Davey to say Lib Dems will offer people hope - and will accuse Tories of being 'unfit for opposition'

Lib Dems: We should be preparing retaliatory tariffs on US

The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to prepare retaliatory tariffs following the introduction of fresh tariffs by the US on car imports. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper accused Donald Trump of “starting a tariff trade war” and said the US President was an “unpredictable and unreliable partner” who only understands the “language of strength”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Davey slams Tories for 'cheerleading' Trump

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has accused the Conservatives of being “almost Trump cheerleaders” and putting British interests at risk. He criticised other UK parties for failing to speak out against Donald Trump, saying it’s “depressing” that only the Liberal Democrats are taking a stand. Davey praised Canada’s Prime Minister for openly criticising Trump, urging the UK to do the same. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Chancellor’s welfare cuts are a disabled ‘double whammy’

Following Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey says the proposed cuts to welfare are a "double whammy" hitting disabled people who cannot work while cutting support for their carers. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Welfare reform: Davey fears for vulnerable disabled people

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has criticised government plans to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026, warning they could push vulnerable people into poverty. Speaking about his own experiences as a carer, he expressed concern that many disabled people and their carers could lose vital support, saying, "It’s the sort of thing that will keep people up at night." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Davey gets dizzy at Diggerland theme park

Sir Ed Davey has been swung around by a digger at a theme park to highlight County Durham's growing tourism industry. The Liberal Democrat leader joined colleagues on rides such as 'Spindizzy' and 'Ground Shuttle', and could be seen laughing and waving his hands in the air, Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Davey: PM must tell Trump to be tougher on Putin

Sir Ed Davey has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to tell Donald Trump to be "far tougher" on Vladimir Putin. The Liberal Democrat leader adds he is "pleased" that the US President has chosen to resume providing military and intelligence support to Ukraine. 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 welcome defence boost but growth has flatlined

A shadow Treasury minister says he welcomes the chancellor's £2.2bn boost to defence spending, but adds, "to invest in defence you've got to have a strong economy as well" and that "growth has flatlined". James Wild says, "the threats that we as a country are facing are increasing and we need to step up with our allies to deal with those". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories defend local record ahead of elections

Conservative co-chairman Nigel Huddleston says the party has a strong track record of delivering value for money through better services at lower costs. He praised local Tory councillors for their commitment to community issues like road maintenance and social care, while downplaying defections as a normal part of politics. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: Labour needs to be tougher on welfare reform

The Conservatives have branded the Government’s welfare reforms as too little, too late, with Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall being urged to be tougher. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately told the Commons: "The fact is £5 billion just doesn’t cut it. With a bill so big, going up so fast, she needed to be tougher." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories seek to ban 'disruptive' phones in school classrooms

The shadow education secretary says schools "desperately" need to ban pupils from using phones during the school day. Neil O'Brien adds that phones cause "a huge amount of disruption in class, lower educational standards and it's also bad for kids' mental health". The government has so far resisted calls from the Conservative Party to ban the devices. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: Govt should’ve been quicker with tariff talks

The Tories have criticised the government for not being “quicker” with talks about tariffs imposed by the US. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said Labour’s comments about Trump whilst they were the opposition were “unhelpful” and could have “soured” relations with the Trump administration. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch: Reeves' Spring Statement is all smoke and mirrors

Kemi Badenoch has accused Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement as being "all smoke and mirrors", pointing to rising inflation, increased unemployment and low growth. The Conservative Party leader added, "something has to change, this is chaos". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: Banning phones in schools is unnecessary

Sir Keir Starmer says banning phones in schools is "not necessary" and instead there is an "emerging battle" to ensure that the content children are consuming online is "suitable for their age". His comments come as the Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch tells the prime minister at PMQs, "teachers and headteachers say the evidence already shows that schools that ban phones get better results". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer departs Downing Street for PMQs and Spring statement

Sir Keir Starmer has left Downing Street for the House of Commons where he will face questions from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch. After PMQs, the prime minister will listen to Chancellor Rachel Reeves deliver her Spring statement. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch warns Tories could lose all 2021 councils in May

Kemi Badenoch warned that the Conservatives would lose “every single” council they won in 2021 if the general election results were applied to May's local elections. The Tory leader acknowledged the party’s “greatest defeat” in history and predicted a tough battle ahead, although she hoped for slightly better results. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn