30/04/2017 BBC Weekend News

Theresa May has said there will be no increase in VAT

if the Conservatives win the general election.

However the Prime Minister has given her clearest

signal yet that her party will abandon its promise

not to raise income tax or National Insurance contributions.

Labour has also promised not to raise VAT.

The Shadow Chancellor John Mcdonnell said he would end what he called

"giveaways to the rich", and Labour would protect

Our political correspondent Leila Nathoo reports.

In the swing of an election campaign, there is, for some, and

unmentionable word. So far, Theresa May has skirted around the issue at

whether her government would increase taxes but this morning she

gave her strongest indication yet not to raise National Insurance,

income tax of VAT. We have no plans to increase the level of tax, but I

am also very clear I don't want to make specific proposals on taxes

unless I am absolutely sure I can deliver on those. It would be my

intentions of a Conservative government and a Conservative Prime

Minister, to reduce the taxes on working families. Later, she went

further in clarifying her plans. We won't be increasing VAT, but what I

want to ensure is we are able to have the strong... You definitely

won't raise VAT, that is a 100% commitment? Where will extra money

come from to pay for schools, hospitals and social care? The Prime

Minister hinted the long-term plan for that would be in her manifesto.

Labour says it would make those at the top pay more. We would end the

tax giveaways to the rich. We would demonstrate how we would fund those.

Let me give this assurance, there will be no increases in income tax

for middle and low earners. Labour is guaranteeing the state pension

will continue to rise by 2.5% a year. Theresa May suggested she was

considering a new way of calculating the increase. But Brexit looms and

with the EU states negotiating around their position yesterday, the

other opposition party sends an opportunity. The Labour Party are

fighting amongst themselves and have given up opposing the government.

The country needs a stronger position for the sake of democracy.

We don't have too agree with me on everything to agree with me that

Britain needs a strong opposition. The EU has been clear they have been

clear they have to look after the interests of the EU 27. In the next

parliament we have an important job of holding the current government to

account. Theresa May doesn't want to discuss our EU divorce bill before

trade talks and says she is still happy to walk away without a deal.

Ten years after the disappearance of Madeleine McCann,

her parents have told the BBC they will do "whatever it takes,

for as long as it takes" to find their daughter.

Madeleine was three years old when she went missing

on holiday in Portugal, while her parents were eating

Speaking to Fiona Bruce, Kate and Gerry McCann spoke

about the pain they continue to face, after a decade

Every day is another day now without Madeleine.

I think it's just that number, it's that 10-year mark which makes

it more significant, I think because it's a reminder

of how much time has gone by and obviously ten

I think the day and the poignancy of it, we don't tend to go back

But inevitably on anniversaries and her birthday, they are by far

How different is your life now to what you must have imagined

It's a hard one because it's such a long time.

I think before, we felt we managed to achieve a little perfect

We had that for a short period and you adapt

Unfortunately for us, a new normality at the moment

Last time we talked you told me how you were still buying birthday

presents and Christmas presents, ten years now,

There's a lot of thought goes into it, but I couldn't not.

She's still our daughter, she will always be our daughter.

The police have talked about one significant lead

they are still pursuing, can you tell me anything about that?

Very much, the investigation is in the hands of the

They're clearly are ongoing enquiries.

We've come a long way and there is progress,

there are some very credible lines of enquiry the police

And whilst there is no evidence to give us any negative news,

In the hope that one day you'll be reunited with your daughter?

No parent is going to give up on their child unless they know

for certain a child is dead and we just don't have any evidence.

My hope of her being out there is no less

Kate and Gerry McCann, speaking to Fiona Bruce.

MPs are calling for best-before dates on food to be scrapped,

saying they're unnecessary and contribute towards unacceptable

Food and Rural Affairs Committee says ?10 billion worth of food gets

One of the world's most famous mountaineers, Ueli Steck,

has been killed in an accident on Mount Everest.

Steck, known as the Swiss Machine, was climbing alone

for an attempt on the summit without oxygen.

Steck, who was 40, had won many awards and was famed

Mount Everest, dangerous and daunting, even for the most

experienced of climbers. Just climbing from base camp to camp

number two. Ueli Steck, also known as the Swiss machine, planning the

detail of his route. We don't know if it is possible, that is the

interesting thing. Nobody has done that before. Having the chance, it

is there and it is possible, but I don't know. He knew the dangers, he

had reached the summit without oxygen in 2012 and in 2015 he

climbed all 82 Alpine peaks, over 4000 metres in just 62 days. He

conquered the North face of the Eiger in less than three hours. Ueli

Steck was on Everest to acclimatise before attempting a new route on the

summit. If he had been successful, it would have pushed him into

another sphere. A first ascent like that on Everest, it is just sinking

in at the moment. He was known as the Swiss machine, really fit,

lovely guy when you meet him. A bundle of energy. I have the peak

again. Pretty cool. The climbing community has said it has lost a

pioneer. He was known for his speed and ruefully methodical approach,

with an ability to push push himself to the limit of human endurance.

Donald Trump has marked the 100th day

of his presidency with a speech defending his record

Addressing thousands of cheering supporters in Pennsylvania,

he insisted he's delivering his election promises and dismissed

The British boxer, Anthony Joshua, has sealed his position

as the world's leading heavyweight, by beating the former champion,

Wladimir Klitschko, in front of a record crowd

Despite being knocked down himself, Joshua rallied and came back

to floor his Ukrainian opponent three times in the eleventh round.

Our sports corresopndent Ollie Foster watched the fight.

Anthony Joshua is burning brighter than ever but last night

Wladimir Klitschko, at the age of 41, defying the march of time.

In a stadium famous for knockout competitions, they came in record

numbers to see AJ deliver the most important KO of his career.

The Ukrainian rocked, but so resilient.

In the next round, Joshua was stunned, hitting

But this fight was only just getting started.

Joshua had never been beyond the seventh round,

this one went to eight, nine and ten and Klitschko looked

to be on top by the time they reached the 11th.

A round that will live long in the memory, Joshua putting

The former champion showed unbelievable heart, but another

flurry of punches signalled the end of the contest and that

I say it to you again, I don't box just for the belts,

I don't box just for money, I just enjoy it.

I think tonight we all won, even if I didn't get the belt.

Wembley is slowly returning to normal, but this night will not

Cut through all the hype, this was one of the great

heavyweight contests and Joshua is still improving, still learning.

That is a frightening thought, especially for his next opponent.

Olly Foster, BBC News, at Wembley Stadium.

You can see more on all of today's stories on the BBC News Channel.