Set out plans to tackle poverty. So runs the appeal to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his opponent Keir Starmer ahead of the first live TV debate before the summer election.
According to the Yougov institute, living costs are the area that most Britons prioritize as the most important issue in the election. Official figures released earlier this year estimate that over 14 million Britons lived in relative poverty in March last year. Almost a third of them were children – the highest number since the UK began measuring it in 2002-2003.
TV channel ITV, which is broadcasting the debate tonight, says that campaign leaders have urged the two candidates to set out plans to tackle poverty.
However, Sunak and Starmer will also likely need to answer questions on healthcare and the economy in general. Immediately after living costs, these are the two areas that Britons prioritize, according to Yougov.
Sunak's Conservative Tories have ruled the UK for the past 14 years, but the party has been plagued by internal problems and leadership struggles for years and appears to be heading for a catastrophic election.
During the hour-long debate, Sunak and Starmer will both face each other and answer questions from voters. However, surveys show moderate engagement ahead of TV-broadcast debates. Only every third Briton has said they are interested in seeing a debate between the two prime ministerial candidates.
The debate starts at 10 PM Swedish time on Tuesday evening.
