Party leaders set to campaign in north-west ahead of tonight’s first televised leaders’ election debate in Manchester. The 90-minute programme starts at 8pm on ITV.
Elsewhere George Osborne visits an Airbus factory in Flintshire, Lord Adonis visits the international rail terminal in Kent and the Greens launch their manifesto in Brighton.
The £30bn hole in party manifestos – Chris Giles in the FT
UK economy: Drenched in debt – Chris Giles in the FT
Interactive graphic: Manifestos compared - FT
Beware Nick Clegg; he, too, is a politician – Ben Brogan in the Telegraph
MPs are under stress, say academics – PA
Charlie Whelan denies bullying allegations – The Independent
Hold the doors for the Dear Leader – Paul Waugh Blog
The genius of the National Insurance double bluff - Danny Finkelstein in the Times
Debates:
Jon Snow say the TV debates are ‘not the British way’ - Channel 4
Lights, camera, election, how the debates were arranged - by Jim Pickard in the FT
The verdict will be decided in pubs across the land - Nick Robinson of the BBC
Leaders’ debates 76 rules
Join Alex and Jim tonight from 7pm for a live blog of the debate.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey