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General election: Corbyn's Brexit neutrality 'astonishing', says Swinson - live news General election: Corbyn's Brexit neutrality 'astonishing', says Swinson – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Party leaders back on campaign trail after last night’s grilling on the BBC’s Question Time specialParty leaders back on campaign trail after last night’s grilling on the BBC’s Question Time special
A Conservative announcement that they would ensure that a minimum train service must operate during strikes has provoked angry responses from unions. The party has said it would legislate to oblige rail employers and unions to enter into Minimum Service Agreements (MSA), which would set in advance the number and nature of staff who would remain at work during any strike. This would render strike action unlawful if there were no MSA in place.
Reaction has continued to roll in to Jeremy Corbyn’s announcement on last night’s BBC Question Time special that he would remain neutral in a second referendum on Brexit. Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said the position was astonishing, while Brexit party leader Nigel Farage said the Labour leader wasn’t seen as patriotic in leave areas like Hartlepool.
Jeremy Corbyn has launched Labour’s youth manifesto – called The Future is Ours – in Loughborough. The document commits the party to giving 16-year-olds the right to vote, and to investing an additional £250m to build up to 500 new youth centres. Earlier in the day he vowed to take on “bad bosses and tax dodgers” at an event to highlight the party’s “fair tax programme” outside an Amazon warehouse in Sheffield.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has ruled out scrapping GP home visits after doctors backed the idea in a vote, arguing that they were too over-stretched to deliver the service. The Conservative party has also pledged more than £1.6bn for research to find a cure for dementia over the next decade, which it says represents the largest boost to dementia research ever in the UK, doubling current funding levels.
That’s all from me today. I’ll be back tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
The actor and writer Rob Delaney has shared a video praising the NHS and calling it “the pinnacle of human achievement”, reports Nicola Slawson. Delaney, co-star of the Channel 4 sitcom Catastrophe, says he is “crazy” about the NHS in the clip, shared on Twitter.The actor and writer Rob Delaney has shared a video praising the NHS and calling it “the pinnacle of human achievement”, reports Nicola Slawson. Delaney, co-star of the Channel 4 sitcom Catastrophe, says he is “crazy” about the NHS in the clip, shared on Twitter.
The American actor, who is a vocal supporter of Labour, compared the experiences of being treated by the US private healthcare system when he was in a car accident when he was 25 with the “extraordinary care” his son Henry received from the NHS when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour before he died.The American actor, who is a vocal supporter of Labour, compared the experiences of being treated by the US private healthcare system when he was in a car accident when he was 25 with the “extraordinary care” his son Henry received from the NHS when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour before he died.
A Conservative announcement that they would ensure that a minimum train service must operate during strikes has provoked angry responses from unions. The party has said it would legislate to oblige rail employers and unions to enter into Minimum Service Agreements (MSA), which would set in advance the number and nature of staff who would remain at work during any strike. This would render strike action unlawful if there were no MSA in place.A Conservative announcement that they would ensure that a minimum train service must operate during strikes has provoked angry responses from unions. The party has said it would legislate to oblige rail employers and unions to enter into Minimum Service Agreements (MSA), which would set in advance the number and nature of staff who would remain at work during any strike. This would render strike action unlawful if there were no MSA in place.
They accused “militant rail unions” of causing misery for passengers, with more than 160 days of strikes that have taken place, or are planned, since 2016.They accused “militant rail unions” of causing misery for passengers, with more than 160 days of strikes that have taken place, or are planned, since 2016.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said:Transport secretary Grant Shapps said:
The move comes ahead of 27 planned days of strikes on South Western Railway next month by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union in the long-running dispute over guards on trains. RMT members on West Midlands Trains are on strike today over the same issue.The move comes ahead of 27 planned days of strikes on South Western Railway next month by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union in the long-running dispute over guards on trains. RMT members on West Midlands Trains are on strike today over the same issue.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:
Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said:Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said:
Nigel Farage has paid a visit to Hartlepool – a Brexit party target seat – on the party’s battle bus and visited the Market Hall in Middleton Grange shopping centre. PA Media reports that he spoke to a number of stallholders, bought a caramel slice and a £1.29 Christmas card for his mother. Farage told reporters:Nigel Farage has paid a visit to Hartlepool – a Brexit party target seat – on the party’s battle bus and visited the Market Hall in Middleton Grange shopping centre. PA Media reports that he spoke to a number of stallholders, bought a caramel slice and a £1.29 Christmas card for his mother. Farage told reporters:
He said resolving the Brexit issue would help restore the public’s faith in politics.He said resolving the Brexit issue would help restore the public’s faith in politics.
Barristers have called on whichever party wins the general election to restore public confidence in a “properly funded justice system” and increase spending to redress past cuts to legal aid, reports Owen Bowcott.At the Bar Council’s annual conference in central London, the leader of the organisation, which represents 16,500 barristers throughout England and Wales, urged politicians to divert more resources to the “damaged” system. Richard Atkins QC, chair of the Bar Council, said:Barristers have called on whichever party wins the general election to restore public confidence in a “properly funded justice system” and increase spending to redress past cuts to legal aid, reports Owen Bowcott.At the Bar Council’s annual conference in central London, the leader of the organisation, which represents 16,500 barristers throughout England and Wales, urged politicians to divert more resources to the “damaged” system. Richard Atkins QC, chair of the Bar Council, said:
The organisation’s 2019 “Manifesto for Justice” says: “The cumulative effect of ill-conceived, short-term decisions over the last decade is undeniable: swingeing cuts to civil, criminal and family legal aid; court closures; under-resourcing the Crown Prosecution Service; the increase of unrepresented people filling courts (Litigants in Person); a criminal justice system on its knees with crime going up and prosecutions going down. As a matter of urgency, the next government must address the state of the justice system.”The organisation’s 2019 “Manifesto for Justice” says: “The cumulative effect of ill-conceived, short-term decisions over the last decade is undeniable: swingeing cuts to civil, criminal and family legal aid; court closures; under-resourcing the Crown Prosecution Service; the increase of unrepresented people filling courts (Litigants in Person); a criminal justice system on its knees with crime going up and prosecutions going down. As a matter of urgency, the next government must address the state of the justice system.”
The Ministry of Justice has suffered a 40% cut in its budget between 2011 and 2020 and overseen mass closures of courts around the country. “Justice must not become a postcode lottery,” the manifesto states. “We have fewer courts than ever before. 277 courts and 18 tribunals across England and Wales have closed over the last decade. There are huge backlogs of cases in many of our remaining courts and yet courtrooms are lying empty.”The Ministry of Justice has suffered a 40% cut in its budget between 2011 and 2020 and overseen mass closures of courts around the country. “Justice must not become a postcode lottery,” the manifesto states. “We have fewer courts than ever before. 277 courts and 18 tribunals across England and Wales have closed over the last decade. There are huge backlogs of cases in many of our remaining courts and yet courtrooms are lying empty.”
Cuts to legal aid should be reversed, the Bar Council says. “Access to justice underpins a fair, just and reasonable society. It is not a commodity and must never be a luxury available only to those who can afford to pay for it.Cuts to legal aid should be reversed, the Bar Council says. “Access to justice underpins a fair, just and reasonable society. It is not a commodity and must never be a luxury available only to those who can afford to pay for it.
“Legal aid should be recognised as being as much a part of civil society as the NHS, housing, social security and education. It should be reintroduced to help the most vulnerable and marginalised citizens who are currently left to fend for themselves. The next government must reinvest in legal aid, reversing a decade of cuts.”“Legal aid should be recognised as being as much a part of civil society as the NHS, housing, social security and education. It should be reintroduced to help the most vulnerable and marginalised citizens who are currently left to fend for themselves. The next government must reinvest in legal aid, reversing a decade of cuts.”
The six-point programme also calls for an end to what has been termed the “innocence tax”. “The current situation of the state prosecuting an individual, refusing to give him or her legal aid and then refusing to fully reimburse their private legal costs when they are acquitted is desperately unfair. It must be reformed.”The six-point programme also calls for an end to what has been termed the “innocence tax”. “The current situation of the state prosecuting an individual, refusing to give him or her legal aid and then refusing to fully reimburse their private legal costs when they are acquitted is desperately unfair. It must be reformed.”
The Bar Council calls on the next government to recognise the importance of the legal industry which in 2017 contributed £26.8bn to the UK economy.The Bar Council calls on the next government to recognise the importance of the legal industry which in 2017 contributed £26.8bn to the UK economy.
Jeremy Corbyn has launched Labour’s youth manifesto – called The Future is Ours – in Loughborough. The document commits the party to giving 16-year-olds the right to vote, and to investing an additional £250m to build up to 500 new youth centres.Jeremy Corbyn has launched Labour’s youth manifesto – called The Future is Ours – in Loughborough. The document commits the party to giving 16-year-olds the right to vote, and to investing an additional £250m to build up to 500 new youth centres.
Earlier in the day Corbyn and shadow employment rights secretary, Laura Pidcock, vowed to take on “bad bosses and tax dodgers” at an event to highlight the party’s “fair tax programme” outside an Amazon warehouse in Sheffield. The party has pledged to introduce unitary taxation of multinationals to stop tax-avoiding profit-shifting.Earlier in the day Corbyn and shadow employment rights secretary, Laura Pidcock, vowed to take on “bad bosses and tax dodgers” at an event to highlight the party’s “fair tax programme” outside an Amazon warehouse in Sheffield. The party has pledged to introduce unitary taxation of multinationals to stop tax-avoiding profit-shifting.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has ruled out scrapping GP home visits after doctors backed the idea in a vote, arguing that they were too over-stretched to deliver the service. Delegates representing GPs across England at a British Medical Association conference voted to try to remove the duty from their standard contract, after complaints that they were wasting time driving around the country.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has ruled out scrapping GP home visits after doctors backed the idea in a vote, arguing that they were too over-stretched to deliver the service. Delegates representing GPs across England at a British Medical Association conference voted to try to remove the duty from their standard contract, after complaints that they were wasting time driving around the country.
The Conservative party has pledged more than £1.6bn for research to find a cure for dementia over the next decade, which it says represents the largest boost to dementia research ever in the UK, doubling current funding levels.The Conservative party has pledged more than £1.6bn for research to find a cure for dementia over the next decade, which it says represents the largest boost to dementia research ever in the UK, doubling current funding levels.
The Press Association has comments from Jo Swinson from her campaign visit to London’s Design Museum this morning, where highlighted her party’s policies on innovation and technology.The Press Association has comments from Jo Swinson from her campaign visit to London’s Design Museum this morning, where highlighted her party’s policies on innovation and technology.
She told the news agency:She told the news agency:
Asked about her performance in last night’s BBC Question Time programme, she said:Asked about her performance in last night’s BBC Question Time programme, she said:
She said it was up to others to decide if they thought she had been given a tougher time than the other leaders, but added:She said it was up to others to decide if they thought she had been given a tougher time than the other leaders, but added:
There have been a string of complaints from Lib Dem politicians about the make-up of last night’s audience, including this from MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton:There have been a string of complaints from Lib Dem politicians about the make-up of last night’s audience, including this from MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton:
That’s it from Labour’s youth manifesto launch. You can read the full document here.That’s it from Labour’s youth manifesto launch. You can read the full document here.
The party has announced an additional £1bn in annual revenue expenditure for youth services. Labour analysis of government figures shows that spending on youth services has reduced by £1bn (73%) since 2010. The party says it would double the annual capital expenditure for youth services that the government has committed to, investing an additional £250m to build up to 500 new youth centres.The party has announced an additional £1bn in annual revenue expenditure for youth services. Labour analysis of government figures shows that spending on youth services has reduced by £1bn (73%) since 2010. The party says it would double the annual capital expenditure for youth services that the government has committed to, investing an additional £250m to build up to 500 new youth centres.
Among Labour’s pledges aimed to get young voters on side are –Among Labour’s pledges aimed to get young voters on side are –
Votes at 16 and automatic voter registration.Votes at 16 and automatic voter registration.
An end to tuition fees and bringing back maintenance grant.An end to tuition fees and bringing back maintenance grant.
Free bus travel for under-25s.Free bus travel for under-25s.
Banning unpaid internships.Banning unpaid internships.
Reforming Help to Buy to focus it on first-time buyers on ordinary incomes.Reforming Help to Buy to focus it on first-time buyers on ordinary incomes.
He concludes:He concludes:
Chants of “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” and selfies ensue.Chants of “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” and selfies ensue.
Corbyn says there are 150 billionaires in Britain and 50 of them are funding the Conservatives. “I don’t know about the other 100,” he says. “They should be funding the Conservative party, because the Conservative party is certainly funding them.”Corbyn says there are 150 billionaires in Britain and 50 of them are funding the Conservatives. “I don’t know about the other 100,” he says. “They should be funding the Conservative party, because the Conservative party is certainly funding them.”
Corbyn says he is proud that the UK parliament declared a climate emergency, but “declaring it is not the same as doing something about it”. He says that it is important to get to net-zero emissions as quickly as possible.Corbyn says he is proud that the UK parliament declared a climate emergency, but “declaring it is not the same as doing something about it”. He says that it is important to get to net-zero emissions as quickly as possible.
He adds that the job opportunities created in bringing emissions down are huge. Labour calculates 300,000 green energy jobs will be created.He adds that the job opportunities created in bringing emissions down are huge. Labour calculates 300,000 green energy jobs will be created.
The campaign has been framed as the Brexit election, says Corbyn, but it is also about health, housing and education.The campaign has been framed as the Brexit election, says Corbyn, but it is also about health, housing and education.
He repeats his argument that under a Labour government the “NHS is not for sale” in post-Brexit trade negotiations with the US, prompting chants of “not for sale, not for sale” from the audience.He repeats his argument that under a Labour government the “NHS is not for sale” in post-Brexit trade negotiations with the US, prompting chants of “not for sale, not for sale” from the audience.
The Labour leader is talking about his visit to an Amazon warehouse in Sheffield earlier today, where he launched the party’s proposals for cracking down on tax avoidance.The Labour leader is talking about his visit to an Amazon warehouse in Sheffield earlier today, where he launched the party’s proposals for cracking down on tax avoidance.
“I want to make it very, very clear, under a Labour government there will be a few things done differently,” he says. They will end zero-hours contracts “end of story”, every worker will have full-rights from day one, they will end non-dom status and tax people where they make their money.“I want to make it very, very clear, under a Labour government there will be a few things done differently,” he says. They will end zero-hours contracts “end of story”, every worker will have full-rights from day one, they will end non-dom status and tax people where they make their money.
He says their proposals are not “anti-business” because there are lots of small businesses that do pay their taxes and they are focusing on the biggest businesses.He says their proposals are not “anti-business” because there are lots of small businesses that do pay their taxes and they are focusing on the biggest businesses.
Corbyn adds: “It’s a people-powered manifesto, in a people-powered party, in a people-powered campaign to win this election.”Corbyn adds: “It’s a people-powered manifesto, in a people-powered party, in a people-powered campaign to win this election.”
Corbyn is up on stage. He says there are two weeks to get people to register to vote and then to get them to vote Labour. He says there are 9 million people still not registered.Corbyn is up on stage. He says there are two weeks to get people to register to vote and then to get them to vote Labour. He says there are 9 million people still not registered.
Corbyn says he enjoyed last night’s grilling from people in Sheffield. “I am very very happy to take questions from anybody, on anything, any time, any place. We have nothing to hide,” he says.Corbyn says he enjoyed last night’s grilling from people in Sheffield. “I am very very happy to take questions from anybody, on anything, any time, any place. We have nothing to hide,” he says.
Corbyn is about to launch his youth manifesto – called The Future is Ours – in Loughborough. The document commits the party to giving 16-year-olds the right to vote, and to investing an additional £250m to build up to 500 new youth centres. You can watch the live stream at the top of this blog and I’ll bring you live updates.Corbyn is about to launch his youth manifesto – called The Future is Ours – in Loughborough. The document commits the party to giving 16-year-olds the right to vote, and to investing an additional £250m to build up to 500 new youth centres. You can watch the live stream at the top of this blog and I’ll bring you live updates.
The latest polling, from Panelbase, has the Conservative party lead over Labour narrow to 10 points. The survey has the Tories on 42%, down one point from the pollster’s survey last week, with Labour on 32%, up two points. The Lib Dems were on 14%, down one point, and the Brexit party down two points to 3%.The latest polling, from Panelbase, has the Conservative party lead over Labour narrow to 10 points. The survey has the Tories on 42%, down one point from the pollster’s survey last week, with Labour on 32%, up two points. The Lib Dems were on 14%, down one point, and the Brexit party down two points to 3%.
You can keep up to date with the most recent polling with our tracker here:You can keep up to date with the most recent polling with our tracker here:
The Green party’s co-leader Jonathan Bartley appeared on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Saturday this morning, where he warned that the climate emergency could kill more people than the second world war:The Green party’s co-leader Jonathan Bartley appeared on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Saturday this morning, where he warned that the climate emergency could kill more people than the second world war:
On Prince Andrew’s decision to withdraw from public life, he said:On Prince Andrew’s decision to withdraw from public life, he said:
Former prime minister Gordon Brown is to claim removing Boris Johnson from Number 10 is the first step in restoring “common decency” and moving the UK forward, the PA Media reports.Former prime minister Gordon Brown is to claim removing Boris Johnson from Number 10 is the first step in restoring “common decency” and moving the UK forward, the PA Media reports.
He’ll be speaking today at three Labour campaign events across Scotland - in Fife, South Lanarkshire and East Lothian.He’ll be speaking today at three Labour campaign events across Scotland - in Fife, South Lanarkshire and East Lothian.
He will highlight figures that show there are 121,925 children in working families north of the border living in poverty.He will highlight figures that show there are 121,925 children in working families north of the border living in poverty.