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General election 2019: Labour promises billions for public services General election 2019: Labour and Tories pledge more borrowing
(32 minutes later)
Labour has promised "investment on a scale never seen before" to overhaul infrastructure in all areas of the UK.Labour has promised "investment on a scale never seen before" to overhaul infrastructure in all areas of the UK.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says he wants to transfer power and money out of the south-east of England - and will fund his plans through borrowing.Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says he wants to transfer power and money out of the south-east of England - and will fund his plans through borrowing.
The Tories have also vowed to borrow to fund more spending, rewriting their current financial rules.The Tories have also vowed to borrow to fund more spending, rewriting their current financial rules.
Chancellor Sajid Javid denied copying Labour's plans, saying he would practise "sensible stewardship".Chancellor Sajid Javid denied copying Labour's plans, saying he would practise "sensible stewardship".
Both parties say they want to take advantage of historically low interest rates to spend more on transport, hospitals and other infrastructure projects.Both parties say they want to take advantage of historically low interest rates to spend more on transport, hospitals and other infrastructure projects.
They are locked in a battle for votes in the Midlands and north of England in swing seats that could decide who forms the next government on 12 December.They are locked in a battle for votes in the Midlands and north of England in swing seats that could decide who forms the next government on 12 December.
Both parties are also promising to shift power and control of spending out of London - but they have different ideas about how to do that.Both parties are also promising to shift power and control of spending out of London - but they have different ideas about how to do that.
Speaking in Liverpool, Mr McDonnell promised to set up a Treasury unit in the north of England to take spending decisions out of Whitehall.Speaking in Liverpool, Mr McDonnell promised to set up a Treasury unit in the north of England to take spending decisions out of Whitehall.
The Conservatives have promised to give the north of England more control over its railways, greater powers for some elected mayors and a new economic development body.The Conservatives have promised to give the north of England more control over its railways, greater powers for some elected mayors and a new economic development body.
We have got into something of a bidding war between the two parties.
The Tories are talking about extra cash for police, for upgrading hospitals, for what they call an infrastructure revolution.
John McDonnell is talking about pouring hundreds of billions for a once-in-a-generation upgrade to the country's infrastructure.
They're on the same terrain - they're both talking about the end of austerity.
They're both talking bout a big increase in government spending, and they're both talking about paying for this by borrowing.
The risk for the government is that they might be seen as "Labour-lite" - offering something similar, but not as ambitious.
At the 2017 general election, Labour announced plans to set up a national transformation fund to overhaul the UK's transport links and infrastructure.At the 2017 general election, Labour announced plans to set up a national transformation fund to overhaul the UK's transport links and infrastructure.
This includes a social transformation fund, which Mr McDonnell said would now get an extra £100bn, providing a £150bn pot to be spent over the next five years.This includes a social transformation fund, which Mr McDonnell said would now get an extra £100bn, providing a £150bn pot to be spent over the next five years.
A further £250bn of investment will be spent across the country through the Green Transformation Fund.A further £250bn of investment will be spent across the country through the Green Transformation Fund.
Mr McDonnell said the investment would help a Labour government address a "climate emergency", as well as a "human emergency which has been created by the Tories".Mr McDonnell said the investment would help a Labour government address a "climate emergency", as well as a "human emergency which has been created by the Tories".
He said his party would introduce new fiscal rules, meaning "borrowing for investment" would not be included in borrowing targets.He said his party would introduce new fiscal rules, meaning "borrowing for investment" would not be included in borrowing targets.
He added the new approach would mean public assets created by infrastructure spending would be "recognised both as a cost and as a benefit".He added the new approach would mean public assets created by infrastructure spending would be "recognised both as a cost and as a benefit".
AnalysisAnalysis
BBC business correspondent Simon GompertzBBC business correspondent Simon Gompertz
Both main parties now agree that this era of unusually low interest rates provides an opportunity to borrow to invest.Both main parties now agree that this era of unusually low interest rates provides an opportunity to borrow to invest.
Both will push up the national debt.Both will push up the national debt.
Both argue that stepping up investment now will make the UK more productive later on.Both argue that stepping up investment now will make the UK more productive later on.
The question, as ever, is how much will they borrow and how much debt they think the UK can support.The question, as ever, is how much will they borrow and how much debt they think the UK can support.
Labour is adding a cool £150bn to its investment plans over five years, a very big sum.Labour is adding a cool £150bn to its investment plans over five years, a very big sum.
John McDonnell believes by spending on schools, hospitals and other infrastructure he would create a virtuous circle, a bigger economy which could afford the debt.John McDonnell believes by spending on schools, hospitals and other infrastructure he would create a virtuous circle, a bigger economy which could afford the debt.
Sajid Javid would replace the Tories' self-imposed limits on borrowing with less stringent rules, including the promise that annual investment in projects like road and rail would not exceed 3% of national output.Sajid Javid would replace the Tories' self-imposed limits on borrowing with less stringent rules, including the promise that annual investment in projects like road and rail would not exceed 3% of national output.
He says the difference between his and Labour's plans is "like night and day" but, however they differ, debt looks set to rise.He says the difference between his and Labour's plans is "like night and day" but, however they differ, debt looks set to rise.
But Mr Javid attacked Labour's investment plans, accusing the party of wanting to "spray money round like confetti", and indulging in "fantasy economics".But Mr Javid attacked Labour's investment plans, accusing the party of wanting to "spray money round like confetti", and indulging in "fantasy economics".
He said the "transformation" in the economy since the Conservatives took power "was not the result of some fiscal cycle", but "down to solid economic stewardship".He said the "transformation" in the economy since the Conservatives took power "was not the result of some fiscal cycle", but "down to solid economic stewardship".
"By far the biggest fear of business is a Corbyn-led government," he added."By far the biggest fear of business is a Corbyn-led government," he added.
He said ending the uncertainty over Brexit was "the most important thing the economy needs right now", and would "unleash" more private investment. Mr Javid said his new rule would allow 3% of GDP in public investment - potentially an additional £100bn over current plans.
And he said ending the uncertainty over Brexit was "the most important thing the economy needs right now", and would "unleash" more private investment.
We have got into something of a bidding war between the two parties.
The Tories are talking about extra cash for police, for upgrading hospitals, for what they call an infrastructure revolution.
John McDonnell is talking about pouring hundreds of billions for a once-in-a-generation upgrade to the country's infrastructure.
They're on the same terrain - they're both talking about the end of austerity.
They're both talking about a big increase in government spending, and they're both talking about paying for this by borrowing.
The risk for the government is that they might be seen as "Labour-lite" - offering something similar, but not as ambitious.
The campaign speeches over investment come as:The campaign speeches over investment come as:
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