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Sir Keir Starmer has said “the money’s not there” for the Conservative Party’s flagship manifesto pledge to cut national insurance by a further 2p.Asked whether his party, if elected, would match the promise, the Labour leader told broadcasters on a visit to a school in Middlesbrough: “The money’s not there for the Tories’ desperation. And what they’re producing is a recipe for five more years of chaos.“I think that’s why it’s so important that we see this election as a choice, because we can’t go on like this.” More

Rishi Sunak launched the Conservative Party’s general election manifesto on Tuesday, 11 June.The prime minister put tax cuts and help for first-time buyers at the heart of his pledges, with a flagship policy of cutting national insurance by a further 2p.The latter promise has been criticised by Labour, with shadow health secretary Wes Streeting saying Mr Sunak is “taking people for fools” with the cut.Here, The Independent takes a look at the key promises announced in today’s launch. More

Sir Ed Davey gave an interview about the UK rejoining the single market whilst spinning around on a teacup ride after launching his party’s manifesto.The Liberal Democrats descended on a theme park as part of their campaign trail on Monday, 10 June, with the party leader remarking: “Politics can be a rollercoaster ride”.“The Tories have poisoned the trust with Europe and we’ve got to rebuild that… so that ultimately we can get back into the single market,” Sir Ed told LBC while on the ride.The Lib Dem leader said he wanted to show voters he was a politician who can have fun, as well as be serious about policy. More

Amol Rajan has admitted he “almost forgot” Liz Truss was prime minister in 2022.The host of BBC Radio 4 Today was speaking to Mel Stride about immigration as the Conservatives prepared to launch their general election manifesto on Tuesday, 11 June.As he remarked that previous prime ministers would reduce immigration numbers and didn’t, Mr Rajan got onto the subject of the PM who presided over the mini-Budget.”Liz Truss, I almost forgot about her, she said that immigration would come down. Did it happen? Well, we didn’t have very long to make it happen,” Mr Rajan said. More

Rishi Sunak is “taking people for fools” with potential further tax cuts, Wes Streeting has said.The shadow health secretary was asked if Labour would seek to match a 2p national insurance cut expected to be in the Tory manifesto on Tuesday, 11 June.Mr Streeting said: “We are not able to make that commitment today because the money simply isn’t there and I think Rishi Sunak should level with people that the money simply isn’t there.“I think he is taking people for fools.”Labour will announce their manifesto on Thursday. More

Rishi Sunak has admitted it has become harder for people to buy their first home under the Conservatives.Speaking to Nick Robinson as part of the BBC’s Panorama interviews, the prime minister pledged to “make sure that we support young people in to great jobs so they can save for that deposit.”Mr Robinson intervened to say most young people are not worried about the deposit or stamp duty, adding they cannot afford to leave their parents’ home.“When I speak to people it is the deposit that is the biggest challenge,” Mr Sunak replied.It comes as the Tory manifesto is due to be released on Tuesday, 11 June. More

The Tory manifesto will be the “most expensive panic attack in history”, Labour’s Wes Streeting has said.Rishi Sunak’s pledges will be launched today, including an expected a tax break for landlords and help for first-time buyers.Reports have suggested another 2p cut to national insurance will also be in the manifesto.The Tory manifesto launch on Tuesday, 11 June, comes after a bruising few days in Mr Sunak’s campaign in which he dismissed resignation rumours after his early departure from D-Day commemorations in France.Labour’s manifesto will be launched on Thursday. More

Rishi Sunak has been accused of being less “Conservative” than Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, in a bizarre lunch-themed analogy.During BBC’s Panorama election special, Nick Robinson compared the current prime minister to the “full Sunday roast” of Nigel Farage’s traditional conservative values.Mr Sunak was also grilled on leaving the D-Day anniversary proceedings early, which prompted backlash from prominent political figures across the UK. More