Labour Party set to launch its election..........>

UK: Labour Party set to launch its election manifesto in Birmingham at 1000GMT

(0500ET, 1100CET) today.

- Set to include promises such as: building 100k council houses and 50k social

houses through housing associations a year at a cost of GBP75bn over 5 years,

creating 1mn 'green jobs' in energy sector and through home refurbishments,

GBP100bn of investment in Scotland over 10 years, renationalisation of

utilities, Royal Mail, and parts of BT. 

- Funded by significant increases in gov't borrowing, as well as a 45% rate of

income tax on those earning over GBP80k and 50% on those earning over GBP125k,

increase of corporation tax to 26% from 19% at present, and a windfall tax on

oil companies (despite previously stating this would not happen).

- Labour's manifesto launch in 2017 marked the start of a surge in opinion

polling support for the party in that election. Voter-pleasing spending plans

likely to dominate news cycle today.