Into an unusually high rate of Infant Deaths at a hospital in chester. Rolf harris will be out of prison on bail tomorrow, and will attend his latest trial, on charges of Indecent Assault. And we report on the worst examples of Packaging Waste and why theyre difficult to recycle. Its 5 oclock. Our main story is that theresa may has launched the conservative manifesto. She says politicians need to be upfront and straight about the challenges ahead. The Prime Minister chose to unveil the manifesto in halifax in west yorkshire, and warned that if the next government failed to negotiate a good deal on brexit, the consequences for britain would be dire. Among the policies is Sweeping Change to the way social care will be funded in england. For the first time, the value of someones property would be included in the means test for care at home. There would be a so called double lock to protect the State Pension, replacing the triple lock which expires in 2020. And new measures to curb immigration. First this evening, lets join my colleague sophie long in halifax, where the launch took place. The manifesto includes a major shake up of Social Care Funding in england, a watering down of the governments pensions guaranteed, and the introduction of Means Testing for the Winter Fuel Allowa Nce. Testing for the Winter Fuel Allowance. It will also include an extension of funding in the nhs in england, and impose new measures designed to curb immigration. Our political correspondent, eleanor garnier, reports. Voiceover its the General Election she decided to call. Please welcome the Prime Minister, theresa may. This, her pitch to persuade you that she is the person to sort out the countrys problems. Because it is the responsibility of leadership to be upfront and straight with people about the challenges ahead. About the difficult decisions and trade offs that need to be made, and the hard work required to overcome the obstacles in ourway, and that is what this manifesto does. Theresa may claims that the conservatives had always been the centre ground, but was this an attempt to redefine what it means to be conservative . With the right brexit deal secured, my Mainstream Government will deliver for mainstream britain. All those who work hard and make this country what it is. People who have a job do not always have job security. People who own their home but worry about paying the mortgage. People who can just about manage but worry about the cost of living and getting their children into a good school. She said she would look to balance the budget by the middle of the next decade, pledging billions more for the nhs, she promised to protect the countrys Public Services. The government i lead will build a britain in which the economy is strong to support world class Public Services, with the most Ambitious Programme of investment in technology and building the nhs has ever seen. Record and fair funding for schools. Real Technical Education for young people. And the first ever profit plans to pay for and provide social care. Theresa may has also promised if the conservatives are elected, the Winter Fuel Allowance worth up to £300 would be means tested, and the pensions triple lock would be reduced to a double lock, with a State Pension rising in line with earnings and prices, the minimum 2. 5 increase would no longer be guaranteed. Schools in england would be protected from any losses from a new funding formula, but Free School Meals for all infants would be scrapped for everybody but the poorest, replace with free breakfasts across primary. And theresa may says she will recommit to curb net migration to the Tens Of Thousands. It is right that we want to bring that migration to sustainable levels. We say those are in the Tens Of Thousands, because of the impact on controlled migration has on people, especially at the lower end of the income scale, because it can hold down peoples wages. It can mean a Displacement Ofjob and it puts pressure on Public Services. Theresa may hopes this manifesto shows she is able to take what she calls big and difficult decision and perhaps it shows an indication she thinks this is her chance for maximum power, and a chance to take over swathes of the country, including parts of labours heartlands, to turn them a new tory blue. It was theresa mays decision to call this General Election, which has made the conservative campaign about her. This manifesto a personal test for the Prime Minister. Well, one of the main targets in the conservative manifesto is to tackle the rising cost of social care in england. It promises that no one will have to sell their property in their lifetime to Fund Residential or home care. Instead, the cost of care will be taken from their estate when they die, as long as thats worth at least £100,000. But one former Government Adviser says many people would have no protection from care costs. Sarah campbell reports. The population is ageing. How to pay for the increasing numbers of people will need often expensive care in their final years as a problem successive governments have failed to adequately tackle. Today, the conservatives said social care will require taking difficult decisions. This morning, on the norfolk coast, reaction to their plans was mixed. I think thats fair enough, honestly. I think you cant expect the government to keep on paying. I think you have to pay. My father is in care and the amount of money it costs us to keep him on top of what we have to pay out and what he has to pay out is disgusting. I think it is wrong. You have worked all your life. And suddenly those who saved, they are not wasting their money, they are expected to use it for social care. And suddenly those who saved, whove not wasted their money, they are expected to use it for social care. Under the plans, everybody will get to keep £100,000 of assets, an increase ofjust over £23,000. But for the first time, the value of a persons home is taken into account to pay for their care. That only happens now if it involves president ial care. And a persons property will not have to be sold until after they have died. We say that everyone will have the confidence of knowing that they can £100,000 to their children and grandchildren but there are trade offs in order to make that commitment. And we will be treating people who have care at home in the same way as people cared for in care homes. There will be the amount of money people will be expected to pay for their care. So some will have bills potentially running into Hundreds Of Thousands. The certainty is that you have assets in total including the value of your house of more than £100,000, you are on your own, you have to pay for yourself until you get to that level. So for most people, the prospect is that if they need social care, they will have to pay and the government is not providing a scheme to allow them to pool that risk to ensure that. What is certain is that with more People Living longer, social care and who pays for it is an issue likely to affect most of those deciding how to vote next month. 0ur assistant Political Editor norman smith is with me. A bit ofa a bit of a debate about how beneficial that package on social Ca Re Beneficial that package on social care will be, how radical was the conservative manifesto as a whole . Care will be, how radical was the conservative manifesto as a whole . |j think today, we have seen a manifesto designed to give theresa may her own very personal mandate, and a clear break with the camera and a clear break with the camera and priorities, and many of the camera and policies. Theresa may has junked Ember Matic Policies that David Cameron held dear around the pension lock, attacks lock, a promised cap on care costs, and Winter Fuel Allowance, all that has junked, and even the priorities. David cameron focuses political agenda around trying to protect pensioners, that is gone. Emblematic. The pro business that David Cameron focused on, that has been pulled back from by theresa may, she is suggesting that business should have to pay increased charges if they want to recruit migrant labour, expanded employment rights, expanded costs on business. And the sort of aspirational middle classes do not get the protections that many people expected they would get in terms of shielding them from potentially huge care costs, that is not part of the reforms theresa may has put in place. I was struck by one phrase, she says she is trying to appeal to people who did not go in forgrand to appeal to people who did not go in for grand visions, and you think this is a very different constituency she is appealing to, appealing to people on much lower incomes, ordinary working families, who perhaps, you know, they do not have the same ambitions and aspirations that somehow David Cameron old people should have. That is theresa mays constituency and that who she is appealing to. Thank you very much indeed. Up until now, theresa may has asked voters to trust her to provide strong and Sta Ble Trust her to provide strong and stable leadership particularly at the Negotiating Table with other european leaders. Today we learned a little bit more about what else she would do, if Voters Decide to go with her and her team, june eight. One of the conservative pledges thats survived from 2015 is the controversial target to reduce net immigration to the Tens Of Thousands. The former chancellor George 0sborne is one of those whos questioned the wisdom of this approach. Jonathan portes is professor of economics at Kings College london, he joins me from westminster. Youre brought thought on the retention of this target . As George 0sborne said yesterday, what was generally well known but perhaps not well publicised, really, nobody, including those conservative Cabinet Ministers responsible for running the economy, thinks this pledge makes any sense from an economic perspective. If, in a liberal market economy, this sort of Central Planning tends to be pretty damaging, and it already has damaged some of our key export sectors, including Higher Education sector, so including Higher Education sector, soi including Higher Education sector, so i dont know anybody who thinks this is a good idea from an economic perspective. Theresa may has decided from a political perspective, she would like to prioritise reducing immigration over the economic interests of the uk. Maybe some would argue that is the political reality of the vote that happened last year and the factors people read into that. Quite possible, but people have to realise, it is beverly looted amid to want to reduce immigration, that is a perfectly legitimate aspiration for politicians and ordinary people to have, and there are trade offss and costs. One of the trade offs is reduced tax revenue, to the treasury, so the official 0ffice reduced tax revenue, to the treasury, so the official Office For Budget Responsibility has estimated that this reduction would cost about £6 billion a year, by 2021, and i think, i think it is quite reasonable for the bbc and other media to ask the Prime Minister, well, you have said you want to deliver this reduction in net migration because you think the people want that, what taxes are you going to put up, what Public Services will you cut further in order to pay for that £6 billion, which your own oh br has said will have to be found, as a direct consequence of meeting that pledge. Obr. Given that you are a distinguished academic, representing one of our academic is the juice and, where do students stand here . The manifesto has reaffirmed that stu d e nts the manifesto has reaffirmed that students will continue to count in the statistics, which is beverly sensible. Perfectly sensible, they will continue to count in the target. This is an example of the trade offs. She would like to reduce the number of stu d e nts she would like to reduce the number of students coming here, that will reduce migrants, but students are a major exporter in the country, the Higher Education sector is high earning, higher productivity, students, foreign students coming here counts as an export. If we want to bea here counts as an export. If we want to be a successful Trading Nation of them brexit, that is the shared ambition of all of the political parties, then the Higher Education foreign students have to be a part of that and this target will cut directly across that. Thank you for joining us. By the way, at 5. 30pm on bbc news ill be putting your questions about the conservative manifesto to Iain Duncan Smith, the former Cabinet Minister and of course tory party leader. You can get in touch via twitter using the hashtag bbc ask this, or text your questions to 611211, and you can email us as well at askthis bbc. Co. Uk reports coming in from york. This is times square, one of the biggest areas in the heart of manhattan. We areas in the heart of manhattan. We are told a car went Out Of Control. I think police are reporting the driver of the car is in custody. A lot of people injured, at least ten 01 lot of people injured, at least ten or 12 injured. Reports coming through of at least one person dying in this incident. They are simply reporting that this car was peering Out Of Control. And hit many pedestrians on one of the pavements. 0n The Eastern Side of times square. There is the vehicle that went Out Of Control, and the latest report from the police is that the driver was taken into custody. Several people injured, reports coming in. If there is anything to do with why the incident happened, in terms of reasoning, possible Terrorist Motives or any of that, that speculation is taking place, we will reported as we get it for you. Place, we will reported as we get it foryou. Place, we will reported as we get it for you. Report it. Donald trump says hes being subjected to the greatest witch hunt against a politician in American History after a Special Investigator was appointed to examine russias alleged interference in last years election, and allegations of collusion between members of the trump team, and russian officials. The former head of the fbi Robert Mueller has been appointed to look into all the allegations, as our correspondent Richard Galpin explains. These are the darkest days so far for donald trump, whose brief, chaotic tenure at the white house is steadily being engulfed by allegations of inappropriate links with russia. Director, if you would rise. So much so a former fbi director, Robert Mueller, has been called in to lead the growing investigation into the allegations. Hes seen as an independent outsider and has been welcomed by democrat and republican politicians. It is a very positive development. It is evidence the administration is taking it seriously, good news. I dont believe it was necessary, i dont believe in special counsels, they can go off on their own. Having said that, ive got a lot of confidence in bob. If there has to be a special counsel, they made an excellent choice. At the root of this, the alleged collusion between Trumps Campaign team and russian officials during and after last years us election. In february Trumps National security adviser Michael Flynn had to resign because he lied about his contact with russia. The next day, it has now emerged, the president allegedly asked the fbi Directorjames Comey to drop the investigation into mr flynn. Allegedly saying, i hope you can see your way to letting this go. But in march mr comey went public for the first time about the broader fbi investigation and on may 9th he was sacked with mr trump saying it was his decision and that this Russia Thing With Trump was a factor. For legal experts the investigation of this sequence of events and more is almost unprecedented in its importance. Its hard to think of a more consequential investigation when were about the presidency and were talking about potential foreign influence into our elections. Were talking about whether or not President Trump has committed an obstruction of justice. Mr trump denies allegations, and issued a statement overnight ferry and if the investigation will confirm what we already know, there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. Saying a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know, there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. It will be many months before mr trump knows his fate, but already Global Financial markets have been falling in response to the crisis, putting yet more pressure on the president. Richard galpin, bbc news. Studio lets go live to washington and to the capital, and the correspondent there. Bring us up to date on what people are now saying, given that the Special Investigator has been appointed, how do you sense the pressure building. In many ways, people are here on capitol hill Breathing A Sigh of relief, because Robert Muller is is a very respected person to leave this investigation, and people from both sides of the political aisle believe he will do a fairand political aisle believe he will do a fair and thorough job. Political aisle believe he will do a fairand thoroughjob. Robert mueller. That does not take away from the fact that there are still many people wanting questions answered, james comeys firing, and the other news, about what President Trump did and did not reveal to the russians. The senate, later today, will receive a closed door briefing from the Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein and it is likely that a lot of those questions will come up, it is not clear what answer senators will get on that, the house later this week will receive a similar briefing. We will also be hearing from President Trump on all of this, later today, yesterday, the president said, i look forward to concluding this matter quickly. In a series of Early Morning tweets, we got a slightly different tone, he described this as a witchhunt against him. Later today, joint press c0 nfe re nce against him. Later today, Joint Press Conference from the latest foreign visitor, the colombian president , santos, Joint Press Conference, are unlikely that there will be that many questions about us Columbia River nations, expects russia to come up. There will be many questions about us colombia relations. A car which was Out Of Control in new york city has struck a group of pedestrians in times square, midtown manhattan, causing several casualties, they are reporting one person dead, it is of course an extremely popular part of new york. Lots of tourists, more than ten people appear to have been injured, some of them seriously, there have been reports that some people have been. Have been taken away to. Intensive care units, in other parts of new york city, and that Emergency Operation still going on, image of the cart car there. Police say they think it was an accident but they are stressing that they have no immediate confirmation of the nature of the incident. I think its fair to say that they have no firm conclusion about precisely why this happened. Ambulance there, police cars there are, within minutes of it happening, and the Emergency Operation in new york still going on. If there is an update on it, in the next few minutes, i will come back to it, these are the latest images we have from new york, after this car hit several pedestrians in times square. Police in cheshire have launched an investigation following a number of deaths of babies at the countess of chester hospital. They say it follows a greater number of baby deaths and colla pses at the hospital between june 2015 and june last year. Our Correspondentjudith Moritz is at the hospital. The hospital here tell us they called in the police because of concern about a number of deaths of premature babies at the Neonatal Unit here, in particular, 15 babies. Cheshire police say that they will focus on eight babies and review a further seven and look at six small infants who came very close to death here but who survived. Their investigation is just underway but the hospital has said that it has called the police and it took that decision after a lot of thought, did not take it lightly, reason it done so, previous independent clinical reviews into this hospital and into the Neonatal Unit, but the reeve use couldnt find any reason why all of these deaths happened, or were unexplained. The hospital wants to rule out the fact, the possibility, that these babies died of a natural causes, that is why it has brought the police in. But the reviews. They know that it will cause further heart ache and distress to the families of the babies, we have heard from one family, through their solicitor, they have commented to say that the death of any baby is a tragedy, but their experience has been exacerbated by Unanswered Questions and so they have welcomed the news that police will step into investigate in the hope that that may provide some answers. An update on the situation in times square, a car has veered Out Of Control, hitting several pedestrians, i am control, hitting several pedestrians, iam now control, hitting several pedestrians, i am now been told by a statement from new York City Fire department that 13 people have been injured, some of them badly. A report earlier that somebody had been killed, we will wait for confirmation. That was the report a moment ago. This car went Out Of Control and hit lots of pedestrians in times square, a very crowded part of manhattan, full of tourists, usually, and so, still awaiting confirmation from police there about exactly why this car went Out Of Control and hit so many people on the pavement. These are the latest images from new york, and again, if i get more details, we will be back to it. The former entertainer rolf harris will be released on bail from stafford prison tomorrow. Hes still on trial at Southwark Crown court, accused of indecently assaulting three teenagers between 1971 and 1983. He denies all the charges against him. Our Correspndent Helena Lee was in court and sent this update. Judge Deborah Taylor has told the jury judge Deborah Taylor has told the jury at Southwark Crown court, that rolf harris is going to be released from Stafford Prison On Bail tomorrow. The jury already have been told that rolf harris was convicted and sentenced in 2014. She told the jury and sentenced in 2014. She told the jury this morning, the fact i have given him bail does not have any bearing on the decision you will make in due course. She also told thejury make in due course. She also told the jury that rolf harris has of course been appearing during this trial through video link. He will 110w trial through video link. He will now appear in person for the remainder of his trial from monday. Rolf harris is facing four counts of Indecent Assault charges, historical allegations, between 1971 and 1983, allegations, between 1971 and 1983, all relating to three victims, three alleged victims between the ages of 13 and 16. The court is hearing evidence today, from the second of those alleged victims, and she claims he assaulted her at a Sports Eventin claims he assaulted her at a sports event in cambridge, when he was 16 yea rs event in cambridge, when he was 16 years old. The trial continuing, but to recap that news, rolf harris is going to be released from stafford prison tomorrow, on bail, and due to appear at his own trial here from monday. The court will not be sitting tomorrow, rolf harris denies all the charges against him. Coming up we will be putting your questions about the conservative ma nifesto questions about the conservative manifesto pledges to the former work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith, just after 530. 5 35pm. And well be looking at the ma nifestos and well be looking at the manifestos in greater detail with the political Columnists Owenjones and matthew parris, at around 5. 50. Headlines coming out and the latest on todays sport but in the meantime, the weather forecast. More unsettled, much needed rain fall out there across parts of the country, today we had heavy rain yesterday, not all of us seeing it, persistent rain pushing into parts of southern and eastern england, elsewhere, sunshine, showers, views a little bit like this one taken by a little bit like this one taken by a Weather Watcher earlier in conway, as we head through the evening, showers across wales, northern ireland, western england, tends to ease away, but further east, Rainfall Creeping North across east anglia and into lincolnshire. Some uncertainty about how far west it will get. With clearer skies in the north and the west, a fresh start to friday morning. Another day of sunshine and showers for many parts of the country, the area of rain creeping north, into north east england, South East Scotland for a time, temperatures, 11 or 12 on the east coast, into the mid height teams elsewhere. Into the weekend, mix of sunshine, scattered showers around, and at times feeling quite chilly overnight. This is bbc news at 5 the headlines officials in new york say 13 people have been injured after a car struck pedestrians in times square. One person has died in the incident. Witnesses say the vehicle had been speeding and mounted the pavement, striking bollards. The latest that we have on this is from sources in new york saying that the new York City Police department say they do not believe that this was connected to any terrorist activity. They say they believe it was an accident. One person has died, 13 injured when this car veered Out Of Control. Theresa may has launched the conservative Election Manifesto saying politicians need to be upfront about the Issues Britain faces. Mrs may told her audience in halifax that a strong economy, and delivering brexit, are the biggest priorities if shes re elected. Come we me as i lead britain. Strengthen my hand as i fight for britain, and stand with me as i deliverfor britain. Donald trump says hes being subjected to the greatest witch hunt against a politician in American History, after a Special Investigator was appointed, to examine claims of collusion with russia. Time for the a round up of the sports news now, with hugh woozencroft. The Football Association has agreed to implement a range of reforms at a meeting of its stakeholders at wembley. The changes mean the Governing Body will now meet the new code introduced by sports minister tracey crouch, meaning it will continue to receive public money. Our Sports Correspondent Katie Gornall has more. They are going to streamline the board and introduced term limits for fa council membership. The idea is to make it more diverse and reflective of the people who play the sport. Greg clarke, the chairman, threatened to resign if these reforms were not passed. A good start but he wanted to go further. Remember the pressure the fa were under to reform, a threat of millions of pounds of public money being withdrawn if they did not meet this criteria, Code Of Conduct set out by the government. Although some feel the reforms do not go far enough, given the place your pace of change that weve seen at the fa before, its a significant step forward. One of the other measures approved by the fa at their agm is a move from next season to introduce Retrospective Bans for players who dive orfeign injury. Speaking before the move was rubber stamped, the Crystal Palace manager Sam Alla Rdyce gave this, strong reaction. Well, it is utter rubbish. What about the lad who gets booked that did not dive . What will they do about that . What will they do about it . No, they will say that is unlucky, next time we will try and get that right. So the lad that dives that gets punished, but then the lad who gets punished when he did not dive. You have two reverse it somehow. Bring technology in and we can look at it on the day. Bring in the sin bin so that we can put them in there for ten minutes and put them back on, stop paying all of these people money to do rubbish situations in the game. It is utter rubbish. Championship side Nottingham Forest has been sold to Shipping Magnate evangelos marinakis. His 100 takeover has been confirmed by the efl after he passed their owners and directors test and brings to an end fawaz al hasawis tumultuous five year stint in charge. Marinakis, who owns Giants Olympiakos in his native greece, has faced allegations of match fixing and criminal involvement however he denies all of the claims. We have already been cleared by the football league, by the authorities, they ask us a number of questions. At the end of the day, all of this has taken place in the last two months. And we are all clear. We passed all the tests, not only from the local authorities in the uk but from independent organisations. We have nothing to be concerned about. British number one Johanna Konta is out of the italian open, she lost to Venus Williams in rome. Konta recovered from a set down against the american, but eventually lost 6 1 3 6 6 1. Konta had won three matches in a row against williams before today. Tim hague has more. Johanna kontas korea has blossomed, so Johanna Kontas korea has blossomed, so much so she is even the favourite when taking on one of the williams, and while shes not the player she used to be, the class remains. The player ten years the senior of the britain was off at her best, winning the first set 6 1. Time for a pep talk. 0k, come on the words of wisdom works. Johanna konta was a different player in the second set and dictated the tempo of the match. It was the first set but williams dropped in all of the tournament before things heated up. Then, the american called things dramatically. Back to herform in american called things dramatically. Back to her form in the first, she was too good forJohanna Konta. Illustrated by the match winning point. 6 1 to williams, the player in blue today. Tim hague, bbc news. Thats all sport for now. Ill have more in sportsday at 6. 30. More now on the election campaign. Ina week in a week of Manifesto Launches, we are asking you to send in questions for special guests. Its called ask this. Today its the turn of the conservatives on the day they launched their manifesto. Im joined by the former Cabinet Minister and party leader Iain Duncan Smith. You will be pleased to know that the questions have flooded in the challenge today is to answer as many as we can. There is so much talk about social care and this policy, in forcing quite a radical departure in many ways but it is fair to say, given the comments that have come m, given the comments that have come in, a lot of people are puzzled or angry about it, because they feel it is not addressing an issue of fairness. Let me take alistair gordon, thank you for your question. He says, what happened to be social ca re cap he says, what happened to be social care cap as promised in 2015 . How cani care cap as promised in 2015 . How can i pay a carer when my sole asset . That reflects a lot of the sentiment in other questions too. Firstly, you need to see it in a Wider Perspective of what was said today. It was the beginnings of a rebalancing. I felt that the wait was being taken too much on working age and it needed to be rebalanced across the ages. These measures, as she has done on pensions and social care, is beginning to be rebalanced. Putting it out of context and to this. This improves a lot for a group of people. You do not have to contribute until your assets fall. You will contribute if they are above 100,000 but not below. They have widened the base to say that people getting care in their house have to contribute. But around 20 give or take actually have assets in the uk of over 100,000. So the vast majority will therefore not be contributing and because right now it is 20 3000, 23 three and a half thousand, i think it is, it is lifted and it makes a larger group of people who have care on a wider base 23,000 of people who have care on a wider base 23,000 300. Of people who have care on a wider base 23,000 300. Others will have two Co M Pete Base 23,000 300. Others will have two compete more, and it will spread the load to deal with the big issue on social care. And one element that a nswe rs on social care. And one element that answers this question is, he will not be expected to sell his house or anything else until he or whoever else dies as well, then that acid becomes realised in the family, or if there is no family through probate. Asset. If there is no family through probate. Asset. So there is some kind of. There are a lot of descriptions of a delayed death tax and fora descriptions of a delayed death tax and for a lot of people that is com pletely and for a lot of people that is completely unacceptable . Abbott lets move away from the idea of that death tax and asked the simple question. Social care needs to be paid for. And other parties have failed to grasp how you actually pay for this. Do you go out and tax again across the base . Nature and the people who already there a fair burden bear the extra cost or so to those who have extra assets say it is fairand those who have extra assets say it is fair and reasonable but if you have assets worth a certain amount that you should contribute because it helps those who do not have assets and me that social care, and we need to be able to protect and support them. It is a move to broaden and shift the balance of the support away into those who have money about pensionable age. L support away into those who have money about pensionable age. A lot of people raised the issue of those with dementia. Mike in plymouth said, is this system really being grotesquely unfair to those families who have members affected by dementia . Lets say someone raised the question earlier, if you are U Nfortu Nate The Question earlier, if you are unfortunate enough to suffer from cancer, the system will protect you, but if you have alzheimers for example and are in a position where you have difficulty supporting yourself, the system does not help yourself, the system does not help you in that sense. Today, this underlines the unfairness that is being built in . Not everything can being built in . Not everything can be rectified at once. If we deal with individual conditions, when it gets to the point where you require nursing care it is picked up by the nhs. We are talking about the areas before someone needs nursing care and with out some as that is most certainly going to happen. These are areas where we need to look again and figure out how we do it. You wont get everything in today. What we have not done is changed the situation and made it worse, we have made it better by saying contributions do not cut him if you have 100,000 or slightly less in terms of assets. It helps in terms of peoples contributions and gives the most people, the vast majority, at least a fairer deal than was in before. There are so many questions on that but i need to cover other things as well. Basically, a lot of the questions are brexit today. Saying there was far less about brexit in the manifesto than people imagined given the scale of the challenge over the next few years. This came in through text and was nameless. Is the Prime Minister in doing Free Movement from the eu to the uk, because this must happen. Is it happening or not . If you read the ma nifesto it happening or not . If you read the manifesto she didnt talk much about it because we have talked a lot about it. But it is the basis of the next few years . It is in the ma nifesto next few years . It is in the manifesto and when you read it, it is clear. She recommit to her 12 points and commits to the white paper that has already been published. In their she is explicit about what she says we will not be in and what we are planning to do, taking back control of our laws and control of borders and money. It is pretty explicit. That means that we are leaving. Then she wants the best deal with them which requires a strong leader as we say Time And Again. Used that word explicit, when does the Free Movement and . From when we come out of the eu . We ta ke from when we come out of the eu . We take back control of that, how she manages that is now about where she takes. So it does not necessarily end . It officially ends because we move out, we dont have a member of the single market, then what needs to be spelt out clear as they go forward is exactly how through these negotiations those dates hit, but officially two years from when she triggered article 50, those elements become possessed by the uk government and so we have control. She has made it clear that she wants to get it down to Tens Of Thousands, in terms of net migration, meaning we had to take full control of the borders which means reducing migration and controlling it from the eu. That will be a new departure. Questions surrounding when that Freedom Of Movement will end. Im not raising a question but saying that it officially starts when we take control on the two year mark after negotiations. How it will be spelt out in terms of work permits, thats what i cannot tell you as it isnt in the manifesto. Permits, thats what i cannot tell you as it isnt in the manifesto. Do you as it isnt in the manifesto. Do you accept the view from jonathan and others earlier, that this target of the Tens Of Thousands by 2021, lets say, will cost the economy about £6 billion per year . Because of the fact it affect employment and employers will not have the flexibility that they currently have . Again, it depends on exactly how they manage the work permit system. They assume straightaway that it system. They assume straightaway thatitis system. They assume straightaway that it is closed door, that is it. And a work permit System People will be coming in but they have had to work, they need to check they have british workers they can use and if not, they need to look at the skills base. The key point is, if you look at the range of who is costing and who hasnt, by and large countries in Eastern Europe tended to take more on benefits and pay below average on taxation and those from other countries like france, germany and italy, they tend to pay more than the average british person did and take less in benefits. Actually, the large volume of people who came across in more recent days have been from Eastern Europe and if they were taking more than contributing, that isa taking more than contributing, that is a net saving. The question is, what is the balance . I do not agree with that calculation. The 6 billion . I dont agree because i dont think it takes into the scale with those people. But you accept aeroscreen to be a hit of some kind . I dont have the system will work you accept there will be. But pressure on housing and the health service, many of these areas, my question is i dont think it has been taken into consideration. But clearly, the principalfrom a lot of the economists, if you go towards the economists, if you go towards the target of Tens Of Thousands, as a net figure, that will have an economic cost. You accept that as a principle . Im not certain i do. Backin principle . Im not certain i do. Back in the 1990s we were at that level. Somehow, we could not get. This is about from going where we are now two there . It depends on how much money we invest internally in terms of skills. One of the areas i am doing a report on, in terms of productivity in the uk and what you come across Time And Again is failure to invest in real skills up to date, im not talking about unattached training but some low entry skills, like heavy goods vehicle drivers, building trades, Railway Track engineers. It does not ta ke Railway Track engineers. It does not take a huge amount but we need to go abroad as they are failing to invest in training people here. Getting the balance right means it should be ensuring that we earn more as a result and therefore produce more and become more productive. Let me bring ina and become more productive. Let me bring in a question, someone recorded a question for us. Robert ross wa nts recorded a question for us. Robert ross wants to talk about education and school meals more specifically. This is the question. With the proposed loss of Free School Lunches, this will hit families whose Income Isjust above benefit level. Can you please explain to me how this encourages people off benefits and into work . And, to make work pay . Robert, thank you. To underline that, with the proposed loss of Free School Lunches this will hit families whose income is just above benefit level. Can you explain how it encourages people off benefits and into work, and make work pay . Free school meals will continue, that will be delivered in the way that it is at the moment. This is talking about Primary School children where there was the announcement under the liberal conservative coalition that there will be Free School Meals for everybody. I was one that did not necessarily agree with that at the time asi necessarily agree with that at the time as i thought it cost a lot of money and did not deliver a major change to most of the children involved. Many of those children given Free School Meals could actually afford the meals themselves through their parents. The key question here is getting the balance right. Theres no endless pot of money, the question is, how do you deliver it . The government today said there will be access to brea kfast said there will be access to breakfast in schools, that is the plan, rather than Free School Lunches. That is the key. They are getting meals but the question is where and when. That will be during the morning rather than the lunchtime period. Some of that Money Savedis lunchtime period. Some of that money saved is going back into schools, all of that money is going back, and the government has committed another 4 billion to go back into schooling and a guarantee that no school will lose under the present changes, causing a couple of schools to become concerned. They will not lose money and that guarantees that schools will go further forward and use the money better to improve the quality of education for those children. Let me squeeze in one more, iam children. Let me squeeze in one more, i am against the club and it isa more, i am against the club and it is a big issue against the clock. This question from mrs goldsmith on pensions. I dont agree with mrs may getting rid of the triple lock, what about protection for pensioners . Why is she targeting pensioners in this way . I dont think she is, the triple lock did its job way . I dont think she is, the triple lock did itsjob in way . I dont think she is, the triple lock did its job in getting Pensioner Incomes up by Something Like £1250 more per year than they would have got in 2010. If they stayed on the same basis. Meaning Pension Earnings through the State Pensions are much higher than they were. Now she is guaranteeing that they will never fall below earnings or inflation which is an absolute guarantee. They will not suffer but rise at the level of the uk economy. That is important. She is saying to stick to the 2. 5 extra. Costing the economy a lot. That is being born by working age people. The question is, lets get the balance slightly right here. We want to and have more pensioners out of poverty and they are ina pensioners out of poverty and they are in a better position. We went side back but we need to think about working age people who are having to pay a great deal to support their pa rents pay a great deal to support their parents as they go through their lives and we want to lessen the burden. That is why she has moved away. It is a rebalancing. It isnt hurting pensioners but rebalancing to ensure that there is not too great a pressure on working age people as they go through work or enter into the workforce. Iain duncan smith, a lot of questions left but thank you for dealing with those that we had. And to you at home, thank you for sending in this question is, we are gratefulfor them. Tributes have been paid by members of all parties to the former labour First Minister of wales, Rhodri Morgan, whos died at the age of 77. He was widely credited with bringing stability to the Welsh Assembly after it was created in 1999, and colleagues have singled out his ability to communicate wth people of all backgrounds in a political career that spanned four decades. Our wales correspondent sian lloyd has this report. Rhodri morgan was a towering political figure Rhodri Morgan was a Towering Politicalfigure in Rhodri Morgan was a towering political figure in wales, Rhodri Morgan was a Towering Politicalfigure in wales, both in stature and reputation. He was a proud welshman who shared the nations passion for rugby, and that endeared him to the public. Yes he was first elected as an mp for cardiff in 1987. But with the establishment of the Welsh Assembly ten yea rs establishment of the Welsh Assembly ten years later, he threw everything he had into making the burgeoning institution in cardiff bay work. He was not tony blairs choice as Labour Leader in wales but took over after the resignation of his predecessor alan michael. He served as First Ministerfor predecessor alan michael. He served as First Minister for almost a decade and is widely credited with bringing stability to the institution following a turbulent start. He was the person who took the assembly from being something that was still not hugely supported, not widely supported by the people of wales, not as widely supported as it is now, to being an institution that people understand and as part of our lives in wales. Rhodri morgan did not have the polished appearance of many modern day politicians and did not speak in the usual sound bites either. Rhodri morgan, will you run again for leadership of the Welsh Labour Party . Do one leg ducks swim ina Welsh Labour Party . Do one leg ducks swim in a circle . Among many tributes being paid, Rhodri Morgan has been described as the father of welsh devolution and, as a mark of respect, Election Campaigning has been suspended here today. Studio tributes to Rhodri Morgan, who has died at the age of 77. We will talk a little more about the announcements that we have seen this week in party manifestos. Today theresa may launched her partys plans in halifax with a raft of policy pledges promising a Mainstream Government that would deliver for mainstream britain. Labour, the lib dems, the green party and plaid cymru all launched their visions for the future of the uk earlier on this week. To discuss in more detail im joined by the former conservative mp, broadcaster and columnist for the times, matthew parris, and the author and guardian writer owen jones. Its its good to have you both with us. Iam bound its good to have you both with us. I am bound to start with Halifax Today. What did you make of that in halifax, the tango in halifax . What is the tango in halifax . halifax, the tango in halifax . What is the tango in halifax . I had a panic as well what did you make of the vision that we saw in Halifax Today . I havent seen anything about it . Theresa may was in Halifax Today. Matthew, for Goodness Sake you must have seen a bit of the Manifesto Launch . sake you must have seen a bit of the Manifesto Launch . I did not realise it was in halifax what did you make of the vision that she has unveiled today . It is an ism, it is an ideology. It is may ism what. There is no such thing as society comment, but is the good the government can do. It is a fairly modest set of proposals but for a conservative, it is a real, if slide, change in direction. On the whole i am pretty impressed by it. Do you think social care proposals today, which are seen by some supporters as being highly controversial, are they part of a modern set of proposals or a signal that she has moved significantly leftward . That she has moved significantly leftward . I dont know if you would call it left but they are basically, i think you and Iain Duncan Smith we re i think you and Iain Duncan Smith were discussing, it is basically a kind of death tax. Those who object not the people with dementia, they are those who are going to inherit. Someone has to pay for all of this but it is a sensible proposal. The broad sense of what was unveiled today . I really think the rhetoric is irrelevant. It is the that counts. In terms of broadbrush, the tories have made it clear that you will vote for us whatever we do. We ta ke will vote for us whatever we do. We take you for granted and will introduce whatever policies we see fit. However they impact too. When it comes to the dementia tax, and it isa it comes to the dementia tax, and it is a dementia tax, if you suffer from cancerfor is a dementia tax, if you suffer from cancer for example, the is a dementia tax, if you suffer from cancerfor example, the nhs can look after you. If you suffer from dementia, as my grandma did, for many years, it is a terrible and heartbreaking illness, you can whittle away the value of your home, Hundreds Of Thousands of pounds, down to the last 100,000. When it comes to the triple lock and its abolition, the Pensions Experts say that the ones who suffer the most are some of the poorest pensioners in society. When it comes onto the Winter Fuel Allowance and Means Testing, it introduces a complex system of administration. We have it with pensions credit which is means tested. I dont know the latest figures but a couple of years ago, one third of those eligible for pensions credits did not claim it as it involves complex forms. Wwe i claim it. Iclaim it. It is disturbing, the tories think that those who brought this country up, it does not matter any more. That is completely nonsense, you talk about pensioners suffering, the red reduction to a double lock does not mean there will be smaller pensions but it means that pensions will go up in line with earnings or inflation, whatever is higher. They will not automatically be picked up every year. I think that is entirely fair. As faras every year. I think that is entirely fair. As far as the Winter Fuel Allowa Nce fair. As far as the Winter Fuel Allowance is concerned, i get it, i dont deserve it. I do not need a Winter Fuel Allowance and it is entirely sensible that people who do not need something from the state and other taxpayers should not be able to claim. But we know this from Means Testing, it is a critical point. It is the best way of ensuring that those who need it most is by having a universal system is the complexity involved in claiming those benefits, and the fact that it you get rid of universals and the principle we all pay in and all get something back, it undermines public support. The old phrase, services for the poor become poor services. If you remove middle class support from those services, you withdraw public consent. There is a problem in terms of younger people who have suffered the biggest brunt over the last few years, that is not solved by reducing those provisions. Those younger people one day will need it as well. Fine words, but you are basically arguing for someone on £200,000 per year being given money to help with winter heating costs. That justifies common to help with winter heating costs. Thatjustifies common sense. But again, how you get savings, im afraid this is the disturbing truth of Means Testing, is those eligible for those benefits, many of them will not claim them and that is where the biggest savings will be made. Youve made the point, three weeks until polling day. We have now had a lot of manifestos. It cannot be argued that there isnt a clear choice, there is one in policy terms. We have the labour manifesto which made powerful statements in terms of taxation and spending priorities. Owens views on that are clear and we have read them. What are your thoughts on the choices that voters face now . It is Rule Betweenjeremy that voters face now . It is rule between Jeremy Corbyn and theresa may, as Prime Minister. That is why the election will yield the result that we are all expecting. Obviously labour have said instead of, we are talking about wealthy pensioners, they argued to get the top 5 of earners to pay a little more money, which can be invested in social care, education, housing, creaking infrastructure, and simile, ask big businesses to pay the same Corporation Tax we had a few years ago, to modernise the country. The tories, as we had seen again, it will be more of the same. Squeezing wages and taxing older people. Thank you. Lets go straight to the weather now. Banks a day of sunshine and showers for many parts of the country. More persistent rain which has been pushing in around southern and south Eastern Parts of england, heading northwards. Cloudy and dampier, in the north and west conditions look more like this, in north wales we have cumulus clouds producing showers. Showers across northern and western parts of the country fading away through the evening and overnight. Outbreaks of rain across the South East Of England and east anglia, and towards the North East Of England as well. Uncertainty about how far west it will go, fresh and clear whether to begin the day in the north and west on friday. On friday, that rain will head northwards across north east england, and South East Scotland. Elsewhere across the country, another day sunny spells, scattered showers, and temperatures of 15 16d. Chilly nights this weekend and a mix sunshine and showers. Launched its Election Manifesto. A chance to show what conservatism under theresa may will look like a manifesto for mainstream britain, she called it. Come with me as i lead britain. Strengthen my hand as i fight for britain. And stand with me as i deliverfor britain. Tackling the growing cost of social care big changes on the way its paid for. There we go, darling. Free School Lunches will go for all but the poorest families, but theres a pledge to spend more on education. Fairness across the generations. Have pensioners had it too good for too long . I work full time, pay bills and everything else. I do think the Younger Generation need that little bit more help. They are not giving us the earth, after all, arent they
comparemela.com © 2020. All Rights Reserved.