Image source, PA

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said although Labour's position on the EU "has improved since their Article 50 capitulation it still simply isn’t strong enough", following Radio 4 Today's interview with Keir Starmer.

"It's a different tone, but looks like the same Brexit," she said, following Sir Keir Starmer's interview on the Today programme earlier.

“Labour’s hollow words on access to the single market simply doesn’t stack up.

"Either they want Britain to remain a member of the single market or they don’t.

"And Labour’s reluctance to give British people a final say on the terms of any deal shows an utter disregard for democracy.

"If they trust MPs to have vote on the deal, then why not give people the choice in a ratification referendum?”

Labour's Fiona Mactaggart has explained in depth why she's standing down after twenty years as Slough's MP. 

In her first full interview since the announcement last week, Mrs Mactaggart says she's struggled to make all the changes she wants to under a ruling conservative government. She told BBC Radio Berkshire the time is right for her to leave   

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Labour would "unilaterally guarantee" the existing rights of EU citizens in the UK if elected, Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit Secretary has said. 

While accepting the UK was leaving, Sir Keir said Labour wanted a different deal prioritising jobs and work rights. He said his party wanted to change the tone of Brexit negotiations.  

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

On UKIP's proposed ban on full veils worn by some Muslim women, Mr Whittle said it was an issue that had been talked about for "many years".

"In 2010, we actually had this in our manifesto that we should ban face coverings.

"Face coverings - not, for example, the headscarf.

"Not those sorts of things, but purely the face covering because we think that is a literal barrier to integration in our society."

Read more on UKIP's proposal here.

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

Image source, EPA

It is very different to the Tory plan and there has been a very active campaign to protect EU citizens who live in the UK.

And a second referendum will not be in the party's manifesto. Labour will hope not to get bogged down in arguments over that.

Privately senior figures say it's not possible to see how you get to a second vote, logistically or politically.

But on the fairly understandable basis that in 2017 politics it is foolish to rule absolutely anything out, they can't or won't say explicitly say that under no circumstances could there ever be a second vote, or under no circumstances could we ever stay in.

Read Laura's full blog on Labour's Brexit policy

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

When asked whether UKIP leader Paul Nuttall would stand in the general election, UKIP deputy leader Peter Whittle said: "I think that Paul is still thinking about it."

On accusations that the leader locked himself in a room after a press conference yesterday and refused to answer questions, he said: "He didn’t lock himself in a room.

"He was in a press conference yesterday… then he went to the room…

"I think the thing is some people have got it in for Paul... it was a very important press announcement and people want to trivialise it.

"We had a leader Nigel Farage, an incredibly effective one.

"I’m sure Paul probably will stand. I don’t know. He is probably still thinking about it. As am I."

Natalie McGarry, who was elected as an SNP MP in 2015, confirms she will stand down at election.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

UKIP deputy leader Peter Whittle said if there was a "bad" Brexit deal "we simply walk away".

"That is what people voted for last year," he said.

He accused Labour of showing "a level of denial" and “anti-democractic spirit”.

"Because people voted quite clearly they know what they voted for...

"That we would be leaving the single market... No freedom of movement and people voted for that it’s as simple as that."

He said EU citizens already in the UK should not be used as "bargaining chips" during the negotiations.

"Of course they stay, there should not be any uncertainty," he said.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

More than half of small firms employing workers from the EU are worried that Brexit will stop them recruiting sufficiently skilled staff. That's according to the Federation of Small Business. Mike Cherry, chairman of the FSB says: "You're still going to need these mid-skilled people but also EU workers to fulfil the jobs that we aren't able to fill at the moment." 

Lord Green, chairman of Migration Watch said that special visas were already in place for EU workers with different skills. "What is really necessary is to get going and train our own people," he added.  

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Labour's shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: "We’ve said that we see that Parliament must be fully involved in the entire process.

"One of the chilling factors about this election is that the prime minster is trying to knock away any meaningful challenge.

"What we want to do is to have reporting back during the two years and a vote, which means they could reject the deal and that means the UK negotiators go back to the negotiating table.

"Now that’s difficult. I hope, because we will have built in the report back mechanism and we would have taken Parliament with us, that we wouldn’t reach this stage."

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Sir Keir Starmer accuses Theresa May of being "rigid and reckless".

He said: "We accept that unchanged single market membership is not a viable option.

"But we would want to leave the options on the table – discuss with our European colleagues the appetite for change, for revision and reform of some of the single market rules.

"I’m not pretending that’s going to be easy but do you leave your options on the table?

"Or do you take everything off the table as the prime minister has done?

"Which leaves her actually in a weak bargaining position.  She may be clear but she is rigid and she’s reckless."

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

After a flying visit to Clacton by UKIP's major financial backer Arron Banks, the new front runner, local councillor Jeff Bray, is confident of the businessman's support.

Mr Banks confirmed he would not be standing in the General Election on 8 June.

Mr Bray said he was confident he would get the financial backing Mr Banks has promised, if he were selected as the UKIP candidate when the local party holds its hustings.