Summary

  • Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer clash repeatedly on their plans for tax and ways of controlling borders while facing audience questions in a BBC debate

  • They were challenged about integrity in politics, the cost of living and women-only spaces

  • Sunak used his 30-second closing statement to reiterate his controversial £2,000 tax claim, prompting Keir Starmer to shout “that is a lie”

  • While they exchanged barbs over the alleged betting scandal, noises and shouts were heard in the background from protests nearby

  • The debate, hosted by Mishal Husain, was one of the last major set-piece moments before polling day

Sunak v Starmer: PM candidates clash on immigration, tax and Brexit

Live Reporting

Edited by Dulcie Lee and Marita Moloney

  1. Starmer's focus today? Convincing voters he can cut knife crime

    Keir StarmerPA M

    Later this morning, we're expecting Labour leader Keir Starmer to outline how his party - if elected - will achieve their goal of halving knife crime incidents within 10 years.

    Starmer, who'll commit to chairing an annual summit to track progress, says it will be his "moral mission".

    His party wants ministers, victims and tech giants to work together to tackle the sale of weapons online.

    Other policies include guaranteed sanctions for young people carrying knifes, a programme to support people most at risk, extending the list of banned knives and a new offence of child criminal exploitation.

    Crimes involving knives or sharp instruments in England and Wales stood at 49,489 in 2023, up 7% from 46,153 in 2022.

  2. Welcome to another day on the campaign trail

    Sam Hancock
    Live page editor

    Good morning. In just nine days, polling stations will open their doors and you'll be able to cast your vote in this general election.

    Before then, though, we'll continue to see our fair share of campaigning from all the major political parties.

    Labour leader Keir Starmer will today be out and about promoting his party's mission to half knife crime in 10 years. He'll say that, if elected as prime minister, he'll chair an annual summit to track progress in the area. The Conservatives have already responded, saying Labour "consistently fail to tackle crime"

    We'll also see Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary James Cleverley and Foreign Secretary David Cameron - more on what they're up to later.

    And elsewhere, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey will also be on their respective campaign trails.

    Lots to get through - stick around for the latest developments and, of course, the all-important analysis from our political colleagues.