thanks forjoining us on bbc news. uk inflation has hit the bank of england's target of 2% for the first time in almost three years. the figure — which tells us the rate at which prices are rising — hit the target in may, coming down from 2.3% in april. our chief economics correspondent dharshini david reports. gary in sussex used to have seven butchers shops. he now has four. forced to make cuts as he's been caught between soaring costs over the last few years and customers with lean budgets looking for value. but things are easing. the price is probably 10—15% more than they were at the beginning of covid, but the actual price of the product is pretty much stationary now. well, we hope it's stationary. it would be nice if it would come down, but i can't see that, not in the foreseeable future anyway. it's global food and energy costs, which triggered the rise in inflation to ii% in 2022, which have also helped it fall to the 2% target, along with the rate rises over the last couple of years. as you may have noticed, the prices of goods are rising more slowly as the impact of the war in ukraine wears off, and that's brought down total inflation. but some fear that could rebound a bit in the coming months because the prices of services — for example, hotel stays, cafe bills and travel fares — are still rising more quickly as those businesses pass on higher bills. and over at the bank of england, interest rate setters have to be sure inflation will stay down further out before they start cutting rates, so the cost of borrowing may not fall for several months. in wolverhampton, they are weighing up the last major economic figures before the election, including this local business organisation. they are looking to put more money back into their businesses, they are looking to train staff, they are looking to look at new machinery or equipment, and a couple of our businesses have actually said that they are looking to grow more profitable more in the next 12 months, so there does seem to be green shoots. others in the market are less sure. this red fish, i used to buy £17 for a box, now it's £90 a box. serious. and we can't really put the price up to the customers. they won't buy it. i think everybody is really still feeling the pressures of the cost of living. you know, you don't really see that in your wage packet - or anything like that. there's no real difference at all, to be honest with you. - and it's whether people across the country feel the latest turn in the economy is bearing fruit that may seal the fate of this election. dharshini david, bbc news. today's inflation figure is the last big piece of economic data to be released before the general election in two weeks' time. the prime minister rishi sunak called it proof that his plan for the economy was working — but labour said most people remain worse off after 14 years of conservative rule. our political correspondent ione wells reports. finally, a reason to smile for the prime minister. strolling around a nuclear power station today, he hopes the news of inflation coming down might trigger a positive reaction... ..and give him a reason to argue to voters, just hang on with us a bit longer. this is a very positive step, shows that the plan we put in place is working. inflation back to target. it was 11% when i became prime minister. i said it was a priority to bring it down, so that people can start now to feel an ease in the cost pressures that they have seen. it is because that plan has worked we have been able to start cutting people's taxes. but inflation coming down doesn't mean the weekly shop at supermarkets like this is too. that is labour's message today. it is back where it was three years ago. but that doesn't mean prices are coming down, it doesn't mean mortgages are coming down. if there is one thing that has been picked up on this campaign trail over and again, it is people being fed up with the government sort of saying, "you need to thank us now, we are turning a page, everything is fine." we need labour to address the economy... what is that? a reminder some people want labour to be bolder with its spending plans. something they are cautious about doing, not wanting debt or inflation to rise again. in fact, all opposition parties are keen to sound not too optimistic today. prices still being high is a message you will hear again and again. people are still feeling incredibly stretched. bills are very, very high, mortgage rates are higher. people are really struggling with the cost—of—living crisis, which is of the conservatives own making. it is cold, cold comfort to those families who have suffered two years of double—digit inflation. remember, 2% doesn't mean prices are coming down, it simply means they're not rising quite so quickly. people are still struggling. words of caution from their critics but this is a nugget of good news for the conservatives in a difficult campaign. what is not clear is whether it is enough to turn things around for them. the snp have launched their general election manifesto. party leader scotland's first minister, john swinney, promised "a better future for scotland" — based on delivering independence, rejoining the eu, and major new investment in scotland's nhs and other public services. mr swinney pledged an end to what he called westminster austerity — with a new set of tax and spending rules aimed at boosting the scottish economy. speaking at the launch in edinburthohn swinney began by outlining his case for independence. we will always put the interests of people in scotland first, wherever our people were born, wherever our people have come from. and of the very heart of our beliefs is the principal that decisions about scotland should be made by the people who live in scotland. why? for the simple reason that no—one else cares as much about this wonderful country and no—one else will do a betterjob of taking care of it, now and in the future, than the people who live here. it is through independence, therefore, that we feel we can build a fairer country and the more prosperous economy we know is possible. not independence for its own sake, independence for the powers to protect our national health service and to help people through tough times. independence for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives. and independence for a better future for scotland, made in scotland, for scotland. lets talk about the inflation data on the political reaction. in a moment we will talk to iain watson with a labour campaign. first, tom symonds, travelling with the conservatives. what is the mood in light of the data on inflation, is it boosting spirits?— it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has _ it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has been _ it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has been visiting - it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has been visiting a - it boosting spirits? well, rishi i sunak has been visiting a nuclear power station, as you heard, sizewell b, in the east of england. he met apprentices who were working on their training, at a training centre. he also looked around the turbines. he will have taken heart from that inflation news. it was something of a target for the government, and plenty of people had asked why he had launched the campaign so early when there was so little good economic news. he said todayit little good economic news. he said today it was a very positive step, and it enabled him again to say that he wanted to help people further, by reducing the taxes they pay on a national insurance, pensions for older pensioners, and also on reducing stamp duty for first—time buyers. interestingly, he also had a crack at keir starmer on defence spending. he said on the day that north korea and russia had signed a pact to help each other, he and the government were offering to increase defence spending to 2.5% of gdp, labour, he said, were not matching that i'm coming his words, literally the first thing keir starmer might do as prime minister would be to go to a nato summit and say to people after that nato summit, two other leaders, that he was not increasing spending. he said that would send the wrong message to our allies, who we have to encourage to spend money on defence, and also to our adversaries.— on defence, and also to our adversaries. ., ., adversaries. over to iain with the labour campaign. _ adversaries. over to iain with the labour campaign, there - adversaries. over to iain with the labour campaign, there has - adversaries. over to iain with the j labour campaign, there has been adversaries. over to iain with the - labour campaign, there has been some pushback from labour on exactly what this inflation data means.— this inflation data means. that's ri . ht. we this inflation data means. that's right. we were _ this inflation data means. that's right. we were in _ this inflation data means. that's right. we were in a _ this inflation data means. that'sj right. we were in a supermarket this inflation data means. that's i right. we were in a supermarket in swindon. _ right. we were in a supermarket in swindon, with keir starmer and rachel— swindon, with keir starmer and rachel reeves. why was it that the backdrop? — rachel reeves. why was it that the backdrop? pretty obviously they are saying _ backdrop? pretty obviously they are saying although the inflation rate is going — saying although the inflation rate is going down, food prices in particular— is going down, food prices in particular are still going up. they want _ particular are still going up. they want to— particular are still going up. they want to blame the government for that, _ want to blame the government for that, and — want to blame the government for that, and all of british's talk of turning — that, and all of british's talk of turning a — that, and all of british's talk of turning a corner in regards to that, they say— turning a corner in regards to that, they say it — turning a corner in regards to that, they say it is — turning a corner in regards to that, they say it is an insult to people going _ they say it is an insult to people going through difficult times, suggesting that the government doesn't — suggesting that the government doesn't quite get it. interestingly, he took_ doesn't quite get it. interestingly, he took questions from staff at the supermarket, tom was mentioning that issue of— supermarket, tom was mentioning that issue of defence, that was raised by the staff_ issue of defence, that was raised by the staff there. rachel reeves was saying _ the staff there. rachel reeves was saying that they want to get a 2.5% gdp, _ saying that they want to get a 2.5% gdp, but _ saying that they want to get a 2.5% gdp, but we have a lot to sort out first _ gdp, but we have a lot to sort out first keir— gdp, but we have a lot to sort out first. keir starmer pledged that there _ first. keir starmer pledged that there would be a strategic defence review _ there would be a strategic defence review almost immediately launched when labour, or if labour win the genemi— when labour, or if labour win the general election onjuly when labour, or if labour win the general election on july the 4th. they— general election on july the 4th. they seem to be particularly confident about their prospects on that front — confident about their prospects on that front. another question raised was that— that front. another question raised was that of— that front. another question raised was that of illegal immigration, given— was that of illegal immigration, given the — was that of illegal immigration, given the large number of small boat arrivals— given the large number of small boat arrivals yesterday. keir starmer would _ arrivals yesterday. keir starmer would not — arrivals yesterday. keir starmer would not say exactly when he would cancel _ would not say exactly when he would cancel the _ would not say exactly when he would cancel the rwanda scheme, which rishi _ cancel the rwanda scheme, which rishi sunak has been arguing is a potential— rishi sunak has been arguing is a potential deterrent to people making those dangerous crossings, but his aides _ those dangerous crossings, but his aides were — those dangerous crossings, but his aides were very clear that the flight — aides were very clear that the flight which is scheduled for next mohth_ flight which is scheduled for next month would not take off. one issue i month would not take off. one issue i raised _ month would not take off. one issue i raised with— month would not take off. one issue i raised with keir starmer, although we are _ i raised with keir starmer, although we are in— i raised with keir starmer, although we are in the midst of an election, other— we are in the midst of an election, other events are available. i asked as an _ other events are available. i asked as an england fan whether he thought scotland _ as an england fan whether he thought scotland could beat scotland in the euros _ scotland could beat scotland in the euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't— euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't get— euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't get a — euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't get a direct answer. he didn't— didn't get a direct answer. he didn't exactly say yes. he did say he would — didn't exactly say yes. he did say he would be supporting scotland, uhiess _ he would be supporting scotland, uhiess or — he would be supporting scotland, unless or until they meet england in that football tournament, which i am sure they— that football tournament, which i am sure they will. we that football tournament, which i am sure they will-— sure they will. we will be talking about that other _ sure they will. we will be talking about that other event _ sure they will. we will be talking about that other event in - sure they will. we will be talking about that other event in a - sure they will. we will be talking about that other event in a little | about that other event in a little while. thank you very much, iain watson and tom symonds. sinn fein launches its election manifesto later this afteroon. in the past two years, it has won the most seats in northern ireland's devolved government and on local councils for the first time. the party will be defending seven westminster seats — although their mps don't sit in the commons. let's go live to our ireland correspondent, chris page. could sinn fein end up with the biggest number of mps as well? albeit there are some very competitive constituencies matt clay? competitive constituencies matt cla 2 ., , , competitive constituencies matt cla ? . , , ., (w competitive constituencies matt cla? . clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern _ clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern ireland _ clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern ireland are _ clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern ireland are officially i in northern ireland are officially classed as marginal. sinn fein are unusual, in that they have already had an electoral contest this month. that was the local council elections in the republic of ireland. they had hoped they could end up as the largest party in local government there, just as they are now in northern ireland. in the end, they came third. they made some gains, but it was regarded as a disappointing result for sinn fein, given that they have scored successes over the last few years will stop as you say, they are the largest party in the northern irish devolved assembly at stormont, which means michelle o'neill has become the first irish nationalist to hold the first irish nationalist to hold the position of first minister of northern ireland. last year, they came out on top in the council elections in this part of the uk. the seven seas that sinn fein is defending, well, there is no huge expectations either that they will make gains or suffer losses, but if the democratic unionist party were to lose one or two—man crew of its eight seats, that could mean that sinn fein does end up with more mps than any other party in northern ireland, which would be a first for the party. when the manifesto launched in west belfast, one of the safest seats in the uk, i think we can expect to hear sinn fein set out its stall on public sector funding, the party pushing for more money to be given to northern ireland by the treasury in westminster. also, they are expected to push for more powers to be devolved to belfast from london, as a nationalist party, from sinn fein�*s point of view, the more decisions taken on the island of ireland coming belfast, the better. as you say, it is a case that successful candidates will not actually sit in the house of commons. they are abstention lists, as irish republicans they say they do not recognise the london parliament's sovereignty over pa rliament�*s sovereignty over northern parliament's sovereignty over northern ireland. that is criticised by other parties, with unionists and the nationalist sdlp, and the cross community alliance party basically saying that sinn fein cannot maximise its voice unless it does sit in the house of commons. sinn fein�*s argument is that it is a long—standing irish republican position and, amongst its support base, there is plenty of backing for that abstention is to policy. we are expecting to hear from the sinn fein president and other members in the next hour and a half. you president and other members in the next hour and a half.— next hour and a half. you mention sinn fein competing _ next hour and a half. you mention sinn fein competing in _ next hour and a half. you mention sinn fein competing in council- sinn fein competing in council elections in the republic of ireland, viewers may know that one of the key aims of the party is to see a united ireland. do you think that will be mentioned in the manifesto launched today? yes. that will be mentioned in the manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly _ manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly will _ manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly will be _ think it certainly will be mentioned. the party has spoken of this decade, the 20205, of being the time that a border poll could and should happen. there are other people involved in a westminster conte5t, other parties, that will say they absolutely do not want a border poll, 5uch say they absolutely do not want a border poll, such as unionist parties or others such as the cross community alliance party who says it is not one for the agenda at the moment, and the focus should be on constitutional i55ue5, moment, and the focus should be on constitutional issues, but on issues like health, education, things that affect people's lives in the here and now. sinn fein make no secret of the fact that their ultimate desire is to take northern ireland out of the uk, make it part of the republic of ireland, and i expect it will feature strongly in this manifesto. indifferent election campaigns you sometimes find sinn fein don't talk up sometimes find sinn fein don't talk up too much the prospect of a border poll, and their desire to push for one. perhaps that is an indication they want to keep more moderate nationalists, who see it as an aspiration but not something that's going to happen anytime soon on5ide. nonethele55, a5 going to happen anytime soon on5ide. nonethele55, as an irish republican party, we would expect to see this afternoon more calls for a border poll and the timetable that sinn fein should happen to would be before the end of this decade, or certainly in the next ten years. we will be back in belfast for that manifesto launch later. as part of the bbc�*s election coverage, radio 4's pm team i5 vi5ting constituencies across the country each day during the campaign. and today they are in the conserva