Mel Stride out as four left in Tory leadership contest

Tories: Wage rises could keep interest rates higher

Mel Stride says he is concerned about “pretty high wage increases" across the public sector which he believes could mean interest rates remain “higher for longer”. The shadow work and pensions secretary says he is not “overly concerned” about figures released by the ONS which show a rise of inflation to 2.2% for July. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tory leadership candidate condemns Farage comments

Conservative leadership candidate Mel Stride condemns “deeply irresponsible” comments made by Nigel Farage after the stabbing of three girls in Southport. The Reform UK leader posted messages on social media that seemed to question information provided by police over the suspect. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mel Stride enters Conservatives leadership race

Mel Stride has become the fourth Conservative MP to announce they are joining the race for the party’s leadership. Mr Stride, the MP for Central Devon, said he believed he was the right person to “unite the party”. The former work and pensions secretary retained his seat by just 61 votes at the General Election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mel Stride admits considering Tory leadership bid

Former cabinet minister Mel Stride admits he is considering a Conservative Party leadership bid, saying “I haven’t decided yet, a number of colleagues have approached me”. The shadow work and pensions secretary is viewed as a safe pair of hands within the party and was frequently sent out to tour broadcast studios to defend Rishi Sunak's leadership during the party’s unsuccessful general election campaign. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories criticise ‘backward looking’ NHS report

Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins defends the previous Conservative government’s record on NHS spending and criticises Lord Darzi’s report as “backward looking” and a “cover for tax rises at the budget”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM defends decision to cut Winter Fuel Allowance

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak criticises the government for removing Winter Fuel Allowance from some pensioners and asks whether the prime minister will publish “the impact assessment”. In reply, Sir Keir Starmer claims increases in pensions "will outstrip any loss of payment" as a result of the triple lock, before calling for Mr Sunak to “apologise for the 22-billion-pound black hole”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: Government lost the argument over winter fuel

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott says the government may have won the vote to remove Winter Fuel Allowance for some pensioners but “comprehensively” lost the argument. The plan to means test the payment cleared the Commons on Tuesday with just one Labour rebel voting against it but dozens of MPs on the government benches were missing in action. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn