Rishi Sunak has launched the Conservative party manifesto, with the prime minister promising tax giveaways in a bid to revive their ailing general election campaign.
Speaking from Silverstone, the prime minister said he has a “clear and bold plan” for the country and pledged to abolish national insurance for the self-employed. He said over four million workers would be exempted from the tax.
The manifesto includes a string of giveaways amounting to almost £20bn in tax cuts and spending, including the national insurance cut, child benefit expansion and an income tax cut for pensioners.
But the promises have been questioned by Labour which labelled the manifesto the “most expensive panic attack in history”. Wes Streeting said the pledges can’t be paid for because “there is no money”.
Meanwhile, a group of rightwing Tories will be watching the event closely as they plan to present a “rebel manifesto” in case it falls flat. Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick are reportedly plotting alternative pledges for tougher migration laws.
Sunak: Our manifesto is bold enough to win over voters
Rishi Sunak insisted that his party’s manifesto was “bold” enough to make a dent in Labour’s huge poll lead and win over voters ahead of the general election.
The prime minister pointed to his policies on national service and tax cuts as evidence that he could narrow the gap before 4 July.
Speaking after launching his party’s manifesto, Mr Sunak said: “Either Keir Starmer or I are going to be prime minister on 5 July. If I am prime minister, you will have this bold action, all you’ve got from the Labour Party is a blank sheet of paper.
“Not a single big idea has been put on the table in this election campaign so far. The first announcement we made, a new form of national service … has completely energised conversations everywhere across the country.
“Yes, not everyone will necessarily agree with it, but no-one can deny that it’s not bold action that can transform our country, and I think transform our country for the better. Nothing comparable to that from the Labour Party.”
Matt Mathers11 June 2024 13:31
Nigel Farage pulls out of BBC interview at last minute amid Hitler row
Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 13:30
Saving £12bn from disability benefit will be ‘very tough’ – top economist
It will be “very tough” to find £12bn in savings from the disability benefits bill, a top economist has said as he cast doubt on the Conservatives spending plans.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak outlined plans for £17bn in tax cuts in his party’s general election manifesto, paid for with cuts to the civil service and welfare – including disability benefits.
Paul Johnson, director of the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, said: “These costs are definite. The savings from controlling welfare, reducing tax avoidance/evasion, cutting civil service jobs, may be achievable but are uncertain.
“Saving £12bn from projected disability benefit bill will be very tough.”

Matt Mathers11 June 2024 13:21
No role for Farage in Conservative Party – Gove
Michael Gove has praised up and coming Conservative ministers including Alex Chalk and Laura Trott, saying they are the future of the Tory party, Archie Mitchell reports.
But asked whether Nigel Farage should be welcomed into the party in the future, Mr Gove immediately replied: “No.”
Matt Mathers11 June 2024 13:10
Lib Dems: Tory manifesto not worth the paper it’s written on
The Liberal Democrats have reacted to the Conservatives’ manifesto, saying it “isn’t worth the paper it’s written on”.
Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader, 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.”
Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 12:58
Some early thoughts: More for veterans than the young, and surprisingly little on immigration
The Tory manifesto launch has now ended, there appears to be more on offer for veterans than there is for young people, David Maddox reports.
The Tory manifesto has six breakout points for veterans – a cause close to Tory hearts but one they have been accused of failing in.
These include a new Office for Veteran Affairs, funding of £10 million a year, a new railcard, a visa waiver scheme for Commonwealth veterans, finishing veteran ID cards rollout and introducing a veterans bill in parliament.
There is only one breakout box on policies for young people – that is the introduction of national service for 18-year-old school leavers. It is a policy which has not gone down well with younger voters.
Added to that for such a big issue the two page spread on immigration is threadbare. The policies do not even cover the two pages.
The right will be unhappy with the lack of details, new policies and particularly no exit plan from the European Convention of Human Rights.

Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 12:54
Sunak ‘proud of record as chancellor’
Rishi Sunak is asked: “Polling suggests people think you are more likely to put up taxes than Labour. Haven’t you blown it?”
The prime minister says he is proud of his record as chancellor and he “took bold action to protect people” during the pandemic.
He adds that he was also right to argue against LizTruss’ unfunded tax cuts, which he refers as “two summers ago”.
Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 12:47
Rishi Sunak refuses to say tax burden will be lower if he wins
Rishi Sunak has dodged a question about whether the overall tax burden will be lower after five years if he wins another term in Downing Street, Archie Mitchell reports.
The prime minister insisted that the overall tax burden will be around 1 per cent lower in each year than it is currently scheduled to be.
But the PM did not say overall the tax burden will come down, with economists warning that it is still on course to rise to the highest level since the second world war.
Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 12:42
Sunak says Labour’s policies ‘blank sheet of paper’
Rishi Sunak is asked: What do you say to those who argue these plans are not bold enough and that it won’t be a game changer?”
Rishi Sunak claims his plan is bold and that he is offering tax cuts for everyone in work, the self-employed, for everyone who wants to buy their own home, for families to support them and for pensioners.
He adds: “I do believe that is bold. If I am prime minister you will get this bold plan, but with Sir Keir Starmer you will get a blank sheet of paper.
“The only thing that is certain is that Labour will put up taxes by £2,000. I am going to fight very hard so that doesn’t happen.”

Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 12:42
Sunak asked whether he can be trusted to cut taxes
A reporter asked: “The Tories have been pushing up the tax burden to levels it has not reached since the 1940s. Why should anyone believe you when you say you will cut tax?”
The prime minister blatantly responds: “Because we already have.”
Mr Sunak claims he helped people during Covid and was right to help hard-up people with energy bills when prices went up.
But he claims the government vows to cut taxes if elected.
Salma Ouaguira11 June 2024 12:37