What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jeremy Corbyn officially launched Labour’s general election manifesto this morning, describing it as "the first draft of a better future for the people of our country."

In a barnstorming speech, the Labour leader compared himself to Harold Wilson, saying the document would "change the 21st century in the same way Harold Wilson in the 1960s sought to transform the 20th century."

Much of the document was leaked to the press last week, but the version unveiled today had new pledges on water nationalisation and childcare as well as tough new language on immigration.

And it revealed how the measures would be paid for.

Labour revealed the would raise £6.4bn a year with swingeing new taxes on high earners.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Anyone earning more than £80,000-a-year will see their income tax rate

hikes from 40p to 45p in the pound, documents released alongside the

manifesto show.

And anyone earning more the £123,000-a-year will pay a new 50p rate of tax.

The cash raised will be poured directly into the NHS and social care

system to ease the strain on our creaking health services.

Nobody earning less than £80,000-a-year will pay a penny more in tax

under Labour plans, the manifesto states - and increases on VAT and National Insurance were explicitly ruled out.

He said his party's platform was designed to help people who have lived through seven years of a "Britain for the rich, the elite and the vested interest"

"Whatever your age or situation, people are under pressure, struggling to make ends meet," he said. " Our manifesto is for you."

Outlining some of the key policies, he joked: "believe it or not, you haven’t read them all already."

He reeled off a string of pledges, including raising the minimum wage to £10 an hour, ending NHS cuts, scrapping zero hours contracts and expanding free childcare to 2 and 3 year olds.

He pledged to protect the triple-lock on pension increases, scrap hospital car parking charges and introducing four extra bank holidays every year.

(Image: PA)

And he promised his party would build more than a million new homes, at least half of which would be for social rent.

Labour's final manifesto includes tough new language on immigration

and Brexit compared to the draft leaked to the Mirror last week.

The section in the early draft began: "Labour will not make false

promises on immigration numbers. Our economy needs migrant workers to

keep going."

But some Labour MPs and trade union chiefs feared this message would

not resonate with many Labour voters on the doorstep.

So the version published today takes a much tougher line and says

explicitly the free movement of people must end with Brexit .

The final manifesto states: "Labour offers fair rules and reasonable

management of migration."

And it adds: "Freedom of movement will end when we leave the European Union.

"Britain's immigration system will change, but Labour will not

scapegoat migrants nor blame them for economic failures.

"Labour will develop and implement fair immigration rules."

(Image: PA)

Corbyn said: "All this is costed, as the documents accompanying our manifesto make clear. Our revenue-raising plans ensure we can embark on this ambitious programme without jeopardising our national finances.

"We are asking the better-off and the big corporations to pay a little bit more – and, of course, to stop dodging their tax obligations in the first place.

"And in the longer term we look to a faster rate of growth, driven by increased private and public investment, to keep our accounts in shape."

There were rapturous cheers in the venue as Corbyn confirmed plans to scrap tuition fees and nationalise railways - pledging to "put passengers first".

And he condemned the Tory party for trying to "scare" the public into accepting more of the same.

He said: "This is a programme of hope. The Tory campaign, by contrast, is built on one word: Fear

And he delivered a firm challenge to Theresa May to debate him head-to-head in a live TV debate - which she has so far refused to do.

He said: "Prime Minister, come out of hiding. Let's have a debate. Let's have a polite and friendly debate on television.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

"Let’s debate our two manifestos. Have the argument. I am confident that once the British people get the chance to study the issues. Look at the promises.

"They will decide that Britain has been held back by the Tories. That the few have prevailed over the many for too long. And that they will decide it is now time for Labour."