'Reasonable chance' ex-minister Mel Stride to enter Tory leadership race

Tories: We're not to blame for rise in inflation

The shadow chancellor of the exchequer has defended the previous government for the rise in inflation, instead blaming Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget and other government decisions, including increased spending and borrowing. Mel Stride's comments come after government ministers pointed blame at the previous Conservative government after new data from the Office for National Statistics estimated that the rate of UK inflation rose from 2.5% in December to 3% in. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Shadow chancellor criticises new growth figures

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has criticised the new growth figures released by the ONS. Mr Stride accused the government of "talking down the economy" and referenced the "disastrous budget" set out by Rachel Reeves. Report by Kennedyl. 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

Stride: Starmer should have acted earlier on Tulip Siddiq

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "should have acted earlier" to ensure Tulip Siddiq left the government over an anti-corruption investigation into her wider family in Bangladesh. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Stride: Govt shouldn't pop champagne over inflation dip

The shadow chancellor says the Treasury "should not be popping champagne corks" over the unexpected dip in inflation to 2.5% in December. Mel Stride adds the government has "killed growth stone dead" after inheriting an economy that was "much better than they make out". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Priti Patel hails Donald Trump's 'extraordinary mandate'

Dame Priti Patel has hailed Donald Trump's "extraordinary mandate" as US President, and says the Conservative Party believes in the UK's "special relationship" with the United States. The shadow foreign secretary made the comments despite disagreeing with Trump's description of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a "dictator" and his echoing of Russian rhetoric on the war. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: Ukraine must be at the table, not on the table

The Conservatives have supported the government's standpoint that Ukraine must be present at peace negotiations attempting to put an end to the conflict with Russia. Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said he "welcomes Trump's efforts" to end the conflict but said that Ukraine "must be at the table, not on the table". Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: We should be worried about 'disappointing' inflation

The Conservatives have said that the "disappointing" rise in inflation is a cause of worry. Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Levelling Up Secretary, said the 0.5% rise in inflation from December to January was a direct result of Rachel Reeves' budget. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn