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Jeremy Corbyn struggles over cost of childcare policy Jeremy Corbyn struggles over cost of childcare policy
(35 minutes later)
Jeremy Corbyn was unable to put a cost on Labour's plan for free childcare for 1.3m youngsters during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour.Jeremy Corbyn was unable to put a cost on Labour's plan for free childcare for 1.3m youngsters during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour.
"It will cost... it will obviously cost a lot to do so to do we accept that," he said, when quizzed about the figures by Emma Barnett. "It will cost... it will obviously cost a lot to do so, we accept that," he said, when quizzed about the figures by Emma Barnett.
The stumble came as the Labour leader and Theresa May resumed election campaigning following a live TV debate.The stumble came as the Labour leader and Theresa May resumed election campaigning following a live TV debate.
Mrs May will argue she is the only one who can offer "strong leadership".Mrs May will argue she is the only one who can offer "strong leadership".
Mr Corbyn faces more interviews in a Mumsnet webchat and the One Show - on BBC One at 19:00 BST.Mr Corbyn faces more interviews in a Mumsnet webchat and the One Show - on BBC One at 19:00 BST.
Labour is focusing on its manifesto proposal to roll out free childcare to all two-year-olds. But it was during his interview with Woman's Hour that he had to be told by interviewer Emma Barnett the cost of his party's manifesto proposal to extend 30 hour a week of free childcare to all two-year-olds - a policy which is part of Labour's plans for a National Education Service.
The Conservative leader is expected to try to re-focus her campaign on Brexit and say that EU officials were adopting an "aggressive negotiating position" ahead of talks on the UK's departure. Asked whether he had the figure, he said: "Yes I do."
"The European Commission has shown the importance of the choice faced by the British public next week," Mrs May will say. Pressed to give the cost, he said: "I'll give you the figure in a moment."
"They are adopting an aggressive negotiating position, which can only be met by strong leadership on behalf of Britain. Jeremy Corbyn is in no position to provide that kind of leadership." "You don't know it? You're logging into your iPad here - you've announced a major policy and you don't know how much it will cost?" presenter Emma Barnett said.
In Monday's Channel 4 and Sky News debate, the Labour leader said his party accepted the referendum result and would ensure protection for workers and the environment would continue after Brexit. "Can I give you the exact figure in a moment please?" the Labour leader said.
"We won't start the negotiations with megaphone diplomacy, threatening Europe with some kind of offshore tax haven on the shores of Europe," he said. Asked whether this indicated that voters should not trust Labour with their money, he answered: "Not at all."
In Tuesday's campaigning, Labour is focusing on its manifesto proposal to extend 30 hour a week of free childcare to all two-year-olds, as part of its plans for a National Education Service. He argued that investing in children in early years meant they did better in school and added: "I want to give you an accurate figure."
The two leaders faced questions on range of subjects, including Brexit and foreign policy, from a live studio audience in the special general election programme on Monday night. Eventually, Ms Barnett quoted shadow education secretary Angela Rayner, who was on BBC Radio 4's Today programme earlier: "£2.7bn, then £4.8bn... with half a billion to reverse cuts to the Sure Start scheme. Does that sound about right?"
"It does sound correct," Mr Corbyn said.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said that Mr Corbyn's performances had got better throughout the election campaign but it was "astonishing he was not across the figures for the childcare policy" his party was campaigning on today.
The Woman's Hour interview came the morning after a high profile grilling in a Channel 4/Sky News TV special when Mr Corbyn, and Conservative leader Theresa May, faced questions on range of subjects, including Brexit and foreign policy, from a live studio audience in the special general election programme on Monday night.
Mr Corbyn was quizzed about his views on drone strikes, tax-raising plans and past campaigning in Northern Ireland.Mr Corbyn was quizzed about his views on drone strikes, tax-raising plans and past campaigning in Northern Ireland.
Mrs May defended her social care reforms and was repeatedly asked if she had changed her mind on Brexit.Mrs May defended her social care reforms and was repeatedly asked if she had changed her mind on Brexit.
Analysis, by Laura Kuenssberg Verdict on the Monday programme by Laura Kuenssberg
A lot of people are only just starting to think about the election and they won't have sat through every bit of the TV event last night.A lot of people are only just starting to think about the election and they won't have sat through every bit of the TV event last night.
What they'll glean, though, from snippets and headlines is a sense of how this campaign has changed, written on the leaders' faces. Jeremy Corbyn, more comfortable, more assured, with better prepared answers. Theresa May, really having to explain herself.What they'll glean, though, from snippets and headlines is a sense of how this campaign has changed, written on the leaders' faces. Jeremy Corbyn, more comfortable, more assured, with better prepared answers. Theresa May, really having to explain herself.
And in this last stage the vulnerabilities are exactly where you'd expect. For Mr Corbyn it's on issues like security, his personal views on groups like the IRA. And for Mrs May, it's a Conservative prime minister facing tough questions over public services.And in this last stage the vulnerabilities are exactly where you'd expect. For Mr Corbyn it's on issues like security, his personal views on groups like the IRA. And for Mrs May, it's a Conservative prime minister facing tough questions over public services.
But the leaders did not appear together, as Mrs May declined to take part in a head-to-head encounter.But the leaders did not appear together, as Mrs May declined to take part in a head-to-head encounter.
Lib Dem Tim Farron said both leaders had committed a series of "blunders".Lib Dem Tim Farron said both leaders had committed a series of "blunders".
He claimed Mr Corbyn had made an unfunded commitment to lift the welfare cap, and Mrs May would not say how many people would be hit by a "dementia tax".He claimed Mr Corbyn had made an unfunded commitment to lift the welfare cap, and Mrs May would not say how many people would be hit by a "dementia tax".
The SNP's Patrick Grady said: "I think we've found out why the prime minister has been so reluctant to take part in leaders' debates tonight."The SNP's Patrick Grady said: "I think we've found out why the prime minister has been so reluctant to take part in leaders' debates tonight."
Plaid Cymru criticised the lack of mentions of Wales, and the Green Party said Mrs May had "avoided the question" on her "unfair" social care reforms.Plaid Cymru criticised the lack of mentions of Wales, and the Green Party said Mrs May had "avoided the question" on her "unfair" social care reforms.
But Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted the prime minister "doesn't want to do negotiations on air and that's perfectly sensible".But Brexit Secretary David Davis insisted the prime minister "doesn't want to do negotiations on air and that's perfectly sensible".
On the implications of Britain leaving the EU without a trade deal, he said "she's good at dealing with the Europeans on contentious issues" and while it is quite reasonable for journalists to probe Mrs May about all sorts of issues because "that's your job - we have got to do a negotiation".On the implications of Britain leaving the EU without a trade deal, he said "she's good at dealing with the Europeans on contentious issues" and while it is quite reasonable for journalists to probe Mrs May about all sorts of issues because "that's your job - we have got to do a negotiation".
"It's clear she's very determined about this," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."It's clear she's very determined about this," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"What we're after is a tariff-free arrangement, that's the aim - and if we can't have one, then we'll have to design our strategy accordingly, which is why I've just said, no deal is better than a bad deal.""What we're after is a tariff-free arrangement, that's the aim - and if we can't have one, then we'll have to design our strategy accordingly, which is why I've just said, no deal is better than a bad deal."
He cited the leak from European sources of the so-called "Downing Street dinner" as evidence that the EU was going to drive a hard bargain as the UK prepares to leave the bloc.He cited the leak from European sources of the so-called "Downing Street dinner" as evidence that the EU was going to drive a hard bargain as the UK prepares to leave the bloc.
His comments came as shadow education secretary Angela Rayner accused the Tories of making Britain "look like ogres" in Europe with their approach to negotiations so far.His comments came as shadow education secretary Angela Rayner accused the Tories of making Britain "look like ogres" in Europe with their approach to negotiations so far.
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