Conservatives suffer worst local election results in years - with London and West Midlands mayoral votes still to come

Tories: Starmer is no Margaret Thatcher

The shadow financial secretary has dismissed comparisons between Margaret Thatcher and Sir Keir Starmer, who likened his government to the ex-prime minister's. Criticising the Labour government's budget, Gareth Davies claimed Chancellor Rachel Reeves's budget has created an environment "not conducive to economic growth". The Tory MP's comments come as Reeves announced government support for Heathrow expansion in a major speech, in which the chancellor said a third runway could increase potential GDP by 0.43% by 2050 and could create over 100,000 jobs. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Conservatives ‘anxious’ over remaining Israeli hostages

Conservative shadow minister Richard Holden says it is “fantastic news” to see British-Israeli national Emily Damari released from captivity in Gaza, but adds that there is “a lot of anxiety there” for the families of the remaining hostages. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: We have iron-clad commitment to our fiscal rules

Sir Keir Starmer says the government has an "iron-clad commitment to our fiscal rules", after inflation dipped to 2.5% in December. The prime minister's comments at PMQs come after Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch claimed business leaders are suffering from Labour's Autumn Budget. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Siddiq in good spirits as Badenoch calls for the sack

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Tulip Siddiq, leaves home in good spirits as the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calls for her to be sacked over corruption claims – which the treasury minister has denied. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Philp: Labour morally wrong to reject grooming gangs inquiry

The shadow home secretary has said it is "morally wrong" for the Labour Party to reject a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. MPs voted down the Conservative Party amendment in the Commons, but Chris Philp urged Sir Keir Starmer to "change your mind". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: We need something earlier than Heathrow expansion

The shadow chancellor has argued that Rachel Reeves's plan to expand Heathrow Airport doesn't do enough to tackle economic issues affecting people now, claiming it will only come into effect in the next 10-30 years, if at all. Mel Stride did, however, assert his support for Reeves's planned Heathrow expansion, despite citing Labour divisions about the issue including Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan's objections. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mayor of London does not support Heathrow expansion

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan says he does not support a third runway at Heathrow Airport, siting noise pollution, air quality and the impact on climate change targets. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

David Lammy ‘welcomes’ election of Donald Trump

Foreign Secretary David Lammy says he “welcomes the election of Donald Trump” after his Labour colleague and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan warned of a “resurgent fascism” ahead of Trump’s second inauguration as President of the United States. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn