1:44PM
Tory manifesto a ‘desperate wishlist’, says Labour
Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth described the Tory manifesto as a “desperate wishlist” and the “most expensive panic in history”.
The shadow paymaster general told Sky News: “What we have just heard from Rishi Sunak is a desperate wishlist. The most expensive panic in history. A set of commitments he cannot fund, from savings he cannot find because the money is simply not there after 14 years of the Conservatives.
“And the reality is the consequence of these unfunded commitments, the consequence of the money not being there would be five more years of chaos for working families.”
1:39PM
Man arrested after objects thrown at Nigel Farage
A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of public order offences after objects were thrown at Nigel Farage on the general election campaign.
The Reform UK leader was on top of a party battle bus in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, this morning, when a cup was thrown, narrowly missing him.
A man in a red hoodie could be seen shouting from a work site below, before reaching into a bucket and throwing something else, which also missed.
Workmen appeared to then haul the man from the site and he ran off, before police officers tackled him.
South Yorkshire Police said: “We have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of public order offences following disorder in Barnsley town centre today.
“It is believed that the man threw objects from a nearby construction area. A suspect was quickly detained and remains in police custody.”
1:26PM
Tory tax cuts ‘do not go far enough’, says Taxpayers’ Alliance
The Taxpayers’ Alliance campaign group said the Tory manifesto does not go far enough in cutting taxes.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TPA, said: With the tax burden on course to hit an 80 year high, Brits of all ages are looking for concrete measures to get runaway spending under control and fundamentally reform the tax system to deliver the economic growth the country needs. Cuts to National Insurance and changes to stamp duty will be welcome, but do not go far enough.
“The harsh reality is that squeezed taxpayers cannot wait years to feel relief.
“Should the Conservatives manage to stay in office, they must focus on tackling the nation’s growing debt, wasteful spending, record tax burden, and suffocating regulatory regime.”
1:20PM
Labour: Tory manifesto is ‘recipe for five more years of Tory chaos’
Labour claimed the Conservative Party’s manifesto was a “recipe for five more years of Tory chaos”.
Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign coordinator, said Rishi Sunak’s policy blueprint was “stuffed full of unfunded spending commitments”.
He said: “This Conservative Manifesto is a recipe for five more years of Tory chaos. After 14 years in power, the Prime Minister’s desperate manifesto published today is stuffed full of unfunded spending commitments.
“The Prime Minister that was brought in to be the antidote to the chaos of Liz Truss has instead become the next instalment of the same thing.
“Tory desperation leads to costs for the British people. The public is still paying the price of the Conservatives crashing the economy. Now they promise a repeat if they win again leading to higher mortgages and a weaker economy.
“After today the choice at this election could not be clearer: five more years of chaos with the Conservatives or stability and growth with Labour.”
1:16PM
Average self-employed worker could save £1,346 under Tory plan
A self-employed worker on an average salary would save £1,346 per year under the National Insurance proposals unveiled by Rishi Sunak, according to analysis by wealth manager Quilter.
Meanwhile, those with profits of £60,000 could save £2,457, writes Charlotte Gifford.
Shaun Moore, of Quilter, said: “The policy would therefore alleviate a tax burden, potentially freeing up funds for reinvestment in self-employed businesses, which could foster innovation and growth. However, the broader economic impact may be muted. The total number of self-employed individuals, while significant, constitutes a fraction of the overall workforce.”
1:08PM
The Tory manifesto at a glance
- Cut National Insurance: Employee NI would be cut by a further 2p, taking the tax to 6 per cent by April 2027.
- Help for self-employed: Abolish the main rate of self-employed National Insurance entirely by the end of the next Parliament.
- Pension protection: A guarantee that both the state pension and the tax free allowance for pensioners always increases with the highest of inflation, earnings or 2.5 per cent so the new state pension doesn’t get dragged into income tax.
- No new net zero charges: A Tory government would roll out no new green levies or charges while also cutting the cost of going green for consumers.
- National Service: Mandatory National Service would be introduced for all school leavers at 18, with the choice between a placement in the military or civic service roles.
- School mobile phone ban: The use of mobile phones during school day would be banned.
- Boost for MoD: Defence spending as a proportion of GDP would rise to 2.5 per cent by 2030.
- Migration cap: A legal cap on migration would be introduced to ensure it falls every year.
- Greater protection for women and girls: The Equality Act would be amended to better protect female-only spaces and competitiveness in sport.
12:56PM
Lib Dems: Tory manifesto ‘isn’t worth the paper it’s written on’
The Liberal Democrats claimed the Tory manifesto “isn’t worth the paper it’s written on”.
Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader, said: “Rishi Sunak got one thing right in this speech: people are frustrated with him and the Conservative Party. This manifesto isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. No one will believe anything they’re promising today.
“From his D-Day disservice to a Formula One flop, Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives have packed their campaign with desperation and lies.
“After years of taking people for granted, the Conservatives have overseen crumbling hospitals, sewage scandals and a cost of living crisis like no other. It’s time for a change.
“Frankly, it’s astonishing that they managed to sit politely in a room and agree with each other for long enough to publish something.”
12:52PM
Sunak unable to say how many monthly Rwanda flights he wants to see
Rishi Sunak declined to set a figure for how many Rwanda flights he wanted to see taking off each month.
The Prime Minister said: “We have deliberately not [set out a figure publicly] because we don’t want to compromise operational security but I have been very clear that it is not just about one flight.
“You do need a regular rhythm of flights because you need to build that deterrent.”
