Image source, Getty Images

With all the flurry around the general election on 8 June, let's not forget some voters are also being asked to go to the polls for local elections in May.

Elections will be held in 34 councils in England, all 32 councils in Scotland and all 22 councils in Wales on 4 May 2017.  

In addition, six areas in England are voting for newly-created "combined local authority mayors".  

Here's a full guide to what's taking place where.

Some of the "crazier ideas" on Brexit seem to be receding, says the European agriculture commissioner.

Brexit is a major issue at the UK general election.

Here's what we know so far about where the main parties across Britain stand.

Read the full story

Image source, Reuters

Max the cat was only 14, so he may not have been allowed into the polling station...

House of Lords
Parliament

Leader of the Lords Baroness Evans of Bowes Park pays tribute to outgoing Clerk of the Parliaments, Sir David Beamish, who held a number of positions in Parliament during a long career.

"All sides of the Houxe will agree that over 42 years, Sir David served with great distinction," she says.

She adds that Sir David won Mastermind in 1988 "with Nancy Astor as his specialist subject".

Where do the Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems have to fight hardest to win the general election?

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

The Conservatives have signed up a US campaign guru to help them fight the election, a senior Tory source has told the Press Association. 

Jim Messina worked as deputy chief of staff for Barack Obama and also helped David Cameron win the 2015 general election.

However, he also worked for the less successful campaign to stay in the EU.

PA says he is recognised as a leading expert in digital communications and the use of data to identify voters.

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

Senior backbencher John Redwood has called for the Conservative high command to make an "honest" low tax commitment in the forthcoming General Election manifesto, which retains the "same impact" on taxation as at present. 

Speaking to Martha Kearney on Radio 4's The World at One, the MP said he wanted Theresa May to ensure the "spirit of lower taxes" was "throughout the manifesto".  

Victoria Derbyshire

The assistant secretary general for the Muslim Council of Wales, Sahar Al-Faifi, has defended wearing a face veil, saying it is an "act of worship".

UKIP has pledged to ban burkas or niqabs because they are a "potent symbol of female oppression" and a "security risk". Ms Al-Faifi, who has worn a niqab since she was 14, said it was a "false narrative" to suggest a face veil was a security threat.

Speaking to the Victoria Derbyshire show, she said: "It suits the context that we live to demonise and scapegoat minorities and the easiest target for that is the Muslim woman."

She said empowering Muslim women should involve supporting their right to "express their faith in the way they want"

House of Lords
Parliament

The day in the Lords begins with tributes to the Clerk of the Parliaments,, external Sir David Beamish.

In December, Sir David announced his intention to step down from the position as the most senior official in the House of Lords.

He will be succeeded by Edward Ollard,, external who has served as Clerk Assistant.

As a result, everybody moves up one place, as former Reading Clerk Simon Burton becomes Clerk Assistant and Jake Vaughan becomes Reading Clerk.

These tributes and announcements will be followed by the usual question session with government ministers.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, AFP

It's the last week before Parliament dissolves for the election, and MPs start at 2.30pm with questions to communities and local government ministers. 

That will be followed by an urgent question from Labour's Sue Hayman on the government's air quality strategy. 

Then MPs will debate a motion which sets out how remaining business will be brought to a close before dissolution, before all stages of the Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointments and Regional Rates) Bill, which sets a regional rate and allows a new executive to be formed.  

The adjournment debate is from Conservative Richard Drax on keeping primates as pets.