General Election LIVE: Rishi Sunak confirms Triple Lock+ pledge to NEVER tax state pension

The Conservatives are 19 points behind Labour with 25% and 44% respectively, according to a new poll by Savanta.

It is the lowest vote share for the Tories recorded by the polling company since the general election was announced.

The research also found that voters say they have increasingly made up their minds and are unlikely to change ahead of polling day.

Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta, said: "In some senses, this poll is clearly bad news for Rishi Sunak, with the Conservatives on their lowest vote share since the start of the campaign. However, there is a glimmer of positive news here - our research suggests they're stagnating rather than in freefall, and Reform UK don't appear to have been boosted by the PM's mistake.

"After the last seven days for the Prime Minister, which have been nothing short of a campaigning disaster, in many ways this is as good as he could have hoped for."

Labour has pledged to fix one million potholes every year if Sir Keir Starmer wins the General Election.

Last year, pothole damage cost drivers almost £500 million with the average damage worth £250, the has party claimed.

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh accused the Conservative Government of failing drivers, adding that Labour is the only party "truly on the side of drivers".

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross told the BBC debate: "I want this election and the next five years to be all about delivering action on the issues that really matter to you - creating good jobs, cutting tax, reducing NHS waiting lists, fixing the roads, investing in schools."

He added: "If the SNP win, they'll claim every seat as a mandate for independence.

"They'll be distracted from the local issues you care about most.

"So in key seats up and down Scotland, if everyone who wants to beat the SNP votes together for the Scottish Conservatives, we can end their obsession with independence for good."

Speaking during a BBC debate, SNP leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney said: “Spending cuts, Brexit and the cost of living have all hit people hard.

“Each is a product of decisions made in Westminster. As your First Minister I want to deliver the best future for Scotland. The SNP has doubled front line funding for the NHS, expanded childcare and protected free tuition and free prescriptions.

“But Westminster still holds most of Scotland’s purse strings. Independent experts are warning that Labour and the Conservatives are not being straight with you about massive spending cuts that are to come.

“We’re arguing for no more cuts and to reverse Brexit so we can raise living standards. Independence would give us the power to address all of these issues.”

Nigel Farage vowed he "will not surrender to the mob" after being attacked on the campaign trail for a second time.

Speaking at a rally in Great Yarmouth this evening, the Reform UK leader described the situation as "very difficult because I actually like going out meeting people".

He said: "All I can say is that whilst it's concerning and whilst of course it does make me thoughtful and I may need to change tactics, slightly, but I'm going to make one promise to you... and my promise is this: I will not surrender to the mob, I will not stop campaigning, this democratic process has to continue."

Reform UK is on track to come second in Hartlepool at the General Election with the Tories a distant third, new polling shows.

A poll of 448 voters in the constituency by WeThink for The Economist puts Labour on 58%, Nigel Farage's party on 23% and the Conservatives on 10%.

It comes after Boris Johnson's Tories won the seat in County Durham for the first time in a 2021 by-election.

Listen to our new The Division Bell podcast, hosted by Express political editor Sam Lister and Mirror political editor John Stevens.

Each episode will see Sam and John go head-to-head on a political topic - so listeners can expect a lively discussion and the first is available to listen to just above!

New episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the General Election campaign, with a special edition on the morning after polling day.

Tories with a majority of 20,000 or less are at risk of losing their seats at the General Election, according to a US pollster and political strategist.

Frank Luntz previously warned the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs that anyone with a majority of less than 15,000 was in trouble.

Speaking to Times Radio’s How to Win an Election podcast, he said: "A year ago I got crucified because I did a presentation to the 1922 Committee.

"I did not understand that when you present to them, it's like presenting to the Times and the Telegraph and the Daily Mail. No one told me that within five minutes of the presentation, it would air.

"And I said that if you had a majority of 15,000 votes or less, you're in real trouble. And you know what? I was wrong. It's 20,000 votes and you're in real trouble. 20,000 votes."

Sir Keir Starmer has been slammed for comparing the “unfunded” Tory manifesto to Jeremy Corbyn’s which he backed before taking over as leader.

The Labour leader was mocked for “attacking his own side” with his remarks as he supported Mr Corbyn’s manifestos in 2017 and 2019 when serving as a shadow minister.

Andrew Fisher, executive director of policy for the Labour Party from 2015 and 2019, wrote that Sir Keir’s remarks were “an insult to Labour members and supporters”.

Momentum, the grassroots group set to support Mr Corbyn, hit back at Sir Keir: “Labour’s 2019 manifesto was fully costed.

"Keir should know, he stood on it as a member of the shadow cabinet. How about stopping attacking your own side during an election [Sir Keir]?”

Reform UK is now just one point behind the Tories, according to a new poll.

The YouGov survey puts Nigel Farage's party on 17%, up one from last week, with the Conservatives down one on 18%.

Labour has a 20-point lead with 38%, but Sir Keir Starmer's party has dropped three points from the week before.

The Liberal Democrats are up four points in fourth place with 15%, with the Greens on 8%.

The poll of more than 2,000 British adults was carried out on Monday and Tuesday morning before Rishi Sunak unveiled his General Election manifesto.

The Tories hit back at shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves's rebuttal press conference hours after the Conservative manifesto.

A Tory spokesman said: "Once again Reeves is confusing facts and fiction on numbers.

"Rachel Reeves's chaotic and panicked dossier is full of complete nonsense and capped off with the extraordinary claim that it will cost the taxpayer £5.7 billion to cut the civil service back to pandemic levels.

"Most substantially, Labour's position is that it is not possible to save a single penny from the welfare budget. This kind of thinking is why they have ended up with a £38.5 billion black hole and need to raise taxes by £2,094 per working household."

The Reform UK leader wrote on X: "The 2024 Conservative manifesto makes the same promises on tax and immigration that it made in 2019, 2017, 2015 and 2010.

"Don’t believe a single word of it."

Speaking at a central London press conference responding to the Tory manifesto, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "The analysis that we have conducted since publication has identified £71 billion of unfunded commitments over the course of the next parliament.

"The consequence of an increase in day-to-day borrowing to fund the commitments made in this manifesto would amount to a second Tory mortgage bombshell, because higher borrowing at this scale would force the Bank of England to increase interest rates.

"The result would be an increase in the average mortgage totalling £4,800 over the course of the parliament."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the attack on him on this morning while campaigning in Barnsley was "pretty nasty".

Speaking on his next stop in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, he said that the police tipped them off early that it was "not a very good idea" to leave the battlebus.

He said: "Protest is allowed. Protest is part of our democratic process. But protest needs to be within certain bounds. Protest does not involve chucking cement towards me, or even stones.

"I don't mind if someone shouts something rude at me, I would probably shout it back. But when it comes to violence that actually poses a real threat."

He added that the attack "violent" and said he would be in hospital now if he had got off the bus.

He said he agrees that people who throw objects during campaigns should "absolutely" go to jail.

Nigel Farage has joined Lee Anderson in Ashfield this afternoon after being pelted by what was reportedly concrete on a Reform campaign visit this morning.

Mr Anderson, the party's sole MP during the previous parliament, faces a tight uphill battle to win his seat back on July 4.

Rishi Sunak paid a visit to a local technical college after the manifesto launch, to highlight the Tories' pledge to expand apprenticeships.

He spoke to students about what they're studying and what industry they want to go into.

Given his pet policy of having children study maths until 18, Mr Sunak voiced pleasure after hearing there are lots of students at Silverstone University Technical College studying maths A-level.

Rishi Sunak refused to tell the Express precisely how many migrants he wants to deport to Rwanda. Watch the exchange in full below.

Commenting on the publication of the Conservative manifesto, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper 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."

Rishi Sunak has said that the £30 billion tax cut announcements in his manifesto today will see a cut to the tax burden compared to the OBR forecasts from March.

Asked by the Mail, Mr Sunak said the tax burden will be one per cent lower every year of the next Parliament up until 2029 compared to the Treasury forecasts in the March Budget.

However the tax burden is set to rise anyway over the period, so whether it will be a real-terms cut or merely stay flat over the period remains to be clarified

GB News asks Rishi Sunak why he's not committed to pulling out of the ECHR.

Mr Sunak argues that the Rwanda plan is compatible with international legal obligations, but reiterates his commitment to always siding with the country's security over international courts "every time".

"I'm not blind to the fact that people are frustrated with our party, and frustrated with me.

"Things have not always been easy, and we have not got everything right.

"But we are the only party in this election with the big ideas to make our country a better place to live."

Boris Johnson has just received praise from Rishi Sunak for standing up for Ukraine and defending the country against Russia.

Mr Sunak appeared keen to credit his other predecessors too, with a hat-tip to David Cameron among others.

He's keen to change attitudes towards the party's last 14 years in power.

He also says he's "mighty proud" of the level of diversity around the Cabinet table as a sign of Britain's successful multiculturalism.

Rishi Sunak's manifesto fudges the contentious issue of ECHR reform, promising: "If we are forced to choose between our security and the jurisdiction of a foreign court, including the ECtHR, we will always choose our security".

This morning one of Boris Johnson's former right-hand advisors warned that making this fudge was the "worst of all words" as neither wings of the Tories will be happy and Reform UK will be able to outflank it by promising to leave altogether.

Mr Sunak has warned pensioners: "Your pension simply isn't safe under a Labour Government".

He highlights the party's pledge for a Triple Lock + where the state pension will never be subject to taxation.

Rishi Sunak has attacked Keir Starmer as a socialist, "and we all know what socialists do, they take more of your money".

Mr Sunak jokes that Sir Keir is taking inspiration from the movie fight club, and that the 'number 1 rule of tax rises is you don't talk about tax rises'.

He says that despite tough decisions during the pandemic, they are now cutting taxes.

He says the Tories are the party of Margaret Thatcher and Nigel Lawson, and believe in their hearts that cutting taxes is the right approach.

Mr Sunak promises to ensure lower welfare spending so they can deliver local taxes.

He promises that in the next parliament the Tories will cut National Insurance in half - a tax cut worth £1300.

The PM also confirms the party's new promise of abolishing NIC for the self employed all together.

There are three new policy announcements in the Tory manifesto.

1. Self-employed national insurance will be abolished by the end of the next parliament

2. Mr Sunak pledges no new green levies or charges in the pursuit of Net Zero

3. The Tories will work with other countries to rewrite asylum treaties, such as the ECHR, "to make them fit for the challenges we face"

Rishi Sunak arrives on stage, saying Silverstone is the perfect location to launch his manifesto now the economy has "turned the corner".

He says this election is about who is best to turn the economic recovery into a secure future for you, your family and the country.

Mr Houchen provides a character reference for Rishi Sunak, whom he credits with hugely helping to rejuvenate Teesside over the past five years.

He accuses Sir Keir Starmer of "taking the British people for chumps".

He claims it will be "armageddon" under Keir Starmer.

The Tory manifesto is pledging £30 billion of tax cuts in the next parliament.

It includes halving employee national insurance, abolishing self-employed NICs, the Triple Lock Plus, stamp duty for first time buyers and capital gainst tax reforms for landlords who sell their property to tenants.

Knowsley-born Gillian Keegan is introducing Rishi Sunak at the manifesto launch.

Here is the view from our reporter's seat ahead of the Tories' manifesto

The Prime Minister is due to announce the Tory Party manifesto at 11.30am.

Teasing the pledges, he said: "Clear plan. Bold action."

The Express' Steph Spyro has said that Mr Sunak will today want to leave voters with no doubt that he is the right man to take the wheel for another term.

Reporting for Silverstone where the party will unveil its manifesto at 11.30, she warns Labour that it's too soon for them to wave the chequered flag at this election, with the Tories' eyecatching set of policy offerings for voters.

"Drawing on the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, he will seek to pitch the Tories as the party of 'sound money' and draw dividing lines with Labour over reducing the burden for 'earners, parents and pensioners'."

The Sun is reporting this morning that election candidates are complaining that newly-popular doorbell cameras have made doorknocking impossible, because voters can easily pretend that they’re not in if they spot it's a party activist at the door.

One canvasser has even started carrying a parcel so people think they’ve got mail.

Earlier in the election, David Cameron was filmed via one of the snazzy doorbells trying to electioneer for a Tory candidate.

Reform UK appears to be having a big tif over the party's supposed pact with Northern Ireland party Traditional Unionist Voice.

Before Mr Farage took over as leader, Ben Habib, the co-deputy leader, announced a pact with the unionist party.

However yesterday Mr Farage endorsed two rival DUP candidates - Iain Pasley and Sammy Wilson.

Mr Farage told PA: "As far as the Northern Ireland thing is concerned, I want to make it clear that whilst there have been negotiations going on in previous times, I will personally be endorsing Ian Paisley and Sammy Wilson".

Speaking on BBC Good Morning Ulster, Mr Habib had to deny that the situation is a mess.

He said: "The reality is that Ian Paisley and Sammy Wilson are old beer buddies of Nigel’s".

“Nigel has obviously got a hell of a lot on his plate, taking over as leader, trying to get his legs under the desk and they asked him for a personal endorsement and he said ‘yeah, sure’."

Rishi Sunak is no doubt revved up for the launch of his party's manifesto at Silverstone racecourse in a little over an hour.

That's the first of many puns to come I'm afraid- victory, pole position, finish line and chequered flag. The opportunities are endless.

I'm in the media room fueling up (sorry, I can't resist) on caffeine ahead of the announcement.

There is apparently a Brad Pitt film also being filmed today at Silverstone Racecourse, the venue for Rishi Sunak's big announcement.

Reports say insiders have had to time the PM's speech to make sure it isn't drowned out by the sound of zooming race cars...

I can confirm that there are "ots of glitzy movie trailers parked near the course.

It's not the first time that the Hollywood A-lister has had a tangential run-in with the Tory party.

Many years ago it was believed he'd attempted to buy the rights to make a film about none other than Rory Stewart...

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pulled out of tonight's anticipated Panorama showdown with Nick Robinson.

Mr Farage was set to face the BBC veteran for an hour's long interview following Mr Sunak's last night.

The programme was set to air at 10.40pm, but has now been postponed to a later date.

Sources insisted Mr Farage would still be doing the interview, but he has had to reschedule due to a diary mix-up.

The top Labour spokesman Wes Streeting has refused to rule out any Capital Gains Tax increase should they win the election.

Speaking on Times Radio this morning, he was bluntly asked: "Are you going to put up capital gains tax?"

Wes Streeting: "Well, I can reassure people that nothing in Labour's manifesto requires us to put up capital gains tax. So that's the reassurance we can provide. The reason Rachel has been so explicit on income tax, national insurance and VAT is to provide that explicit message to kind of hit voters on the nose with it. So people know when they're worried about their pay slips and how much is going out in tax, they know that a Labour government will not make things worse for them."

Wes Streeting: "You're not going to see Rachel taking measures that harm our international competitiveness or disincentivise business investment and job creation in this country. Rachel Reeves is the Chancellor the country is crying out for."

Top LibDem Wendy Chamberlain received a mauling from LBC’s Nick Ferrari today, after she refused countless times to say whether her party wants to rejoin the European Union.

Ms Chamberlain, the party’s deputy leader in Scotland, pointed to the party’s manifesto pledge of repairing relations with Europe, but refused to say six times whether or not the once-rabidly pro-EU party wants us to rejoin.

Tory chairman Richard Holden has published a letter from the Cabinet Secretary this morning purporting to show that civil servants did come up with costings that the Tories are now using to warn voters about Labour's tax rise plans.

Mr Holden says that the attached letter: "has confirmed that 21 costings of Labour’s policies were produced by civil servants from HM Treasury and other relevant departments".

"Contrary to Labour's claims he also confirmed that the letter from the Treasury Permanent Secretary made no reference to the Prime Minister."

Good morning from the Tory battle bus where journalists are racing to the Prime Minister’s manifesto launch this morning.

The Pret sandwiches have been devoured and the Nespresso coffee machine is fired up.

There is usually a star politician on board in the boardroom-like enclave at the back of the bus for interviews. But for now it’s empty.

Cabinet ministers are expected to be front row at the manifesto launch at 11.30am though.

Maybe one will catch a ride with us afterwards? Stay tuned to find out!

Rishi Sunak will arrive in Northamptonshire this morning to launch his manifesto.

The day could prove make-or-break for the Tories, as Mr Sunak prays the anticipated list of promising starts closing the gap between him and Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Sunak will take to the stage at 11:30, set to speak from an "eye-catching venue"

Nigel Farage has welcomed "progress" after the British Polling Council listened to him and wrote to members instructing them to be transparent about the way they prompt for Reform UK when asking Brits how they will vote.

Mr Farage told the Express this morning: "We are now making progress towards honest polling. The public must not be deceived during a general election".

The move comes after Mr Farage wrote to the British Polling Council with his key demand on Sunday evening.

The Tories will take centre stage today as Rishi Sunak will launch the party's manifesto.

In a last ditch attempt to win votes, the key policies include helping first time buyers and a tax break for landlords.

Last night, the Prime Minister also pledged a 2p cut to National Insurance.

Meanwhile Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey will also be out in the South West, having launched his manifesto on Monday.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will also be hitting the campaign trail today in Yorkshire, East Midlands and East of England.

Tonight, leaders in Scotland will take part in a BBC debate in Glasgow, before Farage is back in the hot seat for an interview with BBC Panorama.

Hello and welcome to Express.co.uk's General Election live blog.

We'll be bringing you all the latest from the campaign trail as the Conservatives look set to announce their manifesto today.

More to follow.