discuss the cost of living is part of your vote, your choice. the bank of england will announce its latest decision on interest rates at lunchtime — a day after the inflation rate fell to 2%. and scotland keep their euro 2024 hopes alive, after a draw with switzerland in cologne. hello. i'm annita mcveigh. thanks forjoining us on bbc news. the bbc can reveal that the conservative candidate being looked into by the gambling commission over betting allegations relating to the timing of the general election is married to the party's director of campaigns, tony lee.

laura saunders is the party's candidate in bristol north west. it's not known when the bet was placed orfor how much money. ms saunders has been approached for comment by the bbc and has not replied. it comes as a police officer, working as part of the prime minister's close protection team, was suspended and later arrested — also over an alleged bet about when the general election would take place. our political correspondent, harry farley, reports. earlier today, i spoke with his majesty the king to request the dissolution of parliament. the king has granted this request and we will have a general election on the lith ofjuly. that announcement from the prime minister last month came as a surprise to many, including in his own party. now, the gambling commission says it's investigating possible offences relating to bets placed on the timing of the election. the use of insider information for an unfair advantage when betting can be a criminal offence. one of those being looked into by

the watchdog is laura saunders. she has worked for the tories since 2015 and is being investigated for a bet she allegedly placed, although it's not known when or for how much money. ms saunders has not yet commented on the claims. hello, mr williams. last week, another conservative candidate and a former aide to the prime minister, craig williams, apologised and said he had made a huge error ofjudgment, after allegations he had placed a £100 bet on a july election three days before it was called. a conservative party spokesman told the bbc... these revelations come as a separate incident in which a police officer in the prime minister's close protection team was suspended and later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over alleged bets they made. the matter has also been referred to the independent office

for police conduct. with just two weeks to go until polling day, it seems july the lith is a date which is still causing controversy for the conservative party. harry farley, bbc news, in westminster. michael gove, secretary of state for housing, was asked earlierfor his reaction to the second conservative candidate laura saunders being looked into by the gambling commission. well, it's deeply regrettable if anyone has been speculating, betting on the result of the election on the basis of inside information. but at the moment, we've got an investigation, a process going on, i think led by the gambling commission, and so we'll have to wait to see what they conclude. but it's certainly, you know, pretty — what's the word? — you know, disappointing, ithink, at least, behaviour. our chief political correspondent, henry zeffman, is in york, where the leaders of the uk's four

biggest parties will appear on bbc�*s question time later. he told me more about that and the conservative candidate being looked into by the gambling commission over an alleged election bet. it's certainly going to be a morning, an afternoon, a day of very difficult questions for the conservatives and rishi sunak over this case. because the story was already extraordinary last night when chris mason revealed that laura saunders, a second conservative candidate — in her case, in bristol north west — was being probed by the gambling commission over an allegation that she placed a bet on the timing of the general election. but the disclosure in the last hour or so that she is married to a man called tony lee, the conservative party's director of campaigns, i think does just give this significantly more political importance. now, if you can keep up, yesterday, we also found out that a member of rishi sunak�*s close protection team, a metropolitan police officer,

had been suspended and, indeed, later arrested by the metropolitan police over allegations that that police officer had placed a bet and potentially committed, therefore, misconduct in public office. i think the fact that that police officer was suspended by the met will pile questions onto rishi sunak over whether he should suspend the two conservative candidates from the conservative party, while these investigations are ongoing. i think that's where the politics of this story is now going to go. and, of course, this story could well feature tonight in the debate. tell us a little bit more about how things are being set up there for the question time tonight and these questions from the studio audience. yeah, well, talking of tough questions for rishi sunak, tough questions for four political leaders here at the university of york tonight. in just over 11 hours' time, on this stage behind me, you'll have rishi sunak,

keir starmer, ed davey — the leader of the liberal democrats, and john swinney — the leader of the scottish national party, one by one, facing half an hour of questioning from alive studio audience. i think it's a massive moment in this campaign. because it's only two weeks to go until polling day, two weeks today, and there aren't an awful lot of set—piece moments left — set—piece moments where the candidates, where the leaders can try to find a way to shake up the state of this race. to find new arguments, to try to persuade the public not just here, of course, in the auditorium, but at home, to find new ways, new reasons to vote for them. and so that really amplifies the stakes here tonight, especially for the two men who might be prime minister onjuly 5th, keir starmer or rishi sunak. henry zeffman in york. our correspondent told me about the reactions from the conservative camp

to the allegations around betting. we have been here before because only a couple of weeks ago, the conservatives were keen to talk about core messaging and they had to answer for the about core messaging and they had to answerfor the prime about core messaging and they had to answer for the prime minister's decision to come back early from d—day and now we have this latest controversy about these benny gantz that appear to have been placed around the time the election was announced. and i suspect when michael gove who we are following today on a visit to west london, to a housing development, i suspect when he is asked about that, he will say there is an investigation going on at the gambling commission and he cannot say anything further. although i think he has said what has happened is, quote, regrettable. but of course, when you have to start every interview with that sort of question, it is much more difficult. in housing, michael gove has been pushed this morning about his plans or the party's plans for building new houses. he has admitted on the today programme that, we haven't done as well as we should. i

can hear a protest, it is possible somebody has picked up that the bus is here and senior politicians may be on board. but let'sjust is here and senior politicians may be on board. but let's just push on for a little way. he has said that the conservatives haven't done as well as they could on housing. he has blamed partly eu rules and he has blamed partly eu rules and he has also said that labour won't match the party, the conservatives's off on stamp duty, they are offering an amnesty on stamp duty for first—time buyers of properties costing up to £1i25,000. and he said they may also revalue the council tax bands. something that hasn't been done for some decades. labour say they won't do that, but that is the battle line this morning drawn across the issue of housing. labour are focusing their campaigning today on one of the key issues among voters — housing. they say they will bring in extra protections for renters — cracking down on high rents and poor

living conditions in the private rental sector. the liberal democrats are talking about the country's roads today, with a promise to invest 300 million pounds in the next parliament to fill one—point—two million potholes a year. the party says money from the existing roads budget will be re—directed to local councils. let's speak to jenny let's speak tojenny hill, who is following the lib dems on their campaign trail. that is a lot of potholes, i'm not sure if there are many where you are committee looks absolutely gorgeous. ikla many where you are committee looks absolutely gorgeous.— absolutely gorgeous. no potholes, but we do have _ absolutely gorgeous. no potholes, but we do have plenty _ absolutely gorgeous. no potholes, but we do have plenty of— absolutely gorgeous. no potholes, but we do have plenty of giant i but we do have plenty of giant rhubarb. we are in the blooming landscapes of south yorkshire. ed daveyis landscapes of south yorkshire. ed davey is due to arrive here any minute, we're told. it sounds as though his team plan to set him to doing some weeding tomorrow, there is lots of garden tools and instruments about. perhaps they thought he would require a bit of peace and quiet before that special question time session later on. he will go first, facing questions from

the public for half an hour televised question—and—answer session. you're right, he wants to talk about potholes today. the lib dems are pledging to spend £300 million over the course of the next parliament on tackling the problem of potholes. i was looking this morning at the rac reckon there are about one million and possibly more potholes in the uk. the money that the lib dems are pledging is only to tackle potholes in england, but they say that would be effective because they would give more of that money to local councils to tackle problems on the roads, pavements and cycleways. sheffield hallam, which is the constituency we are in this morning, is really interesting for ed davey to visit. you will remember perhaps this was once the constituency of nick clegg, the former leader of the lib dems. he lost that seat after the lib dems, well, i think many people felt they had really been betrayed by the

party when they got into coalition with the conservatives and then did a u—turn on tuition fees and people here do have long memories. the seat is currently held by labour, but the lib dems are going hard after this particular constituency. if you want a full list of all the people standing in sheffield hallam, you can find it on our website. you will have heard the hammering going on, this will give you a bit of a clue. as you know, his team like to give ed davey a really good visual opportunity for the tv. perhaps come a bit closer and we might be able to persuade this gentleman to shift out of our way so we can look at this table. lots of lib dem stickers and lots of hammering going on. it looks to me as though my best guesses bird boxes and insect hotels, but we'll have to wait later on. == boxes and insect hotels, but we'll have to wait later on.— have to wait later on. -- my best guess is- — have to wait later on. -- my best guess is. thank _ have to wait later on. -- my best guess is. thank you _ have to wait later on. -- my best guess is. thank you so _ have to wait later on. -- my best guess is. thank you so much, i have to wait later on. -- my best i guess is. thank you so much, jenny hill. we will resume our political coverage in a moment, but i want to tell you about news coming in about

a landmarkjudgment made by the supreme court in relation to fossil fuel projects. the supreme court has ruled a local authority should have considered the climate impacts of burning the oil produced from a well in sorry when it gave the project planning permission. so we're told this could have significant impact on future uk fossil projects. the judgejudgment by a on future uk fossil projects. the judge judgment by a 3—2 majority means as well as considering the immediate impacts of new fossil fuel developments, local authorities have to take into consideration the downstream emissions. in other words, all the carbon dioxide and the —— carbon dioxide the fuel will produce when it is burned. this is in relation to wholesale oil well in surrey. campaigners say the judgment could block new fossil fuel projects in the uk including in the north sea and the proposed coal mine in whitehaven in cumbria. and because the uk law on environmental

assessment is based in part on european law, the ruling could have an impact abroad as well, campaigners say. so that news coming in in the last few moments. we will get you more on that story, that landmarkjudgment from the supreme landmark judgment from the supreme court. let's return to the election campaign. with just two weeks until polling day, the leaders of the uk's four largest parties are taking part in a question time special. ahead of tonight's live programme, nick eardley, from bbc�*s verify, has been looking at some of the claims you might hear. good morning. the big thing you need to know about the green plan is that it promises a lot more spending than the other big parties and a lot more tax to pay for it. let's start with the spending. have a look here at this list. 53 billion for health care. 30 billion for income support. billions more for education, transport, overseas aid.

the plan amounts to 160 billion a year extra in day—to—day spending. there's also 90 billion more a year from capital spending, too. the bulk of that on creating a greener economy. so a lot of money, a lot more than the other parties are promising. bear in mind, labour are planning about 10 billion of extra spending every year. this is a whole other level. next question, how to pay for it? well, here is the list the greens are providing. big increases, as you can see, in personal tax — much of it, a new wealth tax, which would be 1% on people with assets of more than £10 million, 2% on assets above £10 billion. the greens are hoping for a massive 91.3 billion through carbon taxes, taxes in this plan raising 172 billion extra in total every year. the greens also say that they'd allow themselves just under 80 billion in extra debt annually

to fund some of their plans, too. there is no doubt this would be a massive change. but among the experts, there is some skepticism. the institute for fiscal studies says it's doubtful they could raise the 90 billion they want from carbon taxes. the ifs also reckons that it'll be tough to implement the big wealth tax that the greens are planning. others have said the plans don't include enough detail to assess properly. so, from the greens, big plans with a big cost, but also some big questions about whether it would all work. breaking news in relation to our top story. tony lee, the director of campaigning at the conservative party, has taken a leave of absence. party, has taken a leave of absence. party spokesperson has told the bbc this. we're told he left his position yesterday. as we have been reporting today, his wife laura

saunders is one of two conservative candidates being looked into by the gambling commission over alleged betting relating to the timing of the general election. laura saunders has been approached for comment by the bbc, she has not responded as yet. we don't know how much this alleged bet involved or when it may have been placed. but laura saunders is married to tony lee, the director of campaigning at the conservative party. we are just learning of campaigning at the conservative party. we arejust learning he has taken a leave of absence as of yesterday, a party spokesperson has told the bbc. we will get you more on that development very soon. but yesterday, three polls suggested varying polls —— degrees of defeat, one suggesting the tories would end “p

one suggesting the tories would end up with just 53 seats. another suggested hundred and eight seats and 105 seats respectively. the most accurate indication is the poll of polls. they always come with a health warning, but the poll of polls gives the most accurate indication of the direction of travel. it looks at voting intention and it shows labour well in the lead with 41%. the conservatives meanwhile declining to 21% and reform increasing to 16% in terms of general election voting intention. i am nowjoin to talk about this by professor paula sturridge, a political sociologist at bristol university, also deputy director of the uk in a change in europe. thank you for your time. let's talk about these three polls from yesterday if we may, mrp polls which people may hear that term bandied about, what

does that mean? it hear that term bandied about, what does that mean?— does that mean? it stands for multi - le does that mean? it stands for multiple regression _ does that mean? it stands for multiple regression and i multiple regression and post—ratification, so you are perhaps sorry you asked! it is a poll that takes a big opinion poll, you normally see about 1,000 people, these tend to be ten to 20,000 people, and it uses that data to extrapolate to individual seats to work out what will happen in different seats. the mrp is probably not too much to worry about what it means, but that is what it does. that is the interesting point i was getting too because with these types of macro they use a very large sample size, yet you get quite a lot of difference with the conservatives in 155 or perhaps 53 according to another poll —— types of polls. both? another poll -- types of polls. why the wide types _ another poll -- types of polls. why the wide types of _ another poll —— types of polls. big“i;: the wide types of numbers? the another poll —— types of polls. big“u;r the wide types of numbers? the thing is with these as they are models rather than traditional opinion polls and they are built on assumptions. they don't sample the same 20,000 people and small variations can make quite a bit of

difference. if one of them has the conservatives on 18% and another on 22%, both perfectly consistent with the poll of polls, they get different outcomes. and on top of the differences in the data, each of the differences in the data, each of the polling companies have their own modelling assumptions. they are more opaque and they want to keep those a bit closer to their chest. but what goes into their models and the assumptions they make make these differences as well. so assumptions they make make these differences as well.— differences as well. so we know there are some _ differences as well. so we know there are some seats _ differences as well. so we know there are some seats which i differences as well. so we know there are some seats which are| there are some seats which are marginals and we are talking about 1% or 2% variation. looking at the poll of polls, how much variation do you think there could be on that based on the fact quite a number of constituencies are marginal where very small margins separates and candidates?— candidates? yes, that is the difficult thing, _ candidates? yes, that is the difficult thing, the _ candidates? yes, that is the difficult thing, the thing i candidates? yes, that is the| difficult thing, the thing that candidates? yes, that is the i difficult thing, the thing that is difficult thing, the thing that is difficult to call, the small changes. and they might notjust be between the two main parties in a constituency, they might be between

conservatives and reform. lots of scottish seats are quite close to call between the snp and labour and i think that's why we see so much variation. they are all giving the same broad story, labour on well over 400 seats and a disastrous night for the conservatives, but they give quite different numbers in terms of how many the lib dems might win and how many the snp might win and how many reform might win. it is in no small margins and unfortunately, even with these very large polls, you still have uncertainty built in and it is still based on probability and not certainty. based on probability and not certain . ., , based on probability and not certainty-— certainty. professor paula sturridge, _ certainty. professor paula sturridge, thank - certainty. professor paula sturridge, thank you i certainty. professor paula sturridge, thank you very | certainty. professor paula i sturridge, thank you very much. really interesting conversation about polls and what they might mean. breaking news from the supreme court described as a landmark fossil fuel judgment which could have a big impact on future uk fossil fuel projects. a supreme court has ruled a local authority should have

considered the climate impacts of burning the oil reduced from a well in surrey. horse hill well. when it gave the project planning permission. thejudgment will gave the project planning permission. the judgment will have a significant impact because as well as considering the immediate impact of the new fossil fuel developments, local authorities will now have to consider the ongoing impact, the downstream emissions or the carbon dioxide, the fuel will produce when it is eventually bent. we hope to talk to justin rowlatt our environment and climate editor about that very shortly. let's go back to the election. since the last general election, hundreds of constituencies have been altered. in an aim to even out the number of people represented by mps. in the west midlands, walsall and bloxwich becomes a new constituency — joining forces between walsall north

and walsall south, two constituencies with traditionally different voting histories. and for the most marginal seat in the uk — the boundaries of fermanagh and south tyrone have been shaken up too. let's head to the midlands, and northern ireland, and hearfrom our roving reporters emma thomas in walsall and bloxwich, and julian fowler, in the constituency of fermanagh and south tyrone. as we mentioned, the new constituency brings together parts of other constituencies with different voting histories, give a bit of that history first.- bit of that history first. yes, as ou bit of that history first. yes, as you mentioned, _ bit of that history first. yes, as you mentioned, walsall - bit of that history first. yes, as you mentioned, walsall and i bit of that history first. yes, as i you mentioned, walsall and bloxwich is a brand—new constituency due to these boundary changes. but more than that, it is effectively a union of two halves of two neighbouring former constituencies who up until the general election was called had two mps of two different political parties. 50 this new constituency is made up of 56% of fossil north which had a conservative mp and 53% of all south which had a labour mp, it has had a labour mp since 197a. north was a conservative gain in the 2017

general election. 50 this could be seen as an experiment and a marriage of two parts of the borough which have different voting history. in terms of the political map, walsall and bloxwich takes in much of the town centre and the arboretum and there is a smaller town in the north of the borough. in terms of who is standing for election, it is quite poignant to mention valerie vaz, who was the labour mp, is standing. where is eddie hughes, who was a conservative mp for north is not standing. he has moved to tamworth to be a candidate. as you might remember, last year, the resignation of the conservative mp chris pincher triggered a by—election which labour won, so the tories and eddie hughes will be keen to win back tamworth and any of these constituencies, a full list of candidates is available on the bbc website.— full list of candidates is available on the bbc website. julian dimas mar: inal on the bbc website. julian dimas marginal constituencies - on the bbc website. julian dimas marginal constituencies in - on the bbc website. julian dimas

marginal constituencies in the i on the bbc website. julian dimasl marginal constituencies in the uk, fermanagh and south tyrone, tell me about the political make—up. yes. fermanagh and south tyrone, tell me about the political make-up.- about the political make-up. yes, in the last election, _ about the political make-up. yes, in the last election, it _ about the political make-up. yes, in the last election, it came _ about the political make-up. yes, in the last election, it came down - about the political make-up. yes, in the last election, it came down to i the last election, it came down to 57 votes _ the last election, it came down to 57 votes between the sinn fein candidate michelle gilles and hugh and her_ candidate michelle gilles and hugh and her ulster you a straight full. this is_ and her ulster you a straight full. this is a — and her ulster you a straight full. this is a two horse race between nationalism and unionism. nothing unusuai— nationalism and unionism. nothing unusual there. nationalism and unionism. nothing unusualthere. back nationalism and unionism. nothing unusual there. back in 2010, the winning — unusual there. back in 2010, the winning margin wasjust unusual there. back in 2010, the winning margin was just four votes. there _ winning margin was just four votes. there have — winning margin was just four votes. there have been changes to the boundaries of this constituency, which _ boundaries of this constituency, which extends from the border village — which extends from the border village of belleek through enniskillen to the town of dungannon. it is a large rural area. the most _ dungannon. it is a large rural area. the most westerly constituency in the uk _ the most westerly constituency in the uk as— the most westerly constituency in the uk as well. there are six candidates standing this time. really. — candidates standing this time. really. it _ candidates standing this time. really, it is a two horse race. 0ne candidate — really, it is a two horse race. 0ne candidate decided not to stand and defend _ candidate decided not to stand and defend her seat, she stood in the european — defend her seat, she stood in the european elections in the republic instead, _ european elections in the republic instead, in—

european elections in the republic instead, in which sinn fein performed badly and she failed to win a _ performed badly and she failed to win a seat. so we have a new candidate _ win a seat. so we have a new candidate this time for sinn fein which may be familiar to viewers. pat cullen— which may be familiar to viewers. pat cullen was the former leader of the royal— pat cullen was the former leader of the royal college of nursing, leading — the royal college of nursing, leading half a million nurses during the recent— leading half a million nurses during the recent public sector strikes. she has— the recent public sector strikes. she has stood down from that position— she has stood down from that position in order to stand for sinn fein and — position in order to stand for sinn fein and she is up against the ulster— fein and she is up against the ulster unionist party, diane armstrong. she is now standing for a westminster seat for the first time. those _ westminster seat for the first time. those two _ westminster seat for the first time. those two candidates went head—to—head yesterday on radio ulster— head—to—head yesterday on radio ulster and — head—to—head yesterday on radio ulster and pat cullen was challenged by the _ ulster and pat cullen was challenged by the ulster unionist party to condemn— by the ulster unionist party to condemn ira violence. sinn fein have historic— condemn ira violence. sinn fein have historic links — condemn ira violence. sinn fein have historic links with the ira. she was challenged to condemn the ira bomb in enniskillen in 1987 on remembrance day, which resulted in 12 people _ remembrance day, which resulted in 12 people being killed, including a nurse _ 12 people being killed, including a nurse. she didn't condemn it out

right _ nurse. she didn't condemn it out right. instead, she said she was working — right. instead, she said she was working to — right. instead, she said she was working to the future to create a positive — working to the future to create a positive future, in order not to return — positive future, in order not to return to — positive future, in order not to return to those dark days of the past _ return to those dark days of the past and — return to those dark days of the past. and she said as a nurse, she treated _ past. and she said as a nurse, she treated victims from all communities and for— treated victims from all communities and for her. — treated victims from all communities and for her, their suffering was the same _ and for her, their suffering was the same. ., , ~' and for her, their suffering was the same. . a i. ,., and for her, their suffering was the same. . . same. let me ask you both about the ke issues same. let me ask you both about the key issues for — same. let me ask you both about the key issues for voters _ same. let me ask you both about the key issues for voters in _ same. let me ask you both about the key issues for voters in your - key issues for voters in your constituencies.— key issues for voters in your constituencies. 1, . ,, ., , ., . constituencies. back to you, emma. i have 'ust constituencies. back to you, emma. i have just lost — constituencies. back to you, emma. i have just lost output. _ constituencies. back to you, emma. i have just lost output. let's _ constituencies. back to you, emma. i have just lost output. let's see - constituencies. back to you, emma. i have just lost output. let's see if - have 'ust lost output. let's see if we have just lost output. let's see if we can sort _ have just lost output. let's see if we can sort out _ have just lost output. let's see if we can sort out the _ have just lost output. let's see if we can sort out the sound - have just lost output. let's see if we can sort out the sound and i l have just lost output. let's see if i we can sort out the sound and i will go back tojulian. tell us about the questions voters are asking in fermanagh and south tyrone, the important issues for them. itrefoil. important issues for them. well, havinu important issues for them. well, having pat _ important issues for them. well, having pat cullen _ important issues for them. well, having pat cullen as _ important issues for them. well, having pat cullen as their - having pat cullen as their candidate, a former nurse, was a coup— candidate, a former nurse, was a coup for— candidate, a former nurse, was a coup for sinn— candidate, a former nurse, was a coup for sinn fein because health is a major— coup for sinn fein because health is a major issue here in this constituency. the local hospital recently — constituency. the local hospital recently saw the emergency general

service, _ recently saw the emergency general service, general surgery service collapse — service, general surgery service collapse due to problems recruiting surgeons— collapse due to problems recruiting surgeons to the hospital, people now have to _ surgeons to the hospital, people now have to travel more than one hour to the next _ have to travel more than one hour to the next nearest acute hospital. so health— the next nearest acute hospital. so health is— the next nearest acute hospital. so health is a — the next nearest acute hospital. so health is a huge concern here and a huge impact. sojobs, economy and also as i mentioned, this is a rural

community, — also as i mentioned, this is a rural community, so issues regarding agriculture and the environment. unionists— agriculture and the environment. unionists are also campaigning on the issue — unionists are also campaigning on the issue of brexit, that has not gone _ the issue of brexit, that has not gone away. concerns over the trading arrangements post—brexit for northern ireland, the northern tretand — northern ireland, the northern ireland protocol, they say are a concern — ireland protocol, they say are a concern for _ ireland protocol, they say are a concern for their electorate. thank ou. we concern for their electorate. thank you- we have _ concern for their electorate. thank you. we have communications - concern for their electorate. triage. you. we have communications working again with emma thomas in walsall and bloxwich. the same question about the issues that really matter for voters and what have they been saying to you? like for voters and what have they been saying to you?— saying to you? like much of the black country. _ saying to you? like much of the black country, there _ saying to you? like much of the black country, there will - saying to you? like much of the black country, there will be - saying to you? like much of the i black country, there will be similar themes. the average salary and earnings in walsall are lower than the national uk average, so no doubt cost of living is something considered here. the hospital is part of the constituency that faces some of the same challenges hospitals across the country do. the west midlands tragically has the highest rate of knife crime per capita than any raging of the uk and there have been fatal stabbing is in walsall in the last year —— than any

region. so voters will look to the parties to see what they say on that. it has only been a few weeks since voters in walsall went to the polls and there is a suggestion they bucked the trend. people could vote for three different things, the borough councils, the west midlands mayor and the police and crime commissioner. and in the council election, it bucked the trend is. the conservatives went in and control, they retain the same number of seats and stayed in control despite many across england losing control. and in the west midlands mayoral election, whilst the mess lives region as a whole elected labour's richard parker, when we look at the breakdown, it was the conservative candidate andy street who by far got the most votes in walsall —— whilst the west midlands region. it gives an indication to labour and the conservatives there is desperate —— definitely something to fight for in walsall and bloxwich that potentially both could be in with a chance. it is a marriage of two seats. it is also worth mentioning the reform candidate

elaine williams was the reform candidate in the mayoral election and she came third in walsall. so thatis and she came third in walsall. so that is something which could have a plate when it comes to the results on the 5th ofjuly. you can see on you can see on your screens you can see on your screens the candidates in the constituency. and for all the candidates you can go to the bbc website, but in the postcode where you are and see the candidates standing in your constituency. thank you for bringing us all beautiful locations, we have seen quite a lot of those this morning. now it's time for a look at the weather. i'm 5 o rry , i'm sorry, we will not bring you the weather at the moment but we will move to the headlines. a second conservative candidate

being looked into by the gambling commission over a bet made about the timing of the general election is married to tory campaigner tony lee. a party spokesperson told the bbc that tony lee left the party yesterday, and has taken a leave of absence. the supreme court has ruled that surrey county council should have considered the climate impacts of burning oil drilled from a new well in horley. the bank of england will announce its latest decision on interest rates at lunchtime, a day after the inflation rate fell to 2%. and scotland have kept their chances of qualifying for euro 2024's last 16 stage alight with a draw against switzerland in cologne. as we count to polling day ahead of the election we are speaking to

people across the uk about what is important to them and what will win their vote next month. today we are in plymouth. and there we find our roaming correspondent nicky schiller. we havejust been roaming correspondent nicky schiller. we have just been talking about what matters to people elsewhere. you have been chatting to the people behind you so what have they said about the issues important to them? , ., _, ., they said about the issues important to them? , ., ., . to them? this will not come as a surrise to them? this will not come as a surprise but _ to them? this will not come as a surprise but the _ to them? this will not come as a surprise but the number - to them? this will not come as a surprise but the number one i to them? this will not come as a i surprise but the number one issue is the cost of living, which is why we are in plymouth. you join me at southway community centre, which operate a coffee morning each thursday. we can speak to some of the ladies who come to the coffee morning. how has the cost of living impacted you?— morning. how has the cost of living impacted you? every time i go to the supermarket. — impacted you? every time i go to the supermarket, the _ impacted you? every time i go to the supermarket, the prices _ impacted you? every time i go to the supermarket, the prices are - impacted you? every time i go to the supermarket, the prices are up. i impacted you? every time i go to the supermarket, the prices are up. you| supermarket, the prices are up. you io supermarket, the prices are up. you go one _ supermarket, the prices are up. you go one week— supermarket, the prices are up. you go one week and it is one price and three _ go one week and it is one price and three weeks— go one week and it is one price and three weeks after it is another price~ — three weeks after it is another price~ it's _ three weeks after it is another price. it's a bit worrying. yes.

what — price. it's a bit worrying. yes. what does _ price. it's a bit worrying. yes. what does this centre do for you and what do they offer you? you come here each week and you are in the middle of a literary quiz which my producer megan has been helping you out with. producer megan has been helping you outwith. what does this centre offer you? it out with. what does this centre offer you?— out with. what does this centre offer ou? , . ., ., offer you? it offers quite a lot to the public- _ offer you? it offers quite a lot to the public. from _ offer you? it offers quite a lot to the public. from little _ offer you? it offers quite a lot to the public. from little children i the public. from little children right— the public. from little children right through _ the public. from little children right through to _ the public. from little children right through to adults. - the public. from little children right through to adults. there | the public. from little children. right through to adults. there is always— right through to adults. there is always something _ right through to adults. there is always something going - right through to adults. there is always something going on. i right through to adults. there is| always something going on. you right through to adults. there is - always something going on. you don't feel alone, _ always something going on. you don't feel alone, especially— always something going on. you don't feel alone, especially people - always something going on. you don't feel alone, especially people like i feel alone, especially people like mysetf— feel alone, especially people like niysetf who— feel alone, especially people like myself who live _ feel alone, especially people like myself who live on _ feel alone, especially people like myself who live on their- feel alone, especially people like myself who live on their own, i feel alone, especially people like myself who live on their own, it i feel alone, especially people likei myself who live on their own, it is very— myself who live on their own, it is very friendly _ myself who live on their own, it is very friendly-— myself who live on their own, it is very friendly. what's your message to the politicians _ very friendly. what's your message to the politicians as _ very friendly. what's your message to the politicians as we _ very friendly. what's your message to the politicians as we get - very friendly. what's your message j to the politicians as we get towards the election? put to the politicians as we get towards the election?— the election? put up our pensions! does the cost _ the election? put up our pensions! does the cost of _ the election? put up our pensions! does the cost of living _ the election? put up our pensions! does the cost of living affect i the election? put up our pensions! does the cost of living affect you i does the cost of living affect you as well? ., ., ., does the cost of living affect you as well? ., , , . as well? not too bad because i had some money _ as well? not too bad because i had some money left _ as well? not too bad because i had some money left to _ as well? not too bad because i had some money left to me, _ as well? not too bad because i had some money left to me, but- as well? not too bad because i had some money left to me, but you i as well? not too bad because i had i some money left to me, but you still have to _ some money left to me, but you still have to be _ some money left to me, but you still have to be very careful because of the cost _ have to be very careful because of the cost of — have to be very careful because of the cost of living. i shop in aldi guite _ the cost of living. i shop in aldi quite a — the cost of living. i shop in aldi quite a lot— the cost of living. i shop in aldi quite a lot and the prices keep going — quite a lot and the prices keep going up— quite a lot and the prices keep going up and it does worry you. but other— going up and it does worry you. but other people are in more trouble

than _ other people are in more trouble than t _ other people are in more trouble than i am — other people are in more trouble than i am. we other people are in more trouble than i am-_ other people are in more trouble than i am. ~ than i am. we will let you get back to the guiz- — than i am. we will let you get back to the quiz. darren _ than i am. we will let you get back to the quiz. darren is _ than i am. we will let you get back to the quiz. darren is involved i than i am. we will let you get back to the quiz. darren is involved in i to the quiz. darren is involved in the project here. as you can see it is very busy here for this coffee morning. what else do you offer residents in this area? figs morning. what else do you offer residents in this area? $5 a residents in this area? as a community _ residents in this area? as a community group _ residents in this area? as a community group we i residents in this area? as a community group we run i residents in this area? as a community group we run here at the community— community group we run here at the community centre and we offer tow-cost — community centre and we offer low—cost community groups throughout the week, _ low—cost community groups throughout the week, from young babies to the silver— the week, from young babies to the silver linings and dementia friendly group _ silver linings and dementia friendly group who— silver linings and dementia friendly group who are here today. we offer a cooperative _ group who are here today. we offer a cooperative and a baby bank.- cooperative and a baby bank. explain the baby bank. _ cooperative and a baby bank. explain the baby bank, what _ cooperative and a baby bank. explain the baby bank, what is _ cooperative and a baby bank. explain the baby bank, what is it? _ cooperative and a baby bank. explain the baby bank, what is it? we i cooperative and a baby bank. explain the baby bank, what is it? we help. the baby bank, what is it? we help ci ide, the baby bank, what is it? we help citywide. right _ the baby bank, what is it? we help citywide, right across _ the baby bank, what is it? we help citywide, right across the - the baby bank, what is it? we help citywide, right across the city, i citywide, right across the city, peopie — citywide, right across the city, people can contact us through our facebook— people can contact us through our facebook page, plymouth baby bank, they can _ facebook page, plymouth baby bank, they can request help and we help niany_ they can request help and we help many families, notjust they can request help and we help many families, not just those on low incomes. _ many families, not just those on low incomes. but— many families, not just those on low incomes, but working families as weii~ _ incomes, but working families as well. so— incomes, but working families as well, , ., incomes, but working families as well. i. , ., _ incomes, but working families as well. , ., _ ~ incomes, but working families as well. i. , ., _ ,, . well. so you send out baby milk and stuff like that. — well. so you send out baby milk and stuff like that. do _ well. so you send out baby milk and stuff like that. do you _ well. so you send out baby milk and stuff like that. do you have - well. so you send out baby milk and stuff like that. do you have enough | stuff like that. do you have enough supplies was to mark we are really low at the moment on milk and

nappies. low at the moment on milk and na ies. ~ low at the moment on milk and na ies.~ .' low at the moment on milk and na ies.~ , low at the moment on milk and na--ies.~ , , . nappies. we offer second things, a lot of people _ nappies. we offer second things, a lot of people donating _ nappies. we offer second things, a lot of people donating prams i nappies. we offer second things, a lot of people donating prams and i lot of people donating prams and baby clothing. it gets passed on to families— baby clothing. it gets passed on to families in— baby clothing. it gets passed on to families in need.— families in need. talking of children. — families in need. talking of children, this _ families in need. talking of children, this area - families in need. talking of children, this area of- families in need. talking of- children, this area of plymouth is in the bottom 3% in terms of the levels of poverty. kerry bidwell is here from promoting children in plymouth. can you explain how bad it is in this area? this plymouth. can you explain how bad it is in this area?— is in this area? this has always been an area _ is in this area? this has always been an area facing _ is in this area? this has always been an area facing financial. been an area facing financial barriers _ been an area facing financial barriers and _ been an area facing financial barriers and some _ been an area facing financial barriers and some families i been an area facing financial. barriers and some families that been an area facing financial- barriers and some families that are vulnerable — barriers and some families that are vulnerable. the _ barriers and some families that are vulnerable. the last _ barriers and some families that are vulnerable. the last two _ barriers and some families that are vulnerable. the last two years, i barriers and some families that are i vulnerable. the last two years, with the cost _ vulnerable. the last two years, with the cost of — vulnerable. the last two years, with the cost of living _ vulnerable. the last two years, with the cost of living crisis, _ vulnerable. the last two years, with the cost of living crisis, we - vulnerable. the last two years, with the cost of living crisis, we have i the cost of living crisis, we have seen _ the cost of living crisis, we have seen the — the cost of living crisis, we have seen the amount _ the cost of living crisis, we have seen the amount of— the cost of living crisis, we have seen the amount of families i the cost of living crisis, we have i seen the amount of families living in poverty— seen the amount of families living in poverty double. _ seen the amount of families living in poverty double.— in poverty double. what does that mean two children? _ in poverty double. what does that mean two children? it _ in poverty double. what does that mean two children? it means i in poverty double. what does that j mean two children? it means they in poverty double. what does that i mean two children? it means they are not sure where _ mean two children? it means they are not sure where their _ mean two children? it means they are not sure where their next _ mean two children? it means they are not sure where their next meal- mean two children? it means they are not sure where their next meal is i not sure where their next meal is coming _ not sure where their next meal is coming from _ not sure where their next meal is coming from we _ not sure where their next meal is coming from. we have _ not sure where their next meal is coming from. we have seen i not sure where their next meal is i coming from. we have seen teachers having _ coming from. we have seen teachers having to _ coming from. we have seen teachers having to take — coming from. we have seen teachers having to take children _ coming from. we have seen teachers having to take children to _ coming from. we have seen teachers having to take children to food - having to take children to food banks — having to take children to food banks because _ having to take children to food banks because they— having to take children to food banks because they haven't i having to take children to food i banks because they haven't eaten since _ banks because they haven't eaten since they— banks because they haven't eaten since they were _ banks because they haven't eaten since they were last _ banks because they haven't eaten since they were last in— banks because they haven't eaten since they were last in school. - banks because they haven't eaten i since they were last in school. they don't _ since they were last in school. they don't have — since they were last in school. they don't have access _ since they were last in school. they don't have access to _ since they were last in school. they don't have access to the _ don't have access to the opportunities _ don't have access to the opportunities that- don't have access to the opportunities that theyi don't have access to the - opportunities that they need to thrive — opportunities that they need to thrive. he— opportunities that they need to thrive. �* , ., opportunities that they need to thrive. �* , . ., . ., . thrive. as an organisation what would your _ thrive. as an organisation what would your message _ thrive. as an organisation what would your message be - thrive. as an organisation what would your message be to - thrive. as an organisation what - would your message be to politicians as we head towards the general

election? ., , . , ., . , election? for every decision that is made, children _ election? for every decision that is made, children in _ election? for every decision that is made, children in the _ election? for every decision that is made, children in the early - election? for every decision that is made, children in the early years l made, children in the early years need _ made, children in the early years need to— made, children in the early years need to be — made, children in the early years need to be front _ made, children in the early years need to be front and _ made, children in the early years need to be front and centre - made, children in the early years i need to be front and centre because they are _ need to be front and centre because they are the — need to be front and centre because they are the future. _ need to be front and centre because they are the future. this _ need to be front and centre because they are the future. this isn't - they are the future. this isn't about— they are the future. this isn't about abititv. _ they are the future. this isn't about ability, this _ they are the future. this isn't about ability, this is - they are the future. this isn't about ability, this is about. about ability, this is about opportunities _ about ability, this is about opportunities for- about ability, this is about opportunities for them - about ability, this is about - opportunities for them because they are fantastic— opportunities for them because they are fantastic and _ opportunities for them because they are fantastic and resilient _ opportunities for them because they are fantastic and resilient children . are fantastic and resilient children and they— are fantastic and resilient children and they deserve _ are fantastic and resilient children and they deserve the _ are fantastic and resilient children and they deserve the same - are fantastic and resilient children and they deserve the same as - are fantastic and resilient childreni and they deserve the same as their more _ and they deserve the same as their more advantaged _ and they deserve the same as their more advantaged peers. _ and they deserve the same as their more advantaged peers.— and they deserve the same as their more advantaged peers. kerry, thank ou. the more advantaged peers. kerry, thank you- the group _ more advantaged peers. kerry, thank you. the group here _ more advantaged peers. kerry, thank you. the group here has _ more advantaged peers. kerry, thank you. the group here has made - more advantaged peers. kerry, thank you. the group here has made us - more advantaged peers. kerry, thank| you. the group here has made us very welcome in plymouth. also with us is a bbc south west political reporter, miles davis. talk about the politics of this area. irate miles davis. talk about the politics of this area-— of this area. we can see that here we have johnny — of this area. we can see that here we have johnny mercer, _ of this area. we can see that here we have johnny mercer, the - of this area. we can see that here i we have johnny mercer, the veterans minister. _ we have johnny mercer, the veterans minister, who was the incumbent mp here~ _ minister, who was the incumbent mp here he _ minister, who was the incumbent mp here~ he is— minister, who was the incumbent mp here. he is fending off a challenge from _ here. he is fending off a challenge from fred — here. he is fending off a challenge from fred thomas, a former royal marine _ from fred thomas, a former royal marine who— from fred thomas, a former royal marine who is standing against him in the _ marine who is standing against him in the general election. looks like it witt— in the general election. looks like it will be _ in the general election. looks like it will be very tight from the potting _ it will be very tight from the polling we have seen. in a city like ptymouth — polling we have seen. in a city like plymouth both parties felt it was important to field military veterans

in a city— important to field military veterans in a city with such an outstanding mititary— in a city with such an outstanding military tradition. we in a city with such an outstanding military tradition.— military tradition. we have said alread , military tradition. we have said already. this — military tradition. we have said already, this city _ military tradition. we have said already, this city is _ military tradition. we have said already, this city is a _ military tradition. we have said already, this city is a tale - military tradition. we have said already, this city is a tale of. military tradition. we have said | already, this city is a tale of two cities when it comes to economic wealth. ~ ,,., , ~ cities when it comes to economic wealth. ~ , , . . wealth. absolutely. we are in southway _ wealth. absolutely. we are in southway today _ wealth. absolutely. we are in southway today where - wealth. absolutely. we are in southway today where there l wealth. absolutely. we are in| southway today where there is wealth. absolutely. we are in i southway today where there is a wealth. absolutely. we are in - southway today where there is a high level of— southway today where there is a high level of deprivation but you don't have _ level of deprivation but you don't have to _ level of deprivation but you don't have to go — level of deprivation but you don't have to go a mile up the road and you are _ have to go a mile up the road and you are in— have to go a mile up the road and you are ina— have to go a mile up the road and you are in a different world almost. much— you are in a different world almost. much more — you are in a different world almost. much more wealthy area. it's not 'ust much more wealthy area. it's not just reflected in the living standards. reports have shown there is also _ standards. reports have shown there is also a _ standards. reports have shown there is also a trig _ standards. reports have shown there is also a big difference in life expectancy between some of the areas with the _ expectancy between some of the areas with the most deprivation in plymouth and areas with a lot more nroney _ plymouth and areas with a lot more mone . �* , . plymouth and areas with a lot more mone. �*, . ., plymouth and areas with a lot more mone . i, ., . " ., ., money. let's head back over here to the ladies- — money. let's head back over here to the ladies. what _ money. let's head back over here to the ladies. what question _ money. let's head back over here to the ladies. what question are - money. let's head back over here to the ladies. what question are you i the ladies. what question are you stuck on? who wrote the diary of a young girl? that's what we are after. does annita mcveigh in the studio no busted may be our viewers can help. if you want to find out the full list of candidates standing here in plymouth you can find it on the bbc news website and app. anywhere in the country, if you want

to find out who is standing in your constituency, all you have to do is head to the website, type in your postcode that it will give a list. it will even tell you where your local polling station is onjuly the 4th. throughout the day will be back looking at the issue of cost of living in plymouth. back to you in the studio. living in plymouth. back to you in the studio-— living in plymouth. back to you in the studio. .' , i. the studio. nicky schiller, see you later. education is the second largest area of public spending and ahead of the general election we've been looking at some of the biggest issues in schools and higher education. as part of the bbc�*s your voice, your vote, our education editor branwenjeffreys has been talking with teachers, pupils and theirfamilies in yorkshire about what matters to them. this is where education is built — in the classroom. and england has a shortage of teachers. teachers' pay is among the first decisions facing a new government. natalie, like many others, has been feeling the cost of living. we look at where we can get clothes either second—hand or in a sale

as opposed to being able to just go out and buy what the children need at that time. i have considered leaving teaching. i do look at what is available, what otherjobs i could do. because, actually, what i'd like is a better work—life balance around my children. while new teachers' pay is now £30,000, experienced teachers' pay has fallen 11% since 2010 once rising costs are factored in. how many ways can you make 100? this school in leeds has put ads for teachers' jobs on hold. pay is their biggest bill and they don't yet know what it will be in september. there's a gap, a chasm of difference there. we're talking hundreds of thousands of pounds for a medium—sized secondary school.

the difference between the funding that's been so far promised and what teacher pay rises are likely to be. spending for each pupil in england, because costs have gone up, is worth no more than ia years ago, despite the extra challenges. schools are also still dealing with some of the legacy of covid — more children with mental health issues, attendance far below what it was before. at this school, they make time and space for children who need extra help. to get funding in the future, they will have to apply for a care plan for each. how to pay for special educational needs is another big looming challenge after the election. in sheffield, kerry wants more help for her six—year—old son. he is only managing school a couple of hours a day. to be sure of more support,

kerry wants his needs reassessed. you've got to choose to be happy, or your situation would destroy you. it's not working at all. so many parents are just... they're just in survival. everything is a fight that doesn't need to be, if the right things were put in place. there's been a 60% increase in education, health and care plans since 2015, setting out the legal right of a child or young person to extra support, leading to a 5.5 billion increase in spending. also on the difficult—to—sort—out list is university funding. in a0 years, some students could still be paying off their loans for living costs and teaching. joe and mia love their film course at leeds beckett. so do they think tuition fees should go up? they could go up, but they need to re—evaluate how it would be repaid back.

so obviously previously, it would be less over a shorter period of time. now, it's substantially longer. if they re—evaluate it and sort of maybe get employers to help out to try and pay off your student loan, similar to paying like a pension or something like that. i think that tuition fees shouldn't go up, especially in the cost—of—living crisis. you know, you're just going to make students not want to go to university when there's so many other options, there's so many different pathways that you could go down. the man in charge told me it's time for decisions about what universities are worth. universities' finances are fragile and itjust takes a small shift to send a lot of organisations into difficulty. the question for me is do you see higher education as a cost or an investment? and i think if we're looking at long—term productivity and the future of the economy, it's about time to think of it as an investment. education is the second largest

area of public spending, and that means taking decisions that shape their future and our economy. more on the landmark ruling on oil drilling. the supreme court has ruled in the last hour that surrey county council should have considered the climate impacts of burning oil drilled from new wells in horley. under planning law the assumption has been only the impacts from constructing the wells and not the use of the final oil products should be considered. here is our climate editorjustin rowlatt from outside the court.— climate editorjustin rowlatt from outside the court. what the supreme court justices — outside the court. what the supreme court justices have _ outside the court. what the supreme courtjustices have ruled _ outside the court. what the supreme courtjustices have ruled is _ outside the court. what the supreme court justices have ruled is that - outside the court. what the supreme courtjustices have ruled is that a - courtjustices have ruled is that a local authority which gave planning permission for a new oil well in the surrey should have taken into account the environmental impact of burning the oil, that 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide that would be produced by the oilfrom tonnes of carbon dioxide that would be produced by the oil from this

well in a place called horse hill in surrey. it's a really significant judgment because it will affect future environmental assessments made on fossilfuel future environmental assessments made on fossil fuel projects. it could for example affect the development of the rosebank oil field, this huge oilfield off the coast of the shetlands that the norwegian state oil company has proposed to develop. it could affect another gas field called jackdaw and there is a proposed new coal mine in whitehaven in cumbria that could also be affected by this. it could have wide repercussions in terms of the fossil fuel future of the uk. climate editorjustin rowlatt. former mp harriet harman has said there must be "a fierce zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse" in the next parliament. she told the bbc, women in westminster were being "exploited" and "abused" by men in more senior positions because they felt they could get away with it.

last month, ms harman stood down as an mp after more than a0 years on the green benches. 0ur senior uk correspondent sima kotecha reports. how would you describe the culture in westminster? i how would you describe the culture in westminster?— in westminster? i think there is still a problem _ in westminster? i think there is still a problem in _ in westminster? i think there is still a problem in terms - in westminster? i think there is still a problem in terms of - in westminster? i think there is l still a problem in terms of sexual abuse and exploitation. there is no doubt about it that there are men who are higher up in the system who believe they can get away with it because the woman is in a junior position and they are counting on the fact that they have impunity because she will not dare speak out. i spoke to a former parliamentary aidejust yesterday and i spoke to a former parliamentary aide just yesterday and they said to me only weeks ago they had been told that there breasts look perky in that there breasts look perky in that top by someone who was more senior to them. what's your reaction to that? it senior to them. what's your reaction to that? . senior to them. what's your reaction to that? , ., . , senior to them. what's your reaction tothat? ,., ._ , to that? it is totally unacceptable in any workplace _ to that? it is totally unacceptable in any workplace and _ to that? it is totally unacceptable in any workplace and it's - to that? it is totally unacceptable in any workplace and it's that - in any workplace and it's that culture change that has to come about. everybody is entitled to just be able to do their work and not be

prey to predatory behaviour, especially sexual predatory behaviour.— especially sexual predatory behaviour. . ., ~' behaviour. what do you think there needs to be — behaviour. what do you think there needs to be in _ behaviour. what do you think there needs to be in the _ behaviour. what do you think there needs to be in the next _ behaviour. what do you think there | needs to be in the next parliament? we need to have a fierce, zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse in the house of commons. and it is the responsibility of every member of parliament in all parties, women and men, to make sure that after the next general election that change happens. after the next general election that change happens-— change happens. what are you suggesting _ change happens. what are you suggesting needs _ change happens. what are you suggesting needs to _ change happens. what are you suggesting needs to be - change happens. what are you suggesting needs to be done? | change happens. what are you | suggesting needs to be done? i change happens. what are you - suggesting needs to be done? i want to see in the — suggesting needs to be done? i want to see in the new— suggesting needs to be done? i want to see in the new parliament - suggesting needs to be done? i want to see in the new parliament a - suggesting needs to be done? i want to see in the new parliament a real. to see in the new parliament a real expression of mail allyship, men speaking out against men on their own side. because if a man is in the bar at the house of commons and he is groping a woman and also drinking with a number of other men, if they see him, i want the man to speak out and report it, notjust leave it to the woman. i think what needs to happen first and foremost is there needs to be a woman's caucus of women mps from all the different parties in parliament. so when a

woman speaks out about a senior man in her own party she is not left vulnerable, but she is actually backed up. vulnerable, but she is actually backed up-_ vulnerable, but she is actually backedu. ., ., vulnerable, but she is actually backedu. ., , ., ., ., , , backed up. the house of commons is the heart of — backed up. the house of commons is the heart of democracy, _ backed up. the house of commons is the heart of democracy, isn't - backed up. the house of commons is the heart of democracy, isn't it, - the heart of democracy, isn't it, where laws are made and should be upheld in the highest standards of behaviour. it is upheld in the highest standards of behaviour. , ., . ., , ., upheld in the highest standards of behaviour. . ., , , behaviour. it is outrageous to prey u on behaviour. it is outrageous to prey upon somebody — behaviour. it is outrageous to prey upon somebody who _ behaviour. it is outrageous to prey upon somebody who has _ behaviour. it is outrageous to prey upon somebody who has come - behaviour. it is outrageous to prey| upon somebody who has come into behaviour. it is outrageous to prey - upon somebody who has come into do theirjob and to work the public service. nobody should have to accept that. it's the responsibility of every member of parliament in all parties, women and men, to make sure that after the next general election that after the next general election that change happens. a house of commons spokesperson said... "sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying have absolutely no place in parliament. we take any complaint of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously and remain committed to ensuring that lasting cultural change can be achieved here. there are a range of support services now available in parliament — established as part of changes made in recent years aimed

at creating an environment where everyone can work without fear of sexual harassment or bullying, and delivering a workplace where everyone feels safe and valued." the bank of england is expected to announce that interest rates will be held at 5.25%, a 16—year high. this would be the seventh time the bank has held rates. with economists suggesting that the bank are waiting to see if the inflation rate will hold at 2% and a rate cut is unlikely until the autumn. communist party leaders in vietnam are giving a red carpet welcome to the russian president, vladimir putin. vietnamese president to lam congratulated putin on his re—election and praised russia's achievements, including "domestic political stability". the leaders are discussing cooperation on trade, energy and military equipment. the us has criticised the visit for giving a platform to mr putin while his forces continue their war in ukraine. 0ur correspondent in seoul, shaimaa khalil, gave us her analysis.

this is the second leg of his asia trip and again what i think vladimir putin wants to demonstrate here, that he has friends in the region, that he has allies, he's not as isolated as the rest of the west touts him to be. but as you say, this is a country that has strong and historical relationships with russia. vietnam still remembers and is still grateful for that assistance that the soviet union gave them in the decades during the war with the french and the united states. it's actually been described in vietnam as a relationship with loyalty and gratitude. but, yes, it finds itself having to walk a very tight rope. on one hand, it's got this very deep relationship with russia. it's welcoming the president, vladimir putin. the armed forces still use russian—made weapons, russian companies are still the chosen partner when it comes to oil excavation, oil exploration

in the disputed south china sea. however, when it comes to trade, china, the united states, the rest of europe precede russia at the moment. and it has to appease them, it has to be seen as a striking that balance. and it has to appease them, it has to be seen as striking that balance. but also remember that even though it has never condemned the war in ukraine and has abstained from many resolutions in the un condemning the war in ukraine, it has managed to again maintain good ties with kyiv, actually managed to send some aid, because again historically many thousands of vietnamese have lived and studied in ukraine. so this is typical vietnamese bamboo diplomacy, if you will, which is friends with everyone. but given how tense and how difficult the global terrain is, especially with the war in ukraine raging, being an ally with russia, being a friend, historical friend with russia, pushes it to be more careful. they are going to be very, very hospitable. they are going, as you say, to roll out the red carpet. it will be a very, very warm reception, but i think it's also

going to maintain a dotted contact line to reassure the united states and china that it's keeping that balance right. the charity english heritage says it's expecting the annual gathering at stonehenge to mark the summer solstice to go ahead afterjust stop 0il campaigners sprayed the stones with orange powder paint. two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. thousands of people travel to the ancient site annually to celebrate the longest day of the year. scotland's hopes of progressing to the euros knockout stages are still alive after a 1—1 draw with switzerland. last week, they were hammered 5—1 by germany. england will be looking to secure their place in the last 16 when they face denmark in frankfurt this afternoon.

bbc sports presenter john watsonjoins me now from frankfurt. what's the latest news from the england camp? this what's the latest news from the england camp?— what's the latest news from the ena-landcam? a ,,,._ england camp? as you can probably see behind me _ england camp? as you can probably see behind me here _ england camp? as you can probably see behind me here in _ england camp? as you can probably see behind me here in frankfurt, i england camp? as you can probablyl see behind me here in frankfurt, the england fans are packing into one of the main squares at the moment, i can see numerous shirts and flags. you can probably see them behind me here, lots of denmark fans as well ahead of a big game tonight. it is quite simple for england, if they are to beat denmark then their place in the last 16 at the european championships will be guaranteed. it was interesting after that opening victory over serbia, that 1—0 win, when it was all down tojude bellingham. despite what was a really good start and apologies for some of the language behind me, if we can move over this side, after what was a brilliant start with the goal thatjude bellingham scored, goal that jude bellingham scored, unfortunately goal thatjude bellingham scored, unfortunately in the end things didn't quite go as gareth southgate

would have predicted with the way the performance tailed off a little bit. gareth southgate said it was very hard to manage the expectations of some of these england supporters, perhaps in tournaments previously england fans arrived here more in hope than expectation but now after making it to the final of the last european championship they expect to win. he said it is hard to manage those expectations, people expect england to score loads of goals and it's not often the case and that didn't play out in the opening match against serbia. they got a win and it's worth pointing out it is only the second time that england have won their first match at a european championship. goes to show how hard it can be. sometimes england fans, dare i say it, can expect a little bit too much. but we believe that gareth southgate will be sticking with the same side that started that match against serbia. i should say again, apologies for any language, as you can probably understand

england fans are in high spirits here. ., ., g �* . here. you mentioned jude bellingham. a lot of the focus _ here. you mentioned jude bellingham. a lot of the focus is _ here. you mentioned jude bellingham. a lot of the focus is on _ here. you mentioned jude bellingham. a lot of the focus is on him _ here. you mentioned jude bellingham. a lot of the focus is on him but - here. you mentioned jude bellingham. a lot of the focus is on him but he - a lot of the focus is on him but he seems remarkably cool, calm and collected about it all, doesn't he, john? .,, collected about it all, doesn't he, john? ., , , ., ., john? he does. he is one of those remarkable _ john? he does. he is one of those remarkable characters, _ john? he does. he is one of those remarkable characters, not - john? he does. he is one of those remarkable characters, not yet . john? he does. he is one of thosej remarkable characters, not yet 21, yet has already played in three major tournaments for england. it's astonishing, really, notjust his footballing capabilities but his character, the presence he carries on the pitch will stop you just have to look at him stepping out, he really asserts himself and carries himself on the pitch. it is beyond his years in many ways. it's no wonder he is fast becoming a leading light in this team, a real talisman despite his young age. he had that match—winning performance, he scored the goal that got past serbia. interesting that gareth southgate said he needs to try and learn when he needs to push it in a match and when he needs to control some of his

energy levels because he appeared to run himself into the ground at times covering so much of the ground out on the pitch. i guess it'sjust his determination, he knows the role he wants to play in that team and he knows how important he is. he expects a lot of himself and obviously wants to demonstrate that on the pitch. no doubt about it these england fans will look to him once again to potentially lead england into the last 16 of the euros this year.— england into the last 16 of the euros this year. john watson in frankfurt. _ euros this year. john watson in frankfurt, thank— euros this year. john watson in frankfurt, thank you. - let's ta ke let's take a look at the weather forecast with matt taylor. hello. it's the summer solstice at 9:51 tonight. of course, it means we've got the longest amount of daylight today. sun in lerwick doesn't set until after 10:30pm, but 9:15pm in dover. and the night will be short — sunrise for most before 5am tomorrow morning. now, as we go into tomorrow, and indeed over the days ahead, it is going to start to feel warmer across the country, but not completely dry. there will be a little bit of rain

at times in the west. and we've seen some spots of rain or drizzle so far today. this is the weather front responsible, sitting across parts of central scotland and northern ireland. lots of low cloud with that, a bit damp in places. that zone drifts a bit further northwards, not a huge amount, as we go through the day, so parts of northern ireland that have been grey so far will brighten up. to the north of it, sunny spells in scotland, a good deal of sunshine for some in england and wales, but there is a fair bit of high cloud across northern and western areas so that sunshine, quite tempered in places. where the sun is out, at its brightest, the sun is pretty strong. lifting temperatures to 22, 23, towards the southeast. maybe around 18—20 in the northeast of scotland. high, if not very high, pollen levels. tonight, brief spits of rain across northern ireland in the middle part of the night, and then on and off in the second half of the night in the north and west of scotland. most have a dry night, not as cold as last night. for some of you, temperatures were down into lower single figures in parts of england and wales. double figures for most to start. a dry start to friday for many, england and wales especially, the brightest conditions in central

and eastern areas. although a fair bit of high cloud. and eastern areas. in the west and the north we will see some outbreaks of rain develop, showery, though, scotland and the western parts of wales. and then some longer spells of showery weather pushing across northern ireland during the afternoon, again into western parts of great britain. temperatures similar to today but it will be a windy day. that system then bringing the showers in the west pushes its way eastwards as we go through the night and into saturday morning. some welcome rain on some gardens at least to take us into saturday morning. and then the remnants of the weather front still lingering toward some eastern areas so you will be prone to some showers across eastern parts of england. the odd one in scotland, and then more particularly with some thickening cloud in the far northwest later in the day. but for many, saturday, a dry and bright start to the weekend. temperatures down a little bit on what we'll see over the next couple of days but those temperatures are on the up from sunday and into the start of next week. a lot of fine and dry weather around but there will still be just one or two showers here and there, but certainly much warmer than the month's been so far. take care.

live from london. this is bbc news. a second conservative candidate is being looked into by the gambling commission over an alleged bet relating to the timing of the general election. he is married to the tories' director of campaigning and has taken a leave of absence —— who has

taken a leave of absence —— who has taken a leave of absence —— who has taken a leave of absence. the bank of england will announce its latest decision on interest rates at lunchtime — a day after the inflation rate fell to 2%. and it's another big day in the euros as england take on denmark tonight, with a win securing them a place in the last—16 knockouts. welcome to bbc news, i am annita mcveigh. thank you for your company today. the bbc can reveal that a second conservative candidate being looked

into by the gambling commission over betting allegations relating to the timing of the general election, is married to the party's director of campaigning, tony lee. laura saunders is the party's candidate in bristol north west. it is not known when the bet was placed orfor how much money. ms saunders has been approached for comment by the bbc and has not replied. labour has written to the prime minister calling for miss saunders to be suspended as a candidate along with fellow candidate craig williams, who is also being looked into by the gambling commission and michael gove, secretary of state for housing, was asked for his reaction to the news that laura saunders, a second conservative candidate, was being looked into by the gambling commission. well, it's deeply regrettable if anyone has been speculating, betting on the result of the election on the basis of inside information. but at the moment, we've

got an investigation, a process going on, i think, led by the gambling commission, and so we'll have to wait to see what they conclude. but it's certainly, you know, pretty — what's the word? — you know, disappointing, ithink, at least, behaviour. susan hume, our political correspondent, joins us from westminster. tell us about the latest developments in the story and we understand labour have now written to the conservative party asking for more action on this. thea;r asking for more action on this. they have and it — asking for more action on this. they have and it seems _ asking for more action on this. they have and it seems to _ asking for more action on this. they have and it seems to be _ asking for more action on this. they have and it seems to be a _ asking for more action on this. tie: have and it seems to be a pretty fast moving story this morning because we have just heard in the last few minutes that tony lee, the director of campaigning you mentioned there, has taken a leave of absence from the conservative party and is also being looked at by the gambling commission over an alleged bet relating to the date of the general election, a date that was a surprise to most people around westminster. however, as you said,

he is married to one of the candidates in the general election, laura saunders, who is also being looked into. neither of them have said anything about it and we don't know when they pleased these bets and how much for, but the gambling commission is looking into them now. —— pleased these bets. the director of campaigning taking a leave of absence and being looked at by the gambling commission two weeks before polling day is good to be a very serious developments for the party's campaign. find serious developments for the party's camaiun. �* ., campaign. and as i mentioned, we have this letter _ campaign. and as i mentioned, we have this letter from _ campaign. and as i mentioned, we have this letter from pat _ campaign. and as i mentioned, we l have this letter from pat mcfadden, the labour campaign coordinator, to the labour campaign coordinator, to the prime minister at rishi sunak. tell us about what that letter contains. . ,., tell us about what that letter contains. . . , �* tell us about what that letter contains. . �* tell us about what that letter contains. . . contains. labour hasn't said a great deal about it _ contains. labour hasn't said a great deal about it until— contains. labour hasn't said a great deal about it until now _ contains. labour hasn't said a great deal about it until now but - contains. labour hasn't said a great deal about it until now but pat - deal about it until now but pat mcfadden has written to the prime minister making the point, you'll remember there was a police officer who was a of rishi sunak�*s loose protection team who was suspended

yesterday looking into some of these betting allegations. —— close protection. pat mcfadden has written to the prime minister saying that why have two of these conservative candidates, craig william, the prime minister's parliamentary aide and laura saunders, why have they not been suspended as tory candidates? is there one rule for a police officer and another for tory candidates? and suggesting and making some political capital of this but it is symptomatic of the conservative party in recent times and demanding the prime minister says something and take some action pretty soon. to says something and take some action re soon. ., .,, . says something and take some action pretty soon-— pretty soon. to develop that point, michael gove _ pretty soon. to develop that point, michael gove seeing _ pretty soon. to develop that point, michael gove seeing this _ pretty soon. to develop that point, michael gove seeing this morning i michael gove seeing this morning that he would wait for the outcome of any investigation but given all of any investigation but given all of these developments, you think that idea of waiting and seeing can possibly hold? i that idea of waiting and seeing can possibly hold?— possibly hold? i think if the pressure — possibly hold? i think if the pressure to _ possibly hold? i think if the pressure to suspend - possibly hold? i think if the - pressure to suspend candidates from the conservative party will amount

to. they can't be removed, i don't think, from the ballot paper because thatis think, from the ballot paper because that is now too late for that kind of thing, but i think there will be pressure for some action to be taken, some political pressure. it does rather play into a political theme that we have had a lot over recent years, back since covid times, orsome recent years, back since covid times, or some of the actions and some of the party members, people working in central office, people working in central office, people working at the heart of the conservative party have taken, and labour are making some capital out of that, of what are the attitudes and values among some of that team? susan, thank you so much for bringing some of those updates. susan hume in westminster. 0ur poltical correspondent tom symonds is travelling with the conservative campaign. the tories wanting to talk about

housing today but that must be completely overshadowed by these allegations over betting irregularities. allegations over betting irreuularities. ~ , irregularities. absolutely, the way these things _ irregularities. absolutely, the way these things tend _ irregularities. absolutely, the way these things tend to _ irregularities. absolutely, the way these things tend to work, - irregularities. absolutely, the way i these things tend to work, ministers tend to be put out by the party to do what is called a media round and today's willing victim, i suppose you might call m, is a michael gove, the housing and levelling up secretary who was incidentally not standing in this election, is standing in this election, is standing down after a 19 year political front line career which he says has taken its toll, and he has been answering questions about the gambling issue and he told me on the bus just now, the conservative election buzzjust behind me, but it was not good that this was happening. —— election bus. he was also talking about the conservatives' chances in the election and was asked whether the party could win this election given how far behind it is in the polls, and said, we are supposed to be the underdogs and it is tough and we are

up underdogs and it is tough and we are up against it, but he says it is possible and he said something else which i think is quite telling, you have to believe that in order to ensure you do the electorate a service. he said the conservatives have to be out there campaigning hard and questioning what labour will do when they are in power. he has also answered questions from me about levelling up, which is a policy that is very much part of this remix, and i said, why would voters not coming behind the conservatives if the levelling up process, the policy of putting money into more deprived parts of the country had been noticed by voters and was making a difference —— very much part of his remit. he said it be making differences in the north of england and places like blyth and blackpool had been receiving money but he said there was still more to do and he is up in this housing development right now, answering more questions from the media which i'm pretty sure will include about gambling in downing street as this election campaign grinds on. thank

ou ve election campaign grinds on. thank you very much. _ election campaign grinds on. thank you very much, tom, _ election campaign grinds on. thank you very much, tom, and - election campaign grinds on. thank you very much, tom, and tom - you very much, tom, and tom mentioned michael gove there who was on the campaign trail today and we can now bring you that reaction from michael gove from a little earlier, reacting to that news coming in on the tory party and those gambling allegations. it is the tory party and those gambling alleuations. , , , allegations. it is deeply regrettable _ allegations. it is deeply regrettable that - allegations. it is deeply regrettable that it - allegations. it is deeply i regrettable that it appears allegations. it is deeply - regrettable that it appears there are now two parliamentary candidates who have bet on the date of the election and that is unacceptable behaviour. people, if the allegations are correct, it shouldn't be using privileged inside information in this way but i think it is important to recognise an investigation is undergoing sol can't say anything conclusive until that investigation is complete but i think we are talking about two individuals rather than anything more widespread. is individuals rather than anything more widespread.— more widespread. is the party suspended — more widespread. is the party suspended the _ more widespread. is the party suspended the individual- more widespread. is the party suspended the individual is i more widespread. is the party i suspended the individual is being investigated, and if not, why not? i investigated, and if not, why not? understand investigated, and if not, why not? i understand there is an investigation ongoing in both cases and the gambling commission is looking at

this but there has been no formal arrest or charge, as far as i know, and unless or until there is, it is obviously right that people should enjoy the benefit of whatever doubts there is. do enjoy the benefit of whatever doubts there is. ,., , ., enjoy the benefit of whatever doubts there is. i. _, , enjoy the benefit of whatever doubts there is. , . there is. do you recognise it as a roblem there is. do you recognise it as a problem for _ there is. do you recognise it as a problem for the _ there is. do you recognise it as a problem for the party _ there is. do you recognise it as a problem for the party if - there is. do you recognise it as a problem for the party if people i there is. do you recognise it as a i problem for the party if people are allowed _ problem for the party if people are allowed to carry on campaigning when they are _ allowed to carry on campaigning when they are under investigation over this and — they are under investigation over this and it — they are under investigation over this and it is damaging? back obviously— this and it is damaging? back obviously it is a very far from ideal— obviously it is a very far from ideal situation when you have people acknowledging they have behaved in this way— acknowledging they have behaved in this way and it is deeply regrettable but while there is a process — regrettable but while there is a --roces . , . ., ., ., process and investigation going on i can't say anything — process and investigation going on i can't say anything definitive, - process and investigation going on i can't say anything definitive, and i l can't say anything definitive, and i can't say anything definitive, and i can tell you how unhappy i am and i know there are many candidates out there that are deeply unhappy about this and it will be members of the public who will be looking on with a mixture of surprise and consternation, but there is a process and we have to allow that process and we have to allow that process to conclude. to process and we have to allow that process to conclude.— process to conclude. to put it another way. _ process to conclude. to put it another way, do _ process to conclude. to put it another way, do you - process to conclude. to put it another way, do you think i process to conclude. to put it | another way, do you think they should — another way, do you think they should stand back and step down for the good _ should stand back and step down for the good of the party? i

should stand back and step down for the good of the party?— the good of the party? i can't make a conclusion _ the good of the party? i can't make a conclusion about _ the good of the party? i can't make a conclusion about exactly - the good of the party? i can't make a conclusion about exactly what i a conclusion about exactly what should happen in each case. i suspect voters will form their own views but it is not for me to determine what should happen in these individual cases, other than to say what i have said to you, beth, and what i've said to anyone which is that people should just not behave in this way. tana; which is that people should 'ust not behave in this way.i behave in this way. tony lee, the conservative _ behave in this way. tony lee, the conservative party's _ behave in this way. tony lee, the conservative party's campaign i conservative party's campaign director, — conservative party's campaign director, has taken a leave of absence _ director, has taken a leave of absence because he is married to laura _ absence because he is married to laura saunders, one of those candidates under investigation, it has now— candidates under investigation, it has now emerged. what do you think of that? _ has now emerged. what do you think of that? how do you think it looks ntiss— of that? how do you think it looks miss i _ of that? how do you think it looks mis u. of that? how do you think it looks mis . . , ., of that? how do you think it looks mis u, , ., ., of that? how do you think it looks mis u, i. ., ., miss i can tell you how the world will think it _ miss i can tell you how the world will think it looks, _ miss i can tell you how the world will think it looks, which - miss i can tell you how the world will think it looks, which is- miss i can tell you how the world will think it looks, which is not i will think it looks, which is not great, but i can't get into and i can't know what conversations were had with whom at what time, and that is quite properly being investigated now. how does it look? well, as i say, you and others looking at this,

well, i'm sure, be doing much more thanjust raising an well, i'm sure, be doing much more than just raising an eyebrow but it is important for me and for all the candidates out there that while we acknowledge this is not great, that we concentrate on the real issues in this campaign, and we talk to voters about the real issues between keir starmer and rishi sunak sol about the real issues between keir starmer and rishi sunak so i would shy away from the fact these are deeply regrettable actions but i think we have a responsibility towards voters to ensure the debate goes on, even as we acknowledge this is a very, very far from satisfactory behaviour. you have been an mp _ satisfactory behaviour. you have been an mp since _ satisfactory behaviour. you have been an mp since 2005. - satisfactory behaviour. you have been an mp since 2005. having | satisfactory behaviour. you have i been an mp since 2005. having done it few— been an mp since 2005. having done it few campaigns, have you ever seen anything _ it few campaigns, have you ever seen anything like this? gdd it few campaigns, have you ever seen anything like this?— anything like this? odd things ha en in anything like this? odd things happen in campaigns - anything like this? odd things happen in campaigns and i anything like this? odd things happen in campaigns and in l anything like this? odd things i happen in campaigns and in politics and there are lapses by individuals and there are lapses by individuals and my view is let the process take its course and be properly critical of people who have made mistakes and then in the fullness of time, hope they can find forgiveness. that

interviewjust _ they can find forgiveness. that interviewjust coming - they can find forgiveness. that interviewjust coming into us with michael gove, but you have noticed that he talks about the two conservative candidates, two people are being looked into by the gambling commission over alleged betting in relation to the timing of the general election. that interview was done before we were able to reveal here at the bbc that tony lee, the conservative party's director of campaigning, is also being looked into by the gambling commission over an alleged bet related to the timing of the election and as we have been reporting, he is married to laura saunders, one of the candidates in question who was being looked into by the gambling commission as well. we will have much more on that story for us, lots of developments on it so far this morning, but right now, let's take a look at the liberal democrat campaign. the liberal democrats are talking about the country's roads today — with a promise to invest £300 million in the next parliament to fill 1.2 million

pot—holes a year. the party says money from the existing roads budget will be re—directed to local councils. let's speak to our political correspondent, jenny hill, who is following the lib dems' campaign trail. but your location at the moment as far away from those pothole roads that you might imagine stop colours a bit about what is going on there. yes, we are here in south yorkshire and i don't know whether it is the stress of the campaign getting to him or his political rivals, but ed davey does seem to be enjoying taking a hammerto davey does seem to be enjoying taking a hammer to those nails and he is building bird boxes for the gardens which are actually not far from the city centre and it looks as though we are in the middle of the countryside here but there is a road just across the way for me and the liberal democrats want to focus on that today, rethink their plans for dealing with potholes and the are a well over a million potholes in the uk and the lib dems are talking

about funding for english potholes only and say they would spend £300 million over the course of the parliament on tidying up potholes in england so they want to focus on that today but as you would perhaps expect, the news about the gambling commission investigating a second conservative parliamentary candidate has rather overshadowed the lib dems' announcement, as has it done all the other parties' focuses for the day and the deputy for the lib dems, daisy cooper, said the candidate in question should be suspended by the conservative party and we have yet to hear from the party's leader here, ed davey, and can hopefully ask him about that later on but i think we will wait until he has put the hammer down until he has put the hammer down until we get to questioning but for those interested in ornithology, those interested in ornithology, those bird boxes will go up in the trees around the area and i am reliably informed that we have interesting birds around here including a fire quest and a siskin

that was also spotted around here this morning. that was also spotted around here this morning-— this morning. jenny hill that with the lib dems _ this morning. jenny hill that with the lib dems campaign. - this morning. jenny hill that with the lib dems campaign. thank. this morning. jenny hill that with i the lib dems campaign. thank you. you can watch non—stop coverage of the election campaign now, until the results are called — and beyond — on bbc iplayer. just look for election 202a live. the bank of england is expected to announce that interest rates will be held at 5.25%, a 16—year high. this would be the seventh time the bank has held rates, with economists suggesting that the bank is waiting to see if the inflation rate will hold at 2% and a rate cut is unlikely until the autumn. let's speak to correspondent andy verity. do you think a rate cut is unlikely until later in the year? thea;r do you think a rate cut is unlikely until later in the year?— until later in the year? they are sa in: until later in the year? they are saying until _ until later in the year? they are saying until september - until later in the year? they are saying until september or i until later in the year? they are i saying until september or november that we get a rate cut and this is of interest to those on fixed rate

mortgages coming off their deals and when you look at the history of this, it is interesting, i had the boredom of reporting on 96 meetings in a row when they didn't raise rates a percentage point. i counted it up one day. they drop them in 2009 to 0.5% because of the crisis and it was. the only for a few months but it ended up for the best part of ten years and they did not raise them again until 2017, just a tiny bit, and then drop them to 0.1% in the pandemic and then only started raising them again in 2021 and we are now back to a historically normal rate of interest and lots of people took out a mortgage when rates were very low, you could get them for 2.7%, and now people are coming off them and paying a lot of money and the interest rate has tripled since then and we are seeing arrears arising and we are seeing arrears arising and there are differences about how fast and there are issues now with the housing market, and yesterday's

data, furniture prices have fallen faster than they had in 2000, and we may be heading for a housing market slump, as many had predicted with those interest rates. haifa slump, as many had predicted with those interest rates.— those interest rates. how likely do ou think those interest rates. how likely do you think it — those interest rates. how likely do you think it is _ those interest rates. how likely do you think it is the _ those interest rates. how likely do you think it is the interest - those interest rates. how likely do you think it is the interest rate i you think it is the interest rate holds? , . you think it is the interest rate holds? , , . . ., holds? they see the path ahead for inflation in the _ holds? they see the path ahead for inflation in the next _ holds? they see the path ahead for inflation in the next two _ holds? they see the path ahead for inflation in the next two years i holds? they see the path ahead for inflation in the next two years is . inflation in the next two years is not clear enough yet and i think we will get that repeated in the next half hour, to drop interest rates, and that mountain we just climbed up and that mountain we just climbed up and down of inflation in the past two, three years, we are now safely in a flat inflationary landscape. i will be back after 12 o'clock so i may be proved wrong. we will be back after 12 o'clock so i may be proved wrong.- will be back after 12 o'clock so i may be proved wrong. we will speak to ou may be proved wrong. we will speak to you then- — may be proved wrong. we will speak to you then- andy — may be proved wrong. we will speak to you then. andy verity, _ may be proved wrong. we will speak to you then. andy verity, thank - may be proved wrong. we will speak to you then. andy verity, thank you | to you then. andy verity, thank you very much. labour are focusing their campaigning today on one of the key issues among voters, housing.

we have just received a clip of an interview with them. this candidate should be suspended _ interview with them. this candidate should be suspended and _ interview with them. this candidate should be suspended and it - interview with them. this candidate should be suspended and it is - should be suspended and it is telling that rishi sunak has not already done that. if it were one of my candidates, they would be gone and that it would not have touched the floor, and you touch on a wider point, which is we have now had 14 years of chaos, division, politics being about self entitlement and politics needs to be about public service and that is one of the choices now, coming into this election, more of this? or turn the page, rebuild the country and return politics to service? and that is what i will do as labour leader. moving on to policy, you are saying that as _ moving onto policy, you are saying that as well— moving on to policy, you are saying that as well as trying to build 1.5 million _ that as well as trying to build 1.5 million more homes if elected, you also want _ million more homes if elected, you also want to help it renting, ending no-fautt_ also want to help it renting, ending no—fault evictions. but if landlords can push— no—fault evictions. but if landlords can push rents up to what ever rates they lie. _ can push rents up to what ever rates they lie. that — can push rents up to what ever rates they lie, that is a de facto no-fautt_ they lie, that is a de facto no—fault eviction, so will you

introduce _ no—fault eviction, so will you introduce a rent cap we no-fault eviction, so will you introduce a rent cap- no-fault eviction, so will you introduce a rent cap we have to roduce introduce a rent cap we have to produce those _ introduce a rent cap we have to produce those in _ introduce a rent cap we have to produce those in rented - produce those in rented accommodation and that is what we said in a package of measures this morning, including introducing measures to prevent landlords competing against together to put rents up and up and reducing the amount the needs to be put down any deposits but that is importantly alongside the house—building we need to come up 1.5 million houses, because more houses mean less pressure on the rented market and that will mean tough decisions on planning and this housing block being put up here, took 15 years between the plans and getting the first spade in the ground and that is why we will take the tough decisions to ensure projects like this get off the ground quickly. but no formal rent cap? we _ this get off the ground quickly. but no formal rent cap? we will- this get off the ground quickly. butj no formal rent cap? we will ensure that landlords _ no formal rent cap? we will ensure that landlords who _ no formal rent cap? we will ensure that landlords who go _ no formal rent cap? we will ensure that landlords who go in _ no formal rent cap? we will ensure that landlords who go in this - that landlords who go in this bidding warand that landlords who go in this bidding war and look at higher and higher rents, and too many people living in multi—accommodation which

has a massive impact on their health, we will take action to deal with that. it health, we will take action to deal with that. ,., ~ , ., with that. it sounded like your shadow housing _ with that. it sounded like your shadow housing minister- with that. it sounded like your shadow housing minister was | shadow housing minister was suggesting you might you then place the higher threshold on stamp duty for first—time buyers until next yeah _ for first—time buyers until next yeah in — for first-time buyers until next ear. ., , , ., ., year. in our budget, we set out our oli year. in our budget, we set out our policy clearly _ year. in our budget, we set out our policy clearly that _ year. in our budget, we set out our policy clearly that was _ year. in our budget, we set out our policy clearly that was costed - year. in our budget, we set out our policy clearly that was costed in - policy clearly that was costed in relation to stamp duty and we will hold to that because it was fully costed. in this election campaign, they are desperately putting on funded beds on the table day after day and they policy on stamp duty is an example of that and i want to follow them in making unfunded commitments because when you lose control of the economy, working people pay the price. we control of the economy, working people pay the price.— control of the economy, working people pay the price. we can now 'oin ian, people pay the price. we can now join ian. he _ people pay the price. we can now join ian, he was _ people pay the price. we can now join ian, he was interviewing - people pay the price. we can now join ian, he was interviewing keir| join ian, he was interviewing keir starmer, and you were asking keir starmer, and you were asking keir starmer about the topic for the date which is housing but obviously the big political story for today,

churning out a lot of the discourse on other things, no matter what party you are talking about, is this news about the betting allegations surrounding a number of conservative party members and candidates. —— drowning out a lot of the discourse. tell is what keir starmer had to say on that. . , tell is what keir starmer had to say on that. ., , ., ,, ., on that. clearly, for keir starmer, this is a complete _ on that. clearly, for keir starmer, this is a complete gift _ on that. clearly, for keir starmer, this is a complete gift because - on that. clearly, for keir starmer, this is a complete gift because he| this is a complete gift because he had suspended a candidate in scotland, one of his own candidates, as this campaign started, for remarks which were regarded by some as being pro—russian and anti—semitic so he has taken action and is now calling on rishi sunak to take action against the candidates who bet on the date of the general election and, of course, this story is continuing to develop because we now find the head of campaigns at the conservative party has taken a leave of absence with two weeks of the general election campaign to go. that head of campaign is married to one of the candidates you had of

course bet on the date of the general election. what i asked keir starmer on that was notjust general election. what i asked keir starmer on that was not just this question of whether he was calling for those candidates to be suspended, naturally enough, he did, and i think that is an open goalfor him, to be honest, but in addition to that, whether as a former public prosecutor whether he thought the rules had to be tightened on that and he did avoid that i didn't go down the road of suggesting that mps, candidates or party starter shouldn't be allowed to bet on the date of the general election, effectively using insider information, but pat mcfadden has written a letter where he has effectively suggested there may have been a breach of the 2005 gambling act, so labour have obviously not let this go and they have obviously come here to highlight their housing policies but i think there will be content if the focus remains firmly on rishi sunak and some of his candidates, and rishi sunak is not out and dating down my company at the moment but he will be on the

question time programme tonight answering questions from the audience so i guess you will have to have some answers. —— rishi sunak is not out campaigning at the moment. we are speaking to people from across the uk to find out what is important to them and what might when their boat next month. —— their vote. we're in constituencies all over the country and today we're in plymouth sutton and devonport. which is where we find our roaming correspondent nicky schiller. we have moved down to sutton harbour where you can see some of the fishermen have been out for that morning catch and fishing is a really important industry here in the south—west and the fish market here in plymouth that had been running for decades closed last month so there is a concern about

that and miles davis is the bbc south—west but reporter here in devon. i mentioned fishing is important. how important is it down here in devon? it is important. how important is it down here in devon?— here in devon? it is hugely important _ here in devon? it is hugely important and _ here in devon? it is hugely important and there - here in devon? it is hugely important and there is - here in devon? it is hugely. important and there is more here in devon? it is hugely- important and there is more than here in devon? it is hugely— important and there is more than £30 million _ important and there is more than £30 million worth of fish that go through— million worth of fish that go through them farther annually and it is hot _ through them farther annually and it is notjust— through them farther annually and it is notjust financially through them farther annually and it is not just financially but there is a huge _ is not just financially but there is a huge emotional tie to fishing here as well— a huge emotional tie to fishing here as well and — a huge emotional tie to fishing here as well and we sort the markets closure — as well and we sort the markets closure last month but elsewhere in devon, _ closure last month but elsewhere in devon, this — closure last month but elsewhere in devon, this also has an impact, so down _ devon, this also has an impact, so down the — devon, this also has an impact, so down the coast in brixham, they are also having — down the coast in brixham, they are also having a record auction figures for the _ also having a record auction figures for the fish — also having a record auction figures for the fish there so what gets takeh — for the fish there so what gets taken away from one place reappears in another _ taken away from one place reappears in another. mike and we are back in davenport, — in another. mike and we are back in davenport, and it is a politically interesting constituency here in plymouth, no? interesting and there is a lot— plymouth, no? interesting and there is a lot of— plymouth, no? interesting and there is a lot of movement between labour and conservatives here and we are in what was _ and conservatives here and we are in what was luke pollard's constituency and labour— what was luke pollard's constituency and labour are very much hoping they can reproduce their success in the may elections where they really

dominated the city council, reproduce that success on july the 4th stop _ reproduce that success on july the 4th stop mac 0k, miles, and edward baker— 4th stop mac 0k, miles, and edward baker is _ 4th stop mac 0k, miles, and edward baker is the — 4th stop mac 0k, miles, and edward baker is the ceo of the fishing seafood — baker is the ceo of the fishing seafood association and what has the cost of _ seafood association and what has the cost of living crisis impacted in terms — cost of living crisis impacted in terms of— cost of living crisis impacted in terms of the fishermen here? fishing is very volatile _ terms of the fishermen here? fishing is very volatile and _ terms of the fishermen here? fishing is very volatile and you _ terms of the fishermen here? fishing is very volatile and you don't - terms of the fishermen here? fishing is very volatile and you don't know. is very volatile and you don't know from _ is very volatile and you don't know from one — is very volatile and you don't know from one month _ is very volatile and you don't know from one month to _ is very volatile and you don't know from one month to a _ is very volatile and you don't know from one month to a next - is very volatile and you don't know from one month to a next how- is very volatile and you don't know. from one month to a next how much you will— from one month to a next how much you will earn — from one month to a next how much you will earn so _ from one month to a next how much you will earn so the _ from one month to a next how much you will earn so the cost _ from one month to a next how much you will earn so the cost of- from one month to a next how much you will earn so the cost of living - you will earn so the cost of living crisis _ you will earn so the cost of living crisis has — you will earn so the cost of living crisis has a — you will earn so the cost of living crisis has a huge _ you will earn so the cost of living crisis has a huge impact - you will earn so the cost of living crisis has a huge impact with - you will earn so the cost of living i crisis has a huge impact with costs like maintenance _ crisis has a huge impact with costs like maintenance going _ crisis has a huge impact with costs like maintenance going up- crisis has a huge impact with costs like maintenance going up and - crisis has a huge impact with costs like maintenance going up and it l crisis has a huge impact with costs| like maintenance going up and it is volatile _ like maintenance going up and it is volatile li— like maintenance going up and it is volatile. , ., ., ., like maintenance going up and it is volatile. ., ., , volatile. if you have extra costs, to those get _ volatile. if you have extra costs, to those get passed _ volatile. if you have extra costs, to those get passed onto - volatile. if you have extra costs, - to those get passed onto consumers that by your post? hat to those get passed onto consumers that by your post?— that by your post? not necessarily for the fishermen _ that by your post? not necessarily for the fishermen because - that by your post? not necessarily for the fishermen because it - that by your post? not necessarily for the fishermen because it is - that by your post? not necessarily for the fishermen because it is the merchants — for the fishermen because it is the merchants in — for the fishermen because it is the merchants in between _ for the fishermen because it is the merchants in between that - for the fishermen because it is the merchants in between that mightl for the fishermen because it is the l merchants in between that might be passing _ merchants in between that might be passing on _ merchants in between that might be passing on those _ merchants in between that might be passing on those costs, _ merchants in between that might be passing on those costs, so- merchants in between that might be passing on those costs, so it - merchants in between that might be passing on those costs, so it is - merchants in between that might be passing on those costs, so it is the i passing on those costs, so it is the fishermen— passing on those costs, so it is the fishermen that _ passing on those costs, so it is the fishermen that might _ passing on those costs, so it is the fishermen that might not - passing on those costs, so it is the fishermen that might not benefit. i passing on those costs, so it is thej fishermen that might not benefit. i fishermen that might not benefit. mentioned the market that has fishermen that might not benefit." mentioned the market that has shut and what impact has that had on the fishermen who are here daily? it is hue and fishermen who are here daily? it is huge and it — fishermen who are here daily? it is huge and it is— fishermen who are here daily? it is huge and it is part of their livelihood _ huge and it is part of their livelihood and _ huge and it is part of their livelihood and they- huge and it is part of their livelihood and they are . huge and it is part of their. livelihood and they are now huge and it is part of their- livelihood and they are now landing that this _ livelihood and they are now landing that this year — livelihood and they are now landing that this year and _ livelihood and they are now landing that this year and paying _ livelihood and they are now landing that this year and paying for- livelihood and they are now landing that this year and paying for it - livelihood and they are now landing that this year and paying for it to i that this year and paying for it to be transported _ that this year and paying for it to be transported to _

that this year and paying for it to be transported to brixham - that this year and paying for it to be transported to brixham whichj that this year and paying for it to - be transported to brixham which adds cost, and _ be transported to brixham which adds cost, and the — be transported to brixham which adds cost, and the quality— be transported to brixham which adds cost, and the quality of _ be transported to brixham which adds cost, and the quality of the _ be transported to brixham which adds cost, and the quality of the fish - be transported to brixham which adds cost, and the quality of the fish is - cost, and the quality of the fish is decreased — cost, and the quality of the fish is decreased because _ cost, and the quality of the fish is decreased because it _ cost, and the quality of the fish is decreased because it has - cost, and the quality of the fish is decreased because it has been i cost, and the quality of the fish is i decreased because it has been sold later than— decreased because it has been sold later than it — decreased because it has been sold later than it would _ decreased because it has been sold later than it would normally- decreased because it has been sold later than it would normally would i later than it would normally would and it _ later than it would normally would and it is _ later than it would normally would and it is being _ later than it would normally would and it is being brought— later than it would normally would and it is being brought to - later than it would normally would and it is being brought to the - and it is being brought to the merchants _ and it is being brought to the merchants later— and it is being brought to the merchants later and - and it is being brought to the merchants later and later - and it is being brought to the merchants later and later on | and it is being brought to the i merchants later and later on the restaurant — merchants later and later on the restaurant table _ merchants later and later on the restaurant table so _ merchants later and later on the restaurant table so the - merchants later and later on the i restaurant table so the merchants are paying — restaurant table so the merchants are paying the _ restaurant table so the merchants are paying the cost _ restaurant table so the merchants are paying the cost as _ restaurant table so the merchants are paying the cost as well. - restaurant table so the merchants are paying the cost as well. your. are paying the cost as well. your mac for— are paying the cost as well. your mac for the — are paying the cost as well. your mac for the election, _ are paying the cost as well. your mac for the election, what - are paying the cost as well. your mac for the election, what is - are paying the cost as well. youri mac for the election, what is your message — mac for the election, what is your message to — mac for the election, what is your message to politicians _ mac for the election, what is your message to politicians from - mac for the election, what is your message to politicians from the l message to politicians from the fishing — message to politicians from the fishing community? _ message to politicians from the fishing community? encouragel message to politicians from the - fishing community? encourage people to bite _ fishing community? encourage people to bite local— fishing community? encourage people to bite local seafood. _ fishing community? encourage people to bite local seafood. [— fishing community? encourage people to bite local seafood. i emu _ fishing community? encourage people to bite local seafood.— to bite local seafood. i am not s-ueakin to bite local seafood. i am not speaking to — to bite local seafood. i am not speaking to the _ to bite local seafood. i am not speaking to the head - to bite local seafood. i am not speaking to the head of - to bite local seafood. i am not speaking to the head of the i to bite local seafood. i am not - speaking to the head of the chamber of local commerce and their are a variety of local businesses here in the south—west and how has the cost of living impacted your businesses? the cost of living crisis is also a cost _ the cost of living crisis is also a cost of — the cost of living crisis is also a cost of doing business crisis, and as people — cost of doing business crisis, and as people demand higher wages because — as people demand higher wages because of the tight labour markets, that leads _ because of the tight labour markets, that leads to spiralling costs and if you _ that leads to spiralling costs and if you combine that with high inflation, _ if you combine that with high inflation, it has been a perfect storm — inflation, it has been a perfect storm for— inflation, it has been a perfect storm for businesses which are struggling, and whilst we are pleased — struggling, and whilst we are pleased inflation rates are coming down, _ pleased inflation rates are coming down, costs are still high and rising — down, costs are still high and rising hll— down, costs are still high and risinu. �* ., , ., rising. all editions, general election. — rising. all editions, general election, what _

rising. all editions, general election, what will- rising. all editions, general election, what will that - rising. all editions, general - election, what will that message be from business here in plymouth? —— politicians. brute from business here in plymouth? -- oliticians. ~ ., ., from business here in plymouth? -- politicians— politicians. we want a green industrial — politicians. we want a green industrial strategy _ politicians. we want a green industrial strategy and - politicians. we want a green industrial strategy and we i politicians. we want a green i industrial strategy and we want politicians. we want a green - industrial strategy and we want an ai industrial strategy and we want an al tsar— industrial strategy and we want an al tsar to— industrial strategy and we want an ai tsar to encourage businesses to adopt— ai tsar to encourage businesses to adopt a _ ai tsar to encourage businesses to adopt a new strategy and we want business — adopt a new strategy and we want business rates reform and lower interest — business rates reform and lower interest rates —— business rates and a proper— interest rates —— business rates and a proper skill— interest rates —— business rates and a proper skill is planning agenda that includes business at its heart. we have _ that includes business at its heart. we have got a couple of years from down here in plymouth and we will be talking to people throughout the day about the cost of living crisis because all the research that the bbc has done over the past couple of weeks shows it is the number one issue that voters are concerned about as we head to the general election onjuly the 4th. from the sunshine here in plymouth, back to you in the studio. you'll be able to see a list of all the candidates standing in plymouth sutton and devonport at this general election on your screen now. and you can see a list

of all the candidates standing in all the constituencies across the country on the bbc news website. you're watching bbc news.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the tories director of campaigning and his wife are being looked into

by the gambling commission over an alleged bet relating to the timing of the general election. labour has written to the prime minister calling for an investigation into what it calls a growing scandal over alleged betting by people linked to the conservative party and downing street. the bank of england will announce its latest decision on interest rates at lunchtime, day after the inflation rate fell to 2%. a report says surrey counsel should have thought about the climate change issues. it is a big day in the euros as england take on denmark, with a win securing them a place in the lax last 16. since the last election, hundreds of parliamentary constituencies have been altered

in an effort to even out the number of people represented by mps. hello, these four will be put through their paces tonight in the special, just two weeks to go until polling day. they will try to persuade you to back them, and we will be here tonight fact check on the claims and explaining the context. there are a few things i want to run through that might be of use tonight. dubious claims they have been making about each other. the conservatives claiming taxes will go up under the labour party, £2000. labour claiming mortgages would go up £5,000 under the conservatives. we have carried these claims, politics involved, both parties saying the others can't be trusted. what you need to know is both of these claims are potentially

misleading. they contain lots of assumptions, did you hear them tonight you are entitled to be cautious. secondly, economic growth. the parties are talking about it. what you need to know is since the pandemic, the picture with economic growth is it has been pretty flat, it has not been as much as the government wanted. the forecast is for more growth next year, but whoever is prime minister, if they want to spend more money, potion growth up will be crucial. there is a question for the leaders if they don't get the economic growth they want. will it make it harder to deliver public services, will they have to rethink tax? not something they are hugely keen to talk about in detail. finally, a bit of context on the state of the health service, something talked about a lot on the campaign trail. all the parties are debating the best way to deal with this, the huge nhs backlog. this is

the picture. you can see there has been a big increase in england. the backlog has fallen a bit, but that was from record highs. the snp may be asked about scotland where they run the health service, waiting list in scotland have reached record highs as well. this is the picture of treatment weight of 18 weeks or more. the conservatives like to point out that in wales, waiting list have reach record highs. there is a question for the parties about what they would do to stop these waiting times. they are pledging more cash, but will it be enough and where should it be focus? that is context for the leaders being grilled tonight. there are likely to be other issues coming up, we will look at them. there will be more from the bbc throughout the day. let's take a closer look at polling. three polls conducted yesterday suggested bearing defeats for the

conservatives, one suggesting they would end up withjust conservatives, one suggesting they would end up with just 53 seats. to others suggesting 108 seats and 155 seats. the most accurate indication is the polar poles, showing labour in the lead with 41%, the conservatives have been declining with 21% and reform uk increasing to 16. professor paula sturridge is an expert. i asked to about it. it takes a big opinion poll, so you see them, a thousand people. it uses the data to extrapolate individual seats to work out what will happen. it is not to much _ to work out what will happen. it is not to much to _

to work out what will happen. it 3 not to much to worry about. to work out what will happen. it is not to much to worry about. that | to work out what will happen. it is. not to much to worry about. that is the interesting _ not to much to worry about. that is the interesting point. _ not to much to worry about. that is the interesting point. they - not to much to worry about. that is the interesting point. they clearly i the interesting point. they clearly we have these polls use a very large sample size. you get a lot of difference with the conservatives on 155 or perhaps 53. why the white range of numbers? the 155 or perhaps 53. why the white range of numbers?— 155 or perhaps 53. why the white range of numbers? the thing with these models _ range of numbers? the thing with these models rather _ range of numbers? the thing with these models rather than - range of numbers? the thing with| these models rather than tradition polls, and they are built on data and assumptions. the data that goes in is a on sampling the same 20,000 people and small variations can make difference. if one has the conservatives on 80% and another on 22%, they will get different outcomes. on top of the differences in the data, each of the polling companies have their own modelling assumptions. they are more opaque. what goes into the models makes the differences as well. we

what goes into the models makes the differences as well.— differences as well. we know there are some seats _ differences as well. we know there are some seats marginals, - differences as well. we know there are some seats marginals, we - differences as well. we know there are some seats marginals, we are | are some seats marginals, we are maybe talking about one or 2% variation. looking at the poll of polls, how much variation could there be based on the fact quite a number of constituencies are these marginals were very small margins separates candidates? that marginals were very small margins separates candidates?— separates candidates? that is a difficult thing, _ separates candidates? that is a difficult thing, the _ separates candidates? that is a difficult thing, the difficult - separates candidates? that is a | difficult thing, the difficult thing to call, the small changes. it may not be between the two parties, it may be reform uk and the tories. quite a lot of scott receipts are difficult to tell. they are all giving us the same broad story —— scottish seats. they give quite different numbers in that detail in terms of how many the lib dems may win or the snp and reform uk. it is in the small margins. unfortunately even with these large poles you have

the uncertainty built in, something based on probability, not certainty. since the last election, hundreds of parliamentary constituencies have been altered in an effort to even out the number of people represented by mps. the uk's most marginal seat has been changed. it is effectively a union are two halves, two former neighbouring constituencies who had two mps of different political parties. this new constituency made up 56% of walsall and north and walsall south. it has had a labour mp since 1974,

whereas walsall north was a labour gain. it could be seen as a marriage of the borough which have different voting histories. as part of the map, walsall takes in the town centre, the wonderful park year and the smaller town in the north of the borough. in terms of who is standing, it is quite poignant to mention the labour mp for walsall southis mention the labour mp for walsall south is standing, whereas eddie hughes, the conservative mp for walsall north isn't standing. instead he moved to tamworth. you might remember the resignation of the concert of mp triggered a by—election which labour won. eddie hughes and the tories will be keen to win back tamworth, and as always any of these constituencies, a full list of candidates is available on

the bbc website.— the bbc website. joleon, as we mentioned. _ the bbc website. joleon, as we mentioned, tell _ the bbc website. joleon, as we mentioned, tell about - the bbc website. joleon, as we mentioned, tell about the - the bbc website. joleon, as we i mentioned, tell about the political make—up in county tyrone and fermanagh. make-up in county tyrone and fermanagh-— fermanagh. yes, in the last election. — fermanagh. yes, in the last election. it _ fermanagh. yes, in the last election, it came _ fermanagh. yes, in the last election, it came down i fermanagh. yes, in the last election, it came down to i fermanagh. yes, in the last| election, it came down to 57 fermanagh. yes, in the last i election, it came down to 57 votes between the sinn fein candidate and her ulster unionist rival. this is a two horse race between nationalism and unionism. nothing unusual there. in 2010 the winning margin was just four votes. there have been changes to the boundaries of this constituency which extends all the way from the border village to enniskillen here, to the town. it is a large rural area, the most western ly constituency in the uk as well. there are six candidates this time, but it is a two horse race. the sinn

fein leader decided not to run again, and she stood in the european elections in the republic in which sinn fein performed badly and she failed to win a seat. we have a new candidate for sinn fein, which may be familiar to viewers, pat cullen, the former leader of the royal one nursing leading 500,000 nurses during the recent strikes. she has stood down from the position to stand for sinn fein, and she is up against the ulster unionist party. she is standing for a westminster seat for the first time. those two candidates went head—to—head yesterday on radio ulster, and pat cullen was challenged by the ulster is party to condemn ira violence. sinn fein have historic links to the ira and she was challenged to condemn the bombing in enniskillen on remembrance day, which resulted

in 12 people being killed, including a nurse. she didn't condemn it out right, and she said she was working to the future, to create a positive future in order not to return to those dark days of the past, and said as a nurse she treated victims from all communities and for her their suffering was the same. tell us the questions of voters are asking there, the important issues for them. ~ ., ., ., , for them. well, having pat cullen as they candidate _ for them. well, having pat cullen as they candidate was _ for them. well, having pat cullen as they candidate was quite _ for them. well, having pat cullen as they candidate was quite a - for them. well, having pat cullen as they candidate was quite a coup i for them. well, having pat cullen as they candidate was quite a coup for| they candidate was quite a coup for sinn fein because health is a major issue in this constituency. the local hospital recently sought the emergency general service surgery service collapse because of problems recruiting surgeons to the hospital. people have to travel more than one hour to the next nearest acute hospital. health is of huge concern,

and all the local politicians have been involved in a campaign to retain services at that hospital. jobs are also, and investment. as the most western need constituency, fermanagh and county tyrone is quite remote, feels remote. and trying to bring jobs here is a concern. there is a bt call centre behind me, and recently they announced 300 jobs that were being moved to belfast. 300 wagers in this economy, local economy being lost. that will have a huge impact. jobs, economy, and also this is a rural community, so issues regarding agriculture and the environment. the unionists are campaigning on the issue of brexit, which hasn't gone away. the concerns over trading arrangements post—brexit, the northern ireland protocol, they say are a concern for

their electorate.— their electorate. joleon, thank you. we have emma _ their electorate. joleon, thank you. we have emma thomas _ their electorate. joleon, thank you. we have emma thomas in - their electorate. joleon, thank you. we have emma thomas in walsall. | their electorate. joleon, thank you. i we have emma thomas in walsall. the same question to you, the issues which matter. what have they said to you? which matter. what have they said to ou? ~ . ., which matter. what have they said to ou? ~' . ., �* ., . ~' which matter. what have they said to ou? ~' . ., �* ., , you? like much of the black country, there will be — you? like much of the black country, there will be similar _ you? like much of the black country, there will be similar themes. - you? like much of the black country, there will be similar themes. the i there will be similar themes. the average salary and earnings here are lower than the national uk average, so no doubt cost of living will be something considered. the hospital is part of the constituency facing some of the challenges hospitals across the country do. the west midlands has the highest rate of knife crime per capita in any region in the uk and the have been fatal stabbings. those are key issues that people mention. they will look at the parties to see what they say. it was only a few weeks ago voters went to the polls. they somewhat blocked the trend, people can vote for three

things, borough council, the mayor and police and crime commissioner. it docked the trends, the conservatives went in control, they retained the same number of seats, despite many losing control. likewise in the west midlands mayor election, whilst the region elected labour's richard parker, here in walsall it was the conservative candidate who by far got the most votes, which gives an indication to the two main parties that there is something to fight for here in walsall that potentially both could be with a chance. it is a marriage of two seats. be with a chance. it is a marriage of two seats-— of two seats. this is the list of the candidates _ of two seats. this is the list of the candidates standing... i and, these are the candidate standing in fermanagh

and south tyrone. remember you can find a list of the candidates standing in all 650 seats in the general election on the bbc news website. you can watch nonstop coverage of the election campaign now until the results are called and beyond on bbc iplayer, just look for election 2024 live. more now on that landmark ruling on oil drilling — the supreme court ruled in the last hour that surrey county council should have considered the climate impacts of burning oil drilled from new wells in horley.under planning law the assumption has from new wells in horley. under planning law the assumption has always been that only the impacts from constructing the wells and not the use of the final oil products should be considered. here's our environment correspondentjustin rowlatt, who's outside the court. well, what the supreme court justices have ruled is that a local authority which gave planning permission for a new oil well in surrey should have taken into account the environmental

impact of burning the oil, the 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide that would be produced by the oil from this well in a place called horse hill in surrey. now that is a really significant judgment because it will affect future environmental assessment made, environmental assessments made on fossilfuel projects. it could, for example, affect the development of the rose bank oil field, this huge oilfield off the coast of shetlands, with which the norwegian oil state oil company is proposing to develop. it could also affect another big gas field called jackdaw. and of course, there's the coal mine in cumbria. the proposed new coal mine in whitehaven in cumbria, which could also be affected by this. so it could have wide repercussions in terms of the fossil fuel future of the uk.

england are facing denmark, and after the game against serbia they are looking for a better performance.— are looking for a better performance. are looking for a better erformance. , , ., ~ are looking for a better erformance. , , ., ,, ., performance. let speak live to nigel in frankfurt- — performance. let speak live to nigel in frankfurt. thank _ performance. let speak live to nigel in frankfurt. thank you _ performance. let speak live to nigel in frankfurt. thank you for _ performance. let speak live to nigel in frankfurt. thank you forjoining i in frankfurt. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. tell us about the atmosphere there and how is your experience of germany so far? we have experience of germany so far? - have been here since friday. we have come down into frankfurt for the game. the atmosphere has been incredible. meeting fans from all over the world, all over europe has been incredible. we haven't witnessed any trouble, everybody has been mixing. it's been fantastic, meeting people from different cultures. it meeting people from different cultures. . , , meeting people from different cultures. ., , , ., meeting people from different cultures. , ., ., cultures. it has been great. i am sure that is _ cultures. it has been great. i am sure that is the _ cultures. it has been great. i am sure that is the case _ cultures. it has been great. i am sure that is the case for - cultures. it has been great. i am sure that is the case for the i cultures. it has been great. i am sure that is the case for the fan | sure that is the case for the fan zone, being in the crowds, rooting for england. we zone, being in the crowds, rooting for england-—

zone, being in the crowds, rooting forenuland. ., ., for england. we are obviously at the fun zone now. _ for england. we are obviously at the fun zone now, they _ for england. we are obviously at the fun zone now, they let _ for england. we are obviously at the fun zone now, they let others i for england. we are obviously at the fun zone now, they let others in i fun zone now, they let others in early to speak to you guys. they will open the gate at one o'clock and you will see the fans come in. we are lucky enough to have tickets so we will be here for a couple of hours and head to the stadium at four o'clock. we are looking forward to it. ., ., , four o'clock. we are looking forward toit. ., ., , ., to it. you have tickets for the name? to it. you have tickets for the game? fantastic. _ to it. you have tickets for the game? fantastic. based i to it. you have tickets for the game? fantastic. based on l to it. you have tickets for the l game? fantastic. based on the performance in the first game, what changes do you think should happen tonight? i changes do you think should happen toniaht? ~ changes do you think should happen toniaht? ,, i. _, , tonight? i think you could freshen thins u- tonight? i think you could freshen things up a _ tonight? i think you could freshen things up a little. _ tonight? i think you could freshen things up a little. i _ tonight? i think you could freshen things up a little. ithink- tonight? i think you could freshen things up a little. i think i - tonight? i think you could freshen things up a little. i think i saw- tonight? i think you could freshen things up a little. i think i saw on| things up a little. i think i saw on an interview he will stick to the starting 11, so that is what we are expecting. there is talk about whether foden should start. luke shaw isn't fit enough, so he will hopefully be involved in the third game. the debate will be whether trent start in midfield, foden drops into the number eight position, sorry, into the number ten. that was

properly the big debate fans were talking about. he is sticking with the same elaborate, so we will wait and see when the squad is announced. we are confident we will pick up the points we need tonight. and i have watched england play denmark before, and they are an incredible bunch of supporters. we are looking forward to mixing with them.— to mixing with them. which is what it should be — to mixing with them. which is what it should be about. _ to mixing with them. which is what it should be about. talking - to mixing with them. which is what it should be about. talking of- to mixing with them. which is what it should be about. talking of the l it should be about. talking of the opposition, what do you think the key challenges will be from denmark later? , ., ., , , ., later? they have always been an incredibly organised _ later? they have always been an incredibly organised team. i i later? they have always been an| incredibly organised team. i think back to the semifinal and it was a tough game. it took the first goal from the penalty. they are a very organised, structured team. they have some great players. a different challenge to serbia. this serbia game was a physical, they targeted

some of our players, but i think it will be different. we will have more freedom and room and space to play. i expect a better performance. england expected. it wasn't our strongest performance, but with gareth he likes to get points on the board, his objective is to get through the group. once we do, we will see better performances. there is a big expectation they have to step up 20%, and i'm looking forward to a few goals. i think it will be a cracking game, i think we will go for it. i can't wait to get into the stadium. ~ .., for it. i can't wait to get into the stadium. ~ .. ., . stadium. we can hear the excitement in our stadium. we can hear the excitement in your voice. — stadium. we can hear the excitement in your voice, and _ stadium. we can hear the excitement in your voice, and there's _ stadium. we can hear the excitement in your voice, and there's always i in your voice, and there's always expectation over england. what are your thoughts on how far the team can go in this tournament quest rock i think we are one of four teams who can potentially win the tournament. we have a relatively straightforward group. if we can pick up three

points tonight, it guarantees us top place. we will be back on the 30th to play in round 16. we won't meet one of the super—teams, which will be france in the final potential. if you think back... there will be an element of revenge required to make sure we come out on top against france. i can see is going all the way. if we can get through the semifinal against france, we win it. potentially that is a stumbling block. it is a semifinal or all the way, and if we go all the way, we will win. we will have learned from the last euro final. maybe itjust might be coming home. did the last euro final. maybe it 'ust might be coming home.�* might be coming home. did you mention a _ might be coming home. did you mention a score _ might be coming home. did you mention a score projection i might be coming home. did you mention a score projection for. mention a score projection for tonight? that may double—check with you. tonight? that may double-check with ou. ., tonight? that may double-check with ou. . ., ., you. score pro'ection from me, i think we will—

you. score projection from me, i think we will win _ you. score projection from me, i think we will win 3-1, _ you. score projection from me, i think we will win 3-1, i'm - you. score projection from me, i. think we will win 3-1, i'm expecting think we will win 3—1, i'm expecting goals. 3—1 to england. think we will win 3-1, i'm expecting goals. 3-1 to england.— goals. 3-1 to england. nigel, thank ou talkin: goals. 3-1 to england. nigel, thank you talking to _ goals. 3-1 to england. nigel, thank you talking to us. _ goals. 3-1 to england. nigel, thank you talking to us. enjoy _ goals. 3-1 to england. nigel, thank you talking to us. enjoy the - goals. 3-1 to england. nigel, thank you talking to us. enjoy the fun i you talking to us. enjoy the fun zone and being in the stadium. thank ou. thank zone and being in the stadium. thank you- thank you _ zone and being in the stadium. thank you- thank you very _ zone and being in the stadium. thank you. thank you very much, _ zone and being in the stadium. thank you. thank you very much, all - zone and being in the stadium. thank you. thank you very much, all the i you. thank you very much, all the best. , . , , you. thank you very much, all the best. , ., , ., you. thank you very much, all the best. , ., , ,, ., , ., ., best. very happy fans waiting for it to become busier _ best. very happy fans waiting for it to become busier and _ best. very happy fans waiting for it to become busier and louder i best. very happy fans waiting for it to become busier and louder as i best. very happy fans waiting for it | to become busier and louder as the day progresses. former mp harriet harman has said there must be "a fierce zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse" in the next parliament. she told the bbc, women in westminster were being "exploited" and "abused" by men in more senior positions because they felt they could get away with it. last month, ms harman stood down as an mp after more than 40 years on the green benches. how would you describe the culture in westminster? i think there is still a problem in terms of sexual

abuse and exploitation. there is no doubt about it that there are men who are higher up in the system who believe they can get away with it because the woman is in a junior position and they are counting on the fact that they have impunity because she will not dare speak out. i spoke to a former parliamentary aide just yesterday and they said to me only weeks ago they had been told that their "boobs look perky in that top" by someone who was more senior to them. what's your reaction to that? it is totally unacceptable in any workplace and it's that culture change that has to come about. everybody is entitled to just be able to do their work and not be prey to predatory behaviour, especially sexual predatory behaviour. what do you think there needs to be in the next parliament? we need to have a fierce zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse in the house of commons. and it is the responsibility of every member of parliament in all parties, women and men,

to make sure that after the next general election that change happens. what are you suggesting needs to be done? i want to see in the new parliament a real expression of male allyship, men speaking out against men on their own side. because if a man is in the bar at the house of commons and he is groping a woman and also drinking with a number of other men, if they see him, i want the man to speak out and report it, notjust leave it to the woman. i think what needs to happen first and foremost is there needs to be a woman's caucus of women mps from all the different parties in parliament. so when a woman speaks out about a senior man in her own party she is not left vulnerable, but she is actually backed up. the house of commons is the heart of democracy, isn't it, where laws are made and should be upheld in the highest standards of behaviour. it is outrageous to prey upon somebody who has come

in to do theirjob and to work in public service. nobody should have to accept that. it's the responsibility of every member of parliament in all parties, women and men, to make sure that after the next general election that change happens. a house of commons spokesperson said: sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying have absolutely no place in parliament. we take any complaint of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously and remain committed to ensuring that lasting cultural change can be achieved here". "there are a range of support services now available in parliament — established as part of changes made in recent years aimed at creating an environment where everyone can work without fear of sexual harassment or bullying, and delivering a workplace where everyone feels safe and valued." it is time for a look at the weather forecast. matt taylor has the

details. hello. it's the summer solstice at 9:51 tonight. of course, it means we've got the longest amount of daylight today. sun in lerwick doesn't set until after 10:30pm, but 9:15pm in dover. and the night will be short — sunrise for most before 5am tomorrow morning. now, as we go into tomorrow, and indeed over the days ahead, it is going to start to feel warmer across the country, but not completely dry. there will be a little bit of rain at times in the west. and we've seen some spots of rain or drizzle so far today. this is the weather front responsible, sitting across parts of central scotland and northern ireland. lots of low cloud with that, a bit damp in places. that zone drifts a bit further northwards, not a huge amount, as we go through the day, so parts of northern ireland that have been grey so far will brighten up. to the north of it, sunny spells in scotland, a good deal of sunshine for some in england and wales, but there is a fair bit of high cloud across northern and western areas so that sunshine, quite tempered in places. where the sun is out, at its brightest, the sun is pretty strong. lifting temperatures to 22, 23, towards the southeast. maybe around 18—20 in

the northeast of scotland. high, if not very high, pollen levels. tonight, brief spits of rain across northern ireland in the middle part of the night, and then on and off in the second half of the night in the north and west of scotland. most have a dry night, not as cold as last night. for some of you, temperatures were down into lower single figures in parts of england and wales. double figures for most to start. a dry start to friday for many, england and wales especially, the brightest conditions in central and eastern areas. although a fair bit of high cloud. in the west and the north we will see some outbreaks of rain develop, showery, though, scotland and the western parts of wales. and then some longer spells of showery weather pushing across northern ireland during the afternoon, again into western parts of great britain. temperatures similar to today but it will be a windy day. that system then bringing the showers in the west pushes its way eastwards as we go through the night and into saturday morning. some welcome rain on some gardens at least to take us into saturday morning. and then the remnants of the weather front still lingering toward some eastern areas so you will be prone to some showers across eastern parts of england. the odd one in scotland, and then more particularly with some thickening cloud in the far northwest later in the day.

but for many, saturday, a dry and bright start to the weekend. temperatures down a little bit on what we'll see over the next couple of days but those temperatures are on the up from sunday and into the start of next week. a lot of fine and dry weather around but there will still be just one or two showers here and there, but certainly much warmer than the month's been so far. take care.

this is bbc news. iam i am annita mcveigh. as you join us, we are waiting in italy for the bank of england to announce its latest interest rates decision —— we are waiting imminently, it is expected it will be a 16 year high but as

yet, we don't have that confirmation and this will be the seventh time the bank has held rates, with economists adjusting the bank is waiting to see if the inflation rate will hold a 2%. i am just hearing that it has been held at 5.25%, so the interest rate is held at 5.25% and with me is our correspondence, andy verity, to react to that. not a surprise, andy. hat andy verity, to react to that. not a surprise. andy-— surprise, andy. not a surprise but an interesting _ surprise, andy. not a surprise but an interesting decision _ surprise, andy. not a surprise but an interesting decision just - surprise, andy. not a surprise but an interesting decision just in i surprise, andy. not a surprise but an interesting decision just in the | an interesting decisionjust in the respect that a lot of people are anticipating they will start cutting interest rates soon and the european central bank has started cutting interest rates and so has the us and canada put the uk has so far not moved and the bank around is important here, the fact that uk interest rates were on the floor just two years ago, and now they are 5.25%, and that means that lots of

people who had fixed rate mortgages are quite worried about coming off those deals or have already come off them and are struggling with their payments and that is why it is a hot topic but the bank of england does not yet feel at the moment that it has the band with all the movement to cut interest rates immediately, just in case inflation isn't under control yet. what might explain why the bank wants to see inflation coming down further before it starts to cut interest rates. the mainstream economic theory says you cut interest rates when your are worrying about inflation in the coming years, and if you think it is going to get out of control, as it did in 2021, you start raising them in order to try to put the brakes on. raising interest rates puts the brakes on an overheating economy by making it more expensive to borrow and spend and that should therefore reduce the amount of borrowing and spending going on in an economy and that in turn reduces the upward pressure on prices and you take the

foot of the brakes when you think it's a succeeding an inflation peat in 2022, so that has been happening for quite a long time now, and they started thinking about cutting rates and some members of the monetary committee at voting to cut rates but it is a bit more sticking than they would like, and although goods prices have come down and average goods prices are now actually falling, the prices of services like your hair haircuts, transport, etc, as long as they are not coming down significantly, the bank of england will worry that inflation will remain embedded in the economy in coming years. you remain embedded in the economy in coming years-— coming years. you mentioned that lots of people _ coming years. you mentioned that lots of people will _ coming years. you mentioned that lots of people will be _ coming years. you mentioned that lots of people will be coming i coming years. you mentioned that lots of people will be coming fixed \ lots of people will be coming fixed fixed—rate mortgages and will be looking for a cut in the rates and savers will be relatively pleased with this. w , savers will be relatively pleased with this. ,,., , ., savers will be relatively pleased with this. , ., with this. savers have positive interest rates _ with this. savers have positive interest rates for _ with this. savers have positive interest rates for the - with this. savers have positive

interest rates for the first - with this. savers have positive| interest rates for the first time with this. savers have positive i interest rates for the first time in five years, and they have typically been below inflation so your savings are actually shrinking and that is not happening any more but for those who have borrowed a lot, it has been tough. who have borrowed a lot, it has been touch, , , who have borrowed a lot, it has been touch. , , tough. just give us some context about the bank _ tough. just give us some context about the bank of _ tough. just give us some context about the bank of england's - tough. just give us some context - about the bank of england's thinking on this and i'm just waiting to see if we have information on what the voting was on this from the monetary policy committee, to see whether it was a unanimous decision or not and i don't know whether you have that information with you, andy, butjust give us some more context. we obviously had the rate of inflation easing to 2% yesterday from 2.3%, the last big hit of economic data before the election in a couple of weeks' time, so this will be chewed over by politicians as well as the economists, of course. i over by politicians as well as the economists, of course.— over by politicians as well as the economists, of course. i can now cive ou economists, of course. i can now give you your _ economists, of course. i can now give you your answer _ economists, of course. i can now give you your answer to - economists, of course. i can now give you your answer to your - economists, of course. i can now. give you your answer to your earlier question because i am looking at their summary of their reasoning and decisions for its, which says votes

were seven to two to maintain interest rates at 5.25% with some preferring to keep it at 5%, so we have the hawks and the dogs, and the dogs were the minority, saying they want to catch rates because they are worried they will have deflation and a slump, so for example, they refer the fact that inflation is now back down over all but they also refer to services inflation —— the doves. but are looking at core inflation, rather than looking at fuel prices and other prices, when you look at whether inflation is embedded and will carry on long term, you have to look at this core inflation which eliminates food and fuel and that is still too high. eliminates food and fuel and that is still too high-— eliminates food and fuel and that is still too high. thank you very much, i don't verity. _ still too high. thank you very much, i don't verity, our _ still too high. thank you very much, i don't verity, our economics - i don't verity, our economics correspondent.

let's speak to our economics editor faisal islam. obviously, everything andy has said was correct but there are some important subtleties to the decision made by the bank of england to hold rates at 5.25% with that vote and it sounds like it is the same and there is no difference but that is new language in the minutes which reflect the discussion that was hard and it appears this decision, and this debate, was finely balanced from a majority of the committee and this was a move towards cutting rates, they were pretty close to cutting rates at this meeting in june but decided against it and that is because, as we said, this was a committee of nine, two voted for a cut and four in the middle said it was finely balanced, which they have not said before, and it seems to me is such that a cut in august is a very much on and we had some doubts about this when the inflation data

came out yesterday because underlying facts inflation i hit the target of 2.7% for the first time since nearly three years, were the things that the bank of england looks at when it is trying to divine inflation longer term and before maybe this would push up interest rates for months to come and that dovish group in the middle are saying this isjust dovish group in the middle are saying this is just a dovish group in the middle are saying this isjust a one—off impact, we are not that worried about service sector inflation and we nearly voted for a cut this time and it looks like they are giving up for a majority of the committee cutting in august and it looks like this is an interesting incremental development towards a cut, but not one delivered now injune in the middle of a general election campaign. ithink middle of a general election campaign. i think i would have been a nice surprise for an incumbent government and that hasn't happened and the bank of england is not in the habit of giving out presents.

and also fought yesterday when we got the rate of inflation figures that actually a cut on interest rates which you have been reflecting would not come until later in the year but you are calling, it seems, that it could in fact come sooner. yes, there is one interesting little wrinkle here, let's be clear, we have indications from the bank of england's deliberations that this was finely balanced and they do their new quarterly forecast every august looking at the data, and there is always a moment when they could change their mind, so it could have been a decision in favour of a cut, and there is a change of personnel that we think in that group of three, could have gone either way which is the deputy governor and he is leaving and it is his last meeting and he is being replaced and it is not clear what his replacement spinks but it is an indication that although they haven't cut today, it was close, and august is a very much on, depending

on the data and the economic forecast. —— what is replacement thinks. the conservative party's director of campaigning has taken a leave of absence after it was revealed that he and his wife — who's a conservative candidate — are both being looked into by the gambling commission over alleged betting relating to the timing of the general election. tony lee is married to laura saunders, who is the party's candidate in bristol north west. it is not known when the alleged bet was placed orfor how much money. ms saunders has been approached for comment by the bbc and has not replied. labour has written to the prime minister, asking for ms saunders to be suspended — along with fellow tory candidate craig williams, who is also being looked into by the gambling commission. michael gove, the secretary of state for housing, described the situation as "deeply regrettable". here's what he had to say. i can tell you how the world will think it looks, which is not great,

but i can't get into and i can't know what conversations were had with whom, at what time, and that is quite properly being investigated now. how does it look? well, as i say, you and others looking at this, will, i'm sure, be doing much more than just raising an eyebrow but it is important for me and for all the candidates out there that while we acknowledge this is not great, that we concentrate on the real issues in this campaign, and we talk to voters about the real choice between keir starmer and rishi sunak, so i won't run away from the fact these are deeply regrettable actions but i think we have a responsibility towards voters to ensure the debate goes on, even as we acknowledge this is very, very far from satisfactory behaviour. meanwhile, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has called on the prime minister to suspend both laura saunders and craig williams as conservative candidates. this candidate should be suspended and it is very telling that rishi sunak has

not already done that. if it was one of my candidates, they would be gone and their feet would not have touched the floor. there is a wider point here, that you touch on, which is we have now had iii years of chaos, of division, of politics being about self—entitlement. and politics needs to be about service — about public service. and that is one of the choices now, going into this election — more of this? or turn the page, rebuild the country and return politics to service? and that is what i will do as labour leader. our political correspondent, susan hulme, joins us from westminster. lots of pressure on the prime ministerfrom this. lots of pressure on the prime minister from this.— lots of pressure on the prime minister from this. you could hear from keir starmer _ minister from this. you could hear from keir starmer that _ minister from this. you could hear from keir starmer that the - minister from this. you could hear. from keir starmer that the pressure is now starting to build and you will remember there was a police officer who was part of rishi sunak�*s close protection squad who were suspended yesterday as part of

this affair and i think that it has added some pressure to rishi sunak, asking why these conservative candidates have not been suspended. in a letter from the labour party to downing street, to the prime minister, they were saying, is there one law for the police officers and another rule for conservative party people? i think the other big political issue that the conservative party will have, that if their campaigning director has had to take a leave of absence just two weeks before polling day, that can't be good news. that person, presumably, is a linchpin for the campaign and a very difficult if they are not there to do theirjob. yes, this idea that has been put forward by michael gove and a conservative spokesman earlier as well today that they need to let the investigation happen and wait to see what the outcome of that is, do you think that is going to hold, really,

or will be prime minister be under pressure to actually take some sort of action? i pressure to actually take some sort of action? ~ , ., , , of action? i think he probably will be under some _ of action? i think he probably will be under some pressure - of action? i think he probably will be under some pressure to - of action? i think he probably will be under some pressure to take i be under some pressure to take action. obviously if there is a legal process, that official process, that legal process has to run its course, but talking about suspending candidates from the conservative party is a political process, and that can be done. people can't be removed from the ballot paper at this juncture, it is too late for that, but we have seen in cases purport that people can be removed from the party, or have, what we normally say when party are sitting, having the whip removed, that means removed as a person who is part of the party, and that could be done and i think there will be pressure for that and they will be pressure for that and they will be pressure on the prime minister to show that he is responding in some way and we have not heard anything officially so far this morning, and i imagine there are many

conversations going on about itjust is what the right way forward. thank ou ve is what the right way forward. thank you very much. _ is what the right way forward. thank you very much, susan. _ is what the right way forward. thank you very much, susan. susan - is what the right way forward. thank you very much, susan. susan hume| is what the right way forward. thank you very much, susan. susan hume in westminster there and let's just take a look at the live page on the bbc website and if you take a look at that, you can get all the latest on the political developments we have been talking about over the last few minutes, as well as all the other key stories of the day, but lots of coverage of our election campaign news there from all the parties' campaigns. you are watching bbc news. let's continue with this conversation, because we can now talk to our respondent who is travelling with the conservative party campaign. hello to you, tom. susan hume wasjust party campaign. hello to you, tom. susan hume was just reflecting that you have your director of

campaigning take a leave of absence just two weeks before polling day is highly unusual and i don't know if you have heard any word there about what the conservatives are going to do and who is going to take over. no, we are slightly out on a limb on the bus, and interestingly michael gove discussed this himself in a huddle behind at the back of the bus earlier and talked about the fact that often the central machine of the party is very much in control of where we go and who we see and it may not be clear even to a senior cabinet minister like michael gove why he is going to a particular place for a particular visit so i don't think he is in touch with the centre of the party brighten out about who may or may not be suspended, but what i do think from having when some time with him this morning is that he is really hacked off, if you like, that this has happened. every interview and every answer he has given about this issue has made clear that he feels, in the words of himself as he put it to us,

that this really doesn't look good and this is a party that of course had the whole covid party issue which did enormous damage to its reputation and this is another issue happening in downing street at a highly significant political time. and so i think it is a very difficult day for michael gove, but i have put to him some policy questions and i asked him why young people should put conservative given there is no guarantee this is a party that can deliver them a house they can buy and afford but also a party that will ask them to do national service and he said he felt that lots of young people like the idea of being able to do some sort of structured national service scheme and he said his two children that were 20 and 21 liked the idea and that is not a scientific sample but he said that had convinced him that this was something that was good and on housing, he said the conservatives' record was not

perfect and there was more that