Next SNP leader could be 'crowned', claim Tories - as John Swinney leads field

Tories say PM’s speech is a ‘desperate relaunch’

Chris Philp says the prime minister’s ‘plan for change’ speech is a “desperate relaunch in an attempt to rescue the fortunes of a failing government”. The shadow home secretary accuses the government of breaking election promises and imposing “the biggest tax increases in recent history”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM accuses Tories of running ‘experiment in open borders’

Sir Keir Starmer has accused the last government of a “one nation experiment in open borders”. In a press conference in Downing Street, the prime minister accused the Conservatives of a “different order of failure” that happened “by design not accident”. Starmer said: “Time and again the Conservative Party promised they would get the numbers down. Time and again they failed, and now the chorus of excuses has begun.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories urge govt to ‘stick to their promise’ on defence

Shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies urges the government to “stick to their promise to meet 2.5% of GDP on defence spending” claiming they “have not actually set out a timetable for the timetable” to do this. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories blame Reeves' tax hike for adverse market reaction

Gareth Davies says people will be asking "what is this Budget for if it's not for growth?", after Rachel Reeves raised taxes by £40bn. The shadow exchequer to the Treasury adds the chancellor's tax increases have sparked a hostile market reaction. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Govts share desire to end child poverty

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden held a press conference during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Edinburgh, where Pat McFadden defended Labour's record on reducing child poverty. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM attends the BIC plenary meeting

Scotland's Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Taoiseach Simon Harris, sit down with leaders from the Council's eight Member Administrations for the plenary meeting during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Edinburgh. Formed in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement, this will be the 42nd meeting of the intergovernmental forum. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

British-Irish Council family photograph

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer poses for a family photograph alongside the Taoiseach Simon Harris, Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Edinburgh. Formed in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement, this will be the 42nd meeting of the intergovernmental forum. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Swinney: NHS central to Scottish budget priorities

Support for the “vital and precious” institution of the NHS will be at the heart of the upcoming Scottish Budget, John Swinney has said. The First Minister visited Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert where he met staff and toured the ambulatory care centre. He said the NHS will be “right at the heart” of the Scottish Budget, which will be published by Finance Secretary Shona Robison on Wednesday. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn