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Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailMore GP surgeries and diagnostic centres would be built under a future Conservative government funded by slashing the number of NHS managers, the Tories have said.In their first major health offer of the general election, the Tories have said they will bring more care services into the community.Under the plans, the party would build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise a further 150. Areas of the greatest need, especially those with large numbers of new homes, would be the focus of the proposal.Last year, figures published by the BBC revealed almost 200 GP surgeries had closed between 2018 and 2022.The Conservatives have also said they would expand the Pharmacy First scheme, launched in England earlier this year, which allows patients to access some simple treatments via their pharmacy without having been to a GP first.For the latest on the general election – follow our live blog by clicking hereRishi Sunak is pledging 100 more GP surgeries in the Tories first major health offer of the general election More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailLabour has restated its pledge to reform the existing apprenticeship levy, promising firms more flexibility about how they spend government money.Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said that a new growth and skills levy would give businesses “greater flexibility to invest in training courses that meet their skills needs, turbocharging investment in skills for the future”. She said that businesses are “crying out for help to tackle skills shortages”.The announcement comes days after Labour was seen courting bosses, asking them to declare their support for the reformed levy, according to Sky News.On Tuesday, a public letter in support of the party which 120 company chiefs signed caused a row over Labour’s claim to be the “party of business”, after some signatories were allegedly associated with dormant firms.Bridget Phillipson has restated Labour’s pledge to reform the existing apprenticeship levy More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak’s election campaign has been dealt another hammer blow as a new poll shows Labour’s lead is at its highest level since Liz Truss’s premiership.A survey by Opinium has Sir Keir Starmer’s party up four points to 45 per cent, with the Tories down two to 25 per cent, putting Labour on course for a landslide victory.The poll, conducted between 29-31 May at a time of turmoil in Labour’s campaign, suggests that the prime minister’s eye-catching announcements on mandatory national service and tax cuts for pensioners have failed to land with voters.And it is likely to fuel concerns in Tory high command that, after 14 years in power, the public has stopped listening to the party.Labour’s lead has increased to 20 points, according to one poll More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA defiant Liz Truss has insisted she was not the worst prime minister – as she handed the unwanted accolade to Tony Blair.The 48-year-old, Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister, oversaw the disastrous mini-Budget in 2022 that sent the markets into freefall during her 49 days in office.But the South West Norfolk MP has claimed that three-time election winner Tony Blair was instead the worst leader the country had ever had.In an interview with her local newspaper, Ms Truss also again refused to accept responsibility for her downfall, blaming “unelected officials” in the Bank of England and other forces for her exit from No 10.“I campaigned in a leadership election on policies that got the support of Conservative party members, policies that in my view were the right policies. I was thwarted in delivering that,” she told the Eastern Daily Press.Liz Trus went down in history as Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister when she resigned on 20 October in 2022 More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe Conservatives launched a desperate bid for funding on Saturday after complaining of a slump in online donations in recent days. A begging letter sent to supporters warns the party will have to curtail its election campaign without an injection of cash. The plea comes amid grassroots fury at claims the prime minister’s allies are parachuting advisers and backers into winnable seats. An email sent to members on behalf of senior Tory Alan Mabbutt claimed “tough” decisions would have to be made within 48 hours if the party’s finances did not improve.Rishi Sunak on his campaign battle bus More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailPolitical leaders got the general election show on the road on Saturday on battle buses which will criss-cross Britain over the next month vying for votes. In an attempt to hammer home its message, Labour unveiled a bright red vehicle emblazoned with the word “Change” more than 30 times.And in a sign Keir Starmer’s team wants to plant its tanks firmly on Tory lawns, the bus was launched in Uxbridge, in London, Boris Johnson’s old electoral stomping ground. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner departs on the campaign bus More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailBusiness leaders have deserted Rishi Sunak for Keir Starmer, a new poll shows. The Labour Party has a record lead over the Conservatives among industry leaders, Savanta found. It comes after Sir Keir said that “wealth creation” was his top priority. Labour has been courting business bosses for months, in a bid to seize the mantle of the “party of business” from the Conservatives. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (PA) More

Related: Keir Starmer denies Labour ‘left-wing cull’ after Abbott and Shaheen suspensionsSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Keir Starmer has dodged questions about Diane Abbott as he launched Labour’s battle bus in west London.The Labour leader was asked about saying she could stand after an intervention by his deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner, who said Ms Abbott should be permitted to run, in a break with her party leader.But at the launch, refusing to be dragged into the debate again, Sir Keir repeatedly claimed: “I dealt with this yesterday”. Ms Rayner stood next to him as he answered – or rather didn’t answer – the question. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has denied that he is trying to “buy votes” as he faced questions about his plan to invest in 30 towns as part of his party’s “levelling-up” agenda.He said he was “not going to make any apology for supporting towns”, adding that the methodology for selecting them was the same as previous efforts. “These 30 towns come on top of the 70 towns that have been announced – that’s 100 towns across our country that are going to receive £20 million each,” he said. Show latest update 1717252245Mapped: Where have the parties been campaigning today? It has been a busy day for campaigning as both the Labour Party and the Conservatives launched their battle buses, set to drive across the country for the next five weeks.The Reform Party, meanwhile, held a large event at the The Rifle Volunteer in Ashfield, Lee Anderson’s constituency. Both Mr Lee and Nigel Farage spoke at the event.Below, you can see where Rishi Sunak, his counterpart Sir Keir and Mr Lee have been today.Tom Watling1 June 2024 15:301717251345100,000 more families face mortgage hike before polling day as Sunak warned of ‘reckoning’ with homeownersTom Watling1 June 2024 15:151717249932Sunak denies trying to ‘buy votes’ with levelling up agenda Rishi Sunak has faced questions about his plan to invest in 30 towns as part of his party’s “levelling-up” agenda, with broadcasters asking whether the Prime Minister was trying to “buy votes”.Mr Sunak replied: “These 30 towns come on top of the 70 towns that have been announced – that’s 100 towns across our country that are going to receive £20 million each.“Crucially, it will be local people in all those areas that are in charge of how to spend that money, to make sure it’s spent and invested on their priorities – an example of us levelling up everywhere, backing local people and their priorities, and giving them the long-term funding and assurance to do so.”Mr Sunak claimed the methodology used to select the towns – including Tamworth, Bognor Regis, Flint, Perth and Newry – had been used “multiple times before” based on “levelling-up needs, looking at economic opportunity, skills, health and life expectancy”. He claimed towns were “neglected” under a previous Labour government and added: “I’m not going to make any apology for supporting towns.”Tom Watling1 June 2024 14:521717249545Battle of the buses: Labour and Conservatives both launch campaign vehiclesBattle of the buses: Labour and Conservatives both launch campaign vehiclesTom Watling1 June 2024 14:451717248645Conservative battle bus leaves on campaign trail The Conservative battle bus has embarked on the campaign trail.The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, emblazoned with blue Tory livery and the party’s campaign slogan “clear plan, bold action, secure future” will transport campaigners and journalists across the UK during the next five weeks.The coach is Ulez compliant, meaning it can travel in and out of London without incurring charges, and is rated to Euro 6 emission standards.The vehicle was used until recently as transport for Oxford United before the football team’s promotion to the EFL Championship.Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waves as he boards the Conservative campaign bus More