this is bbc news. the headlines... labour promises no increase in income tax, national insurance of the 8495% of workers if it wins the election. those earning above £80,000 will pay more to fund public services. nurses, and 11% cut in wages and having to go to food banks. that cannot be right. event to ask our highest earners to pay a little bit more. the conservatives promise more money to fund mental health staffing in the nhs, and say fewer people will be detained against their will. it is new money going into the nhs thatis it is new money going into the nhs that is going into mental health. it is having the people who deliver these jobs. that is why we have the £10,000 extra. the liberal democrats commit to keeping the "triple lock" on pensions but those on higher incomes would lose the winter fuel payment.

the french are choosing between emmanuel macron and marine le pen to be their next president. finally freed, the 82 nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by islamist militants three years ago have now arrived in the capital abuja. also in the next hour. more billionaires are based in the uk than ever before. brothers sri and gopi hinduja top the annual sunday times rich list, only one person in the top ten was born in britain. click goes behind closed doors with the doctor, as something goes bump in the night. that's in half an hour here on bbc news. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. parties campaigning in the general election have made a series of policy announcements this morning.

labour have pledged not to raise tax on people earning less than £80,000 a year, the conservatives say they'll replace current mental health legislation in england and wales, and the liberal democrats commit to maintaining the so—called "triple lock" on pensions. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent, ellie price, and i asked if promising not to put taxes up for most people was a sensible election pledge to make. that is one of the things the labour party have done today is that they had captured the imagination of some of the newspaper headline writers. labour says it will not put up the standard rate of vat or national insurance contributions they will not put up income tax for those earning up to £80,000. they say it would benefit around 95% of tax payers, with the top earners being

asked to pay a little bit more. they have not given any real detail of how much more the top earners with pgy- how much more the top earners with pay. in an interview this morning they did not rule out setting out a higher rate of tax for the higher rate tax payers. anyone earning under £80,000 you will not have an increase in income tax or vat. 0r orfor or for national insurance contributions. for those above that amount, we will be asking them to pay a moderate bit more. you put the good question to theresa may about nurses last week. an 11% cut in wages. some of them having to go to food banks was that cannot be right. we are going to ask some of our higher earners just to pay a little bit more. the conservatives not talking about brexit, for a change. this is about mental health issues.

the conservatives say this will be the biggest shake—up of mental health legislation in more than 30 years. they say they want to prevent discrimination in the workplace and to prevent unnecessary detention of file of all people. ——vulnerable people. they want to employ 10,000 extra staff working in the nhs to deal with mental health treatment by 2020. jeremy hunt was also on the andrew marr programme this morning. if you have a child with mental health problems instead of being treated by the nhs ends up in a police cell, that is very bad for the child and the police. we want to stop that and stop the fact that one in six of us have a mental health disorder, depression, anxiety. can the government stop that? we want to stop the

fact you could lose yourjob for that and suffer discrimination in a way you would not be able to suffer now if you were disabled, or other conditions. we want to address this. the liberal democrats back to the tax business. certainly back to big spending commitments. talking about pensions, they say they would scrap winter fuel allowance for high earning pensioners, those earning over £45,000 a year. i think it is pa rt over £45,000 a year. i think it is part of a push from them to show they are thinking about some of these problems relating to pensions and the ageing population. crucially they say they are committed to the triple lock on pensions that is where pensions rise with average earnings, or inflation. that idea was introduced under the coalition government. so far, the tories have not committed to that in this campaign so far. the lib dems are seeing this as a key pledge. what

about the party manifestos, when they set this stuff in stone? there are 32 days left in this campaign. we will have more to talk about in the next week or so. john macdonald this morning suggesting his ma nifesto this morning suggesting his manifesto would be their week after next. —— mcdonnell. these manifestos are being fleshed out so we have some idea what would be enough. let's discuss the conservatives pledge on mental health legislation. we can speak to paul farmer. thank you for speaking to us. i would presume you would welcome any increase in resources, money, staff and so on for mental health. are the priorities of the conservatives roughly yours? we have put out our own manifesto which included recognition that there was a need to

do more to change the legislative framework around mental health. we have also identified the need for very significant continuing investment into supporting people with mental health problems. it is probably the first time we have seen a major political party talk about this issue. we have seen the liberal democrats talking about it earlier in the weekend as wealth of it is important this issue of mental health is on the political agenda. what a lot of people with mental health problems have been saying, it 110w health problems have been saying, it now is the moment to translate that rhetoric into reality in terms of people's experiences of mental health services. the tories are talking about any increase in numbers working in the mental health area. labour has come back and said, there has been a big cut in the last few years. what has been going on? we do know that for many years, mental health services have been hugely underfunded. although there was a variety of opinions about the

way in which the resources have been allocated, what has certainly happened in many parts of the country over many years is that mental health has been the poor relation of the nhs. when times have historically been tight, it is mental health services which have the cut. we know in the next year or so the cut. we know in the next year or so there is unquestionably additional resources earmarked for mental health services. the key message how mental health services. the key message now is to take it further. the plans that were set out in the five—year review for mental health, from our point of view, it represented a baseline for the minimum requirements. to take an example of that, the number of young people currently accessing mental health services he could do without help is only roughly one in four. with additional resources we could get to one in three. that means many people are not receiving the help and support needed. we think this

welcome focus on mental health now needs to go to the next stage. much more significant resources are inputted so that staff can be recruited with confidence that over the next few years these changes are really here to stay. the unnecessary detention of some people. people not in the mental health field will be confused about who these people might be and what happens to them. does mind have a strong view on that? we currently use a law called the mental health act which was originally drafted in the late 1950s and then tweaked in the 80s and twea ked and then tweaked in the 80s and tweaked again in 2005/ 2006. this law is an approach by which people with mental health problems can be detained or sections against their will for the bid is the only part of the health system where that happens, where people can be forcibly treated against their will.

whilst we recognise that in some cases that is necessary, we have seen a cases that is necessary, we have seen a number of uses of that increase quite jim seen a number of uses of that increase quitejim at italy. it has gone up from around 45,005 or six yea rs gone up from around 45,005 or six years ago to 63,000 usages of this legislation last year. we are seeing a very large increase in net. we think people are often fighting themselves —— binding themselves being detained unnecessarily. these changes are much needed. again, it is about saying we have not really thought properly about how we support people with mental health problems. we have simply thought about the worst—case scenario. what we need to do is reframe our legislation. thing is about giving people rights and entitlements to the kind of services we come and expect from our physical health care. many thanks.

people in france are voting in the final round of the presidential election. they're choosing between the centrist, emmanuel macron, and the far—right leader, marine le pen. both have promised change, but their policies on europe, tackling terrorism and managing the economy are radically different. karin giannone is in paris for us, and has been giving us the latest. hello. welcome to a school where there is a polling station. it is pretty busy now. it started with a rainy start to the day. the polls have been open forfour hours. people are bringing their children with them and pets. plenty of people have been coming. we wondered if the rain would affect turnout. traditionally, in france, a presidential election gets a turn out that british politicians can only dream about, around 80% of the rain would affect turnout. traditionally, in france,

a presidential election gets a turn out that british politicians can only dream about, around 80% of that this particular pollen. today's vote is being seen as the most important in france for decades. the two candidates have very opposite views of europe and the future of france in the wider world. the national front‘s marine le pen would close the borders and quit the euro currency. emmanuel macron wants closer european cooperation and an open economy. he is a former economy minister who last year quit the current socialist government to concentrate on his new independent political movement. his campaign was the last—minute victim of a hacking attack, which saw an online leak of thousands of emails and documents. the french election watchdog has advised the media not to publish details from the documents, warning it could lead to criminal charges and that some of the documents are probably fake. polls are open today until early evening, but some french nationals living abroad were able to cast their vote from yesterday, including about 100,000 people who live in the uk. the winner is expected to be announced later tonight. so, the french have

been voting so far. let's show you a couple of significant voters who have dropped in to cast their ballot. a warning there is some flash photography on this. emmanuel macron is the favourite going into this alongside his wife, brigitte, casting his vote in the north of france. in the last hour or so we have seen marine le pen of the far right national front. she has been casting have ballot in her electoral base. let's see how the papers are reflecting this. le parisien gives a guide to your electoral evening. as soon as the polls close, we get a projection of the result at eight o'clock local time.

it is pretty definitive. le monde talking about all the different reports, abstentions putting a blank vote in the ballot, saying you do not like either candidate. talking about unprecedented tension in the campaign. it has been so divisive. the catholic newspaper, la croix, talking about casting a vote, unpolitical in its front page. thinking about the common good when you cast your vote. le journal de dimanche talking about macron on the front page, almost as if he has won already. what is in his head? his plans and the things he would deal with if he went into the elysee palace. le figaro showing the choice that france has. standing in front of it, looking at the two candidates, marine le pen and emmanuel macron,

and the two posters, that is the choice for france today. france is under a state of emergency and has been since november, 2015. the security presence is heavy but low— key. there are 50,000 extra police, 7000 soldiers across france, to protect people going to the ballot today. while people are thinking about who they will vote for and which candidates to choose, security authorities are focusing very much on keeping everybody safe. thank you very much indeed. french nationals who live in the uk are able to cast their votes at special polling stations which have been set up today. our correspondent, andy moore, is at one of them in west london for us. yes, iam yes, i am at a french school. this is one of two locations in london where french people can vote. you may build to see some of the security checks behind me. there has been a steady stream of people since

the polling stations open. there have been thousands of people queueing down along the streets. some of them have been waiting for an hourortwo some of them have been waiting for an hour oi’ two macro some of them have been waiting for an hour or two macro to vote. there is no postal voting in this election. if you want to vote, people living in london, french people living in london, french people living in london, french people living in london or the uk, they have to turn up in person by proxy, here, or at they have to turn up in person by proxy, here, orat several other locations in cities around the uk. the process is interesting that is not like where you put across in the box. you produce your identity and pick—up two pieces of paper, each with the name of the candidate. you go into the booths and put a piece of paper into an envelope and it goes into a transparent ballot box if you do not like any of the candidates you can put the empty envelope into the ballot box will do is show you support the democratic process you do not like the process before you. about 300,000 french

people we believe live in the uk. about 100,000 of them are registered to vote. this polling station is closing at seven o'clock this evening was that that is about the same time the last polling stations closed in france. thank you very much, and he, in west london. and you can see live coverage of the election result here on bbc news today. coverage begins at 6:30pm on the bbc news channel — that's in france decides: the presidential election 2017. speaking of elections, there is one going on here as well. we will be bringing you the speech ofjohn mcdonnell soon. he has been speaking this morning about labour's plans for income tax, those who will not be required to pay anymore and those who labour will insist on paying

more, it should they become the next government. now for a look at the headlines. labour is promising not to raise income tax for anyone earning less than £80,000 a year as it declares itself the party of low taxes for middle and low earners. the prime minister has announced plans to replacement or health legislation in england and wales with a new law tackling discrimination and the unnecessary detention of vulnerable people. the lib dems say their pledge is to keep the triple lock on pensions but those with incomes over £45,000 would lose the winter fuel payment. 82 nigerian schoolgirls who were abducted by islamist militants in 2014 have been freed. they have arrived in the capital, abuja. they were among more than 270 girls

seized from a boarding school in the town of chibok in a night time attack. we can cross now to shadow chancellorjohn mcdonnell, who is making a speech in london. thank you so much for coming. there is no question that thursday's election results were disappointing for labour. we had some important victories and the results show the gap with the tories has actually narrowed. we also lost too many great councillors. i want to pay tribute to the work of labour councillors, our members and supporters, like many of you the people who trod the streets and knocked on doors and delivered leaflets in that campaign. thank you for all that you do. the results, of

course, underlined the scale of the challenge we face in the next month's general election. the decision on the 8th ofjune is not about your local council, it is about your local council, it is about what kind of country we all wa nt to about what kind of country we all want to live in. we, the labour party, will make that choice crystal clear, unlike theresa may foot up she wanted to remain, then leave. she wanted negotiations with europe and now has stoked up a war of words with brussels. she may have wiped out ukip that she has done so by becoming ukip. have you ever also met anyone who keeps telling you everyday how strong and stable they are? every day every hour. why did she need to keep telling us. as jeremy has said, insecure leaders wa nt to jeremy has said, insecure leaders want to feel stronger by asking you

to give them more power. strong leadership is about equipping you with more power. so, i want to turn 110w with more power. so, i want to turn now to how labour will provide that leadership. and we want to start with our economy. it is easy to get the impression the economy is some remote machine, purring away in the background as we get on with our lives. following the global financial crisis, millions of britain no passion that britain know only too well what the economy is capable of. it can strip you of your livelihood, trap you in debt, rob you of your hopes and dreams that define who you actually are. lest we forget when the global financial crisis hit, money literally dried up. it meant businesses folding or stop investing. jobs were lost.

families across the country saw real pay fall more than any time since the industrial revolution. that is old news. what am i moaning about? we are told the economy has recovered and unemployment is at an all—time low and we are told all the difficult decisions like cutting public services and corporate taxes are finally bearing fruit. we are told all of that has made our economy strong. it does not feel like that, does it? jeremy said last week, across our country, in the high street and on the doorstep, something troubling is hanging in the air. if you have a job but you are struggling to keep on top of credit cards and loans, the economy is not strong, it is holding you back. if your career has stalled and

your manager is putting pressure on your manager is putting pressure on you to get more out of you for less, the economy is not strong it is holding you back. if you can barely cover the cost of childcare, rent, travel to work, your student loan, let alone save for the future, the economy is not strong, it is holding you back. i tell you, economy is not strong, it is holding you back. itell you, this economy is not strong, it is holding you back. i tell you, this has no place in a richard brittain. richard brittain for the many, the few. it isa brittain for the many, the few. it is a vision of life where ree, our families and communities are not being held back before. —— where we. in all aspects, financial and social. where we use financial resources to ca re social. where we use financial resources to care properly for our elderly and the young. it is a britain where families have enough money at the end of the week to enjoy the weekend together. where we live in a safe and enjoyable

community. with more time for learning sport, culture, and play. all these things are possible when you are not being held back. and people rightfully look to the government to help make it happen. the government would have invested in housing, transport, and childcare. so, a home of your own and the good job are not bygone luxuries in the 20th century. the government would have delivered a rapid reduction in carbon emissions and connected our industries together so we waste less resources than today. above all, the government would have defined itself by upgrading the economy, to ensure the long—term survival of our universally available public services. so, make no mistake. this is what your vote on june

services. so, make no mistake. this is what your vote onjune eight is all about. because i just is what your vote onjune eight is all about. because ijust feel we are losing something. something that in hindsight i took for granted. when i was a young man, i didn't feel particularly held back. like many of my generation, yes, i left school without completing my qualifications. i ended up doing a series of manual jobs. qualifications. i ended up doing a series of manualjobs. i remember was one night when i was working the night shift on a tv assembly line, on “— night shift on a tv assembly line, on——i night shift on a tv assembly line, on —— i rememberthinking, was night shift on a tv assembly line, on —— i remember thinking, was this going to be it for me? i knew i was missing out on family life. i came home that morning and i talked to my wife. i realised i needed to give education another go. so, i took my a levels at an evening class. a year later i was at university. yes, i studied hard, and i earned it. back

then, it never cost a penny. i would like to think that i have given something back as a result. but i am not sure, you know, that the 20—something me would be making the same choices today. i would be faced with tuition fees, a burden of debt, and afar with tuition fees, a burden of debt, and a far higher cost of living, especially when it comes to housing. maybe i would not see it as a choice at all. people sometimes say that times have changed, as if it is the natural order of things. the economy is some force of nature we will have to submit to. that is what the conservatives would like you to believe. it is what they have always wa nted believe. it is what they have always wanted you to believe. it is the greatest sleight of hand in our political times. in reality, the economy should be what we want it to be. we can beat its masters, not its

servants. if the economy is not working, then it is thejob servants. if the economy is not working, then it is the job of the government to fix it, isn't it? fix it for whom? it is pretty clear if you are the conservatives. they have carved out a niche for themselves, serving their whims of overseas corporations and billionaire oligarchs. sweetheart deals with big business. it treats taxation almost as an optional extra. home ownership at the 30 year low but almost 90,000 uk properties owned by offshore trusts. a reckless and rigid tory brexit would invite more of the same. a rack fit for the few by any other name. —— brexit. we voted to

leave be you but not damage our trade relationships. jobs and living standards will be hit in the process. labour is committed to a jobs first brexit. we are committed to keeping the tariff free access to the european market we have today. there is nothing about conservative plans that would point britain in the direction of an upgraded economy. so, for a moment, the direction of an upgraded economy. so, fora moment, i the direction of an upgraded economy. so, for a moment, iwant the direction of an upgraded economy. so, for a moment, i want to speak directly to entrepreneurs and business owners and managers. to the self employed, we respect your drive to strike out on your own. but, if you are wasting hours chasing down payments for work you have delivered on—time and on budget, you are being held back. if you have got a great idea for a robust business plan, but can't afford the cost of childcare in the setup phase, you are being

held back. the small business owner, you are the economic backbone of our country. if you are failing to grow your company or your co—op by being denied credit from a banking sector more interested in fits from home loa ns, more interested in fits from home loans, you are being held back. if you cannot invest because of the sudden hike in punitive and unfair business rates, you are being held back. i say also to the ceo of a large enterprise, i recognise the immense responsibilities you carry each day. if you are unable to fully focused on leading your work. because of the never—ending threat of hostile takeovers, you are being held back as well. if you cannot meet the full, upfront to play your pa rt meet the full, upfront to play your part in emissions reductions, you are being held back. all that calls

for a serious response from a serious government. it cools —— it calls on the government to understand education, childcare, infrastructure and industrial strategy are the essential pillars of the big deal to upgrade the economy. what's the point of upgrading the roads, railways and communications if businesses, large and small, continue to be denied credit reinvestment? what is the point of upgrading education, skills and learning, if the cost of childcare means many wearing continue to be held back in their career. in the coming days, labour will make major announcements in all of these areas. why? labour understands our economy shapes our lives. the