General election announced
- PM and Starmer hit campaign trail for 4 July general election
- Sunak says 'more to do' but claims government's plan 'working'
- 'He never believed in it': Labour leader on why PM called early vote
- Awkward own goal as Sunak tries to make chat over football
- Farage won't be running|Another Tory minister standing down
- Daily Podcast: What could the next six weeks have in store?
- Live reporting by Faith Ridler
Expert analysis
- Sam Coates:PM is setting himself up as the underdog
- Beth Rigby: 4 July will be a record-breaking battle for No 10
- Tamara Cohen:Many Tories think PM walking into the gunfire
Election essentials
- Key dates you need to know
- Who's leading in the polls?
- Is PM keeping his promises?
- Read more: What happens next? |Which MPs are standing down?| Key seats to watch| How to register to vote| Check if your constituency's changing| Sky's coverage plans
Swinney defends himself amid criticism of comments after FMQs
Sky's news correspondentSadiya Chowdhury is next to ask a question of the SNP leader, and she asks about the situation facing one of his MSPs.
Michael Matheson is facing a 27-sitting day suspension from Holyrood and could lose his salary for 54 days over his £11,000 iPad data roaming bill.
Mr Matheson was sanctioned by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee earlier today.
But after First Minister's Questions today, the first minister provoked controversy by stating the process has "become highly politicised, which has compromised the process and the fairness".
Asked by Chowdhury what this says to the public as he launched his campaign, John Swinney launches a staunch defence.
"Parliament, I think, is in danger of falling into disrepute by the way this issue is being handled because one of the members of the committee that's looked at Michael Matheson's conduct has expressed opinions that, I think, prejudice the case."
He says there would be outrage from the media is a journalist was sanctioned by a panel with someone who had already expressed a view.
"I accept that Michael Matheson has made mistakes, I accept there's a process that has to be gone through.
"I just want to make sure it's fair."
SNP leader insists party is 'well-funded'
Next, the SNP's John Swinney is asked about his party's finances, and if they have the money for this election campaign.
And with candidates putting out crowdfunders, he is asked how people can be confident that the money is going towards the election campaign, in light of the ongoing police investigation into the party's finances.
The first minister replies: "The money that's raised by the SNP goes to fighting campaigns - that's what we're about, and we're raising lots of money to do that."
He says their campaigns are "well-funded" - but dodges the question about the ongoing police investigation.
Swinney: SNP is a 'united, cohesive team'
The SNP leader John Swinney is now taking questions at his party's election campaign launch (unlike other party leaders).
The BBC puts to him that his party that his party is slumping in the polls quite dramatically, and asks if voters are sending a message that they are discontented with the Scottish government, as well as the UK government.
The first minister replies: "I would be the first to admit that the SNP's had a pretty rough time over the last year or so."
But he goes on to say that the SNP is "recovering from that" and "building ourselves back up".
"I am very happy with the state of the SNP today - the SNP's a united, cohesive team."
He adds that he is "very optimistic and confident".
Tories 'don't even know when it's raining outside': Swinney launches SNP election campaign
And as one campaign launch concludes, the next begins - the SNP leader John Swinney is launching the party's campaign in Edinburgh (watch live on Sky News now and in the stream above).
He tells party activists: "Make no mistake - I am up for the cut and thrust of the election campaign."
"This election is going to be different - it can be different in Scotland.
"It can also be a unifying moment too," he says.
The first minister says unity "can never be imposed", but comes "when people are listened to", so they can "get behind and respect the outcome".
In a message directly to the people of Scotland, he says: "I am listening to you.
"Most of you want to see the back of this disastrous Tory government, of course you do. They're even more extreme and shambolic - they don't even know when it's raining outside.
"Never has a government deserved to lose more than Rishi Sunak's government."
Mr Swinney says people want to "live happy, healthy lives", with an NHS you can "rely upon", and "most of you think Brexit was a terrible mistake".
"You don't think Westminster works for Scotland, and you want to Scotland to have a strong voice."
Mr Swinney - who only took over the SNP leadership earlier this month - says he holds "moderate, left-of-centre values in the mainstream of Scottish public opinion".
He says voting SNP is the way to get rid of the Conservative government.
He also hits out at Labour, saying "Keir Starmer now supports Brexit, whatever the cost to Scotland. I don't think Scotland should put up with that any more."
Mr Swinney argues that an independent Scotland could deliver higher living standards as an EU member.
"I will never take anything for granted, but I've no doubt the SNP can win this election, and that's what I intend to do to lead the SNP to victory in this election."
"The SNP will be fighting an energetic, optimistic campaign, full of enthusiasm," he says, with a message of "hope and unity".
'The Conservatives have to go': Lib Dem leader launches election campaign
The Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey, is launching the Liberal Democrat election campaign in Cheltenham.
He opens by declaring that the Tories are "out of touch" and "we have the chance to win the change our country so desperately needs".
He says families across the country are "finding it harder and harder to make ends meet", and accuses the Tories of having made it "worse".
"The NHS is on its knees under the Conservatives - they promised to build lots of hospitals, and they've not delivered.
"People are waiting hours just for an ambulance, they're waiting weeks for a GP appointment, months for urgent cancer treatment."
'It is time for change'
And on a key theme of the Lib Dems' campaign, he says the government has "allowed the water companies to get away with pumping their filthy sewage into our rivers and onto our beaches".
"It really is time for change, and that means the Conservatives have to go."
In many parts of the country, he argues, it is a choice between the Lib Dem candidate and the Tory candidate.
He says we need to "transform" the country to "get the fair deal that people so, so deserve".
The Lib Dem candidates in every area will be a "local champion", he says.
"Come and join us and help make it happen."
Deputy speaker stepping down at election
Dame Eleanor Laing, the deputy speaker of the House of Commons, has confirmed she is stepping down as the MP for Epping Forest.
She said: "I love this job, but it’s time for me to move aside and give others the opportunities that I’ve been fortunate to have.
"I told the PM several days ago and wrote formally to my @EFConservatives Chairman today."
SNP MSP Michael Matheson faces suspension from Scottish parliament over £11,000 iPad bill
MSP Michael Matheson is to be suspended from Holyrood for 27 sitting days and lose his salary for 54 days over his £11,000 iPad data roaming bill.
Mr Matheson was sanctioned by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on Thursday.
The decision will now go before MSPs for approval.
It comes after the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) concluded in March that he had breached the MSP code of conduct.
The Falkirk West SNP MSP stood down as Scotland's health secretary in February, citing the SPCB investigation as the reason.
You can read more from Sky News below:
Plans for independent football regulator paused after general election announcement
Conservative MP Tracey Crouch has revealed the Football Governance Bill will not progress any further - meaning plans for an independent football regulator are on hold.
The pause is due to the announcement of the general election yesterday.
Ms Crouch said there is a "ready-made bill" for the next government.
"A lot of people have poured their heart and soul into the Bill - officials, politicians, authorities, clubs and of course fans," she wrote on X.
"I am 100% convinced there will be an Independent Regulator for football, thanks to the efforts of others and the desire for sustainability."
The bill would have seen new rules for the regulation of football and would allow an independent body to oversee clubs in the top five men's tiers.
It had the support of MPs from all parties and there was broad consensus on its contents.
Labour previously said it would introduce a regulator if elected.
'Looking forward to all the football?' - PM scores awkward own goal on Wales visit
Politicians are no strangers to football faux pas (who could forget the former prime minister David Cameron getting Aston Villa, the team he professes to support, mixed up with West Ham).
Rishi Sunak has now made a similarly embarrassing slip-up, seemingly channelling a vintage Mitchell and Webb sketch by asking workers at a brewery in Wales if they're looking forward to "all the football".
As you've likely noted, the election campaign is going to coincide with a hefty chunk of the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament.
Unfortunately, as one of the brewery staff quickly pointed out, Wales haven't qualified…
Which bills will be considered before election?
Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, has just confirmed which bills will return to the chamber ahead of the dissolution of parliament for the election.
This included the remaining stages of the Finance (No. 2) Bill, and the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.
On Friday, MPs will consider Lords amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
The latter could see movement on the compensation scheme for victims of the infected blood scandal, which is included in the bill.
