What time is the BBC Question Time election special tonight, and who is taking part?

The BBC will air a special edition of Question Time tonight, where an audience of under-30s will question a panel of politicians representing all seven parties.

On Friday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn went head-to-head in The Prime Ministerial Debate on BBC One. The two leaders were challenged on their plans for leaving the European Union, the economy, security and public services.

Head-to-head battles and multi-party TV debates play a significant role in the build up to political events and this general election is no different, as a range of live TV events are set to take place ahead of the Dec 12 vote.

Here is everything you need to know about the remaining general election TV coverage, including where and when you can see party leaders discuss the important topics.

When are the general election debates and what TV channel are they on?

The first head-to-head debate on Nov 19 took place on ITV, followed by a debate on Nov 28 on Channel 4, dedicated solely to the issue of climate change.

Earlier last month, Sky News proposed a general election debate between the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders for Nov 28. However, the broadcaster was unable to secure agreement from Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn and therefore made the decision to cancel the TV event.

ITV's second general election debate aired on Dec 1. The seven main political parties were all invited, with leaders from the Liberal Democrats, Brexit Party, SNP, Green Party and Plaid Cymru taking part. Neither Mr Johnson nor Mr Corbyn took part, sending instead Rishi Sunak for the Conservatives and Richard Burgon for Labour.

On Nov 29, the first BBC election debate took place, with the second held on Dec 6. There will also be a Question Time special for under-30s tonight, live from York.

What time do the general election TV debates start?

1. BBC Question Time special for under-30s, Monday Dec 9, 8:30pm (BBC One)

What happened in the ITV debates?

Mr Johnson and Mr Corbyn took part in the first televised party leaders' debate on Nov 19.

Hosted by Julie Etchingham, the ITV special marked the first time since 2015 that both the Labour and Conservative party leaders have taken part in a TV debate.

Mr Corbyn was mocked over his Brexit policy by a live television audience, after he refused to say whether he thought Britain should leave the EU or remain. Mr Johnson, meanwhile, faced criticism over the issue of truthfulness.

According to a snap poll by YouGov, 51 per cent of viewers thought the Prime Minister performed better than Mr Corbyn.

On Dec 1, the two-hour ITV debate saw candidates from the seven main political parties tackle questions from an audience in Salford.

During this multi-party debate, Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, criticised the Tories and Labour for being too soft on jail sentences, calling for life sentences for inmates convicted of terrorism offences.

Who will take part in the BBC debates?

At the start of November, the BBC unveiled plans to hold 10 special election programmes in the space of three weeks, including a seven-way podium debate between senior figures from the major political parties on Nov 29, live from Cardiff.

Mr Corbyn was set to join the other party leaders at the BBC Election Debate, but Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, took his place. Mr Johnson did not take part either, sending instead the Conservative Party's chief secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak.

On Friday evening, Mr Johnson and Mr Corbyn took part in the BBC Prime Ministerial Debate in Southampton. BBC Radio 4's Today presenter Nick Robinson chaired this head-to-head debate.

Emma Barnett is set to host a special edition of Question Time tonight, where an audience of under-30s will question a panel of politicians, including Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party, Jo Swinson, leader of the Liberal Democrats, Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, Angela Rayner, shadow education secretary, Humza Yousaf MSP, justice secretary in the Scottish government, Adam Price AM, leader of Plaid Cymru, and Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.

Prior to these events, on Nov 22 a Question Time special took place on BBC One. Live from Sheffield, the programme saw leaders of the Conservatives, Labour, SNP and Liberal Democrat parties each answer questions from the audience for 30 minutes. 

Mr Farage, and Mr Bartley, also had the opportunity to discuss their views in two separate Question Time specials.

What happened in the Channel 4 climate change debate?

All party leaders except Mr Johnson took part in Channel 4's climate change debate.

The Prime Minister declined to take part in the debate, but it was understood that the Conservatives instead put forward Michael Gove. However, the broadcaster said that the former Environmental Secretary was not welcome on the basis that it was a leaders' event.

Mr Johnson was instead represented by a melting ice sculpture of  a globe in what the Conservatives deemed “a provocative partisan stunt”.

The Conservative Party made a formal complaint to Ofcom alleging Channel 4 breached the Broadcasting Code by  refusing to allow Mr Gove to take part in the debate.

Will any more general election TV debates be announced?

So far, ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC have confirmed their plans to hold general election TV debates.

In addition to the main coverage, two live debates took place on BBC Wales on Tuesday Nov 26 and Tuesday Dec 3.

BBC Scotland is set to broadcast its Scotland Leaders debate live from Glasgow on Tuesday Dec 10 and on the same night at 10.45pm, Northern Ireland party leaders will be debating in front of a studio audience.