'Questions raised' after huge scale of Starmer's gifts and freebies revealed, says Tory leadership hopeful

Keir Starmer sets out plans for new transport system

Sir Keir Starmer slammed the previous government's "empty promises" as he set out his plans for improvements to the North of England rail system. "The last government made so many promises, none of which they followed through on. I'm only making promises where we're putting the money on the table right now," Mr Starmer said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM pledges to fix 'Victorian Era' northern transport system

The Prime Minister has vowed to upgrade struggling rail services between Manchester and Yorkshire as he announced £415 million in transport funding. It comes after delays to the electrification of the TransPennine route upgrade between Manchester and York following the dropping of the Phase 2 HS2 extension. Sir Keir Starmer said he hopes to complete the project by 2030. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer calls for deadline to stop Putin’s ‘games’

Vladimir Putin must be given a deadline to make progress on a Ukraine ceasefire, Sir Keir Starmer said as European allies step up plans to deploy troops and secure a peace deal. The Prime Minister said the Russian president was “playing games” and attempting to drag the Donald Trump-initiated process out to allow his forces time to continue their assaults on Ukraine. Report by Faragt. 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

Reeves: House building to reach 40-year high

The chancellor says Labour reforms will lead to house building reaching a 40-year high, according to the OBR. Rachel Reeves adds that changes to the national planning framework alone will help build more than 1.3m homes over the next five years, "taking us within touching distance of our manifesto pledge to build 1.5m homes in England in this Parliament". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reform names Sarah Pochin for Runcorn by-election

Reform UK has revealed Sarah Pochin as its candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The announcement comes after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury resigned, having received a suspended prison sentence for assaulting a man in the street. This marks Sir Keir Starmer's first by-election since taking office in July 2024. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn