Broadcasters announce dates for election TV debates

The BBC and ITV have announced their broadcast dates for debates leading up to the general election on 4 July.

The BBC said they will televise a series of programmes from 7 June, with a show involving seven-parties hosted by Mishal Husain.

On 20 June, the leaders of the country's four biggest political parties will be involved in a two-hour Question Time programme on the BBC presented by Fiona Bruce. Sophie Raworth will moderate a debate between the prime minister and Labour's leader on 26 June.

There will be additional dedicated debates in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Nick Robinson has also invited each of the leaders of the seven biggest political parties to be interviewed for Panorama specials across the next four weeks.

All of the programmes will be broadcast on BBC One, BBC News, local radio across the country and will be available on BBC iPlayer. There will also be full live online coverage.

ITV has also announced a multi-party debate, which will feature leaders or representatives from seven political parties.

It will be broadcast on 13 June on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Leaders or senior representatives from the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Reform UK, Green Party and Plaid Cymru will take part.

The 90-minute debate will be moderated by Julie Etchingham

As well as this, ITV will broadcast a head-to-head general election debate between Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, and Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.

BBC News deputy chief executive Jonathan Munro, said: "TV debates have become a key part of elections in the UK, giving voters the chance to hear leaders and senior politicians debate policies and ideas directly with each other, which rarely happens on the campaign trail."

He said providing a shared space for people to debate and discuss "is a vital part of our mission."