Digging into the hot topic of climate change
Welcome to the daily ITV News digest direct from the campaign trail. Each afternoon we'll bring you analysis and insight from across the nation as the General Election 2024 gathers pace.
Hi, it’s Martin Stew here, ITV News Science Correspondent, trying to get to the bottom of what each party is promising on the environment and energy security.
As you might expect, Reform UK and the Greens are poles apart. The former wants to scrap Net Zero targets to save money, the latter wants to hit them 16 years before our legally binding target of 2050.
The SNP and Lib Dems have their own ambitious goals but neither will rule out new fossil fuel licences in the North Sea.
So what about the two biggest parties? The Conservatives point to the UK’s success at cutting emissions (down nearly 50% since 1990). Their policies are largely more of the same in a bid to take a “pragmatic, proportionate” approach.
Labour’s big idea is GB Energy, a nationalised company designed to stimulate the green economy. They’ve been criticised for dropping promises to invest £28 billion - but say their offering is still more ambitious than the Conservatives. So, who do you trust?
Don’t forget, you can watch News at Ten presenter Tom Bradby host Talking Politics, our daily podcast from the campaign live from 4pm on ITVX, with Political Editor Robert Peston and Anushka Asthana, our deputy political editor. Or catch up on demand on ITVX or where you listen to your podcasts.
Thanks for reading and enjoy some of the best content brought to you by the rest of the ITV News team below.
Leaders mark D-Day 80 commemorations with veterans pledges
Much of the election campaigning was paused today to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
But political leaders did use the occasion to offer pledges to veterans. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told D-Day veterans “we owe you everything” as he addressed the audience at the UK’s national commemoration event in Normandy.
The Conservatives are pledging to reduce the price of rail cards for veterans, while Labour would create an armed forces tsar to represent the military and their families if they were elected.
The Liberal Democrats want to get a ‘fair deal’ for services personnel, including better housing.
You can see what pledges to veterans they are making on ITVX.
Tories accept another £5m donation from race row businessman
The Conservative Party has accepted another £5million from a donor accused of racism over comments about Labour’s Diane Abbott
Electoral Commission data released on Thursday showed a payments from Frank Hester’s Leeds-based healthcare software firm, the Phoenix Partnership.
The donation was made in January, before Mr Hester became embroiled in a row after allegedly saying Ms Abbott “should be shot”. But figures show he also gave £150,000 on March 8 - after he was accused of making racist comments.
Ms Abbott said the latest donation was “an insult to me and all black women”.
See the latest on the Tory donor row here.
Is the £2,000 tax rise claim legitimate - and what no one is telling you
The claim that working families would pay £2,000 more in taxes under Labour has been plastered over the sides of vans, on billboards and across social media.
ITV News Economics Editor Joel Hills has been looking at the figures behind the claim - on what they’re based, how the calculations have been arrived at and some of the “highly questionable” assumptions.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the PM Rishi Sunak is lying. Mr Sunak is not backing down.
What isn’t being discussed very much, says Joel, is the up to £40bn of annual spending cuts the Institute of Fiscal Studies says whoever is in power come July 5 will have to make to balance the books.
You can see Joel explain all about the £2,000 tax claim on ITVX.
Chants for Corbyn as former Labour leader runs again
Jeremy Corbyn was greeted by cheers and chants of “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” from supporters as he left Islington Town Hall after handing in his nomination papers to officially stand at the General Election.
The former Labour leader - now running as an Independent - is seeking to extend his more than 40-year tenure as MP for Islington North.
ITV News London Political Correspondent Simon Harris was there to question Mr Corbyn on why he’s running - watch the report on ITVX.
You can see the full list of those who have so far declared here.
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Gething loses no confidence vote - but refuses to stand down
Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething has lost a no confidence vote in the Senedd - but has refused to quit.
Mr Gething has been dogged by questions over £200,000 his first minister campaign received from businessman David Neal, who was previously convicted for environmental crimes. Mr Gething has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
He told ITV Wales following the no confidence vote: "If anyone has questions about my integrity, I would like to see some evidence about what that looks like."
You can keep across the latest on the story on the ITV Wales website.
View from Northern Ireland as DUP reels and Sinn Féin seeks a hat-trick
The battlegrounds and issues in Northern Ireland do not follow the rest of the UK, as many policy areas, such as health and education, are devolved, writes UTV Political Editor Tracey Magee.
The calling of an early election has been a challenge for the DUP which is still reeling after its former leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigned in March when he was charged with historical sex charges including rape. He is denying the charges.
Sinn Féin are hoping to pull off a hat-trick and take the top spot with the most seats in Westminster after becoming the largest party in both the Assembly and local government. Elsewhere, the centre ground has been growing, but will that be reflected on the green benches?
Much like the national picture, a smaller party with no current representation in Westminster may have a considerable impact on the outcome of this election.
Listen to the UTV Podcast for more election coverage from Northern Ireland and catch up with the View from Stormont on ITVX.
What’s coming up…
Friday June 7: Deadline for confirming constituency candidates.
Friday June 7: BBC stages its first election debate with representatives from seven parties. BBC One from 7.30pm.
Thursday June 13: ITV hosts the ‘Election Debate’, featuring leaders or senior figures from most parties - from 8.30pm.
Monday June 18: Midnight deadline for registering to vote.
Tuesday June 19: Deadline for new postal vote applicants or amending existing absent voting arrangements.
And finally… why the European Parliament elections matter
People across the European Union (EU) will head to the polls over the coming days to elect representatives to the bloc's parliament.
The elections happen every five years, making this the first set of EU elections since the UK officially left the bloc after Brexit, in January 2020.
So, having now officially left the EU, why should anybody in the UK care about its elections?