A General Election will be held on Thursday 4 July

A UK General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July after PM Rishi Sunak spoke with King Charles III to request the dissolution of Parliament.

Speaking from a lectern outside of Number 10 Downing Street, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "In the last five years our country has fought through the most challenging times since the Second World War. 

"As I stand here as your Prime Minister I can't help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you was just over four years ago.

"I stood behind one of the podiums upstairs in the building behind me. I told you that we faced a generation-defining moment and that we as a society would not be judged by some Government action but by the small acts of kindness that we showed one another. You met that challenge and then some and I have never been prouder to be British.

"And when I introduced the furlough scheme I did so not because I saw a country in need of desperate help albeit we were, but because I saw a country whose future hung in the balance.

"I could be bold and trust in the tens of millions of you at home that you would rise to the moment or I could accept the inevitable millions of job losses and pick up the pieces. 

"In truth it was no choice at all. I have never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone and you know that because you've seen it.

"As I did then, and will forever, do everything in my power to provide you with the strongest possible protection I can. That is my promise to you.

"Because for so many of us it's easy to forget the scale of what we've been through. We were hit by a pandemic that upended normal life.

"Who would have thought the Government would tell us how many times a day we could leave our homes? 

"Then just as we were recovering from Covid, war returned to Europe with Putin's invasion of Ukraine sending your energy bills spiralling.

"I came to office above all to restore economic stability. Economic stability is the bedrock of any future success. Whether that is rising wages and good jobs, investment in our public services, or the defence of the country.

"And because of our collective sacrifice and your hard work, we have reached two major milestones in delivering that stability. 

"Showing that when we work together anything is possible. Our economy is now growing faster than anyone predicted - outpacing Germany, France and the United States.

"And this morning it was confirmed that inflation was back to normal. This means that the pressure on prices will ease and mortgage rates will come down. This is proof that the plans and priorities I set out are working.

"I recognise that it has not always been easy. Some of you will only just be starting to feel the benefits and for some it might still be hard when you look at your bank balance.

"But this hard-won economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning. The question now is how and who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family and our country.

"Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. To decide on whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.

"Earlier today I spoke with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of Parliament. The King has granted this request and we will have a General Election on the 4th of July."