Politics

The Conservative Party will pledge to cut stamp duty for first-time buyers as part of its manifesto. The levy is currently paid on property purchases worth more than £250,000 – with the rate ranging from 5% to 12% of the ticket price, increasing as the price rises. For people purchasing their first home, stamp duty

It was reported last weekend that allies of Penny Mordaunt claimed Downing Street was keeping her “in a box” during the election campaign because Rishi Sunak’s team see her as a threat. Well, after her barnstorming performance in a TV debate against politicians from six opposition parties, the Leader of the Commons is well and

The prime minister was “completely wrong” to leave D-Day commemorations early, a senior cabinet member has said. Rishi Sunak apologised on Friday after it was revealed he skipped an international event the day before on Omaha Beach in France – attended by leaders of the US, France and Germany – to come back to the

Rishi Sunak has said it was a “mistake” to return from D-Day commemorations in Normandy early. The prime minister was heavily criticised for not being at the final moments of the 80th anniversary D-Day ceremony on Thursday as he travelled back from France to the UK to record a TV interview. On Friday morning, he

A Labour minister has struggled to rule out raising other taxes after announcing VAT, income tax and national insurance will not go up. Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey was repeatedly asked if Labour would raise property taxes such as capital gains tax, council tax and stamp duty if his party wins the election – but

It’s a meeting that’s so top secret that those attending – at a secret location – are ordered to surrender their mobile phone and any other electronic devices when they arrive. They’re given numbered copies of the agenda, thick bundles which are then collected from them at the end of the meeting. Security is extremely

Both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will take part in a special leaders’ event programme next week, Sky News has confirmed. The Battle for Number 10, a UK Election Leaders Special Event, will be aired on Wednesday 12 June. The event will be live from Grimsby in front of an audience. The new Grimsby

Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard are here with their guide to the election day ahead. This is day 14 of the campaign. Jack and Sam discuss last night’s leaders’ TV debate in Salford, the upcoming 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething facing a

Nigel Farage has had a drink thrown over him after launching his election campaign in Essex. The new leader of Reform UK was leaving the Wetherspoons Moon and Starfish pub in Clacton, where he is standing to be an MP, when a young woman in a grey hooded jumper threw a drink in his face.

Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard are here with their guide to the election day ahead. On day 13 of the campaign, Jack and Sam discuss how the Tories want to put immigration on the agenda, a day after Reform leader Nigel Farage confirmed he’s standing as a candidate in

The findings of the SkyNews/YouGov MRP poll are a disaster for the Conservatives, a worry for Labour and good news for the Lib Dems and Reform UK. The forecast of a Tory wipeout will spread panic among Conservative candidates and potentially spark a fresh bout of mutiny against Rishi Sunak from the right of his

The Conservatives have vowed to change the Equality Act to ensure “biological sex” is a protected characteristic. The party said reforming the law – which states that an individual must not be discriminated against on the basis of their sex – would clear up “confusion” among public bodies and institutions about access to female-only spaces.

Police are reviewing a Conservative candidate’s campaign adverts after receiving allegations of election fraud. Robert Largan, who is fighting to keep his High Peak seat, has published a number of campaign materials in the colours of Labour and Reform UK. The graphics also included the phrases “Labour for Largan” and “Reform for Robert”. Live updates

As AI deepfakes cause havoc during other elections, experts warn the UK’s politicians should be prepared. “Just tell me what you had for breakfast”, says Mike Narouei, of ControlAI, recording on his laptop. I speak for around 15 seconds, about my toast, coffee and journey to their offices. Within seconds, I hear my own voice,

The general election campaign has stepped up a gear with both the Conservatives and Labour launching their battle buses. A sizeable coach, emblazoned in party colours and slogans, is a mainstay of the campaign trail dating back decades. The Liberal Democrats launched theirs on Sunday last week. General election latest: Starmer takes pop at Johnson

The Conservatives have pledged to give £20m to 30 towns across the country – a move the Labour Party has branded a “reckless, unfunded commitment”. Rishi Sunak’s party said it would add the towns – many of which are based in the Midlands and north – to its existing long-term plan for towns, increasing the

People caught fly-tipping will get points on their driving licences if the Conservatives win the next general election. Rishi Sunak will make the announcement on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, promising to crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Other measures will include a new “three strikes and you’re out” system for nuisance social housing

When I asked Sir Keir Starmer a couple of weeks back if he was ruthless, he said he was – but qualified it. His ruthlessness was trained firmly on trying to get a Labour government that “could change this country for the better”. He was “not ruthless for [his] own ambition” – nor was it

Labour will promise to “get police back out in the community” as they focus their campaigning on tackling crime. Speaking on Thursday, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper will reiterate the party’s pledge to put 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs “back on the beat in communities across the country”, saying there will be “guaranteed neighbourhood

On 12 June, Sky News will be hosting an election leaders event in Grimsby – a key marginal seat and one of our Target Towns this election year. The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Conservative leader Rishi Sunak have been invited to attend, and we are looking for a live audience to join