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General election: Tories accuse Corbyn of 'lying to public' about what UK-US trade talks dossier reveals – live news General election: Tories accuse Corbyn of 'lying to public' about what UK-US trade talks dossier reveals – live news
(32 minutes later)
Labour leader says he has obtained 451 pages of unredacted documents that reveal the US is demanding NHS services are part of trade negotiationsLabour leader says he has obtained 451 pages of unredacted documents that reveal the US is demanding NHS services are part of trade negotiations
Many of your questions so far have been about how Labour will pay for free education and how EU citizens will be affected by Brexit.
Q: One of the most popular ideas in the Labour manifesto is free education for all. Where would the money to back up the abolition of tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate courses come from? And how would that affect the economy given the astronomical fees that students currently pay/get a loan from? Carina Nicu, 27 years old, research technician at the University of Manchester, Manchester
Hi Carina, you’re right that abolishing tuition fees and restoring maintenance grants is the single most costly measure in the manifesto, at £13.6bn a year by the end of the parliament.
Labour says almost half of that, £6.4bn, will be offset by the savings from getting rid of the current system (it’s costly to administer, and many students have their fees written off anyway). They would also argue that ensuring kids from lower-income households are not deterred from going to university would have wider social/economic benefits – though of course it wouldn’t just be these students who would benefit.
Labour haven’t earmarked specific taxes to pay for each spending measure – but their biggest money-raiser is increasing corporation tax, which is expected to bring in a whopping £23.7bn a year within five years. The impact of that on the wider economy is contested: Labour say they’re just taking it back to 2010 levels, and the 26% rate still won’t be high by international standards.
Critics say it will deter foreign investment - and that part of the cost will ultimately be passed on to customers and workers, as well as wealthy executives and shareholders.
Q: Are there any concrete measures for EU nationals living in the UK (in the context of Brexit) in the Labour manifesto? Sabrina
Hi Sabrina, yes: the Labour manifesto reiterates the party’s longstanding commitment to uphold the rights of EU citizens already in the UK to remain here.
And it goes a bit further, saying a Labour government would get rid of the legal requirement to register under the EU settlement scheme. It would instead become a “declaratory system”, under which EU citizens could register if they wished, but it wouldn’t be a requirement for continuing to live and work here, the manifesto says. (It doesn’t say how that would work for employers wondering if a particular individual has the right to be here). Labour would also expand the right of all migrants to bring their families to the UK.
As for freedom of movement, that would depend on what happens with Brexit.
I’m Heather Stewart, political editor of the Guardian, and will be answering your questions about the Labour manifesto today. I covered economics at the Guardian and Observer for 15 years before transferring to Westminster in 2016 – initially in a job share with Anushka Asthana. Since then I have covered a referendum and now two general elections.
If you have a question you can send it to us by filling in the form here.
The 451-page cache of US/UK trade negotiations shared by Jeremy Corbyn was published before today – by an unknown whistleblower to the social news website Reddit.In a post titled “OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE: Great Britain is practically standing on her knees working on a trade agreement with the US”, the whistleblower shared a link to the documents, which they said “sometimes give the impression that the second side of the process is not Great Britain, but a third world country”.But despite the poster’s belief that “this publication will make some noise”, the post attracted just a hundred or so “upvotes”, and 23 comments, in the month since it was made. The cache did slowly begin to be shared more widely, however, with Labour MEP Jude Kirton-Darling posting it on her Twitter account five days ago.Shortly before they posted the documents to Reddit, the original leaker, a user called gregoratior, set up a new subforum on the site: “ukwhistleblower”. But the subforum has not yet had anything posted in it, and had just five members before the news broke today.
The Conservatives have released a four-page statement rebutting what was said by Jeremy Corbyn at his news conference this morning about the documents he has obtained about the UK-US trade talks.The Conservatives have released a four-page statement rebutting what was said by Jeremy Corbyn at his news conference this morning about the documents he has obtained about the UK-US trade talks.
I will post full details of what the Tory rebuttal says shortly, but the gist of it is that Corbyn has deliberately misrepresented what they say.I will post full details of what the Tory rebuttal says shortly, but the gist of it is that Corbyn has deliberately misrepresented what they say.
In a statement Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, has also sought to link Corbyn’s handling of this story to his approach to antisemitism. She said:In a statement Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, has also sought to link Corbyn’s handling of this story to his approach to antisemitism. She said:
Truss was referring to this article when she talked about Corbyn using the phrase “Zionist lobby”.Truss was referring to this article when she talked about Corbyn using the phrase “Zionist lobby”.
The Guido Fawkes website has published what it says are full versions of the documents released by Labour today.The Guido Fawkes website has published what it says are full versions of the documents released by Labour today.
The campaigning group Global Justice Now has welcomed the release of what it is describing as leaked documents. The organisation released the original, heavily redacted version of these papers that were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. These were the papers Jeremy Corbyn was brandishing during the ITV debate last week.The campaigning group Global Justice Now has welcomed the release of what it is describing as leaked documents. The organisation released the original, heavily redacted version of these papers that were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. These were the papers Jeremy Corbyn was brandishing during the ITV debate last week.
In a news release, Global Justice Now also offered its own summary of what these documents show. Here it is in full.In a news release, Global Justice Now also offered its own summary of what these documents show. Here it is in full.
As part of a new series you can ask our political team any questions you have about the general election, and they will post their responses on the politics live blog between 12.30pm and 1.30pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until polling week.As part of a new series you can ask our political team any questions you have about the general election, and they will post their responses on the politics live blog between 12.30pm and 1.30pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until polling week.
Today, the Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart, will answer your questions about the Labour manifesto, campaign and policies, just how realistic the pledges are and what they might mean for you. You can ask your question via our form here.Today, the Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart, will answer your questions about the Labour manifesto, campaign and policies, just how realistic the pledges are and what they might mean for you. You can ask your question via our form here.
It is hard at this point to know quite how significant the Labour NHS trade talks document will turn out to be, but it is easily the most significant leak of the campaign so far. We have had surprise announcements from the parties about policy, and about strategy (eg, the Brexit party standing down in Tory-held seats), but this is a proper news story about stuff that has happened, not stuff that might happen in the future.It is hard at this point to know quite how significant the Labour NHS trade talks document will turn out to be, but it is easily the most significant leak of the campaign so far. We have had surprise announcements from the parties about policy, and about strategy (eg, the Brexit party standing down in Tory-held seats), but this is a proper news story about stuff that has happened, not stuff that might happen in the future.
Labour will be hoping that this has the potential to be a game-changer. (The charge that the NHS would be “up for sale” in a UK-US trade deal is one that resonates with voters, and alarms them, in a way that many Westminster policy/process stories don’t.) In reality, very few things that happen in election campaigns turn out to be game-changer, but this may turn out to have enough heft to make the grade.Labour will be hoping that this has the potential to be a game-changer. (The charge that the NHS would be “up for sale” in a UK-US trade deal is one that resonates with voters, and alarms them, in a way that many Westminster policy/process stories don’t.) In reality, very few things that happen in election campaigns turn out to be game-changer, but this may turn out to have enough heft to make the grade.
This is what Jeremy Corbyn said about the documents in his opening speech.This is what Jeremy Corbyn said about the documents in his opening speech.
And here are some of the specific points he made about what the documents show.And here are some of the specific points he made about what the documents show.
Corbyn said the documents showed that UK and US officials have discussed lengthening the time during which medicine patents apply. He explained:Corbyn said the documents showed that UK and US officials have discussed lengthening the time during which medicine patents apply. He explained:
Corbyn said the documents showed that the two sides were closer to a deal than people expected. He said:Corbyn said the documents showed that the two sides were closer to a deal than people expected. He said:
He said the documents showed the US wanted “total market access” in a trade deal - implying health would be included.He said the documents showed the US wanted “total market access” in a trade deal - implying health would be included.
Corbyn also said there was no evidence in the documents that the UK had pushed back against this. He went on:Corbyn also said there was no evidence in the documents that the UK had pushed back against this. He went on:
He said the documents showed that British officials said they would be a “liberalising influence”.He said the documents showed that British officials said they would be a “liberalising influence”.
This is not surprising because the Tories have always said they would like free trade deals to cover services as well as good.This is not surprising because the Tories have always said they would like free trade deals to cover services as well as good.
He said the documents showed that a UK-US trade deal could provide protections for corporations, allowing them to sue governments in some circumstances for losses suffered.He said the documents showed that a UK-US trade deal could provide protections for corporations, allowing them to sue governments in some circumstances for losses suffered.
Again, this is not surprising. Provisions like this were included in the proposed US-EU trade deal. My colleague George Monbiot was one of those most critical of these provisions, but trade experts have defended them.Again, this is not surprising. Provisions like this were included in the proposed US-EU trade deal. My colleague George Monbiot was one of those most critical of these provisions, but trade experts have defended them.
Corbyn said the documents showed the Americans were offering to help the British persuade the public to accept the merits of chlorinated chicken.Corbyn said the documents showed the Americans were offering to help the British persuade the public to accept the merits of chlorinated chicken.
He said the documents showed the US favoured a no-deal Brexit.He said the documents showed the US favoured a no-deal Brexit.
I will be focusing on the Labour revelations about the UK-US trade talks, and their implications for the NHS, for the next half an hour or more, and will pick up what was said at the SNP manifesto launch later.I will be focusing on the Labour revelations about the UK-US trade talks, and their implications for the NHS, for the next half an hour or more, and will pick up what was said at the SNP manifesto launch later.
But if you want to watch it, there is a live feed here.But if you want to watch it, there is a live feed here.
This is what Boris Johnson posted on Twitter this morning, less than an hour before the Labour announcement.This is what Boris Johnson posted on Twitter this morning, less than an hour before the Labour announcement.
Here is the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s opening statement about the leaked documents that he says show the NHS is “on the table” in UK-US trade talks.Here is the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s opening statement about the leaked documents that he says show the NHS is “on the table” in UK-US trade talks.
The leaked documents obtained by Labour do not seem to be available online, or in a digital form.The leaked documents obtained by Labour do not seem to be available online, or in a digital form.
Here is some more about what they say from journalists at the press conference who have seen the hard copies.Here is some more about what they say from journalists at the press conference who have seen the hard copies.
Q: Could you clarify if you have evidence that ministers knew the NHS would be up for sale?Q: Could you clarify if you have evidence that ministers knew the NHS would be up for sale?
Gardiner holds up the documents again. He says it does not take six meetings and 500 pages to say the NHS is not for sale. This documentation shows that the answer has been yes.Gardiner holds up the documents again. He says it does not take six meetings and 500 pages to say the NHS is not for sale. This documentation shows that the answer has been yes.
He says he does not think there is any doubt about this.He says he does not think there is any doubt about this.
George Hollingbery, the international trade minister, met with officials to discuss this, he says.George Hollingbery, the international trade minister, met with officials to discuss this, he says.
Q: Would Labour reverse existing privatisations? And what would that cost?Q: Would Labour reverse existing privatisations? And what would that cost?
Corbyn says the Health and Social Care Act encourages more privatisation in the NHS. This has led to private sector companies suing the NHS for contracts they don’t get. He says this is unbelievable. Every penny spent on this is taken away from patients’ needs. He says he wants to reverse that.Corbyn says the Health and Social Care Act encourages more privatisation in the NHS. This has led to private sector companies suing the NHS for contracts they don’t get. He says this is unbelievable. Every penny spent on this is taken away from patients’ needs. He says he wants to reverse that.
He says he wants to bring everyone working for the NHS back into the NHS family. He is determined to “defend and rejuvenate” the NHS.He says he wants to bring everyone working for the NHS back into the NHS family. He is determined to “defend and rejuvenate” the NHS.
Q: It is clear from your interview last night that the claim that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay higher tax under your plan is not true. Will you stop colleagues saying that?Q: It is clear from your interview last night that the claim that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay higher tax under your plan is not true. Will you stop colleagues saying that?
Corbyn says it is clear from Labour’s grey book that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay more in national insurance or tax. (He says tax, but may be referring to income tax.)Corbyn says it is clear from Labour’s grey book that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay more in national insurance or tax. (He says tax, but may be referring to income tax.)
The press conference is now over.The press conference is now over.
Q: Was Lord Kerslake right to say, in the event of a hung parliament, your leadership would be on the agenda?Q: Was Lord Kerslake right to say, in the event of a hung parliament, your leadership would be on the agenda?
Corbyn says there are no talks with other parties. He is fighting to win it. He is not fighting to form a coalition.Corbyn says there are no talks with other parties. He is fighting to win it. He is not fighting to form a coalition.
Q: Isn’t it the case that the Americans will always want to put everything on the table?Q: Isn’t it the case that the Americans will always want to put everything on the table?
Corbyn says these documents show that the two sides are starting to exchange treaty text. That suggests an agreement is close, he says.Corbyn says these documents show that the two sides are starting to exchange treaty text. That suggests an agreement is close, he says.
He says Labour would not accept investor protection provisions.He says Labour would not accept investor protection provisions.
Gardiner says Labour would not accept ISDS (investor state dispute settlement) provisions, or ICS (investment court system) provisions, a more modern alternative.Gardiner says Labour would not accept ISDS (investor state dispute settlement) provisions, or ICS (investment court system) provisions, a more modern alternative.
He also says Labour would not accept a negative list procedure. This is an arrangement that would mean everything would be open to competition, unless otherwise specified. He says this system does not protect countries from competition in the event of new services coming into existence.He also says Labour would not accept a negative list procedure. This is an arrangement that would mean everything would be open to competition, unless otherwise specified. He says this system does not protect countries from competition in the event of new services coming into existence.
Gardiner says other countries are adopting this approach to trade deals too.Gardiner says other countries are adopting this approach to trade deals too.
Q: Was yesterday the worst day of our campaign so far?Q: Was yesterday the worst day of our campaign so far?
Corbyn says he loves campaigning. Yesterday was another day when he went out to listen to people. He is horrified by what people tell him about inequality.Corbyn says he loves campaigning. Yesterday was another day when he went out to listen to people. He is horrified by what people tell him about inequality.
Jeremy Corbyn is now taking questions.Jeremy Corbyn is now taking questions.
Q: [From Sky] Are you saying any trade deal with the US will be impossible without putting the NHS on the table?Q: [From Sky] Are you saying any trade deal with the US will be impossible without putting the NHS on the table?
Q: [From ITV] Why would any British government do a deal that would make drugs more expensive in the UK? And do you accept President Trump’s claim the NHS will not be on the table?Q: [From ITV] Why would any British government do a deal that would make drugs more expensive in the UK? And do you accept President Trump’s claim the NHS will not be on the table?
Barry Gardiner, the shadow trade minister, answers on trade.Barry Gardiner, the shadow trade minister, answers on trade.
He says there are four ways in which a trade deal can impact on the NHS: through the dispute settlement system; through what gets included; through changes to the patent regime; and through changes to the data regime.He says there are four ways in which a trade deal can impact on the NHS: through the dispute settlement system; through what gets included; through changes to the patent regime; and through changes to the data regime.
Q: [From the BBC] Do you have any evidence that ministers, as opposed to officials, agreed to the NHS being on the table in the talks?Q: [From the BBC] Do you have any evidence that ministers, as opposed to officials, agreed to the NHS being on the table in the talks?
Corbyn says ministers sanctioned these talks, they were aware of the talks, and they declined to publish this information.Corbyn says ministers sanctioned these talks, they were aware of the talks, and they declined to publish this information.
Gardiner says George Hollingbery, a trade minister, was involved.Gardiner says George Hollingbery, a trade minister, was involved.
Q: [From Sky] You did not apologise last night over antisemitism in the Labour party. Is that because you think you have not done anything wrong?Q: [From Sky] You did not apologise last night over antisemitism in the Labour party. Is that because you think you have not done anything wrong?
Q: [From ITV] You say you are on the side of people. Does that include Jewish people?Q: [From ITV] You say you are on the side of people. Does that include Jewish people?
Q: [From the BBC] Do you accept the need to apologise to the Jewish community?Q: [From the BBC] Do you accept the need to apologise to the Jewish community?
Corbyn says antisemitism affects a tiny proportion of the party membership. But one is one too many.Corbyn says antisemitism affects a tiny proportion of the party membership. But one is one too many.
He says he accepts what the chief rabbi said yesterday.He says he accepts what the chief rabbi said yesterday.
But there are many others in the Jewish community who do support Labour, he says.But there are many others in the Jewish community who do support Labour, he says.
He says he is committed to getting rid of the scourge of racism in our society.He says he is committed to getting rid of the scourge of racism in our society.
He says the government he will lead would be the most anti-racist you have ever seen.He says the government he will lead would be the most anti-racist you have ever seen.