Keir Starmer makes pre-election pitch with six pledges

A Labour spokesman has insisted the six steps are “not the sum total” of the party’s election offer and insisted the party also stood by its other policy commitments, such as housing and workers’ rights.

“I would remind you for example… the national minimum wage was not on the pledge card in 1997, but it was one of the most important achievements of the Labour government, and in a similar vein, our manifesto will be our full offering.” he said.

Tory chair Richard Holden said Labour’s plans did not “amount to a hill of beans”.

He said the Conservatives were “sticking to the plan which is working to strengthen the economy – with inflation down from 11.1% to 3.2% and £900 back in hard-working people’s pockets – and a fair immigration system with boat crossings down”.