Summary

  • The leaders of seven UK parties took part in a two-hour live televised election debate

  • It was the only debate of the campaign which will feature David Cameron and Ed Miliband

  • They clashed on a range of issues including the NHS, immigration and the deficit

  • Snap polls taken afterwards gave differing verdicts on the winner

  • There are 35 days until the general election

Live Reporting

Tom Moseley, Andrew McFarlane and Bernadette McCague

  1. Pic: Ed Miliband

    Ed MilibandITV

  2. Columnist and broadcaster Iain Dale

    @IainDale

    Tweets:

    Opening statement verdict: Farage and Sturgeon 8 out of 10, the winners. #leadersdebate

  3. 'Balanced' plan

    The Lib Dems will cut less than the Conservatives and borrow less than Labour, says Nick Clegg. David Cameron says the Conservative plan offers "balance". Savings will represent £1 out of every £100 of government spending, he says. The PM states his opposition to putting up taxes to balance the books.

  4. Matthew d'Ancona, Guardian columnist

    @MatthewdAncona

    Tweets:

    'Let's not go back to square one: Britain can do so much better than that' - Dave half-inches Ed's line #leaderdebate

  5. First question

    The first question is about how the leaders will cut the deficit while protecting public services.

  6. Is the UK the fastest growing economy?

    Reality Check

    David Cameron says the UK has the fastest growing economy of any major Western country.

    The IMF economic forecasts from January 2015 said that the UK grew by 2.6% in 2014. That was more than other major western economies including the US (forecast to grow at 2.4%), Canada (2.4%) and Germany (1.5%). It grew less than China and India, which grew at 7.4% and 5% respectively. That is why the government doesn’t say the UK economy grew faster than any other economy.

    Reality Check analysed a similar claim here.

  7. Ed Miliband

    Ed Miliband lists a string of things he would do if he is prime minister. They include banning exploitative "zero hours" contracts and "saving" the NHS.

  8. Tonight's format

    Leaders' debateITV

    Host Julie Etchingham explains that the leaders will now face questions from the audience.

  9. Leanne Wood

    In a hung Parliament, Plaid Cymru can "win for Wales" says Leanne Wood.

  10. David Cameron

    The prime minister's turn: The economic plan is working, David Cameron says. "Let's not go back to square one, Britain can do so much better than that," he adds.

  11. Are most of our laws made somewhere else?

    Reality Check

    Nigel Farage says most of our laws are made elsewhere.

    This House of Commons paper from 29 January 2015 provided figures for Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments (SIs) from 1993 to 2014, which implemented or referred to UK obligations under EU law.

    It found that 9.7% of acts and 12.9% of SIs were linked to implementation of EU obligations. Put together, 12.8% of acts and SIs were EU-related.

  12. Brianna Bethany

    @Brianna_Bethany

    Tweets:

    30 seconds is all it took nigel to say europe #GE2015 #leadersdebate

  13. Nicola Sturgeon

    Nicola Sturgeon says the SNP will work with other "parties of like mind" to end the "bedroom tax" and protect the NHS.

  14. Nick Clegg

    Nick Clegg says no party will win the election outright and says he won't pretend he's not made mistakes. His Liberal Democrats offer "grit", he adds.

  15. Nigel FarageITV

  16. Nigel Farage

    Nigel Farage starts by pointing out that the other six panelists all support Britain's EU membership. He says he wants to "take back control of our borders".

  17. 'Principles first'

    "You all deserve better. Let's put principles and values first," Ms Bennett says. She promises to clamp down on bankers' bonuses and tackle climate change.

  18. Robert H

    @scottishphoenix

    Tweets:

    Here we go! It's either gonna be a breakthrough or a brilliant political bunfight! 😁 #GE2015 #leadersdebate

  19. Pic: Scene of the debate

    The leaders on setITV

  20. Opening statements

    And we're off. First up with her introductory remarks is Green Party leader Natalie Bennett.