PM says commitment to spending 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid will remain
Labour focuses on education, blaming the Tories for "super-sized classes"
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron says activists and donors were "flocking" to the party on the back of its anti-Brexit message
Nicola Sturgeon launches council elections manifesto as a "clear choice" between SNP and Tories
The government has ditched controversial probate fee rises ahead of the 8 June election
Voters believe Theresa May was right to call an early election, according to a poll carried out in the hours following her announcement.
Some 49% of more than 3,500 voters questioned by YouGov said the early poll was the right thing to do, against just 17% who disagreed.
Image source, Getty ImagesElection strategist Sir Lynton Crosby has been hired to run the Conservative Party's general election campaign, it is understood.
He is expected to play a leading role in the campaign alongside his colleague at CTF Partners, Mark Textor.
Sir Lynton is credited with masterminding the Tories 2015 general election victory.
He also ran both of Boris Johnson's successful London mayoral campaigns.
However, his firm faced criticism for his handling of Zac Goldsmith's failed mayoral campaign last year, which was accused of being negative.
Quote MessageI believe it is a sensible move. We need a strong and stable government not only to make a success of the Brexit process but to carry through all the other reforms the prime minister wants to make to ensure this genuinely is a country that works for everyone. Seeking a stronger mandate from the British people is a good way forward on that.
Theresa Villiers, Conservative former Northern Ireland Secretary
Radio 4 PM
David Dimbleby says it would be a 'dangerous policy' for Theresa May to avoid TV debate
David Dimbleby says it would be a "dangerous policy" for Theresa May to avoid televised leaders' debates ahead of the general election.
He told Eddie Mair on Radio 4's PM programme that it would look "odd" if other parties put up leaders but not the Conservatives.
Former Scottish First Minister and ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond confirmed his intention to stand in the election for the constituency of Gordon.
Quote MessageThis is blatant opportunism by the prime minister who is looking to take advantage of the weakness of the Labour Party to legitimise her hard-Brexit agenda and shift the entire country to the right.
Alex Salmond, Former Scottish first minister
The by-election for the Manchester Gorton seat was expected to take place on 4 May.
But with Parliament expected to be dissolved the day before, there would be no House of Commons for an MP to be elected to.
Commons Leader David Lidington said he expected the by-election to be scrapped.
He told MPs: "It is up to the judgment of the acting returning officer, whom one might expect to regard the by-election writ as having been superseded."
Manchester's returning officer Joanne Roney said she was in discussions with the government and Electoral Commission about the situation.
With a maximum of seven working days left in this parliament, the BBC's parliamentary correspondent Mark D'Arcy gives the timeline in the run-up to the snap general election.
Key dates are:
Wednesday 19 April: The debate on an early dissolution of Parliament. The other major event of the day will be PMQs.
Tuesday 2 May: The final sitting day available to the Commons and Lords.
Wednesday 3 May: Dissolution day
Thursday 4 May: Local and mayoral elections and (possibly) the Manchester Gorton by-election.
Thursday 11 May: Deadline for nominations
Monday 22 May: Deadline for registering to vote
Thursday 8 June: Polling Day
Radio 4 PM
Labour's general election co-ordinator Andrew Gwynne said his party is "aiming to form the next government".
Under questioning by Eddie Mair on Radio 4's PM programme, the MP said he had "every confidence" that Labour was "fighting to win".
Suspended Labour MP Simon Danczuk has urged Labour to reinstate him to the party before the general election.
He said his "strong track record" proves he is the "best placed person" to fight the election for the party.
He was suspended in December 2015 following allegations about his private life.
BBC political correspondent says...
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Theresa May set out her reasons for calling a snap election to Tory MPs as she addressed the backbench 1922 Committee.
One Tory source told BBC News an election gives the prime minister a more recent mandate, which would be useful going into Brexit negotiations.
The FTSE 100 saw its biggest one-day drop since the Brexit vote as the pound surged to a six-month high following the snap election announcement.
The index saw more than £45bn wiped off as it fell 2.4% to end the day at 7,147.5 points, marking its biggest one-day percentage fall since 24 June last year, when it lost 3.1%.
Radio 4 PM
Home Secretary Amber Rudd says the Conservative Party has the national interest at heart. She told Radio 4's PM programme that using a snap election to seek a greater parliamentary majority would strengthen their Brexit negotiating position.
She refuted Eddie Mair's question that with this election, Theresa May appeared to be saying that "opposing government policy is opposing the national interest".
BBC Radio 5 live tweets...
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What is a "snap" election, who is allowed to vote and how do you register to do so?
These questions, and more, are answered in our guide on what you need to know about the general election.
Theresa May has left Downing Street to head to the House of Commons, where she will address Conservative backbench MPs.
Theresa May will not be taking part in any televised debates ahead of the election, Downing Street confirms.
However, this does not mean that no debates will take place.
BBC News correspondent Chris Morris says anyone who thinks winning an election strengthens a government's hand in EU negotiations should consider Alexis Tsipras in Greece.
He writes:
Quote MessageIt didn’t work out well for the Greek prime minister and his anti-austerity campaign, and it is unlikely that it would make much difference in the Brexit negotiations to come.
Quote MessageIf the opinion polls are correct (and seven weeks is a long time in politics), a bigger Tory majority would give Theresa May a stronger and clearer negotiating mandate.
Quote MessageBut from the perspective of many in the EU, that would mean less chance of hard-line Brexiteers causing problems, rather than more chance of the UK winning greater concessions.
This handy graphic shows how Britain has changed prime minister 24 times in the past century, half of those without a general election.
Scotland's first minister also gives her views on suggestions Theresa May won't appear in televised election debates.
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