Education secretary defends £14k donation as 'declared properly and thoroughly'

Bridget Phillipson: School absences ‘an endemic issue’

The education secretary says the government is using new technology to work with schools in tackling “persistent absence” by pupils. Bridget Phillipson says the problem has become an “endemic” issue in schools and that “if children aren’t in school, if they’re not in their classroom then they can’t learn”. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ministers arrive for cabinet meeting at Downing Street

Government ministers arrive in Downing Street for a Cabinet meeting with the prime minister on Tuesday morning. David Lammy, Ed Miliband, John Healey and Bridget Phillipson are seen walking into No 10 ahead of the meeting with Sir Keir Starmer. It comes as the PM defends his decision to cut welfare benefits for working age people. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister: We absolutely will get to two and half percent

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says the government is “determined to get to two and half percent” of GDP for defence spending which she says is “very ambitious”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour promise to deliver a firm and fair immigration system

The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, says the government will deliver a “firm and fair” immigration system as the Home Office releases new data on increased immigration enforcement visits and arrests. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

'The inspection and education system needs change'

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has defended her policies, stating that the system 'needs change'. This follows her announcement of the government's launch of a major consultation and review of education regulator Ofsted - including plans to use colour-coding to grade schools. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer announces increase in National Living Wage

Sir Keir Starmer announces an increase in the National Living Wage, calling it a “boost” for everybody subject to it. The Labour leader says the change will make a “significant difference”. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Philp: PM's pledge to smash smuggling gangs is in tatters

The shadow home secretary says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has "lost control of our borders", and that his "complete failure" on immigration will lose Labour voters. Chris Philp adds, "his pledge to smash the gangs is in complete tatters". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM: We have deported more than 24,000 illegal immigrants

Sir Keir Starmer says since Labour came into government they have deported more than 24,000 people "that have no right to be here". Speaking at the Border Security Summit in London, the prime minister adds, "that would have taken the Rwanda scheme 80 years to achieve". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn