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
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
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
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
Rachel Reeves confirmed the UK is currently in “intense negotiations” with the US over tariffs “across the board”. The Chancellor said she “does not want to see tariffs go up”, highlighting her support for “free and open trade”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rachel Reeves has visited Wellington Barracks in central London after announcing in her Spring Statement that defence spending will increase by 2.5% in GDP. The chancellor and the defence secretary John Healey were shown the first AI-powered strike drone, as they learnt about the work of people on the strategic command's innovation unit. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The chancellor says house building commitments in her Spring Statement will benefit young people and that she is "not in favour of national service". Speaking to ITV News, Rachel Reeves adds watching a Sabrina Carpenter concert in a box was "the right thing to do" given her security needs. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rachel Reeves has outlined her plans to "strengthen our nation's defences", by increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and to build 1.5 million new homes. The chancellor acknowledges that the OBR has downgraded the UK's growth forecast for 2025 from 2% to 1%, but adds, "it has upgraded growth for next year and every year after that". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A shadow minister has urged the government to engage in trade talks with the US as quickly as possible. Addressing the 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports to the US which came into effect this week, Shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies said: "We're not seeing a lot of action on this and in the meantime, steel companies and those who work for those companies are going to be hurting."
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The Royal British Legion has announced a special tea party at the National Memorial Arboretum on 8th May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. WW2 veterans share their memories of the historic day and reflect on the importance of remembrance for future generations. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says the UK is disappointed with new US trade tariffs but remains committed to reducing trade barriers.
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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announces new measures to crack down on illegal working in the gig economy, aiming to protect legitimate businesses and local workers from rogue employers.
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Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, warns that looming US tariffs on UK-made cars could hurt jobs and the economy, calling on the government to negotiate a trade deal with the US before it's too late.
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Thousands of fans have lined the streets of Newcastle as the football team paraded and celebrated their first domestic trophy in 70 years. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The chancellor has defended her Autumn Budget, calling it a "robust fiscal framework" that delivers "stability", despite an adverse market reaction that included a jump in the cost of government..