General election – live: Starmer dodges Abbott questions as Sunak denies buying votes with levelling up pledge

A Labour government would “lead to the devastation of employment” in the oil and gas industry in north-east Scotland, the First Minister has said.

John Swinney was speaking with media at the Grey Hope Bay Cafe on the outskirts of Aberdeen during the SNP’s campaign trail, joined by Stephen Flynn, who currently holds the Aberdeen South seat.

It has been a busy day for campaigning as both the Labour Party and the Conservatives launched their battle buses, set to drive across the country for the next five weeks.

The Reform Party, meanwhile, held a large event at the The Rifle Volunteer in Ashfield, Lee Anderson’s constituency. Both Mr Lee and Nigel Farage spoke at the event.

Below, you can see where Rishi Sunak, his counterpart Sir Keir and Mr Lee have been today.

Rishi Sunak has faced questions about his plan to invest in 30 towns as part of his party's “levelling-up” agenda, with broadcasters asking whether the Prime Minister was trying to “buy votes”.

Mr Sunak replied: “These 30 towns come on top of the 70 towns that have been announced - that's 100 towns across our country that are going to receive £20 million each.

“Crucially, it will be local people in all those areas that are in charge of how to spend that money, to make sure it's spent and invested on their priorities - an example of us levelling up everywhere, backing local people and their priorities, and giving them the long-term funding and assurance to do so.”

Mr Sunak claimed the methodology used to select the towns - including Tamworth, Bognor Regis, Flint, Perth and Newry - had been used “multiple times before” based on “levelling-up needs, looking at economic opportunity, skills, health and life expectancy”.

He claimed towns were “neglected” under a previous Labour government and added: “I'm not going to make any apology for supporting towns.”

The Conservative battle bus has embarked on the campaign trail.

The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, emblazoned with blue Tory livery and the party’s campaign slogan “clear plan, bold action, secure future” will transport campaigners and journalists across the UK during the next five weeks.

The coach is Ulez compliant, meaning it can travel in and out of London without incurring charges, and is rated to Euro 6 emission standards.

The vehicle was used until recently as transport for Oxford United before the football team’s promotion to the EFL Championship.