Image source, Reuters

Film director Ken Loach has warned that Britain's housing crisis is worse now than a half century ago when the issue was thrust into the limelight by his gritty TV play. The veteran film-maker said the situation British families still found themselves in, generations after 1966's seminal Cathy Come Home, was "a disgrace". He received a rapturous reception at a rally which brought thousands of campaigners to London to demand action on the issue. The Homes For Britain event sought pledges that whoever forms the next government will deliver a long-term plan within a year to resolve the crisis before another generation passes.

The broadcasters have just issued a joint statement on their TV debates proposals. It reads: "In recent days the broadcasters have had detailed discussions with a number of the parties with the aim of delivering impartial debates and other programmes in the run up to the general election.

"We welcome David Cameron's willingness to participate in the first TV debate on 2 April.

"The broadcasters are continuing to work with all the political parties on programmes scheduled for 26 March, 16 April and 30 April."

In other news, a senior MP has warned that Britain and the United States's handling of Guantanamo Bay detainees is increasing the risk of terrorism and legitimising barbarous behaviour. David Davis insisted the standards for which millions died to protect in the 20th century have been betrayed since the 9/11 terror attacks, as he joined MPs in pressing for the release of the last British resident - Shaker Aamer - at the notorious US military prison. The former Foreign Office minister added the behaviour of Western countries had essentially been what "al-Qaida would have liked us to have done".

Politics Live reader Graeme Lowe writes:

One seven-way debate is enough. We should find out far more about the various leaders from in depth, Paxman-style interviews than we ever would do from debates. I still remember how Alex Salmond bullied Alistair Darling in the second TV debate on Scottish independence. It was not an edifying sight and was, if anything, misleading. I hope everyone sees sense and buys into the newly proposed formula.

Do you agree? Email us politics@bbc.co.uk or tweet @bbcpolitics, external

Daily and Sunday Politics

Another recap from earlier. UKIP's leader says he "probably will win" the Thanet South seat at the general election "but there is no complacency from me at all." Asked if the party could carry on without him, Nigel Farage claims UKIP is "a lot more than me". And speaking of his own reputation, he told Jo Coburn: "What you see is what you get. If people like it then, that's great, and if they don't, well, tough." Watch a clip from the interview

Danny Shaw
Home affairs correspondent, BBC News

A bit more from our home affairs correspondent on Theresa May's appearance at the Home Affairs Select Committee earlier:

The home secretary has said that she "hopes and expects" that people who give evidence about child abuse to the public inquiry will not be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). Mrs May said she had written to the chair of the inquiry, Justice Lowell Goddard, suggesting that witnesses should be given immunity from prosecution. She also made clear that public officials should be able to report allegations of abuse or cover-up to the police without facing the prospect of prosecution under the OSA.

James Landale
Deputy Political Editor, BBC News

The prime minister may have been "a touch premature" with his announcement that a deal had been reached with the broadcasters. The broadcasters say this [the series of new proposals] was a proposal that was being discussed. If agreements are not reached soon then it is possible these debates will not happen.

Tweets, external: Cracking to speak at enthusiastic, determined @HomesforBritain rally. Build council housing, regulate private rented sector, land value tax!

Tweets, external: #homesforbritain rally v left-wing. Shapps got v cold response.Hillary Benn warmly received despite Labour's failure to build when in office

Have David Cameron's team changed their mind on his "final offer" on the TV debates? Here's what Downing Street head of communications Craig Oliver wrote to broadcasters on 5 March:

"In order to cut through this chaotic situation I am willing to make the following proposal: There should be one 90-minute debate between seven party leaders before the short campaign."

He added: "In order for it to be organised in time, the debate should take place during the week beginning March 23. I will make myself available to negotiate the details. Having been the editor of numerous broadcast news and current affairs programmes, I know this is ample time to organise a programme.

"This is our final offer, and to be clear, given the fact this has been a deeply unsatisfactory process and we are within a month of the short campaign, the prime minister will not be participating in more than one debate."

Today's offer from prime minister would see a seven-party debate on 2 April.

tweets, external: Either Cameron has turned an exploratory talk into formal offer, or BBC struck private deal with Tories ahead of talking to other parties

Image source, Reuters

Nigel Farage has told the BBC those who can afford private healthcare should use it. The UKIP leader said it would "relieve the pressure" on NHS services. Mr Farage dismissed fears this would create a "two tier" system in the NHS, saying there was already one. But he said it was his personal view - not party policy. More here.

Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps has spoken about revelations he continued to work as 'Michael Green' and run a business while working as an MP - and later denying he had ever held a second job when in Parliament.

Mr Shapps was speaking earlier outside Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. He said the story from yesterday is the "same old stuff, a typical Labour attack".

He stopped to answer a question about his lawyers threatening one of his constituents, Dean Archer, with legal action over a Facebook post which accused Mr Shapps of dishonesty in continuing to work as 'Michael Green' while an MP. Mr Shapps said: "Dean Archer is a Labour councillor who had to resign because he wasn't actually representing his constituents, who wrote things which were defamatory, and I invited him to take them down which he did. The only point other than that is the timetable which we've already talked about."

Here's where we are at with the TV debates at the moment:

• David Cameron says he has accepted an offer to take part in one seven-way TV debate at the beginning of April

• The PM says broadcasters put forward a "formal offer" for a new format of TV programmes for the election, which included one televised debate

• But Labour says it still backs the original plan for three debates

• "The latest proposals" are welcome by the Lib Dems

• A UKIP spokesman says the only proposal they knew of was for three debates, two involving them

• Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, says Mr Cameron's offer is an "inevitable climbdown"

We'll bring you the latest, including any clarification from the broadcasters, when we get it.

A UKIP spokesman has said on today's TV debates developments: "The only proposal that we are aware of from the broadcasters was for three debates - two of which UKIP were invited to. We intend to turn up for those two debates."

BBC News Channel

Speaking at 10 Downing Street, David Cameron said: "There was a formal offer of a set of television programmes including a televised debate, put together by the broadcasters led by the BBC. As Prime Minister, I accepted that deal in full."

He added: "This was an offer put together by the broadcasters, accepted by me on Saturday. The other parties have now got to stop running away from this and agree to the debate that the broadcasters have now suggested."

Image source, Getty Images

Conservatives sources have said the following programmes were put to the Conservatives as a formal offer from the broadcasters at the weekend:

• 26 March - Channel 4/Sky programme, prime minister in front of an audience, and then Ed Miliband in front of an audience

• 2 April - only seven-way debate - to be broadcast by ITV

• 16 April - Challengers programme (everyone BUT Cameron and Miliband)

• 30 April - Rotating "Question Time" style broadcast by BBC 30 mins with each of the three party leaders - Cameron, Miliband and Clegg

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon on the TV debates: "While it is welcome that David Cameron has accepted his position was indefensible and agreed to debate during the campaign period - abandoning his arrogant 'final offer' - he should sign up to the full programme of debates that is on the table.

"I will debate David Cameron any time, anywhere, and on any number of occasions - but a Tory Prime Minister simply cannot be allowed to dictate terms to everyone else."

The Spectator's political editor James Forsyth, external says that as well as one debate, a series of "election specials" involving the party leaders has been proposed during the campaign. This would see David Cameron and Ed Miliband interviewed by Jeremy Paxman and then questioned by a studio audience in a Sky/Channel 4 special on 26 March, an event in which the two men would not share the stage. On 16 April there would be a "challengers" special involving the SNP, UKIP, Plaid and the Greens and finally, on 30 April, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg would each have separate half hours in a Question Time-style BBC event with David Dimbleby.

That's all from Theresa May at the home affairs select committee. Keith Vaz thanks the home secretary for appearing.