UK politics: IFS attacks Tory pledge not to reform ‘absurd’ council tax system – as it happened

Shoppers in Nottingham. Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian

5.47pm BST

Afternoon summary

• The Conservative party is facing questions over its decision to keep more than £15m given by its biggest ever donor, Frank Hester, after former employees made a series of fresh allegations.

• Rishi Sunak has been criticised for missing the international D-Day commemoration event in France this afternoon. He attended a British event in the morning. (See 2.11pm.)

• The Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank has published a damning assessment of the Conservative party’s decision to rule out reform of the way council tax operates in England in the next parliament. (See 3.49pm.)

• Rachel Reeves is under pressure from Labour shadow ministers to raise capital gains tax as part of an autumn budget at which the shadow chancellor is considering up to a dozen new revenue-raising measures.

• The Conservative chair, Richard Holden, has been selected at the last minute for a safe seat 300 miles from his former constituency, triggering anger among members.

• The Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, has announced he plans to stand again for Westminster in a key Scottish National party target seat, after the party blocked the anticipated candidate who is recovering from a serious illness.

Finally, do read Archie Bland’s afternoon campaign catch-up. Better still, you can sign up here to get it as an email.

5.31pm BST

Plaid Cymru says next government should recognise state of Palestine

Plaid Cymru has said the next government should recognise the state of Palestine. In a statement today Rhun ap Iorwerth, the party leader, said:

The horrors unfolding in Gaza day in day out shame the international community.

It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the suffering, particularly the number of children and young people caught up in the violence.

It’s time for the UK to show some moral leadership and join the many other states including Ireland, Spain and Norway who have declared that they recognise the State of Palestine.

This would send a clear signal that the UK supports the Palestinian people’s fundamental rights, free from the inhumane conditions currently being imposed upon them.

The SNP, Plaid’s sister nationalist party in Scotland, has also called for the UK to recognise Palestine immediately.