Summary

  • The UK goes to the polls on 12 December

  • Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn attended a vigil for the victims of Friday's London Bridge attack

  • Attacker Usman Khan was jailed in 2012 for a terror offence but released after serving half of his sentence

  • The Tories and Labour have blamed each other for policy decisions which contributed to that

  • Mr Corbyn writes to US President Donald Trump ahead of his visit saying the NHS must be off the table in trade talks

  • The Conservatives have focused on border security

  • SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon took questions from BBC listeners

  • UKIP and Sinn Fein launched their manifestos

  1. London Bridge victim 'would have been horrified at mud-slinging'published at 10:58 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Victoria Derbyshire

    Colleen Moore, from Anglia Ruskin University

    Colleen Moore, a former university tutor of Saskia Jones who was killed in the London Bridge attack, is asked what she makes of the political row over the early release of the London Bridge attacker, Usman Khan.

    "I don't want to get involved in the political discussion, I want to talk about Saskia," she replies.

    "But I know that Saskia would have been horrified by the mud-slinging and blame that seems to be at the front line of the conversation about what happened on Friday.

    "I think I'd rather talk about Saskia and how she would want us to be talking about peace and understanding."

  2. What is a 'Beveridge moment'?published at 10:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    The prime minister said he thought one was coming on social care, but what did he mean?

    Well, in 1942, economist and Liberal politician Sir William Beveridge wrote a pioneering report which led to the founding of a social security system and the NHS after the Second World War.

    In it, he declared that “a revolutionary moment in the world’s history is a time for revolutions, not patching”.

    The ideas were adopted by Clement Attlee and the Labour Party when they won the 1945 general election.

    Mr Johnson presumably believes a similar "revolutionary moment" could be nigh for social care, with a consensus emerging between political parties on the way to pay for and deliver it.

  3. IFS warning over Johnson's local government planspublished at 10:45 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Norman Smith
    Assistant political editor

    Speaking of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, this morning it has warned that Boris Johnson's plans for local government are likely to mean further cuts to social care services.

    The IFS says the extra £1bn a year announced by the Tories for local councils will fail to cover rising costs.

    They warn that even if local authorities increased council tax by 4% a year this would not keep pace with rising demand.

    Mr Johnson has suggested the £1bn extra promised to councils will ease the pressure on social care services.

    The IFS say: "The money allocated by the Conservatives would not be sufficient to meet rising costs and demands over the next parliament... this would necessitate a further retrenchment in services or unfunded top up to the plans set out."

    The prime minister yesterday suggested there was a national consensus emerging over social care and predicted "a Beveridge moment”.

  4. Listen back: Nicola Sturgeon Q&Apublished at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Nicola Sturgeon and Nicky Campbell

    SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon answered questions earlier from listeners on BBC Radio 5 Live, in a special phone in hosted by Nicky Campbell.

    Topics included indyref2, the NHS, fishing policy, the BBC and climate change.

    If you missed it, click here to listen on BBC Sounds.

  5. What shapes a vote in Northern Ireland?published at 10:36 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    We're expecting the Sinn Fein manifesto to be launched shortly - the last of the party's in Northern Ireland.

    Read our guide to the election in Northern Ireland and check out the video below which looks at some of the key issues for voters there.

    Media caption,

    What shapes a vote in Northern Ireland?

  6. In pictures: Corbyn promoting rail fare pledgepublished at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn leafleting outside Finsbury Park station, London, whilst on the General Election campaign trail.Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    As we said, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been outside Finsbury Park station in London this morning, spreading news of his party's rail fare policy.

    Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn (centre) leafleting outside Finsbury Park station, London, whilst on the General Election campaign trail.Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The party says it would cost £1.5bn per year and come from money the Conservatives have earmarked for roads.

  7. Terrorists should complete 'significant proportion' of sentences - Corbynpublished at 10:18 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    As mentioned, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will attend this morning's vigil for the victims of the London Bridge attack.

    He spoke earlier at an election campaign event on rail fares about punishment for those convicted of terrorism offences - given that the perpetrator of Friday's attack had been released from prison in December 2018 after serving half of his sentence for such an offence.

    Mr Corbyn said convicted terrorists should only be released after completing a "significant proportion" of their jail sentences, and after they've been rehabilitated so they present no threat to the public. They should also remain under strict supervision, he added.

    The Labour leader continued: "There are enormous questions to be learned from this terrible event that happened last week and that is, what happened in the prison with this particular individual, what assessment was made of his psychological condition before he was released and also what supervision and monitoring he was under after coming out?"

  8. Latest headlinespublished at 10:10 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    What's happening so far this morning?

    A quick run-down:

    • Nicola Sturgeon has been answering questions from BBC listeners. She urged voters in Scotland to back the SNP to prevent Boris Johnson getting a majority. She was also pushed over rates of crime and drug abuse in Scotland and her party's commitments on climate change
    • Labour is promising to slash rail fares at a cost of £1.5bn a year. Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald says the move is vital to encourage greater use of public transport, but won't say whether planned road upgrades would be axed in order to redirect the money towards rail
    • The Tories are focusing on moves they say would tighten up security at the UK's borders - including automated exit and entrance checks. It's worth noting that successive UK governments have attempted to introduce a more reliable system for counting people in and out of the country, with limited success.
    • Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn will both attend a vigil for those killed and injured in Friday's terror attack in London shortly
    • The row continues after that attack about the degree to which political decisions led to the perpetrator being out of prison
    • Elsewhere on Monday, we'll have the final two manifesto launches of the election - UKIP and Sinn Fein
  9. Sturgeon wraps up - Farage on Tuesdaypublished at 10:07 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Nicola Sturgeon has now wrapped up her Q&A - here are a couple more clips in case you'd like to listen back.

    Next up for a Nicky Campbell grilling on 5 Live and the News Channel is Nigel Farage tomorrow morning.

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  10. Sturgeon: Common Fisheries Policy should be reformedpublished at 10:02 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Nicola Sturgeon

    SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon faces another question about whether an independent Scotland would remain in the EU's Common Fisheries Policy.

    Brexiteers argue that leaving the EU would allow the UK greater control over howit fishes in its own waters.

    "The SNP's argued against the Common Fisheries Policy almost for the entirety of its existence," Ms Sturgeon replies.

    "We do believe it is important to have greater control over Scottish waters."

    But she adds that she believes "the fishing industry and the fishing communities are being in many respects sold a con by the Conservatives" over Brexit.

    "Because yes, control over our waters and being able to land more fish is important, but being able to process the fish is important, and having the people to work in the fish processes - many of whom come from other European countries - and having the markets into sell those fish is important as well."

    She says she believes the Common Fisheries Policy "should be fundamentally changed and reformed".

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  11. Lib Dems promise mental health investmentpublished at 10:00 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Luciana BergerImage source, PA Media

    The Liberal Democrats have pledged to invest an additional £11bn over five years into transforming mental health services.

    The party says it would make prescriptions for people with chronic mental health conditions available for free on the NHS, improve access to talking therapies, and offer more mental health support for new mothers.

    The party has also pledged to improve mental health support in schools.

    Luciana Berger, the party's health spokeswoman, said: "Too many people are struggling with their mental health and aren't receiving the support they need."

    She accused the Conservatives of failing to make mental health a priority - in years gone by and in their current manifesto.

    What do the other parties say?

    Well, Labour wants to "improve access to psychological therapies" with crises services being available 24/7 - something echoed in the Plaid Cymru manifesto.

    The Green Party wants to "ensure" everyone who needs therapies can get them within 28 days, instead of the months it can take in some areas.

    Conservatives talk about patients having greater control over their treatment.

  12. Sturgeon on trans rights and feminismpublished at 09:57 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    The next question for the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon comes from Ben, in London, who asks: "How can the SNP ensure the safety and well-being of trans and non-binary identites in an independent Scotland?"

    "I'm a big supporter of trans rights," she replies. "I've had so many conversations with young trans-people which convince me we have to tackle that stigma and transphobia."

    Questioned over her party's proposed reform of the Gender Recognition Act, she adds: "I am a supporter of trans rights, I'm a supporter of women's rights and it's incumbent on people like me to demonstrate those two things needn't be in tension.

    "I'm a lifelong feminist, I would not be proposing something that would be trampling over women's rights."

    The proposed reforms of the Gender Recognition Act would make it easier for people to change their legally recognised gender.

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  13. Sturgeon: Corbyn 'anything but' a man of principlepublished at 09:54 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Nicola Sturgeon

    Nicola Sturgeon says she wants to "plead the Fifth" when asked who she'd vote for between Labour and the Lib Dems.

    But she critcisises Jeremy Corbyn, rejecting the idea that he's a man of principle.

    "This man of principle has actually been showing to be anything but on many issues."

    She says the fact he has campaigned against Trident - but now the Labour manifesto says it would be renewed.

    He "won't even tell us whether he would vote Leave or Remain," she adds.

    Ms Sturgeon also criticises the Lib Dem record during the coalition government years.

  14. Sturgeon: Thank you for being an immigrant in Scotlandpublished at 09:45 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Sturgeon

    The next question comes from Raj, in Glasgow, who describes himself as an immigrant and asks "how will I be impacted" in Scotland after Brexit?

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon replies: "Thank you for being an immigrant living in Scotland.

    "Everybody who chooses to come to Scotland to make a contribution to our country does us a huge honour. I think we should be hugely grateful for that."

    She says she hopes Brexit does not adversely affect him because she wants people to stay and continue to make that contribution.

    "I do fear the impact of Brexit on the reputation of the UK as a welcoming place," she adds, and says the UK government's desire to reduce immigration has "big implications" for Scotland.

    Check out our piece on the 12 key SNP manifesto pledges, including a desire to devolve control over immigration to the Scottish Parliament "so Scotland can have a migration system that works for its economy and society".

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  15. Sturgeon: It's better to have strict NHS targetspublished at 09:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Nicola Sturgeon

    The next question comes from Sheila, who asks Nicola Sturgeon what she would do to improve staffing in the NHS.

    "The NHS is under pressure, it's under pressure in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland," she says.

    She says she is investing in the NHS in Scotland, where more is spent per head of the population.

    But isn't that because Scotland receives more per head, the presenter challenges her.

    "We choose to invest," she replies. "We've reformed the tax system so we can invest more."

    Ms Sturgeon is further asked about nurse vacancies, and says Scotland never abolished the nurse bursary which she think was a "good thing to do".

    Are NHS targets too ambitious? "No... you've got to aim high and working to meet those targets.

    "Interestingly, in England the debate is whether we should abolish these targets... but I think it's better we have strict targets in place that we're working to meet."

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  16. Terror attack survivors call for cross-party actionpublished at 09:36 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    More than 70 survivors of terror attacks have called for a “Survivors’ Charter” to be agreed by all political parties whoever wins the general election.

    In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the survivors say they are “sick of promises that never materialise”.

    These include “promises to look after victims who then face months of delay for mental health support or years of waiting for compensation”.

    The signatories include survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing, 7/7, the 2017 attacks on London Bridge and Westminster Bridge, the Bataclan bombing in Paris and the massacre of holidaymakers in Tunisia in 2015.

    The letter says that there should be cross-party action to "guarantee basic rights and services for survivors."

    They are also demanding that the new government supports "Martyn’s Law", named after Martyn Hett who died in the Manchester bombing. This would oblige venues to have in place a basic security plan to guard against future attacks.

    The letter also calls on the public not to share footage of attacks or views of the attackers, and the media to treat survivors more sensitively.

  17. Could public transport be made cheaper?published at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Commuters on the TubeImage source, Getty Images

    Away from Nicola Sturgeon's Q&A for a moment, as part of our efforts to make sense of this election, the BBC has done a Q&A of our own on transport and infrastructure.

    Read it here - questions include, where do the parties stand on airport expansion, HS2 and public transport subsidies?

    Rail transport, in particular, is a campaign talking point today given Labour's pledges.

  18. Sturgeon: 'Institutional issue' with BBC in independence referendumpublished at 09:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    Sturgeon

    Nicola Sturgeon is asked by one listener who would Scotland have as a head of state if it went independent?

    "The Queen, it's the policy of the SNP," she replies. "I think the Queen does an absolutely fantastic job," she adds.

    She's asked another quickfire question from someone on Twitter - how biased is the BBC?

    "I don't think BBC journalists are biased," she replies. "I think in the independence referendum there was an institutional issue with the BBC almost... it felt sometimes that the BBC was on one side of the debate.

    "But that's then, I hope things have moved on from that," she adds.

    Pressed on the question, Ms Sturgeon says she does not mean BBC Scotland but remembers doing interviews with some of the network correspondents and it was "almost as if they haven' been keeping up".

    She says she had "a sense that the BBC, given its status, felt that its own future was somehow caught up in the independence referendum", but adds she does not feel it is "seemly" for politicians to spend their time criticising the media.

  19. Sturgeon: Independent Scotland 'would have more MEPs'published at 09:28 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2019

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    The next question for Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon comes from Finlay, in Carlisle, who asks how being in the EU would benefit an independent Scotland? In particular, he points to the fact that Scotland has just six MEPs - there are 750 in total.

    "An independent Scotland would have more MEPs than we do just now, based on countries of similar size," replies Ms Sturgeon.

    She is asked whether she has spoken to Angela Merkel about the prospect of an independent Scotland joining the EU - Ms Sturgeon says she hasn't.