British Prime Minister reveals the date of the general election

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Mansfield (Central) on January 4, Prime Minister Sunak said: "We will have a general election in the second half of this year. I want to continue to manage the economy well and reduce taxes... I have a lot of work to do."

Mr Sunak’s announcement comes amid speculation about the date of the much-anticipated vote, which must be held before 2025.

In his first year in office, Prime Minister Sunak has struggled to deliver on his key promises, such as tackling migration, growing the economy and improving healthcare. He has failed to meet his target of halving inflation by the end of 2023.