so these are liberal democrat target voters in a liberal democrat target seat. i'm quite excited, but nervous at the same time. for the party, a lot depends on how they respond to to promises of politicians. mark easton, bbc news, cambridge. there are new warnings that workers are facing a squeeze in living standards. the latest figures indicate that wages are not keeping pace with the cost of living. however, another set of figures show that a record number of people are now in work. a business fair in leeds and good news onjobs — firms hiring plenty of people as economic growth remains positive. we are continually recruiting staff, we have grown really quickly in the last two years from four to 32 people. we've just employed our new park manager and we've also employed in the last couple of months a new ground staff. at this moment on our company website, ithink, we have 15 vacancies posted. the last time we saw unemployment this low was 1975, when the price of a pint of milk was a princely seven pence. it was also an era of high inflation and rapidly increa

that is the launch of the liberal democrats' ma nifesto the launch of the liberal democrats' manifesto in this very noisy nightclub udinese london. for the moment, back to you, clive. in the quiet of this to do. it is very quiet of this to do. it is very quiet here. and warm. the liberal democrats, as ben said, hope to attract young voters. the lib dems are also offering several new policies aimed at young people, including dropping the voting age to 16 and a rent—to—own housing scheme. to cambridge to see what sort of issues affecting young people. the voice of the young. so often ignored by the politicians. it is loud and clear that cambridge regional college. this could be about anything such as brexit, trish and... —— tuition... about anything such as brexit, trish and... -- tuition... what is on the mind of students here? politicians have to start appealing to young people. these young people are going to grow old. the lib dem manifesto promises young people cheaper bus fa res, promises young people cheaper bus fares, higher welfare payments, promises young people cheaper

so these are liberal democrat target voters in a liberal democrat target voters in a liberal democrat target seat. am quite excited. 0 for the party a lot depends on how they respond to the promises of politicians. wage growth has fallen behind the cost of living for the first time in three years, according to the office for national statistics. average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased by 2.1%. in the three months to march, while inflation rose by 2.3% in the year to march 2017. meanwhile, unemployment has fallen to 4.6% — its lowest level in 42 years. here's our economics editor, kamal ahmed. a business fair in leeds and good new onjob, firms hiring plenty of people as economic growth remains positive. we are continually recruiting staff, we have grown quickly over the last to two years from four to 32 people.some we have employed our new manager, and we have also employed in the last couple of months a new ground staff. at this moment in time on our company website, i think we have 15 vacancies posted. the last time we saw unemployment this low was 1975. when the pric

so these are liberal democrat target voters in a liberal democrat target seat. i am quite excited. nervous at the same time. for the party a lot depends on how they respond to the promises of politicians. mark easton reporting on the views of young people in cambridge. that is just about it from bethnal green, where the lib dems have launched their party manifesto for the general election. tim farron, the leader, on the stage, very much emphasise that hard brexit, he said, would be a time bomb underneath the economy and he said the opponents of a hard brexit and of leaving the single market, like the liberal democrats, should not roll over. that was his message. plenty more coverage of today's election campaign in the campaign wrap at 8:30pm. but, for me, back to the studio. campaign wrap coming up in about 16 minutes. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:a0pm in the papers. we will be having all the analysis. 0ur guestsjoining me tonight are the political commentatorjane merrick, and ben riley—smith, assistant poli

the ma nifesto the liberal democrats to launch the manifesto just the liberal democrats to launch the ma nifesto just after the liberal democrats to launch the manifesto just after 7pm this evening and full coverage of that here on bbc news. and today at 5.30pm on bbc news we will be putting your questions about the liberal democrat manifesto to the party's former leader, nick clegg. you can get in touch via twitter using the hashtag bbc ask this or text your questions to 61124 and you can e—mail us as well at: askthis@bbc.co.uk one ofjeremy corbyn‘s key allies, the leader of the unite union, len mccluskey, has said he believes that labour is now in with "a real chance" of winning the general election. in an earlier interview, mr mccluskey suggested a labour victory on 8th june would be "extraordinary". but today he said labour's manifesto was fantastic, and he was full of optimism. the interview i did with politico was a conversational piece, and it was against the backdrop of if the opinion polls are to be believed that i made those comments. of course, since then, labour launch

how the liberal democrats think the country should be run. front and centre was brexit, and how it should be handled. at the heart of our manifesto is an offer to all of the people in our country that no other party is making, which is that we do not just have to accept whatever deal we get back from the brexit negotiations, but the british people, you, should have the final say. if you do not like what theresa may comes back with, you should have the right to vote to remain. the lib dems say they would spend more money on health and education paid for by higher corporation tax and a penny on income tax. 0n housing, they want to introduce a rent to own scheme for tenants, and promised to legalise and regulate cannabis. they claim this could generate £1 billion per year in tax. it's about keeping the availability of hard drugs away from cannabis, and regulating cannabis so the most dangerous strands like skunk are outside of the regulated system. it is about helping those people who are vulnerable and hitting those people who are the criminal

how the liberal democrats think the country should be run. front and centre was brexit, and how it should be handled. at the heart of our manifesto is an offer to all of the people in our country that no other party is making and that is that we do not just have to accept whatever deal we get back from the brexit negotiations, but the british people, you, should have the final say. if you don't like what theresa may comes back with, you should have the right to vote to remain. the lib dems say they would spend more money on health and education paid for by higher corporation tax and a penny on income tax. on housing, they want to introduce a rent—to—own scheme for tenants, and promised to legalise and regulate cannabis. they claim this could generate £1 billion per year in tax. it's about keeping the availability of hard drugs away from cannabis, and it's about regulating cannabis so the most dangerous strands like skunk are outside of the regulated system. it is about helping those people who are vulnerable and hitting those people who

the liberal democrats have pledged to increase spending on the nhs and social care by raising income tax by a penny. they say the extra six billion pounds would be ring—fenced in england but scotland, wales and northern ireland would be able to decide how to spend the extra cash. it comes as party leaders are out campaigning this weekend for the general election following the conservatives‘ success in the local elections. here's our political correspondent, matt coles. the three days until the election, it is game on. and on that first weekend of the campaign proper, the liberal democrats have confirmed their key spending pledge, a 1% rise for all income tax bands with the tax raised guaranteed to go to the nhs and social care. if we want the best health and social care for our families and loved ones going into the future, we have to provide the money to pay for it. everybody else is pretending it can be done on the cheap, it cannot. the liberal democrats today are offering to spend £6 billion raised by a penny on income tax. labour's hoping its soon—to—be and yield manifes

what the liberal democrats are saying is that we must invest in the hospitals and schools. we must give the british people, particularly younger people, the hope of a better future that we can reject the extreme version of brexit that theresa may, jeremy corbyn and ukip have backed and vote for a better future. there are also many people who voted remained that now except that result, something you are unwilling to do and they feel you have got to get on with it 110w feel you have got to get on with it now and many of them think theresa may is the person to do that. what is that there are many people who feel they have given up the fight. what i am saying to people is i haven‘t. if you believe that britain‘s future is better alongside oui’ britain‘s future is better alongside our neighbours in europe, if you believe that you however you voted in the referendum should have the final say on the deal, then you should not be forced to live with a deal that will damage perhaps your jobs, affect the prices of things you jobs, affect the prices of things y°u pay jobs, aff

labour is pointing to the liberal democrats's reputation in government. we can expect to hear more about nhs funding when the party manifestos, alt. the ukip reader to the mac leader... campaigning in lincolnshire this morning said he remained optimistic about ukip's prospects in the general election. there was a clear movement from us to the conservative party but that was all was going to happen. she called the selection primarily because she was to get it out of the way before negotiations start. it is easy to talk the talk and acts tough but when she is asked to walk the walk she will start to barter things away, fisheries will 90, barter things away, fisheries will go, there will be some movement on immigration and freedom of movement, she may buckle that, she will certainly buckle and a divorce bill. when people are angry, when they feel they have been let down, when they feel they are not getting the brexit they voted for on the 23rd of june, we had a good deal? they're going to return to ukip. the future of ukip is very right indeed. the campaign

absolutely, the liberal democrats we re absolutely, the liberal democrats were reduced from 66 seats down to eight in the last election. they picked up one in a by—election to go into this election with nine to defend. they will be hoping that many of those seats that they lost in 2015 were lost to the conservatives. they have appropriate set message versus the hybrid brexit that theresa may is seeking. but the bar has been raised that much higher and it will make it much more difficult if ukip‘s vote has disappeared. we have not heard directly from paul nuttall, the ukip leader, and he blamed their demise on their own success. he seems to think the tories are benefiting from the furrow they have ploughed. what about the risks for the conservatives, that people look at their newspapers this morning and 90, their newspapers this morning and go, oh, well, it is all over. maybe they will think i do not need to bother turning out on the 8th of june because she has got it in the can, but even some party workers become complacent about their prospects. how big a danger do you think the

let us talk about the liberal democrats. this idea of raising income tax on all the bands by one pin1p raising income tax on all the bands by one pin 1p in the poem to these £6 billion for the nhs. what are the calculating with this? why do they think this is potentially something which the public will like? this is a actually talking about the real cost of the nhs and the cost of social care. they believe they could ever next £6 billion a year, on top of what the conservatives have been pledging. they say it will also be ring fenced in england. wheels, scotla nd ring fenced in england. wheels, scotland and northern ireland, because of devolution, they will make their own decisions on. this is really to with england. they believe they have made the political calculation, that this will be popular. after all, remember what happened with the famous bus during the european union debate. £350 million for the nhs. that seemed to go down very well. we can join ian, who has been listening tojeremy corbyn in leicester. what has b

the liberal democrats have launched their party manifesto in east london. leader tim farron called on voters to support his party and ensure they get a choice about britain's future relationship with europe. i believe that our children will have a brighter future if we are inside the european union. that they will be safer and better off. that our economy will be stronger and our country will have more influence in the world. butjust because i believe that doesn't mean i think people who voted to leave are bad people. of course they're not. wejust disagree. one ofjeremy corbyn‘s key allies, the unite leader len mccluskey, says he is now full of optimism about labour's general election hopes despite saying in an interview he could not see the party winning. it was against the backdrop of if the opinion polls are to be believed that i made those comments. of course since then labour have launched their manifesto, it is a fantastic manifesto. theresa may has brushed aside questions about whether the chancellor philip hammond will keep hisjob if the conservat

this is where the liberal democrats are having their manifesto launch in about three quarters of an hour. tim farron will be here on this stage behind me with a speech and lodging a manifesto which has a commitment toa a manifesto which has a commitment to a second referendum, it is very much the centrepiece. saying that they will give the final say on europe to the british people. this is what tim farron had to say on that ll on today. at the heart of oui’ that ll on today. at the heart of our manifesto is an offer to all the people in our country that no other party is making. that is that we do not just after except whatever deal we get back from brexit the glaciations, but the british people, you, should have the final say. —— negotiations. if you do not like what theresa may comes back with, you should have them right to vote to remain. if we think of three quarters of young people in this country voting to remain, is there any wonder that there are such dismay about what theresa may plans to do. the extreme version of brexit thejeremy to do. the extreme version of brexit the

let's speak tojulian huppert from the liberal democrats. just explained the policy because a lot of people in this country think that all drugs are dangerous and that all drugs are dangerous and that they should never be legalised. for 15 years though almost we have had a system where cannabis and other drugs were legal, tobacco and alcohol which are very dangerous and illegal but everything else wasn't and it hasn't stopped people from having cannabis. millions of people have used and still use cannabis, it just hasn't worked. what it has done is given in full to criminal gangs who make a huge amount of money out of this and develop more and more potent and harmful strains, skunks and space so the policy has made things much much worse. i don't want criminal gangs deciding who gets to have this, anyone with £20 can get it, i wanted to be regulated so it is safer for people. when you talk about skunk being a more dangerous form of cannabis than maybe was around 20 years ago, only saying that that was not then be legalised? absolutely. ther

the liberal democrats would have hoped. if the bar has been raised that much higher, it is going to make it that much more difficult if ukip‘s vote has just disappeared. we have not heard directly from paul nuttall the ukip litre yet. he put out a statement blaming their demise in the county council elections on their own successful stop leaving their own successful stop leaving the tories are benefiting from the photo they have ploughed. what about the risks here for the conservatives that people look at their newspapers this morning and see it is all over. maybe not all the think they do not need to bother turning out on the 8th ofjune because she has got it in the can but also that even some of the party workers become even a little bit complacent about their prospects. how big a danger do you think that it's the conservatives? if you listen to the language of preserved asbo people out and about yesterday, they were talking down the fact that they had won 563 seats —— conservative spokespeople. yesterday we had lab

and that means fighting off any suggestion of a liberal democrat revival. the tories think brexit could be their winning card. in many cornish seats, ukip performed strongly two years ago, but recent local elections show them on the slide and the tories are ready and waiting to plunder their votes. last time i voted for ukip because i wanted out of the european union. so, i think the conservatives will take us through. how do you think ukip will do in the south—west now? their main thing was to get us out of the european union and they've managed that. so, theirjob is done really, i think. what do you think of theresa may? very strong woman, very strong woman. i'm going to vote labour. he is genuine, isn't he? he's going to be looking out for my interests. labour's always struggled to convert votes into seats in this region and in most constituencies, it's a long way back for the lib dems. no wonder, privately, conservatives are sounding confident about their chances. vicky young, bbc news, cornwall. football now, and hull city have relegated from the pre

that is one of the reasons why i oppose parties like the liberal democrats. because they stand ready to prop up jeremy corbyn‘s coalition of chaos, to see the brexit process stall and reopen the old battles of the past. and remember, it may say liberal democrat on the ballot but it is jeremy corbyn with you get, who gets the benefit. at the last election the benefit. at the last election the south west made the difference. between a strong majority government and a week, unstable coalition. the other parties are lining up to prop up other parties are lining up to prop upjeremy other parties are lining up to prop up jeremy corbyn and other parties are lining up to prop upjeremy corbyn and disrupt our brexit negotiations and that would bea brexit negotiations and that would be a recipe for drift, and disaster over, and division over what would be very crucial years for this country. and that is why this election is so important. we need to secure the leadership the country needs. leadership, stability, doing the right thing for britain. and thatis the right t

this is one of the few liberal democrats seats that is left standing. according today, it may not be after this election. if that is the case, it will all be down to be in fluent ukip. politics here has been dominated by the rise of ukip. this is a very rural part of the country. big infarming, quite big in fishing, the pressures of immigration and brexit have been very big issues. in some places 65 oi’ very big issues. in some places 65 or 70% of people voted to leave and so or 70% of people voted to leave and so ukip has always commanded a lot of command here. it has 3 euros meps and in the last lecture on, it came second in many seats. in this election, it isn't standing everywhere. that is so dumb act because it doesn't have the money, but into —— that is because it doesn't have the money. but that is for another reason. it is famous for the coastline and the norfolk broads. it is not used to being at the front line of an election campaign. this take on the race could be very close. the last election, the liberal democrats norman lamb had a ve

the liberal democrats made progress. they're still not doing as well as they did in local elections before going into coalition with the conservatives. at least they are in somewhat better position, as the opinion polls suggested they were. crucial thing to remember, however, all of this is a summary of how well the parties have done in the local elections, we're not saying this is how the parties would have performed if there had been a general election yesterday. we're not saying that this is what's going to happen on june 8. it gives an indication of how, in these local contests, the parties have stood and by comparing these local contests with other recent contests we give some idea of who is up and who is down. peter, some thoughts on this? john, you're absolutely right that these local elections should be regarded with caution. comparing like with like, local elections in years gone by, this 11% projected conservative lead is exactly the same as they got in 1982 in the middle of the falklands war. if one looks at p

labour and the liberal democrats are promising a major cash boost for schools. we're joined now by labour's shadow education secretary angela rayner. good morning and welcome to the red sofa. loads... i'm sure thousands of pa rents sofa. loads... i'm sure thousands of parents will be watching this show this morning. if labour were elected in one month's time, what would the education system, what would a school look like under a labour government? it would be fully funded, first of all. i want to reassure pa rents funded, first of all. i want to reassure parents that that is what we will do. our plan, an exciting one, is the national education service, mirrored off the nhs because i believe it will be transformative like the health service. it means that schools will have the money they need and adult education as well will be free at the point of use so people can return to education. many children and many adults like me who did not have those apogee nitties when we we re have those apogee nitties when we were young, would like to be able to go back and be ret

the liberal democrats are asking. they have said they will increase all income tax band by one percentage point to raise £6 billion ring fenced for health and social ca re ring fenced for health and social care in england. if we want the best health and social care for our families, our loved ones, going into the future and we have to provide the future and we have to provide the money to pay for it. everyone else is pretending it can be done on the cheapit cheap it cannot. the party says someone earning under £25,000 next year will pay £133 more in tax annually. 0n year will pay £133 more in tax annually. on a salary of £100,000, the income tax bill would increase by £883. taking the focus away from wrecks it, this is the liberal democrats main pitch on tax and spending. they think it will be popular despite the risk of already committing to tax rises because of voters committing to tax rises because of vote rs co nce rns committing to tax rises because of voters concerns about the state of the nhs. health is a

what have the liberal democrats been saying? talking about pensions, yesterday was about raising income tax by 1p in the pound to save the nhs. the winter fuel allowance would go for the higher earning pensioners, that's people earning more than £45,000 a year. they reckon it would bea £45,000 a year. they reckon it would be a saving of about 105 million, is not a huge amount of money, but seeing an intention of stealing with the problem of an ageing population. the triple lock is where pensions rise by average income, information 01’ rise by average income, information or2.5%, rise by average income, information or 2.5%, whichever is highest. that was the pledge made in 2010 when the coalition came together. theresa may has not committed to that yet in this election campaign. the conservatives have a different tack. we have heard so much about brexit so we have heard so much about brexit so far. today, one of the first big policy pushes on mental health. we know that theresa may said on the steps of downing street that one

none of what you are saying, you, ukip, orthe liberal democrats... your industrial policy are democrats... your industrial policy a re fa nta sy democrats... your industrial policy are fantasy figures that will drive us are fantasy figures that will drive us into the ground and it does not matter what you want, you cannot pay for it if you don't run the economy well. time is up! the candidates have had their say, but it is about the voters like natalie and is male, who are yet to make up their minds. it was interesting to hear their opinions. seeing them in the ring individually fighting for their own policies and what they believe them, and what they think they can bring to the party, and why i should vote for them, it made to the party, and why i should vote forthem, it made it to the party, and why i should vote for them, it made it more accessible. it was certainly different! let's talk about that debate. in salford it has two notable absentees. how strange is it going to be, martha? it will be odd with empty podiums. without theresa may and jere

of lost 177, the liberal democrats of lost 31 and ukip have lost 68. when it comes to councils... the tories have picked up five councils, labour have lost control of three. eleanor garnier reports. it is the conservatives with the biggest cheers. tim charles brown was is duly elected as the west of england combined authority mayor. the consummate candidate made history, becoming the regional mayor. in cumbria, the tories replaced labour as the largest party. but senior conservatives are playing down expectations ahead of the general election. the turnout in local elections, though, is much, much lower. it is wrong to predict what's going to happen injune. we still have a general election to campaignforand to still have a general election to campaign for and to win after last night. but encouraging signs. the tories are celebrating in essex, too. this time around, voters turned their backs on ukip. in lincolnshire, where ukip leader paul nuttall will fight for a westminster seat next month, the party was wiped out. and with such big losses, ukip‘s fu

the liberal democrats commit to keeping the "triple lock" on pensions but those on higher incomes would lose the winter fuel payment. the french are choosing between emmanuel macron and marine le pen as voting takes place in the presidential election. 82 nigerian schoolgirls are due to meet the country's president after being freed by the islamist militant group, boko haram. also in the next hour... tom daley dives into married life. the british 0lympiam marries american film director dustin lance black in dartmoor national park in devon. and... click goes behind closed doors with the doctor as something goes bump in the night. that's in half an hour here on bbc news. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. labour is promising not to raise income tax for anyone earning less than £80,000 a year as part of an election pledge to low and middle earners. the shadow chancellor, john mcdonnell, said those earning over that amount would be asked to pay "a bit more" to help pay for public services. the conservatives say they have no plan to raise taxes but have so far refused to rule it out com

as another lesson from that is apart from the liberal democrats' revival and success liberal democrats' revival and success around the country, we still see britain headed for a conservative landslide. the leader of the scottish national party, nicola sturgeon, said her party enjoyed an emphatic victory. the snp vote has held up our share of the seats have held up, and we will be the largest party in more councils, perhaps a majority of that is not absolutely killer yet. there is not absolutely killer yet. there is not absolutely killer yet. there is no way that anyone can spin this as any thing other than a clear and emphatic win for the snp. in in pole position to protect local services the length and breadth of the country and gives as a springboard for the general election. earlier today we heard from caroline lucas — co—leader of the green party. she explained why parties from the left needed to continue working together to transform the democratic voting system. essentially it is our incredibly undemocratic electoral system which is forcing the parties to have to discuss ways

the liberal democrats are asking. they have said they will increase all income tax band by one percentage point to raise £6 billion ring fenced for health and social care in england. if we want the best health and social care for our families, our loved ones, going into the future and we have to provide the money to pay for it. everyone else is pretending it can be done on the cheap. it cannot. the party says someone earning under £25,000 next year will pay £133 more in tax annually. on a salary of £100,000, the income tax bill would increase by £883. taking the focus away from wrecks it, this is the liberal democrats main pitch on tax and spending. they think it will be popular despite the risk of already committing to tax rises because of voters concerns about the state of the nhs. health is a devolved policy area. scotland has its own powers of income tax. there is no doubt the nhs and social care are under pressure across the uk with demand soaring and budgets squeezed. over the past few years, spending in th

ukip‘s vote has collapsed, and the liberal democrats had varied fortunes. with all councils now declared, the conservatives have gained 319 seats in england. labour have lost 142 seats, the lib dems have lost 28, and ukip are down 143. in scotland, the snp have lost seven seats, the tories have gained 164, and labour have lost 133. in wales, labour have lost 107 seats, the tories have gained 80 seats, plaid cymru have also gained 33 seats. the lib dems have lost 11 seats. here is our political editor laura kuenssberg. ..is duly elected as councillor for the said division. blue was the colour. in essex... teesside... derbyshire. .. lancashire... south, east, west and north. even in glasgow, where in some parts the tories went out with the ark. the conservative party candidate is duly elected as mayor. and in the marginal midlands, a big win. the area's first ever metro mayor, wearing a tory rosette. this is may's day. this is not about who wins and who loses in the local elections. it is about continuing to fight for the best brexit deal for families and bus

the liberal democrats have pledged to increase spending on the nhs and social care, by raising income tax by a penny. they say the extra £6 billion would be ringfenced in england, but scotland, wales and northern ireland would be able to decide how to spend the extra cash. it comes as party leaders are out campaigning this weekend. the prime minister theresa may says she is taking nothing for granted, despite the conservatives‘ success in the local elections. we saw a number of statements coming out of brussels, but what we have seenin out of brussels, but what we have seen in the past week, these negotiations are going to be tough. we need strong and stable leadership in the united kingdom. i need a strong negotiating hand. when it comes to the choice at the general election, there will be 27 other european countries and the other side of the table and only one person standing up for the united kingdom. the question for the general election is who will give that stable leadership, myself or jeremy corbyn? but surely it does not matter whether the majority is 140 or 60? every singl

maybe it isa liberal democrats manifesto. maybe it is a side bar because the lib dems have made pretty clear they're one, big message for this election is vote lib dem and we will have a referendum on the deal that mrs may negotiates. in other words, referendum on the deal that mrs may negotiates. in otherwords, brexit is their big pitch and they're appealing to those people who voted remain. the manifesto becomes not so important, although, it will contain measures for more money for schools, hospitals, social care, reversing some benefits, they will be looking to see where that cash is going to come from. they'll also be a pitch for younger voters, so they're suggesting there ought to be a rent—to—own scheme to try and help first—time buyers, they're going to bring back student grants, but brexit remains their big theme as vicki young now reports. the liberal democrats see this general election as a chance to change britain's future and their message is clearly aimed at those who voted remain in last year's referendum

how the liberal democrats think the country should be run. front and centre was brexit, and how it should be handled. at the heart of our manifesto is an offer to all of the people in our country that no other party is making, which is that we do not have to accept whatever deal we get back from the brexit negotiations, but the british people, you, should have the final say. if you do not like what theresa may comes back with, you should have the right to vote to remain. the lib democrats say they would spend more money on health and education paid for by higher corporation tax and a penny on income tax. on housing, they want to introduce a range to own scheme for tenants, and promised to legalise and regulate cannabis. they claim this could generate £1 billion per year in tax. it's about keeping the availability of hard drugs away from cannabis, and regulating cannabis so the most dangerous strands like skunk are outside of the regulated system. it is about helping those people who are of honourable and hitting those people the criminals ta

the liberal democrats back to the tax business. certainly back to big spending commitments. talking about pensions, they say they would scrap winter fuel allowance for high earning pensioners, those earning over £45,000 a year. i think it is pa rt over £45,000 a year. i think it is part of a push from them to show they are thinking about some of these problems relating to pensions and the ageing population. crucially they say they are committed to the triple lock on pensions that is where pensions rise with average earnings, or inflation. that idea was introduced under the coalition government. so far, the tories have not committed to that in this campaign so far. the lib dems are seeing this as a key pledge. what about the party manifestos, when they set this stuff in stone? there are 32 days left in this campaign. we will have more to talk about in the next week or so. john macdonald this morning suggesting his ma nifesto this morning suggesting his manifesto would be their week after next. —— mcdonnell. these manifestos are being fleshed out so we have some idea wha

the liberal democrats are offering a second vote on whether britain should accept a future brexit deal. their leader, tim farron, believes it's better the people decide than theresa may. she's putting together a plan which appeases the paul nuttalls and nigel farages but damages our children's future. that is why you should have the final say on the brexit deal, not the politicians. the plaid cymru leader, leanne wood, was concerned that restrictions on trade post—brexit could harm wales' aerospace companies by introducing stiff tariffs. do you think they're going to stay there? no, of course they're not going to stay there. that's 6500 well—paid jobs in wales that you are prepared to just lose down the swannee. natalie, we have a huge trade deficit... i'm leanne. twice, underfire, mr nuttall appeared to confuse the name of his tormentor. audience members asked how the leaders would invest in schools, hospitals, social care, and the future of younger people. there was general agreement money would need to be found, but when ukip‘s paul nuttall insisted there would be a financial

for the liberal democrats, mixed results really. the party leader, tim farron, insisted the results were good news. increasing our vote share by 7%, our best vote share in any election nationally for seven years. double the increase the tories have experienced in terms of vote share around the country. with the labour party utterly imploding and devastated like no other 0pposition party in recent memory. but there's another lesson to learn from last night, that is apart from the liberal democrats revival and success around the country, we still see britain headed for a conservative land slide. tim farron there. let's get more analysis now. kevin maguire is with us, associate editor at the mirror and katie balls, the political correspondent at the spectator. tim farron saying there's going to be a tory land slide in the general election, on the basis of these council results — is that how you see it?|j the basis of these council results — is that how you see it? i think he's right. i think there will be a thumping conservative ma

how important is it tonight for the liberal democrats? many people will not have seen tim farron before and they're going to see a genuine guy who is passionate about these issues, because he is not from a privileged background. he is going to stand up to the dementia tax from the conservatives, to the cuts in school budgets and the nhs. the fact is you're starting from a very low base, you have a handful of mps and do you believe that you can turn this situation around ? do you believe that you can turn this situation around? the polls are all over the place, overnight we had one poll showing it is going to be a hung parliament and another showing a 100 majority to the conservatives. the thing is targeting our efforts in key constituencies and by doing that we think we can make considerable gains. the suggestion was there might be a liberal democrat resurgence. particularly if you took the policy that you would try to offer as part of your ma nifesto a try to offer as part of your manifesto a second referendum vote on the eu on the deal

the liberal democrats say that their ma nifesto the liberal democrats say that their manifesto will include a commitment to keep the triple lock on pensions, guaranteeing they rise by as much as wages inflation or 2.5%, which ever is highest. pensioners with annual incomes over £45,000 would lose the winter fuel payment. labour has also pledged to retain the triple lock but theresa may has declined to say if the conservatives would do so. to get more on the day's developments, i'mjoined by our political correspondent, ellie price. what has been most interesting today has been the interview amber rudd gave this lunchtime. the home secretary was asked, surprisingly, read immigration and what you might do about it. it was interesting because so much has been made in the e referendum campaign, so much made before that with the conservative party commitment to cut immigration to the tens of thousands. made when david cameron was leader and theresa may was home secretary. it is an issue close to the heart of theresa may. we know that from the things she has said as prime minister. interestingly,

as did the pro—european liberal democrats. it was the uk independence party, which campaigned for the country to leave the european union, that fared the worst, losing almost all of its councillors in seats it contested. reacting to her party's huge gains the conservative party leader and british prime minister stressed her need for a big mandate ahead of the brexit negotiations. the reality is today, despite the evidence will of the british people, we have bureaucrats in europe who are questioning our resolve to get the right deal. the reality is, only a general election vote for the conservatives in sa days' time, will strengthen my hand to get the best deal for britain from brexit. labour took heart from some successes but overall suffered terrible losses. this was labour leaderjeremy corbyn‘s assessment of his party's performance. we came within 4,000 votes of winning the western areas, which everyone said was impossible. we have had very disappointing votes in other parts of the country. yes, we have to go out there in

and that is apart from the liberal democrats' success around the country, we still see it and headed for a conservative landslide. he is very clearly accepting that. now, perhaps the most dramatic story of the day was ukip, the uk independence party, which has supported and pushed for brexit for the years in which it has been in existence. in fact, the years in which it has been in existence. infact, brexit the years in which it has been in existence. in fact, brexit really was its existence. it has been totally trounced in today's elections. it fought i44 totally trounced in today's elections. it fought 144 seats and lost all of them except for one, which is a very bad result indeed. and most are saying that the reason for that is that its voters, who supported the ukip party because they wanted to see brexit now have placed in the hands of the conservative party the job of delivering brexit, and as one voter put it today, they are no longer the guard dogs of brexit. so a very bad day for ukip. people are talking about whether it can survive this. it does have about 200 or 300 seats

the liberal democrats, encourage with their results. we choose local champions for their community who will stick up for the local community first and foremost, but also there is a clear vote against a second independence referendum and we are the beneficiary of that in those areas, too, so we'll progress for the liberal democrats, it's a good time. the proportional representation used in this election makes overall majority is hard to get, meaning deals now have to be done. a tricky task for all the parties as their focus now shifts to the general election campaign. lorna gordon, bbc news, glasgow. let's turn to wales. 0ur wales correspondent sian lloyd is in cardiff tonight. labour lost seats and control of entire councils. yes, mixed set of results for labour in wales. today it has lost 100 seats. back in 2012 it had a good night. it had gained more than 200 extra counsellors. now it still holds control of some of the big councils. cardiff, swansea and newport. but it has had setbacks, losses in traditional labour heartlands of the s

the liberal democrats today are offering to spend £6 billion raised by a penny on income tax. labour's hoping its soon—to—be unveiled manifesto will equally win over voters with jeremy corbyn admitting his party faces an historic challenge after facing disappointing election results. campaigning today the labour leader insisted his message could cut through. on the issues of employment security, on the national health service is and all of our public services, housing and transport strategy. crucially we will also cut through on the economic future of this country. the prime minister's task is about dampening expectations, making sure tory supporters turn out injune and do not assume this week's wins mean the general election is in the bag. iam taking i am taking nothing for granted over the next five weeks. i need support from across the united kingdom to strengthen my hand. only a vote for me and my team will ensure that britain has the strong and stable leadership we need in order to ensure we get the best deal for britain from brexit. in how bad a place is ukip? after

the liberal democrats are asking. they have said they will increase all income tax band by one percentage point to raise £6 billion ring fenced for health and social care in england. if we want the best health and social care for our families, our loved ones, going into the future, we have to provide the money to pay for it. everyone else is pretending it can be done on the cheap. it cannot be done on the cheap. more in tax annually. “5 5 55'555 55 f‘fifififif‘flé 55525 taking the focus away from brexit, this is the liberal democrats‘ scotland has its own powers of income tax. there is no doubt the nhs and social care are under pressure across the uk with demand soaring and budgets squeezed. few years and would look generous compared to increases in the last few years but is not that large compared with spending increases in the long term. the conservatives say they would keep taxes low, while labour is ruling out tax rises for low and middle income earners. the liberal democrats think a tax rise across

the liberal democrats are asking. they have said they will increase all income tax bands by one percentage point to raise £6 billion, ring fenced for health and social care in england. if we want the best health and social care for our families, our loved ones, going into the future, we have to provide the money to pay for it. everyone else is pretending it can be done on the cheap. it cannot be done on the cheap. the party says someone earning £25,000 next year will pay £133 more in tax annually. on a salary of £100,000, the income tax bill would increase by £883. taking the focus away from brexit, this is the liberal democrats‘ main election pitch on tax and spending. they think the policy will be popular despite the risk of already committing to tax rises because of voters‘ concerns about the state of the nhs. health is a devolved policy area. scotland has its own powers over income tax. there is no doubt the nhs and social care are under pressure across the uk with demand soaring and budgets squeezed. ove

the former liberal democrat mp lost his seatin former liberal democrat mp lost his seat in 2010 and went on to become a cou nty seat in 2010 and went on to become a county council. he hasjust lost seat in 2010 and went on to become a county council. he has just lost his council seat to the tories. we are just looking at the somerset figures. six gains for the tories, six losses for the lib dems. in your experience, has the ukip vote fed to the conservatives? it looks as if thatis the conservatives? it looks as if that is happening. it is also interesting to look at the ukip presents in council zones in the south—west anyway. in cornwall at the last election they won six seats, which was quite a dramatic breakthrough, through resignations and by—elections that dwindled to just one in this election. that single ukip councillor is standing again. but they are really not defending very much. yes, the mood of the vote, the shift of the vote across the region, seems to be very much from ukip to the conservatives. a finalfraud on much from ukip to the conservatives. a final fraud on the par

the liberal democrats are hoping for a revival. but a strong ukip vote here, for example, the conservatives are confident they can get ukip voters over to them and keep those seats here in the south—west. over to them and keep those seats here in the south-west. thank you. the green party say they will offer voters the chance of a second referendum, with an option to remain in the eu. the party's election manifesto will include a pledge for a ratification referendum to be held after the eu has agreed the terms of brexit, if the majority of the electorate are unhappy with the terms of the final deal. and you can find out more about today's election pledges and the latest on the campaign on our website. a surfer who survived for more than 30 hours clinging to his board in the irish sea has been described as extremely lucky by the belfast coastguard who saved him. 22—year—old matthew bryce was reported missing when he failed to return from a trip off the argyll coast on sunday. he was eventually spotted by a helicopter 13 miles

she doesn't want the liberal democrats, she doesn't wa nt the liberal democrats, she doesn't want us there so of course she will characterise it as a straight fight but there are a lot of seats around this country where it will be liberal democrats or the conservatives. there aren't going to be many labour candidates taking sits off the conservatives. the only people who will will be liberal democrats. let me be clear, at the moment the liberal democrats have nine mps in parliament, we have 229. if you look atjeremy corbyn, someone who has maintained and kept clear lines for 30 years in parliament, he is someone who sticks to his principles. the username is someone who has gone back on each one of 0nuachu promise that the last election. we have another five weeks to discuss all of this. think so much. let us also get the views of the scottish national party. stephen gethin ‘sjoins me from our studios in dundee. thank you for your time. theresa may, as we have been reflecting, saying that this election is absolutely about brexit as far as she sees it, a straight choice between her a

the liberal democrats launch their election manifesto, pledging another referendum on any brexit deal. donald trump is facing increasing pressure over allegations he may have tried to shut down an fbi investigation into links between advisers and russia. we're live in northern ireland, where politicians from the main parties to discuss how the new frontier with the eu, and what it should look like is dominating the general election and reinvigorating the divide between between unionists and nationalists. good evening. the bbc understands the conservatives will promise additional measures to curb immigration when they publish their manifesto tomorrow. there will also be extra costs for employers who choose to hire non—eu immigrants in skilled jobs. our political editor laura kuenssberg has more. the publication of any manifesto is a big dealfor a party leader, especially for theresa may. this is the first big document to come from the first big document to come from the conservative party since she has beenin the conservative party since she has been in charge. it is her decision to

the liberal democrats want £7 billion allocated to schools. a lib dem government would add a penny on all income tax bands to pay for its nhs plans. today‘s manifesto will focus heavily on younger voters and will include a £3 billion rent—to—own scheme. the policy would see a portion of young people‘s monthly rent payments being used to help them build up a share in a home. former climate secretary ed davey is the party‘s election campaign spokesperson and joins me from westminster now. good morning. thank you forjoining us. just a couple of questions. first of all, social care. i have been to somerset and i have spoken with people who have relatives in social care. i want to ask about your plan for people like dolores, who saved all to live, as had her husband, she has to sell her home so he can be in a care home. is it right, and what would you do about it? when we were in government we made an agreement so people like her would get support but unfortunately the conservatives renege on that, so we wa nt the conservatives renege on

with me now is sarah 0lney, the liberal democrat education spokesperson. what we're seeing is that we want to protect real terms per pupil funding and that will cost 7 billion over the next parliament in addition to what the government has rd promised we think this is absolutely essential because we are hearing from schools all over the country and in my own constituency about the very real trouble they are going to have with maintaining teaching, particularly teaching staff, if the government sticks to its current planfunding. government sticks to its current plan funding. in order to fund it, reversing the cuts in corporation tax, how much that phrase? all proposers are fully costed and the details will be in our manifesto when it comes out next week. we are looking at reversing the cuts to corporation tax as a way of finding a range of measures. woodward will also be looking at is that we maybe putting money into grammar schools as the tories will and we also want to look at the free spew reed schools programme. many schools in building areas where ther

the liberal democrats have pledged to increase spending on the nhs and social care, by raising income tax by a penny. they say the extra £6 billion would be ringfenced in england, but scotland, wales and northern ireland would be able to decide how to spend the extra cash. it comes as party leaders are out campaigning this weekend. the prime minister theresa may says she is taking nothing for granted, despite the conservatives‘ success in the local elections. we saw a number of statements coming out of brussels, but what we have seen in the past week, these negotiations are going to be tough. we need strong and stable leadership in the united kingdom. i need a strong negotiating hand. when it comes to the choice at the general election, there will be 27 other european countries on the other side of the table and only one person standing up for the uk. the question for the general election is, who will give that stable leadership, myself orjeremy corbyn? but surely it does not matter whether the majority is 140 or 60? every single vote will count. every vote for the conservatives is