Parties trade blows in seven-way debate after Labour launches 'wealth manifesto'

1. Labour launches its manifesto for the 4 July general election, focusing on economic growth and "stability"
2. Party leader Keir Starmer says that wealth creation is the "number one priority", adding that Labour promises "stability over chaos" and "an end to the desperate era of gestures and gimmicks"
3. He says Labour will not raise personal tax rates - the manifesto includes plans to raise £8bn, including through VAT on private school fees, closing loopholes, and a windfall tax on oil and gas
4. Rishi Sunak says Labour’s manifesto "would mean the highest taxes in history" and says the party is asking the country for a "blank cheque"
5. Before Labour, Plaid Cymru launched its manifesto, with a focus on "fairer" funding for Wales
6. Later senior figures from the Tories, Labour, SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Reform take part in a seven-way ITV election debate
7. The parties clash over the NHS, education and immigration, with the economy and Brexit also on the agenda

Tory tax cuts: 'Battle lines drawn' or an 'implausible giveaway'?

BBC

Time for a look at what's making today's front pages - most which lead on the Conservative election manifesto launch.

According to the Guardian, several think tanks are questioning the detail of his plan for a "£17bn tax giveaway", with the paper quoting the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), saying the package would be "paid for by uncertain, unspecific and apparently victimless savings".

The Times picks up on Rishi Sunak's warning to wavering Tory voters, that opting for Reform or the Liberal Democrats would hand power to Labour - but the paper's opinion column is not enthusiastic about the speech at Silverstone.

The Sun takes a more positive slant on the launch, declaring: "The battle lines are drawn - a Tory party promising tax cuts versus a Labour Party which refuses to do the same." The paper commends the PM for being honest about what it calls the Tories' "patchy record".

You can read a full review of Wednesday's newspapers here

Labour pledges to fix a million potholes a year in England

BBC

A day before the full manifesto launch, the Labour Party has unveiled a new pledge to fix one million potholes every year in England.

The party claimed last year pothole damage cost drivers £500m with the average damage costing £250.

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh accused the government of failing drivers.

Under the proposals, Labour said it would fund councils to improve the condition of roads and reduce planning barriers to ensure upgrades to infrastructure are delivered on time and budget.

In response, a Conservative spokesman cited policies like blanket 20mph speed limits in Labour-run areas, and the expansion of London's ultra-low emissions zone.

"Labour continues to sacrifice motorists for their eco zealot agenda," he said.

• Labour pledges to fix a million potholes a year in England

Scottish leaders met frustrated voters in last night's debate

Phil Sim

Reporting from Glasgow

Last night's debate between the leaders in Scotland of the SNP, Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, and Greens was really characterised by the contributions of the audience.

Each leader will have something to be happy about – all avoided major gaffes, and landed some of their key talking points.

But it was the frustration of the members of the public present which was remarkable – at the state of public services, but also at the political class across the board.

Not just the UK government and the Scottish government, the SNP and the Tories, but also those vying to replace them.

One woman actually said “shame on all of you”.

It’s not the sort of thing you tend to hear at the stage managed events parties usually run during campaigns, with scripted speeches and “lines to take”.

So hearing the feelings of the electorate – some of them quite harsh feelings – might be a welcome corrective in this campaign.

• Read our full debate report here - or watch the highlights below

Party leaders clash on the economy

Greens not shy about raising taxes

PA Media

As we mentioned earlier, the Green Party will call for a "game-changing" transformation to health, housing, transport and the green economy at the election.

But unlike Labour and the Conservatives - who have pledged no increase in personal tax rates, with the Tories planning another cut in National Insurance - the Greens are planning tax rises.

The Greens say they can raise £70bn a year from new taxes on the wealthiest people in the country.

Their plans include raising the National Insurance (NI) rate to 8% on annual wages above £50,270 - equivalent to an extra £283.74 per year in tax for someone earning £55,000.

The party has also proposed a new wealth tax charged at 1% on all assets worth more than £10m declared in a self-assessment tax return, increasing to 2% on all assets above £1bn.

Co-leader Adrian Ramsay says they are the "only party being honest" about the scale of changes needed to fix the climate crisis, housing and the NHS​.

Ramsay is due to speak to BBC Radio 4's Today programme just after 07:00 BST.

For a fuller look at what we expect from the Green manifesto later, click here.

Sunakian Conservatism in 76 pages

Chris Mason

Political editor

The 2024 Conservative manifesto released yesterday is a 76-page tome which has the desire and the instinct for tax cuts as its controlling thought.

But hang on: cuts in national insurance and stamp duty get the thumbs-up, but there is no equivalent on income tax or inheritance tax.

The argument goes that as sought after as these might be by many, they are less of a priority than the other two.

And there is a pattern here, as you can see when you look at the Tory promise on borders and security.

Rishi Sunak renews his commitment to the Conservative plan to send some of those arriving over the Channel on small boats to Rwanda.

But look what is not promised: the one thing some reckon would make it more likely this scheme and others like it would work — withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Instead, there is a rather fudgey formulation in the manifesto, on page 36.

It reads: "If we are forced to choose between our security and the jurisdiction of a foreign court, including the ECHR, we will always choose our security."

In short this is a manifesto in Rishi Sunak’s image.

Scottish leaders clash over NHS and cost of living in BBC debate

PA Media

From left to right: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Lorna Slater, Douglas Ross, presenter Stephen Jardine, John Swinney and Anas Sarwar

Last night our colleagues at BBC Scotland hosted a five-way debate between the leaders of major parties, which included fiery clashes over the cost of living crisis and state of the NHS.

• SNP leader John Swinney warned of potential £18bn cuts from both Labour and the Tories and said Scotland had seen “enough austerity”
• "Read my lips - no austerity under Labour" was the reply from the party’s Scottish leader Anas Sarwar
• Douglas Ross said the Conservative Party was committed to allowing people to keep more of their earnings, while also being forced to defend his decision to step down as Scottish Tory leader
• Lorna Slater for the Scottish Greens said instead of cutting taxes, the party would increase them for the rich
• Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said his party would "immediately reverse" the two-child cap on benefits and invest in public services

Greens highlight what they say are Labour and Tory similarities

Jack Fenwick

Political reporter

A clear tactic deployed by the Greens from the start of this campaign has been to paint Labour as being too similar to the Conservatives.

Co-leader Adrian Ramsay has accused others of hiding plans to cut public services and claims there is a “conspiracy of silence between the main Westminster parties”.

A wealth tax they will put forward later will include a 1% levy on assets over £10 million – and a 2% tax on assets over billion pounds.

The party will also call for a national insurance rise for those earning £50,000 or more.

The majority of the Green’s resources this election have been expended on trying to win in four seats, arguing more of their MPs in Parliament would stop a potential Labour government “backtracking” on its promises.

Another busy day of campaigning and debate ahead

Adam Durbin

Live reporter

Welcome back to our live election coverage, as we kick off a busy schedule on the campaign trail again today.

The main story this morning is the Greens launching their manifesto, with the party pledging to raise billions in tax revenue from wealthy people in order to mend "broken Britain".

Then Nick Robinson’s BBC Panorama interviews with both the leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru will be broadcast this evening.

Sky News is also due to host its leaders event in Grimsby later, with both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer due to attend.

As always, we’ll bring you key lines and analysis of it all – so stick with us throughout the day for that.