Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 13 Nov 2019

1. Poll puts Tories 14 points up following Farage pivot

The first voting intentions poll to take account of Nigel Farage’s decision to stand down Brexit Party candidates in 317 Tory-held seats in the general election suggests the Conservatives now have a 14-point lead over Labour. The survey by YouGov for The Times puts the governing party on 42%, with Labour on 28% and the Lib Dems on 15%.

2. Labour vow to outspend Conservatives on NHS

Labour’s latest election campaign promise is to spend an extra £26bn a year on the NHS by 2023-2024 - £5.5bn more than the Tories have pledged. The opposition says the money will cut waiting times and boost mental health services. In response, the Conservatives are claiming that Labour’s plan for a shorter working week would cost the health service “billions every year”, owing to the need for more staff.

3. Millane murder trial jury see CCTV of ‘killer’ smuggling out body

The jury in the New Zealand trial of the man accused of murdering British backpacker Grace Millane has been shown CCTV footage of the defendant allegedly moving her body in a suitcase. The 27-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is seen in the footage leaving his hotel in Auckland pushing a trolley bearing two suitcases – one of which he admits contained the 21-year-old’s body.

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4. Trump impeachment inquiry goes public

The Democrat-led inquiry into whether US President Donald Trump should face impeachment for asking Ukraine to investigate the business dealings of his Democrat rival Joe Biden’s son goes public today. So far, witnesses have given evidence behind closed doors, but the process will now be repeated in front of the cameras.

5. Deputy chair of leaked HS2 review criticises ‘whitewash’ report

One of the co-authors of an independent review of HS2 has claimed that a late draft of the report is “unquestioning” and shows a “lack of balance”. Lord Tony Berkeley, deputy chair of the government-commissioned review, has written to chair Douglas Oakervee demanding that his name be removed from the document. Berkeley says the costs have been underestimated once again in the report, which has been seen by The Times.

6. Venice flooded by highest tide in 50 years

Venice was hit by its highest tide in more than 50 years last night, with waters peaking at 1.87 metres (6ft). Tourists were forced to wade through flooded streets and St Mark’s Square was submerged. A 78-year-old resident was killed by an electric shock as the waters entered his home. Only once since 1923 has the water reached a higher level, climbing to 1.94 metres in 1966.

7. Greta Thunberg heads for Spain on catamaran

Swedish climate activist Great Thunberg is leaving the US to make her second Atlantic crossing in just three months by sail and solar yacht. The 16-year-old had planned to stay in the US for a UN climate conference, but following a venue change to Madrid has accepted a lift from YouTube bloggers who offered to transport her on their catamaran. Thunberg travelled from the English port of Plymouth to New York City by yacht in August.

8. Mars to launch vegan version of Galaxy bar

Mars is to become the first major UK confectioner to sell a vegan chocolate bar, with the launch of a plant-based version of its Galaxy chocolate next week. The 100g bars will go on sale for £3 in Tesco and via Ocado and Amazon on Monday. Three flavours are available: smooth orange, caramel and sea salt, and caramelised hazelnut.

9. Fashion model revives career at 85

An 85-year-old former model is back in front of the camera following a decades-long hiatus after being “rediscovered” at a care home in Surrey. Leslie MacLennan was a celebrated face in the 1950s and 1960s, modelling for Yves Saint Laurent in London and Paris. A chance meeting at her Hindhead care home with a photographer whose work has appeared in Vogue has now led to a new photo shoot.

10. Briefing: seven disgraced election candidates

The selection of candidates for a snap general election always throws up some unusual personalities and, with the major parties all finalising their choices ahead of the 12 December poll, this time is no different.

The Week takes a look at seven candidates who have been grabbing the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Seven disgraced election candidates: from aliens to offensive tweets