A number of assumptions underpin Labour costingspublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 13 June

11:49 BST 13 June

Dharshini David
Chief economics correspondent

As Starmer continues outlining his plans, we've been picking over the manifesto.

Labour's plans will be funded by intentions to raise £8bn through putting VAT on private school fees, clamping down on those who are underpaying tax and closing loopholes and a windfall tax on oil and gas.

As we’ve been saying with all manifestos, there is much uncertainty about the amount these sources can raise, and the assumptions that underpin the numbers.

For example, the sum from putting VAT on private school fees will depend on the number of families who opt away from private schooling – a figure no one can be sure of, particularly following a cost-of-living crisis. And cutting down on tax avoidance is often easier said than done.

Remember, Labour’s intended fiscal rules look very similar to the Tories – meaning, that as per current plans, there could be substantial cuts to the budgets of some public services in the years following the election.

And Labour's plans point to a bigger net increase in tax take than the Conservatives - even while they pledge not to raise income tax, VAT and National Insurance.

Starmer repeats that Labour's pledges are fully funded and fully costed - we're picking over their costs now.

He adds that his party would make "hard choices" if elected.

"You cannot play fast and loose with the public finances, we've lived through the damage that this does," he says.

He says his party will not raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT, adding "that is a manifesto commitment". You can watch his comments on this in the clip here:

Britain has "lost its balance", Starmer continues, with opportunity not spread evenly.

There have been 14 years of "chaos and division" under the Conservative government, he says - a line you may have heard a few times in this campaign.

Labour is a "total change of direction", he says, pledging a "government back in the service of you and your family".

Image source, Reuters

Starmer says he sees potential held back everywhere he goes in the country.

He talks about a visit to children's hospital, where doctors were giving heart surgery to children. But he found the biggest issue to be children having to have their teeth taken out because they were decaying.

Imagine what those doctors and nurses could do with a Labour government on their side, he adds.

Starmer thanks those who have contributed to the Labour project over the past few years, and then turns to the future: "And now, the next step... changing Britain, rebuilding our country."

He adds that the "pursuit of social justice and economic growth must go hand-in-hand".

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent, at Labour's manifesto launch

There are two large autocues at the back of the room but they only contain brief notes and prompts for Keir Starmer’s speech.

He appears to be mostly ad-libbing his speech around those.

After the interruption from a protester, Keir Starmer continues.

"We don't have a magic wand... but what this manifesto represents is a credible, long-term plan," he says.

Keir Starmer has just been interrupted by a protester shouting from the audience. Her banner said "Youth Deserve Better" - and she claimed Labour policies were too similar to the Conservatives'.

She was quickly led away.

Starmer pauses briefly, and says "thank you...that wasn't in the script", before returning to his speech.

You can watch that moment here:

After those warm-up speakers, Labour leader Keir Starmer is now on stage to outline his plans if he were to become the UK's next prime minister.

We'll bring you all the key lines from the launch, while our reporters and correspondents pore over the details in the manifesto itself.

You can also watch along live by pressing Play at the top of this page.

Next to speak is the boss of Iceland supermarkets, Richard Walker. He hits out at 14 years under the Tories, saying they're "out of ideas".

He says "only Labour can change this country's trajectory of dismal economic performance".

The country needs a clear and credible plan, he says, adding he likes what he sees in Labour, to ensure we "put our country on the road to recovery" and prioritise economic growth.

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

Image source, Reuters

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have had an at times rocky relationship — they’d admit as much. Remember that in Labour the deputy leader is an elected position so Rayner has her own mandate from party members independently of Starmer’s.

Rayner is very much at the heart of this launch event, as well as the manifesto — there are several photos of her with Starmer in its pages.

And she’d be at the heart of a Starmer government. He has confirmed he would appoint her deputy prime minister if he won.

But she also holds the levelling up brief, responsible for the planning system. Reforms to that system are one of the main planks of Starmer’s plans to grow the economy.

Chris Mason
Political editor

I've just flicked to page 121 of the manifesto, and it looks like Labour have managed to shoehorn in a picture from just the other day - when Keir Starmer met the Ukrainian President at the D-Day commemorations after the prime minister had left.

Rayner, who was welcomed with raucous applause as she arrived alongside Keir Starmer, says she's met people "with hope for our future" while out on the campaign trail.

She adds that Labour will inherit a "high tax, low growth" economy, but lists some of the party's plans for the country, including on health, energy and education.

"We have changed the Labour Party, and with this manifesto we can change Britain," she says.

First up is Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner, who begins by saying Britain can't afford "more years of broken Tory promises".

Chris Mason
Political editor

Here it is. Time to do some reading.

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

Labour’s manifesto puts Sir Keir Starmer front and centre. The cover is a stark photo of Starmer with one word: Change.

In fact I count 34 photos if him on its 135 pages.

The Conservative manifesto didn’t have any photos of Rishi Sunak. Indeed it had no photos at all.

Image source, PA Media

Here we go - Labour's manifesto launch has started. We're expecting a warm up speaker or two before Keir Starmer starts speaking.

Plaid Cymru has also been launching its manifesto this morning - and we'll return to them later, including analysis of their policies from our correspondents.

In the meantime, we'll bring you the latest from the Labour launch.

Labour's shadow cabinet have arrived ahead of the manifesto launch in Manchester - we're moments away from the event starting.

Ione Wells
Political correspondent, at Labour's manifesto launch

We just saw the shadow health secretary Wes Streeting who was singing David Bowie’s “Changes” to himself.

I think we can expect to hear a lot more of that word today.

On a more serious note, he was also strongly critical of the news today that NHS waiting lists in England have risen again and accused Rishi Sunak of breaking his promise to get them down.

Emily Atkinson
Live reporter

Image source, Pool

Peeling away from Plaid Cymru's manifesto launch, we’re moments away from the publication of Labour’s manifesto. It'll be the party’s chance to showcase what it plans to do if it forms the next government.

No pressure then for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who’s likely in the throes of a final run-through of his speech.

So, how do we plan to cover this?

We’ll start combing through the manifesto as soon as it lands on Labour’s website, external and work on a short digest of the core pledges.

Meanwhile, our team of correspondents, from across several parts of the BBC, will provide analysis on the individual promises. You can get a feel for that here and here.

At the same time, we’ll be firing out key lines from the launch event and any incoming reaction to the manifesto.

Remember: you can also watch the whole thing live by hitting the Play button above.