Cabinet minister Michael Gove is to stand down at the election he has announced
Gove says he supports Rishi Sunak to return as PM, but it's time for a new generation to lead
Around one in five MPs say they are stepping down ahead of the general election on 4 July
More than 70 Conservative MPs will not be seeking re-election, along with more than 20 from Labour and nine from the SNP
On day two of the election campaign, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Northern Ireland while Labour leader Keir Starmer launched his party's Scottish campaign
Sunak says a fall in the energy price cap is another sign the economy has "turned a corner"
But Starmer tells an event in Glasgow that only Labour can "stop the chaos"
Speaking to the BBC earlier, Starmer said his party is only making commitments they "know they can fulfil"
And on abolishing tuition fees - which he backed when running for Labour leader - he said he can't, because cutting NHS waiting lists is the priority
Sunak is then asked if his party is a tax-raising government.
He says his legacy as chancellor was "to make sure we got UK through one of difficult periods in history", in reference to the pandemic.
He says we've cut taxes by £900 and says Labour opposes tax cuts.
Sunak is asked specifically about the Tories' pledge to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.
He says yes, they will be built by 2030.
He adds “we are fully committed” to the 40 hospitals pledge and that he thinks the "majority" have planning permissions.
There are “spades in the ground”, he tells viewers.
People are only “starting to feel” the benefits of the changes the Conservatives have brought to the economy, Sunak says.
He says it has been an “incredibly tough” few years, pointing to the Covid pandemic, war in Ukraine and its impact on energy bills.
“That’s not going to magically change overnight”, he adds, emphasising the government is making “progress”.
Now, a question on an issue that's considered a central pillar of the prime minister's agenda: illegal immigration.
He’s being asked about record numbers around illegal channel crossings in specific months.
Sunak pushes back, and points to figures from the entirety of last year, where he says the numbers were down by around a third.
He also talks about working with French authorities in the Channel and the deal his government made with Albania.
Sunak is asked about the Rwanda scheme and when the first flight is due to depart for Kigali - to which he replies: "July."
Image source, .Sunak is asked if the real reason he chose to hold an election is that he's concerned that inflation might rise and migration figures may worsen later in the year.
Sunak says this isn't the case and that people are just beginning to feel the benefits of an improving economy, particularly on inflation.
The reality is that progress and stability is returning and "I'm the one prepared to take bold action", he adds.
Tories can deliver a secure future - Rishi Sunak
Sunak then pivots to talking about how he views the world is in a “more uncertain place” than it has been in decades.
He then says that he believes the Conservatives have the “right plan” and are the only ones capable of delivering on "security".
Sunak starts by saying it's "certainly drier" than his speech yesterday.
He says the Tories have restored economy stability with energy bills coming down.
"Now is the right moment to build on the progress," he says.
Rishi Sunak is on BBC Breakfast now. Stay with us as we bring you all the latest lines from the prime minister - and watch live by pressing play at the top of the page.
Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent
This is going to be a presidential-style campaign.
We know that because Rishi Sunak made much in his speech about the fact that on 5 July either he or Sir Keir Starmer will be prime minister.
But the other notable thing is that it’s Sunak who is facing the media today, on day one.
That’s a little unusual — but tells a story. This is his gamble. And his attempt to make it work.
Rishi Sunak is due on BBC Breakfast very soon - while we wait, here are some lines from his first interview of the day with GB News.
"After a difficult few years, I am pleased that economic stability is now returning to the country," he says, adding the economy has "turned a corner".
He says the choice at the general election is "who has got the boldest ideas, the clearest plan, to provide a secure future for you and your family".
We'll have more from the prime minister when he appears on BBC Breakfast very soon - as a reminder, you can watch by clicking the first play button at the top of the page.
Image source, PA MediaLater this morning, we'll be hearing from the prime minister.
But for now, BBC Breakfast has just been hearing from one of the smaller parties, the Green Party, which currently holds one seat in the Commons.
And Caroline Lucas - keeping that seat warm - has previously announced plans to stand down at the next general election.
Carla Denyer, Green Party co-leader, says the focus ahead of 4 July is going to be on securing “a handful of seats" where their chances are good - "including in my home city of Bristol”.
“It’s clear that Sunak knows absolutely that the Tories are out at the next general election, and he’s just trying to make the best of a bad situation," Denyer adds.
When a general election campaign kicks off, there's still some tying up of loose ends that needs to take place.
Helpfully, BBC Breakfast has just spoken to Hannah White, the chief executive of the Institute for Government, about what those next steps are:
Chris Mason
Political editor
The general election is on - it will soon be over to you.
For weeks there had been a growing expectation the election would be held in the autumn, giving the prime minister at least two years in office and giving the economic outlook a greater opportunity to improve.
But decisions can be on a knife edge - and there have been those pushing Rishi Sunak to go sooner.
Those making that argument felt that things might not improve much and that the perceived desire of the electorate to be given a say soon might risk making any Conservative defeat worse if the appointment with voters was pushed back.
In other words, do it now or it could get worse.
The prime minister can also point to at least some of his objectives being fulfilled, or seemingly en route to being fulfilled.
Wednesday's inflation number can be chalked up as a success.
The wider economic picture appears a little brighter too. Then there is the plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
It hasn't happened yet but it would appear flights could be imminent, perhaps even during the election campaign, although the claim that it will act as a deterrent will not be tested before polling day.
Image source, ReutersRishi Sunak held his first general election rally last night, just hours after his rain-soaked Downing Street speech.
Sunak appeared at east London’s ExCel Centre, flanked by his wife Akshata Murty, most of his cabinet ministers and around 100 party members.
“Labour want you to think this election is over before it’s even begun," Sunak said, after being introduced by Home Secretary James Cleverly.
“But we are going to fight. We are going to fight every day for our values and our vision.”
Image source, ReutersSunak's wife, Akshata Murty, attended the rally
Nick Eardley
Political correspondent
Good morning from St Pancras train station in central London. It’s early morning on the first full day of the general election campaign - and we’re on the road already.
Leaders will spend the next six weeks travelling around the UK selling themselves and their visions to the country.
I’m going to spend the day following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He has a bit of a head start in this campaign. He was the one who called the election, so he’s had a bit more time to plan the first few days.
Let’s just say his schedule looks busy (which means mine does too).
Labour — and all the other parties — knew a general election could come at any time. They’ve all said they are ready.
I can tell you with absolute certainty as I jump on a train, you are going to see a lot from politicians dotting around the UK in the next six weeks.
Andre Rhoden-Paul
Live reporter
Images of the prime minister in the pouring rain covers nearly all national newspapers
As you'd expect, Sunak announcing the election dominates Thursday's front pages.
Many newspaper headlines describe the prime minister's 4 July date as a gamble, as Conservatives trail Labour in opinion polls.
A former Tory minister is quoted in the Financial Times describing the move as "bonkers", while the Daily Mail reports Michael Gove told the prime minister "you dared and you will win".
The Daily Telegraph makes light of a protester blasting Labour anthem Things Can Only Get Better during Sunak's speech in the pouring rain with the headline "things can only get wetter". However, its front page analysis piece declares, "If Sir Keir Starmer becomes prime minister things can only get worse."
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror writes "drown and out", splashing (sorry) on a picture of Sunak's drenched back.
There will be political battles across the country and not just between the two main parties, Labour and the Conservatives.
Leaders of other big parties have given their reaction to the general election. Let’s bring you a flavour of what they have said:
Here are some key dates as we build up to this general election in six weeks' time:
Image source, EPAKing Charles III and Queen Camilla travelling down the Mall by royal carriage for the State Opening of Parliament in November 2023
Katy Scott
BBC Scotland news
SNP: Disrespectful to have election in school holidays, says Swinney
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney says the decision to hold a general election as Scottish schools begin their summer break is the "latest act of disrespect" from the UK government.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the poll would be held on 4 July.
Swinney said that holding the vote in the first week of the holidays showed the impact on Scots would "not have been given a moment's thought".
New Westminster constituency boundary changes also mean that Scottish voters will now return 57 MPs, down from 59 at the last election.
Swinney, who became leader of the SNP earlier this month, said the Conservative government had done "enormous damage" to Scotland.
He added: "Scotland is protected by the SNP. If you vote for the SNP, you vote for a party that's going to put Scotland first."
Harry Farley
Political correspondent
As of Friday, Parliament will not be sitting. MPs will go back to their constituencies and campaigning begins in full.
But there are an awful lot of laws currently making their way through parliament. So what happens to them? We are expecting an announcement to confirm which bills will be debated in the time that remains.
Some like the Finance Bill, which includes tax measures the government announced in the Budget, have to pass. So that will take up some time.
Right now there are lots of questions about what will happen to the promised compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal.
Penny Mordaunt, the government minister who sets the business in the House of Commons, told MPs earlier she wanted to reassure people “the sentiments that have been expressed at this despatch box earlier this week still stand and I think all parties want that and other important legislation to get through”.
There seems to be goodwill from both main parties in making sure the infected blood compensation happens.
But on other laws going through parliament – like on renters reform, leaseholders reform, and criminal justice – there are big questions over whether they will get through before the end of Friday. We expect to find out from Mordaunt shortly.