UK general election LIVE: Diane Abbott claims she is BANNED from standing for Labour on July 4 despite having whip restored as friends urge Keir Starmer to show veteran MP 'greater respect and dignity'

Big news first up this morning.

Diane Abbott has said she is barred from standing in the general election for Labour despite having the whip restored following an investigation into her conduct.

We will bring you more as we get it.

Rishi Sunak headed to the Potteries and later played bowls as he pushed his new tax cut for pensioners dubbed the 'triple lock plus', while shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves was in Derby, a short hop along the A50, setting out her first major speech of the campaign.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey ventured onto a paddleboard in the Lake District and Nigel Farage visited Dover on behalf of Reform UK.

Here are five takeaways from a busy day:

Stick with us for the latest news and reaction throughout the day.

Firstly, let's take a look at today's front page story on the Daily Mail following Rishi Sunak's new pledge concerning apprenticeships

Harriet Line, the Mail's Deputy Political Editor, reports Rishi Sunak's latest pledge will see 'rip-off' degrees scrapped under a new law to boost young people's life chances.

One in eight students could see their course axed in a bid to cut down on 'Mickey Mouse' degrees and pay for 100,000 apprenticeships.

Read Harriet's story here:

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the general election.

We've reached the halfway stage in the first full week of campaigning with parties on the trail hunting for votes across the country.

Join us today as we bring you all the latest news plus the best pictures and reaction on social media.