in this general be a pivotal moment in this general election campaign. studio: and other news, major london hospitals are hit by a cyber attack, leading to cancelled operations and emergency patients being moved. tests have revealed a newborn baby discovered and then east london park earlier this year is the sister of two other children abandoned by the same parents. we set hello. now, we arejust under 30 minutes same parents. we set hello. now, we are just under 30 minutes away from the first leaders debate of the general election campaign. rishi sunak and keir starmer will go head—to—head in front of a live studio audience in an hour—long programme on itv. today's debate is part of several televised discussions involving political leaders, and using different formats in the run—up to the vote on the 4th ofjuly. the bbc is hosting a seven party debate on friday. night will

have all of the reaction and analysis from the spin room following the itv programme. rajini vaidyanathan is there for us. not long to go for us now, is there? know, just half an hour. we know rishi sunak and keir starmer have arrived here in salford for the studio itv debate. now, wejust wait until they take to the state. now, debate here in the uk are relatively new as a phenomenon. they have obviously been going on in the us for many decades. the first televised debate in the uk was in 2010. they are notjust a chance for the leaders to present their policy agendas, but also they are a chance for them to present their personalities. it is a bit of a presidential sale thing even though it is of course a parliamentary thing here in the uk. we will have a look at some of that in a moment. here are of course, campaigning has continued to date. we didn't see rishi sunak out on the trail. his

party was putting their immigration policy is higher on the agenda. and, sir keir starmer was out on the trail earlier this morning. with more, here is trail earlier this morning. with more, here is our trail earlier this morning. with more, here is our political correspondent.— more, here is our political corresondent. ., ,, . ., , correspondent. the home secretary tearina correspondent. the home secretary tearin: the correspondent. the home secretary tearing the company _ correspondent. the home secretary tearing the company transporting i tearing the company transporting things around europe. today he is more concerned about the movement of people. the conservatives might point to last year's fall in net migration, the difference between the number of people arriving in the uk and leaving, but on their watch, numbers have reached a record high. now, they are saying that they would cap family and work visas, they haven't put figures on net. we recognise _ haven't put figures on net. - recognise companies like this will of course need some levels of migration, but we also recognise that migration puts pressure on public services. getting the balance right is a conversation that is long overdue. . ~ right is a conversation that is long overdue. ., ~ , ., ., right is a conversation that is long overdue. ., ., ., overdue. thank you for coming of everybody- _ overdue. thank you for coming of everybody. cheering. _ overdue. thank you for coming of everybody. cheering. part- overdue. thank you for coming of everybody. cheering. part of - overdue. thank you for coming of everybody. cheering. part of the | everybody. cheering. part of the ressure everybody. cheering. part of the pressure on _ everybody. cheering. part of the pressure on the _ everybody. cheering. part of the pressure on the tories _ everybody. cheering. part of the pressure on the tories has - everybody. cheering. part of the pressure on the tories has come everybody. cheering. part of the - pressure on the tories has come from this party. pressure on the tories has come from this -a . , ., , this party. they will open the borders on — this party. they will open the borders on mass _ this party. they will open the borders on mass emigration l this party. they will open the i borders on mass emigration like this party. they will open the - borders on mass emigration like we have never— borders on mass emigration like we

have never seen before.— have never seen before. reform uk has attracted _ have never seen before. reform uk has attracted attention _ have never seen before. reform uk has attracted attention with - have never seen before. reform uk has attracted attention with bold i has attracted attention with bold promises on reducing legal immigration levels and stopping small boat crossings. folder support, it seems that everyone is a fan of their approach. nigel farage was covered in milk sake on the campaign trail. —— milkshake. a woman was arrested on suspicion of assault. a messy startjust a day into being party leader. earlier he seemed to adjust his party's policy asylum seekers in british territories.— asylum seekers in british territories. asylum seekers in british i territories._ a very territories. not practical? a very difficult policy. _ territories. not practical? a very difficult policy. i— territories. not practical? a very difficult policy. i haven't - territories. not practical? a very difficult policy. i haven't read i territories. not practical? a very difficult policy. i haven't read it. difficult policy. i haven't read it forward — difficult policy. i haven't read it forward. ~ , , ., difficult policy. i haven't read it forward. , , ., ,, forward. why is it on your website? turn i took — forward. why is it on your website? turn i took over— forward. why is it on your website? turn i took over yesterday, - forward. why is it on your website? turn i took over yesterday, give i forward. why is it on your website? j turn i took over yesterday, give me more _ turn i took over yesterday, give me more than — turn i took over yesterday, give me more than12— turn i took over yesterday, give me more than 12 hours and i will sort things— more than 12 hours and i will sort things out — more than 12 hours and i will sort things out. for more than 12 hours and i will sort things out-— more than 12 hours and i will sort thins out. ., ., ., ., things out. for labour, immigration is another issue _ things out. for labour, immigration is another issue where _ things out. for labour, immigration is another issue where keir- things out. for labour, immigration is another issue where keir starmerj is another issue where keir starmer is another issue where keir starmer is keen to show his party has changed. he says training british workers to plug skills gaps will bring down immigration levels, there will though there are no numbers.

you cannot wish them down, the tories are blocking numbers and wishing for the best. you have to understand why they are high. the skill strategy is near. we need to fix that, bear down on bad bosses who are undercutting labour standards.— who are undercutting labour standards. , , . ., . , standards. there is every chance she will come on — standards. there is every chance she will come up here _ standards. there is every chance she will come up here today _ standards. there is every chance she will come up here today when i standards. there is every chance she will come up here today when the i will come up here today when the labour and conservative leaders meet their first debate. you labour and conservative leaders meet theirfirst debate. you might labour and conservative leaders meet their first debate. you might wonder why there can be so much debate around tv debates. they can produce pivotal moments in an election campaign and can set the mood and the tone. of course, they provide an important opportunity of scrutiny for policy and position. and don't forget that standing at those podiums behind me later will be the two men who are vying to become the next prime minister of the uk. the stage is set and the stakes are high. they will have just over an hour to prove themselves.

as we heard there, the stakes really are high. this is the first time for many people that these leaders will get to showcase themselves and, indeed, their policies. now, as alex was saying, the debate goes on for about one hour and ten minutes, kicking off at 9pm. we are in a studio not farfrom salford in greater manchester and the audience there will be able to ask questions of the leaders. the debate will be moderated by itv�*sjulie etchingham. one of the things when any of these debates take place which people will been watching for is fact checking the claims that come from the politicians, they will be claim and counterclaim coming, and a torrent, i am sure. my colleague nick eardley has been looking at some of those issues and challenges added that debate. , , ., ., ., debate. yes, the first head-to-head toni . ht. a debate. yes, the first head-to-head tonight- a big _ debate. yes, the first head-to-head tonight. a big moment _ debate. yes, the first head-to-head tonight. a big moment in _ debate. yes, the first head-to-head tonight. a big moment in the i tonight. a big moment in the campaign. which claims can you trust and which can you not to trust? bbc verify will be here today to look at

exactly that. we don't know exactly what will come up, but we have been preparing based on some of the claims we have heard from keir starmer and rishi sunak in the past three days. i wanted to mention a couple of things: if you hear them tonight, you should cast a sceptical ear over them. starting with the economy, a key battleground. both parties have made big claims about what the other�*s policy would mean. what are the facts from? this is what the conservatives are claiming: there is a £38 billion gap in labour's spending plan, and to fill it, taxes will have to go up. it is worth being sceptical about this figure. it is based on treasury calculations, but the assumptions come from political advisers, and some of them are questionable. for example, they're doing things through the public sector is always a lot less efficient. labour have a claim of their own, but we wanted to scrutinise. this one, that the

conservatives have £71 billion of unfunded spending commitments. again, a big dollop of caution on this one. it includes an assumption the conservatives will scrap national insurance. the tories have said that they would like to do that essentially, but not anytime soon, and they have said that they won't do it unless the money is available. when you hear both of these claims, you know, politics is in play. both parties are trying to persuade you that they would be better at handling the country's money. the most important figures are not necessarily these ones. they are the ones that will get in their manifestos later this month when we scrutinise it again. another thing i wanted to touch on, question that might come into tonight, is the economy moving in the right direction? rishi sunak wants to persuade you it is, keir starmer wants you to be more sceptical. let us look at two measures of this. one here: inflation. it is true to say inflation has gone down significantly since rishi sunak became pro—minister. he will want

some of the credit for it. labour will question how much you feel it in your pocket. another way of looking at where the economy is is economic growth. at the beginning of 2024, there was economic growth. it was 0.6%. that was after the uk officially entered a recession at the end of last year. when you look back a bit, the picture is a lot less positive. certainly, when compared to other major economies like the united states. so, keep this in mind tonight. there will be a lot of these sorts of claims flying about. we will have a look at them, explain them tomorrow across them, explain them tomorrow across the bbc. mr; them, explain them tomorrow across the ssc. ; _, ., n them, explain them tomorrow across the ssc. ; ., ., , the bbc. my colleague nick eardley, there. and. — the bbc. my colleague nick eardley, there- and. of— the bbc. my colleague nick eardley, there. and, of course, _ the bbc. my colleague nick eardley, there. and, of course, as _ the bbc. my colleague nick eardley, there. and, of course, as he - the bbc. my colleague nick eardley, there. and, of course, as he is i there. and, of course, as he is saying, we will be looking through all of the claims and statements that both leaders make in that debate. there will be plenty of pace match analysis. here, where i am,

the spin room, there will be plenty of post—match spin, because through the course of the evening we have already seen sarah gets representatives from labour and the conservatives talking up their man, saying that their man is going to do the bestjob in that bout tonight —— mac surrogates. i was only speaking to the conservative health secretary, victoria atkins, to get her take on how rishi sunak is going to do. a lot riding on this debate are rishi sunak given that your party is so far behind in the polls. what advice would you be giving? the prime what advice would you be giving? the: prime minister doesn't what advice would you be giving? tt9 prime minister doesn't need what advice would you be giving? tt9: prime minister doesn't need my advice on how to ensure that we put advice on how to ensure that we put a positive case forward to the british public, as we have been doing during this campaign. but, also, holding a summer to account. it is all very well walking around with a placard with a single word on it, but governing and a great country is much more difficult and complex than that, and i think the labour party have got some real questions that they need to answer

with some of the announcements they have made this week. i would also say to the prime minister to show his personality. he is such a decent and honourable guy, he has an enormous brain, and i think that if the public can see that part of him, then they will see just how hard he is working on our behalf, and also, the care and thoughtfulness that he has put into our policies, not only in recent months, but the future as well. :, :, :, , :, well. some would say that he has had however long — well. some would say that he has had however long he _ well. some would say that he has had however long he has _ well. some would say that he has had however long he has had _ well. some would say that he has had however long he has had an _ well. some would say that he has had however long he has had an office i however long he has had an office and ben has been chancellor t. he should have conveyed all of this well before today? he should have conveyed all of this well before today?— well before today? he did in fairness- _ well before today? he did in fairness. if _ well before today? he did in fairness. if you _ well before today? he did in fairness. if you remember. well before today? he did in i fairness. if you remember the dark days of the pandemic, when he, as chancellor, saved millions ofjobs and businesses through the furlough scheme, through to small business grants and loans, and then as prime minister promised to halve inflation. we have more than half of it. that will have a huge impact.

but the polls are really bad for you. there is no denying it. the big oll is on you. there is no denying it. the big poll is on the _ you. there is no denying it. the big poll is on the 4th _ you. there is no denying it. the big poll is on the 4th of— you. there is no denying it. the big poll is on the 4th ofjuly, _ you. there is no denying it. the big poll is on the 4th ofjuly, and i you. there is no denying it. the big poll is on the 4th ofjuly, and the l poll is on the 4th ofjuly, and the reaction that we are getting on the doorstep shows our policies are really attracting attention and interest from the public. now, we have never pretended that winning... we are not arrogant enough, as perhaps our opponents are, to assume anything. we work incredibly hard to every single day. my friends who are conservative candidates across the country are working every hour that they can to speak to people to secure those votes. and i think that that again comes from wanting to ensure that we offer the best choice possible to the public can, because on polling day we only have one choice really. only one of two men can be pro—minister, rishi sunak or sir keir starmer. and so, this debate is a chance to put our policies forward. but also to ask searching questions of the labour

leader, because as a barrister, he should know that the british public will want some evidence of what he is actually talking about. fiend will want some evidence of what he is actually talking about.— is actually talking about. and to -la is actually talking about. and to play devils _ is actually talking about. and to play devils advocate _ is actually talking about. and to play devils advocate on - is actually talking about. and to play devils advocate on this, i l is actually talking about. and to i play devils advocate on this, i am asking the same questions about parties, they will say that in 14 years you have been in power, your record speaks for yourself, some would say. it goes beyond this debate. . t would say. it goes beyond this debate. . :, :, , , :, would say. it goes beyond this debate- -_ would say. it goes beyond this debate. . :, :, , , :, :, debate. . i am really proud we have the best readers _ debate. . i am really proud we have the best readers in _ debate. . i am really proud we have the best readers in the _ debate. . i am really proud we have the best readers in the western i the best readers in the western world according to international league tables because of the changes we have made to school curriculums. we now have outstanding schools and we inherited in 2010. we have seen 800 jobs created each day in the time we have been in power. the nhs, my department, we look after 3.5 million more people than was the case than in 2010. we have over 40,000 doctors. [10 case than in 2010. we have over 40,000 doctors.— case than in 2010. we have over 40,000 doctors. do you really think that ou 40,000 doctors. do you really think that you can — 40,000 doctors. do you really think that you can close _ 40,000 doctors. do you really think that you can close a _ 40,000 doctors. do you really think that you can close a gap _ 40,000 doctors. do you really think that you can close a gap after i 40,000 doctors. do you really think that you can close a gap after this i that you can close a gap after this debate? , ,:, : , :, :,

debate? these policies we have made to the public— debate? these policies we have made to the public we _ debate? these policies we have made to the public we are _ debate? these policies we have made to the public we are very _ debate? these policies we have made to the public we are very proud i debate? these policies we have made to the public we are very proud of- to the public we are very proud of them are going to be a part of tonight's debate, and yes, we absolutely do. nobody should take our democracy for granted. how dare they? and i have heard that the labour leader thinks... tl they? and i have heard that the labour leader thinks... it is they? and i have heard that the labour leader thinks. . .- labour leader thinks. .. it is the oinion labour leader thinks. .. it is the opinion polls- _ labour leader thinks. .. it is the opinion polls. they _ labour leader thinks. .. it is the opinion polls. they are - labour leader thinks. .. it is the opinion polls. they are taking l labour leader thinks. .. it is the l opinion polls. they are taking the british public _ opinion polls. they are taking the british public for _ opinion polls. they are taking the british public for granted, i opinion polls. they are taking the | british public for granted, because they are not explaining what they would actually do when they are in power. so, we had some words of this week about immigration. how good of them to finally wake up to immigration is an issue. if only they had not stood in a way of every policy we have tried to put forward on immigration, including brady can our measures to tackle illegal immigration some 100 times —— voting against our measures. that is what people will want to look at with the offerings. when i hear my labour opponent talking about his promises for the nhs, well, the evidence is how they run the nhs in wales. labour runs nhs in wales, and they

have the worst waiting times in great britain.— great britain. thank you for conveying _ great britain. thank you for conveying your— great britain. thank you for conveying your party's i great britain. thank you for i conveying your party's perspective and your hopes for rishi sunak. we will find out how he performs when the debate gets under way not too long from now. well, as we have been doing with our previous labour gas, let us get some analysis from our deputy political editor of micky young to hear about the conservatives.— young to hear about the conservatives. :, , :, , conservatives. the conservatives want this to _ conservatives. the conservatives want this to be _ conservatives. the conservatives want this to be an _ conservatives. the conservatives want this to be an election i conservatives. the conservatives want this to be an election about| want this to be an election about the future, in many ways. that is partly because they have a long record to defend, including some bits of it which i won't be feeling too proud of. partygate and boris johnson being one. the mini budget being another. they do think there are things to scrutinise on the side of labour. they have their voting record, as we heard. victoria atkins was talking about immigration and how labour mps have voted on immigration. in parliament. they do think there are things they can be proud of. the education system is one of them that they talk about a

lot. the fact that reading and writing levels have really gone up under the conservatives. the other interesting things about rishi sunak getting across his personality. they feel he hasn't been able to do that as prime minister. he does have experience of this kind of thing, he had their leadership contest with liz truss which didn't turn out well for him in the end. i think that they would think that he can do well in this format. they have may forgotten the other rishi sunak before he became a minister and we want —— and they want to remind people about him helping with the fellow scheme.— fellow scheme. vicky young our olitical fellow scheme. vicky young our political editor. _ fellow scheme. vicky young our political editor. before - fellow scheme. vicky young our political editor. before we i fellow scheme. vicky young our political editor. before we leave you, i will give you a quick tour of the spin room. many seats here. the great and good of british journalism. pasternak, bradby, bbc team is here as well. many print media. —— robert preston. we will be watching it on the big screen,

there. after the debate, politicians will come back in, they will be gathering around trying to say what their candidate has done the best job. that is when the spinning begins. that gives the spin room its name. i can imagine that right now, rishi sunak and keir starmer will be getting those last minute nerves. only minutes to go now and how that debate gets under way at 9pm. as we have been saying, it could be a really pivotal moment in this campaign. studio: thank you very much. same with the election, the liberal democrats have promised free personal care being available to older or disabled people at home if they are in government. the party leader ed davey says the pledge, along with raising the pay of care workers, would end the hospital crisis and help people to stay in their own homes. he said the proposal would be funded by reversing tax cuts given the big banks by the conservatives. let's

speak to christine jardine, liberal democrat spokesperson for women and equalities. thank you for your time here on bbc news. let us begin with that. as questions have been raised about funding for this pledge, with independent experts suggesting it could last much more than you have budgeted for. igrate could last much more than you have budgeted for-— budgeted for. we will be setting out exactl how budgeted for. we will be setting out exactly how it _ budgeted for. we will be setting out exactly how it will _ budgeted for. we will be setting out exactly how it will be _ budgeted for. we will be setting out exactly how it will be budgeted i budgeted for. we will be setting out exactly how it will be budgeted for l exactly how it will be budgeted for in our manifesto next week. we are confident that when everybody sees that they will see that the sums are right. we have a reputation over the years for producing well worked out and funded and calculated budgets. we have come in the meantime, identified more than £4 billion, or about £4 billion worth of tax cuts, which this government gave to the big banks, which can go towards funding this free personal care for people, for the elderly and the disabled, making such a big difference to the nhs. it will allow

them to go home, creating the care packages and that they can't get at the moment because of the shortage of staff, creating the care packages, allowing them to go home, and therefore freeing up the beds and therefore freeing up the beds and mastered all the people who are on waiting lists and need operations. and we get more movement, again, in the nhs, and it helps of the software to do what they need to do. we can do that by increasing the salaries of care workers by about £2 per hour, but increasing the free personal care offer for everyone at home, so that it can have the personal care at home in a way that suits them and they are comfortable. much better than being stuck in a hospital because they cannot get care. letters moved to the campaign in general. there has been some criticism of the liberal democrat campaign, especially that of your leader, we have seen paddle

boarding, water slides, leader, we have seen paddle boarding, waterslides, django,, boarding, water slides, django,, flower arranging boarding, waterslides, django,, flower arranging today. people say it has been gimmicky. what you say in reply? —— it has been gimmicky. what you say in reply? -- use it has been gimmicky. what you say in reply? --— it has been gimmicky. what you say in reply? -- we want to be front and centre in this _ in reply? -- we want to be front and centre in this campaign _ in reply? -- we want to be front and centre in this campaign and - in reply? -- we want to be front and centre in this campaign and for i centre in this campaign and for people to be talking about us. we know people care about it because they talk about it on the doorsteps, and we are listening to them. i'll be enjoying it? yes, but there is an important and serious point. the paddle board was about the state of our waterways, and were bathing waters. it drew attention to an issue that we are first to raise in the commons about the amount of sewage being dumped in our water. raw sewage. i think the figure is 105,000 since 2024 there has been sewage dumped in our waterways. we want to protect our waterways, and we want the money invested, rather than giving big bonuses that the directors, we want the money invested in repairing our sewage system so that we can protect our

waterways. that is what is behind the attention that we have been getting, and people are talking about our policies and the things we are drawing attention to because they are the things that they care about, because we listen to them. i drag we will have to leave it there. christine jardine. jahh drag we will have to leave it there. christine jardine.— christine jardine. john swinney has ledaed christine jardine. john swinney has pledged tackling — christine jardine. john swinney has pledged tackling child _ christine jardine. john swinney has pledged tackling child poverty i christine jardine. john swinney has pledged tackling child poverty as i pledged tackling child poverty as his priority, saying he wants to generate wealth in society to generate wealth in society to generate public services. he says his government has kept 100,000 children out of poverty using measures like the scottish child payment. nigel farage has spent his first full day campaigning as a leader of the reform uk party. he was left looking rather a mess after a drink was thrown over him. he said this would only add to the votes party would win and said that reform uk would work to reach a net zero on migration. let us now speak to the deputy leader of reform uk, thank

you very much for your time on bbc news. let us begin with that milkshake. is that a concern to you? not really. i think nigel can cope with a milkshake. he has coped with worth before. in with a milkshake. he has coped with worth before-— worth before. in terms of who their erce tion worth before. in terms of who their perception of— worth before. in terms of who their perception of him _ worth before. in terms of who their perception of him as _ worth before. in terms of who their perception of him as a _ worth before. in terms of who their perception of him as a leader, i worth before. in terms of who their perception of him as a leader, do i perception of him as a leader, do you have any concerns over that? know, nigel is a first—class leader, i cannot a better individual to communicate directly with the british people, which is what this election is about. getting our message, reform uk pass message over the heads of all the mainstream media, all the difficulties that the insurgent party house to actually reach the electorate. the extraordinary thing is that during an election, l, and ofcom shutdown in certain parties. it is very difficult for us to be heard. it is

tremendous the bbc has got me on tonight, but he will constantly hear about the labour party and the conservative party. you're about here a debate between rishi sunak and keir starmer, but it is terribly difficult for someone new, a party such as ours, coming to the fore for the first time, to be heard. nigel will get as heard. i think it is absolutely terrific that nigel has joined the fray, and has thrown its hat in the ring. he is going to stand for clacton, and he is the leader of reform uk. igrate stand for clacton, and he is the leader of reform uk.— stand for clacton, and he is the leader of reform uk. we do have you now, so leader of reform uk. we do have you now. so time — leader of reform uk. we do have you now, so time for— leader of reform uk. we do have you now, so time for you _ leader of reform uk. we do have you now, so time for you to _ leader of reform uk. we do have you now, so time for you to make - leader of reform uk. we do have you now, so time for you to make your. now, so time for you to make your points. also, you will be contributing to that debate that the bbc is holding on the 7th ofjune. that is friday, the seven parties. are you embracing that, looking forward to that on friday? when nigel farage will be there? titer? nigel farage will be there? very much looking — nigel farage will be there? very much looking forward _ nigel farage will be there? 9 much looking forward to it. the problem with the british political landscape, particularly the two main parties is that they have become much the same. both of them trying to stand for the same things,

governance through the global betterment of the world in terms of what is best for the uk. when you look at their policies they are both pro—eu. people may challenge me as far as that applies to the conservative party, but boris johnson, left the eu, gave up northern ireland, made it impossible for us to deregulate and champion british interests. they both have global governance for, associate, the betterment of the british people. they may take their lead from you know, esg —related net zero related programmes. the paris accords, the un, and so on. what nigel stands for, what reform uk stands for, is for betting british interests first and putting british people's address first. we call the see an immigration election —— the immigration election. we hope we've seenin immigration election. we hope we've

seen in successive governments is a complete negligence in the protection of the united kingdom —— back what we have got rampant emigration which has damaged our economy so dramatically, undermined british workers, the facial pirate of this country. undermined our democracy, frankly. it is even challenge our constitution. reform uk stands for reversing all of that, deregulating, jettisoning the eu regulation, liberating our private sector, cutting taxes on the middle class, making it pay to work, energising our labour market where we have 6 million people on universal credit to a greater or lesser extent. getting the uk economy moving forward. neither the conservative party nor labour party stands for any of the things we stands for any of the things we stand for. we are a complete seek to change from the current direction of

travel. —— we are a complete sea change. travel. -- we are a complete sea chance. :, ~ i. :, travel. -- we are a complete sea chance. :, ~' :, change. thank you for your time. movin: change. thank you for your time. moving on _ change. thank you for your time. moving on to _ change. thank you for your time. moving on to other _ change. thank you for your time. moving on to other news. i change. thank you for your time. | moving on to other news. several major hospitals in london have declared a critical incident because of a cyber attack. operations have been cancelled and there have been issues in particular with blood transfusions and test results. we have this report. operations have been cancelled, blood transfusions and test results have been particularly affected, as have other routine tests. guy's and st thomas's hospital in the heart of the capital is one of the nhs trusts affected by the major it incident. king's couege the major it incident. king's college hospital, the royal brompton, and the ever london children's hospital as ours are services as well have been affected. about ten to seven last night, monday evening, i received an e—mail and text with both the same information on, confirming that due

to circumstances, beyond their control, blood tests had been cancelled for the foreseeable future. ,, :, , : , future. nhs england described the im act as future. nhs england described the impact as significant, _ future. nhs england described the impact as significant, adding i future. nhs england described the impact as significant, adding that. impact as significant, adding that emergency care continued to be available. it is thought the incident happened yesterday. some departments were unable to connect to the main server. the it service partner has said sorry to patients impacted by the disruption. they recognise the upset that it has caused. it is unclear how long the disruption to patients and services will last. time now fill lamela. hello. some decidedly cool air has been sinking southwards across the uk during today. tonight is certainly going to be quite a lot chillier than last night was, and over the next few days, it remains cool and breezy, a mix of sunshine and showers, cold enough over the very highest ground in scotland for some of those showers to be wintry. so during today, we've seen these frontal systems pushing southwards and eastwards.

still a little bit of rain lingering for a time in the far south east. but behind those weather fronts, we are getting into this feed of cool air from the northwest. pretty brisk winds actually across the northern half of the uk. there's the last of that weather front clearing the southeast corner. and then overnight, yes, some showers, particularly up towards the northwest, but some lengthy, clear spells allowing temperatures to drop widely down into single digits, maybe very close to freezing across parts of northern scotland. so certainly a chillier start to tomorrow morning than we had this morning. but it should be a bright start for many with some spells of sunshine. further south, not too many showers. further north, particularly northern england, northern ireland and scotland, there will be frequent showers, which, as i've mentioned, could be wintry over the very highest ground in scotland, say above 800 metres elevation. it's going to be windy across the northern half of the uk. breezy further south. but in the sunshine in the south, not feeling too bad, 17 degrees celsius, just 11 celsius for stornoway. average temperatures at this time of year should be around 15—20 celsius,

so, actually, these values are touch below the average for the time of year. now, as we move into thursday, this area of low pressure will still be to the north of us. where you're closest to the center of the low across northern england, northern ireland and more especially scotland, you will continue to see frequent showers, again, wintry over the highest scottish mountains. further south, not as many showers, more spells of sunshine. temperatures, again, 11—17 celsius, maybe getting up to 18 celsius by this stage. now for friday, it looks like we'll see the showers joining together into a longer spell of rain for a time across parts of scotland. more cloud further south as well, a cloudier day likely on friday with the odd shower. temperatures maybe getting up to 18—19 celsius, but still really struggling across the north and the northwest of scotland. into the weekend, it turns a little bit less cool. temperatures climbing a touch. mostly dry in the south,

some showers further north. live from london. this is bbc news. rishi sunak anser keir starmer go head—to—head in a tv debate for the first time in his general election campaign. == first time in his general election cam aiun. ,, first time in his general election camaiun. ,, ,, :, campaign. -- sir keir starmer. i ra'ini campaign. -- sir keir starmer. i rajini vaidyanathan _ campaign. -- sir keir starmer. i rajini vaidyanathan live - campaign. -- sir keir starmer. i rajini vaidyanathan live in i campaign. -- sir keir starmer. i l rajini vaidyanathan live in salford with a debate is do to get under way any minute now. it could be a make

or break moment for either of the leaders. in or break moment for either of the leaders. ., , ., ., ., ., leaders. in other news, ma'or london hositals leaders. in other news, ma'or london hospitals — leaders. in other news, ma'or london hospitals are hit * leaders. in other news, ma'or london hospitals are hit by h leaders. in other news, ma'or london hospitals are hit by a _ leaders. in other news, ma'or london hospitals are hit by a cyber]— leaders. in other news, major london hospitals are hit by a cyber attack - hospitals are hit by a cyber attack leading to cancelled operations and emergency patients being moved. tests have revealed a newborn baby discovered in the news london park early this year is the sister of two other children abandoned by the same parents. welcome to bbc news. rishi sunak and sir keir starmer will go head to head in front of a live studio audience, in an hour—long programme on itv. today's debate is part of a series of several televised discussions involving political leaders and using different formats in the run—up to the vote on the lith ofjuly. the bbc is hosting a seven—party debate in london on friday. tonight, we'll have all of the reaction and analysis from the spin room following the itv programme.