Streeting denies Labour 'changing into Tories' amid questions over disability benefit cuts

Military morale hits 14-year low, says minister

Veterans Minister Alistair Carns says military morale is at its lowest in 14 years, with poor housing a major factor. Labour has pledged to upgrade 1,000 homes and introduce a consumer charter aimed at improving living standards and support for Armed Forces families. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Supreme Court to issue ruling over definition of a woman

The UK Supreme Court will rule on whether those with a gender recognition certificate count as women under the Equality Act. Labour MP Lilian Greenwood said the party stands by protections for single-sex spaces, adding the Equality Act ensures dignity and respect for all. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Govt: Tariffs are another in a very long list of challenges

The health secretary has admitted that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs are another in a “very long list of challenges” for the government to deal with. Despite this, Wes Streeting commended Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s “cool, calm, level-headed response” to the tariffs. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Health Secretary hits back at Farage following NHS criticism

Wes Streeting has hit back at Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader suggested an insurance-based healthcare system. The Reform UK leader has suggested that some British families could be forced to pay health insurance to use the NHS if he was prime minister. Reacting to the comments, Mr Streeting said: "I think Nigel Farage and Reform are a real threat to our NHS. It might be alright for Mr Moneybags but that's not what most people in this country can afford." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister won’t be drawn of benefit freeze ‘speculation’

Wes Streeting declines to be drawn on whether the government will freeze personal independence payment (PIP) as uncertainty continues to surround Labour's upcoming welfare reforms. The health secretary says, “there's been a lot of speculation in recent days about what the government’s welfare proposals will and won't say, some of which are fairly divorced from things that the government is actually planning to do”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

GPs accept contract terms helping end ‘8am scramble’

GPs in England have accepted contract terms which will help to end the ‘8am scramble’ for appointments. Health Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the news, saying: "This is the first time since the pandemic that a government has agreed to a deal with GPs. It brings an end to the dispute and the collective action GPs have been taking." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Streeting insists he didn't ask NHS boss to leave her job

The Health Secretary has insisted he did not ask NHS boss Amanda Pritchard to leave her job. Wes Streeting said he has “so much respect and time” for Ms Pritchard, who announced on Tuesday that she will leave her role as NHS chief executive at the end of March. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories urge Welsh Government to reconsider steel requirement

A Tory minister has urged the Welsh Government to reconsider its requirements around steel as the UK Government races to avert the shutdown of Britain's last primary steelmaking plant. Shadow business minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said it's a "critical part of our national infrastructure" that the Scunthorpe plant is "kept going". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

MSP Jamie Greene joins Lib Dems after quitting Tories

MSP Jamie Greene has defected to the Scottish Liberal Democrats, just a day after dramatically quitting the Tories. The West Scotland MSP was unveiled as a Lib Dem at the party’s spring conference in Inverness. He had left the Scottish Conservatives on Thursday, writing a stinging letter to party leader Russell Findlay which accused his former party of having a “Reform-lite agenda”. Report by Covellm. 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