here's alex forsyth.lanked by young footballers, the prime minister claimed today he was tackling an issue to improve the safety of women and girls. the conservatives want to change the equality act so sex would mean biological sex. they say that would make it clearer that single sex spaces, from public toilets to refuges, can be for biological women and girls only, not those born male, even they have legally changed their sex on their birth certificate. the equalities minister claims this is necessary because there has been confusion and legal challenges over the issue. we have, you know, rapists being put in women's prisons and that being said to be legal. we can'tjust leave this and say, "oh, well, you know, we'lljust put out some more guidance." we've put out the guidance, it's not working, people going to court, endless tribunals. we need to settle this once and for all. labour point out there is already provision for single sex spaces. they would issue more guidance, but claim the tories are just tr

and we are joined by alex forsyth. where in the world is alex for site?fe, engine off. all according to the book. the reason you are in south wales is that is where reform uk launched their contract with the british people. and we will talk about that later on in this episode. you've chased nigel farage from car park to carp park, haven't you? this is slightly reminiscent of the 2015 election when he was the leader of... many car parts involved. i feel a familiar sense of tarmac, gravel, building, nigel farage. first, we will talk about labour.

alex forsyth, bbc news.nced them so far — on our website. you can also find a list of all of the candidates in each constituency. just log on to bbc.com/news — or go via the bbc app. in other news around the world. at least nine people have been killed in india — when a goods train collided with a passenger train in west bengal. three passenger carriages were derailed — officials say they are investigating whether the goods train overshot a signal. police in greece say they have recovered the body of a 55—year old american tourist from a holiday island. it's the third death in a week which is being linked to a period of unusually hot weather. several other people have been treated for heatstroke and other heat—related conditions — officials are warning people to take all possible precautions in the heatwave. a russian court says the us reporter evan gershkovich will stand trial for espionage later this month. the proceedings will take place behind closed doors, in yekaterinburg. mr gershkovich, who was worki

alex forsyth, bbc news.om bbc verify has been looking at some of reform's pledges — and can tell us more. yes, jane, let's break down the economic pledges of reform's contract, which is what they're calling their manifesto. there will be large personal tax cuts, including lifting the threshold for paying income tax to £20,000 per year, lowering fuel duty by 20p per litre and scrapping vat on energy bills. then there are some large spending pledges, including increasing defence spending to 3% of gdp within six years, increasing nhs spending by £17 billion a year. so how is all this to be paid for? well, reform says it would slash government waste, including by stopping the bank of england paying commercial banks interest, saving £35 billion per year and scrapping net zero environmental targets, saving £30 billion a year, and halving the foreign aid budget, saving £6 billion a year. now, economists, including those at the independent institute for fiscal studies, are doubtful about many of these claims. for in

alex forsyth, bbc news., john swinney, will launch the snp's election campaign in glasgow later today. he will urge people to put "scotland's interests first" and say that independence will bring higher living standards and a betterfunded nhs. two key right—wing members of israel's coalition government have threatened to bring it down if the prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, agrees to a peace deal for gaza put forward by president biden. the national security minister itamar ben—gvir said accepting the proposals would be "foolhardy" and a "victory for terrorism". the finance minister bezalel smotrich said the offensive in gaza must continue until hamas is destroyed. thousands of people gathered in tel aviv to demand that their government accepts the new ceasefire and hostage release deal outlined by president biden. some told reporters that they feared the prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, may torpedo the proposal. a group campaigning to bring hostages home has warned that such a move would endanger the

alex forsyth, bbc news.emocrats have promised that free personal care would be available for older or disabled people in england, at home, if they were in government. the party leader sir ed davey says the pledge, along with raising the pay of care workers, would end the hospital crisis and help people stay in their own homes. he said the proposal would be funded by reversing tax cuts given to big banks by the conservatives. the snp leader, john swinney, has pledged that tackling child poverty is his priority, saying he also wants to generate wealth in society to invest in public services. he said his government has kept 100,000 children out of poverty, through measures such as the scottish child payment. let's speak to our political editor, chris mason, who's in salford where tonight's debate is taking place. how important do you think it is chris snp how important do you think it is chris sn ' ., how important do you think it is chris sn ' ., .., chris snp hello jane, welcome to what is called _ chris snp

alex forsyth, bbc news. us more live from the bbc�*s verify hub. let's break down the economic pledges of reform's contract — which is what they call their manifesto. there would apparently be large personal tax cuts including, lifting the threshold for paying income tax to £20,000 per year. lowering fuel duty by 20p per litre scrapping vat on energy bills. then there are large spending pledges, including increasing defence spending to 3% of gdp within six years increasing nhs spending by £17 billion per year. so how is all this to be paid for? reform says it would "slash government waste" including by stopping the bank of england paying commercial banks interest — saving £35 billion per year, scrapping net—zero environmental targets — saving £30 billion per year. halving the foreign aid budget — saving £6 billion a year. economists, including those at the independent institute for fiscal studies, are doubtful about many of these claims. for instance on banking — this is complex but what you need to know is

here's alex forsyth.s, the prime minister claimed today he was tackling an issue to improve the safety of women and girls. the conservatives want to change the equality act so sex would mean biological sex. they say that would make it clearer that single sex spaces, from public toilets to refuges, can be for biological women and girls only, not those born male, even they have legally changed their sex on their birth certificate. the equalities minister claims this is necessary because there has been confusion and legal challenges over the issue. we have, you know, rapists being put in women's prisons and that being said to be legal. we can'tjust leave this and say, "oh, well, you know, we'lljust put out some more guidance." we've put out the guidance, it's not working, people going to court, endless tribunals. we need to settle this once and for all. labour point out there is already provision for single sex spaces. they would issue more guidance, but claim the tories are just trying to divert attention.

here's alex forsyth.kling an issue to improve the safety of women and girls. the conservatives want to change the equality act so sex would mean biological sex. they say that would make it clearer that single sex spaces, from public toilets to refuges, can be for biological women and girls only, not those born male, even they have legally changed their sex on their birth certificate. the equalities minister claims this is necessary because there has been confusion and legal challenges over the issue. we have, you know, rapists being put in women's prisons and that being said to be legal. we can'tjust leave this and say, "oh, well, you know, we'lljust put out some more guidance." we've put out the guidance, it's not working, people going to court, endless tribunals. we need to settle this once and for all. labour point out there is already provision for single sex spaces. they would issue more guidance, but claim the tories are just trying to divert attention. we've seen, whether it's through this or natio

alex forsyth, bbc news. all eyes on salford, where receipts are not an keir starmer head—to—head.n to ours to iam in i am in the so—called spin room. it is already buzzing the journalist, but we've also seen politicians turn up but we've also seen politicians turn up as well because the purpose of this is also for the politicians, surrogates, representing either candidate to defend and protect their candidate as the one who's come out best. they're doing that for the debate and it will get even more intense win that debate is over. this is a relatively new, you may remember on what it was david cameron. it prompted a phrase from the number of mps they won this is in middle ways —— many ways an american style of television. in some ways, they can be a blessing, or they could be a curse. i'm joined by vicki young, deputy political editor. blessing or curse? what you think both keir starmer and rishi sunak need to keep in mind tonight? i think it's important to emphasise they're coming from very different places. you have rishi sunak who's been prime minister, part of the conservativ

alex forsyth, bbc news. that debate is already under way in the spin room behind me. statements from sir keir starmer and rishi sunakfor the keir starmer and rishi sunak for the perverse keir starmer and rishi sunakfor the perverse audience members ask a question about the cost of living crisis. 0ne question about the cost of living crisis. one thing that could be a massive election issue and it will be in the coming weeks. we will have continuing coverage and bring you more updates on what is happening at that debate, not too far from where i'm standing. we will have the postdebate analysis as well with politicians bringing us their take and spin live from the spin room. that is it for the moment. we want you to help shape how we cover this general election campaign, so if you have a question for a politician or perhaps an issue that you're concerned about, you can get in touch as part of your voice, your vote — by going to bbc.co.uk/news on your phone, tablet or laptop. we'll continue to bring you the latest on the debate — but in other news — several major hospital

our political correspondent alex forsyth has the latest.r, people come to the uk to live, work or study. last year, net migration — that's the difference between the number of people arriving and the number of people leaving — was 685,000. sir keir starmer, who launched his election battle bus yesterday, has previously said that's too high. now he's promised to cut that number if labour wins the election, though he hasn't said by how much or by when. he told the sun on sunday newspaper — read my lips, i will bring immigration numbers down, i will control our borders, and make sure british businesses are helped to hire brits first. the government has introduced measures designed to cut legal immigration, including raising the minimum salary needed for skilled workers. labour says it would pass a new law so the government, skills agencies and employers had to come up with plans to train british workers in sectors that rely heavily on immigration, and strengthen laws to ban businesses that exploit workers from hiring staff from abroad. the con

and we are joined by alex forsyth. where in the world is alex for site? i am in my first car park for the campaign in south wales. a big milestone. glad you are not driving. definitely not driving, safe, engine off. all according to the book. the reason you are in south wales is that is where reform uk launched their contract with the british people. and we will talk about that later on in this episode. you've chased nigel farage from car park to carp park, haven't you? this is slightly reminiscent of the 2015 election when he was the leader of... many car parts involved. i feel a familiar sense of tarmac, gravel, building, nigel farage. first, we will talk about labour. simon i notice a real rachel reeves vibe to the start of the week. she seems to be everywhere. it's no secret that labour have gone from, you know, the corbyn era to speed dating business to having a world wind at romance with business and that took a new chapter today when she met some of her british infrastructure counsel, which included the chief executives of lloyds banking group, mng

our political correspondent alex forsyth can show us around the studio. this is where all of the action is going to happen. so up on that stage there, you're going to have the host of this debate, julie etchingham from itv, and you're going to have rishi sunak and keir starmer on those two podiums. and we can take a little look around because these chairs, a little later on, are going to be filled with a live studio audience. there's going to be about 80 to 100 people, and some of the audience are going to get a chance to put their questions to the two candidates for that job of prime minister. we just need to watch our step and i will take you up here onto the stage itself, where it's all going to take place. so the way it's going to work is this is going to be the podium at which the host is going to stand. julie etchingham is going to moderate the debate. and then behind me, you will see the two podiums where you're going to have keir starmer and rishi sunak. now, you can expect those two men, clearly, they're going to have been prepping for this debat

. - and it's alex forsyth from newscast.t convert to them. where we've got some of the bbc�*s star podcasters who are the most engrossed in the election, and we've thought we'd all sit down and just chat through an issue that is important to all of us, which is the role of the media. because, let's be honest, david, actually, the way most people experience the election is either a leaflet through the door, a knock

i can't see anyone, but you can see both me and alex forsyth. — although that's only because i was sent a little picture of the two of you, just to remind me what you looked like. with you in your studio and alex in hers, and me in mine. hang on, we last saw each other on thursday — you've forgotten already? no, not forgotten, ijust like to be, you know, reassured. you know what, though, alex? what was that game you play where you have to lie in the dark, and then... i don't know what game you're talking to, adam. i'm nervous about where you're going with it. what do you think i do when i'm lying in the dark with other people? less about your weekend. no, that game when you have to, like, shout something out, but not shout over each other, but you can't see anyone else? no. — what's that game? basically, that's what this podcast is going to be like — three people who can't see each other having to talk in sequence. but the main subject, i think, chris, will be nigel farage�*s... i can't even say his name. nigel farage�*s return of his return. hi

joining me is our political correspondent alex forsyth. hi, alex. we have a development.in the last few minutes a statement from laura saunders. this is a statement that she is released to the press association. it comes from her solicitors. "as the conservative party has stated, investigations are ongoing. ms. saunders will cooperate with the gambling commission has nothing further to add. it's inappropriate to conduct any investigation via the media and doing so risks jeopardising the work of the gambling commission and the integrity of the investigation. the publication of the story and the bbc is premature and clear of infringement of her privacy rights. she's considering legal accent against the bbc. —— action." she's considering legal accent against the bbc. -- action." we're a coule of against the bbc. -- action." we're a coume of hours _ against the bbc. -- action." we're a couple of hours away. _ against the bbc. -- action." we're a couple of hours away. we'll - against the bbc. -- action." we're a couple of hours away. we'll be - couple of hours away. we'll be a

joining me is our political correspondent alex forsyth. a couple of statements on this story.ments on this sto . , ., .., ., a couple of statements on this sto . , ., ., ., ., story. the first one came from laura saunders, story. the first one came from laura saunders. you _ story. the first one came from laura saunders, you heard _ story. the first one came from laura saunders, you heard referenced. - story. the first one came from laura| saunders, you heard referenced. "as the conservative party stated, those investigations are ongoing and ms. saunders will cooperate and it's inappropriate to conduct this via the media. the publication of the bbc story is premature and is a clear infringement of ms. saunders's privacy, and she is considering legal action against the bbc." in the last five minutes, we had a statement from the bbc, responding. that statement says, "we are confident in ourjournalism. as laura sanders is a candidate, it's clearly in the public interest to report allegations made against her." i suspect it has got a bit of a way. figs her." i suspect it has got a

. - and it's alex forsyth from newscast. and just to explain what we're doing is we formed a podcasting supergroup like the travelling wilburys. you guys will remember them. i'm a recent convert to them. where we've got some of the bbc�*s star podcasters who are the most engrossed in the election, and we've thought we'd all sit down and just chat through an issue that is important to all of us, which is the role of the media. because, let's be honest, david, actually, the way most people experience the election is either a leaflet through the door, a knock on the door from a candidate, but mainly through tv, radio, newspapers, online. people, i think, sometimes forget what media is or what media means. it is obviously the mediate between the public and the politicians and their leaders. and it is, of course, flawed, but without the media, the public wouldn't know what's going on. so yeah, absolutely right. let's do this episode by different types of media. and i'm going to now take a step back because i'm one of the few non—

let's get more on what the leaders had to say — joining me is our political correspondent alex forsythwhen there is a full 30 minutes per politician, and you have a very engaged audience will stop. abs, a very engaged audience will stop. full 30 minutes per politician in front of the public, and that is what makes these events so potentially pivot —— pivotal in election campaigns. the public are speaking from their experience, that audience the network incredibly engaged and astute and were holding all of the party leaders to account for the promises made in the past and actions in the past, and quizzing them about the promises they are making now, and when you watch the whole thing, there were sticky moments for each of the party leaders, whether it be ed davey on tuition fees under liberal democrats record as part of the coalition, and rishi sunak and his record in government and can integrity and trust, and keir starmer and whether he shifted the labour party position and whether it wasjohn swinney and his pursuit of independence, tricky moments for each leader but the thing that ru

joining me is our political correspondent alex forsyth. 0ne minutes or so to go, i'm guessing — 0ne minuteseir experience. a few_ presumably though their experience. a few of _ presumably though their experience. a few of these bigger moments. there will be _ a few of these bigger moments. there will be prepping and nervous, because — will be prepping and nervous, because the stakes are high, and the thin- because the stakes are high, and the thing about— because the stakes are high, and the thing about a former like this, you don't _ thing about a former like this, you don't know— thing about a former like this, you don't know what the audience will come _ don't know what the audience will come up — don't know what the audience will come up with, lots of unknowns and it can _ come up with, lots of unknowns and it can be _ come up with, lots of unknowns and it can be unexpected moments, and at this point— it can be unexpected moments, and at this point in— it can be unexpected moments, and at this point in the campaign, the last thing _ this point in the campaign, the last thing they— this

week's politics news and to look ahead to next week's campaigning is our political correspondent to alex forsyths the big day. of this now as we head towards the bi da . �* .,. of this now as we head towards the big day-— let's i big day. brace yourselves! let's start off with — big day. brace yourselves! let's start off with the _ big day. brace yourselves! let's start off with the paper - big day. brace yourselves! let's start off with the paper that - big day. brace yourselves! let's start off with the paper that has really grabbed your attention. i think it is one that has only been on the website of this paper but potentially quite a significant interview and that is in the sun on sunday with sir keir starmer in which he says he would promise to cut migration will stop what he's talking about there is legal immigration, net migration, which last year stood at 685,000, so that is the difference between the number of people leaving the uk and coming in. keir starmersaid in the of people leaving the uk and coming in. keir starmer said in the past he thinks that number is too high and he would

_ alex forsyth, bbc news. you have 24 pages here. he talked about the costings in the standings.rties to do? this is a promise, this is what - other parties to do? this is a promise, this is what we - other parties to do? this is a promise, this is what we willj promise, this is what we will campaign over the next five years. this is what we will campaign for. i sat at the very start, we will not be in government this time around. but we are going to provide a voice of opposition and this outlines where we are going to challenge labour. 0n where we are going to challenge labour. on many of the things that we are discussing in this document, labour don't want to talk about these issues. we have laid out very clearly where we stand philosophically, adding electrically on a number of things. so, no, isee no inconsistency with that whatsoever. very different, isn't it, you will reduce net migration to tens of thousands a year in consecutive manifestos and then not even trying to achieve it. chris hope, gb news. you are here to target _ chris hope, gb news. you are here to target labo

made the point that businesses could do that when all the time, and he was quizzed on this by alex forsythst rather than a serious plan? it is a romise, rather than a serious plan? it is a promise. this _ rather than a serious plan? it is a promise, this is _ rather than a serious plan? it is a promise, this is what we - rather than a serious plan? it is a promise, this is what we will i promise, this is what we will campaign _ promise, this is what we will campaign for— promise, this is what we will campaign for over— promise, this is what we will campaign for overthe- promise, this is what we will| campaign for over the course promise, this is what we will. campaign for over the course of promise, this is what we will- campaign for over the course of the next five _ campaign for over the course of the next five years _ campaign for over the course of the next five years. i _ campaign for over the course of the next five years. i sit _ campaign for over the course of the next five years. i sit at _ campaign for over the course of the next five years. i sit at the - next five years. i sit

. >> hello , mr farage, mr tice, >> hello, mr farage, mr tice, alex forsyth, bbc news you've got 24 pagesstings, you've talked about the spending. but some of the stuff in here, a freeze on immigration and nhs waiting lists down to zero, more police officers . you accuse police officers. you accuse other parties of broken promises, but isn't this really a list of unrealistic promises , a list of unrealistic promises, a list of unrealistic promises, a wish list rather than a serious plan? aren't you doing what you accuse others of, which is chucking out a whole lot of things that sound popular and the hope you get votes that you never plan to deliver on it is a promise that this is what we're going to campaign for over the course of the next five years. >> these are the principles. these are the issues. richards talked about the way we can pay for things, but this is what we're going to campaign for. i said at the very start, we are not going to be in government this time round. but we are going to provide a voice of opposition. and this outlines where we're going to challenge labour on ma

first time they'll go head to head in this general election campaign. 0ur political correspondent alex forsythwhere it is taking place. this is where all of the action is going to happen. so up on that stage there, you're going to have the host of this debate, julie etchingham from itv, and you're going to have rishi sunak and keir starmer on those two podiums. and we can take a little look around because these chairs, a little later on, are going to be filled with a live studio audience. there's going to be about 80 to 100 people, and some of the audience are going to get a chance to put their questions to the two candidates for that job of prime minister. we just need to watch our step and i will take you up here onto the stage itself, where it's all going to take place. so the way it's going to work is this is going to be the podium at which the host is going to stand. julie etchingham is going to moderate the debate. and then behind me, you will see the two podiums where you're going to have keir starmer and rishi sunak. now, you can expect those two men, clearly, they're going to have bee