The chief secretary to the Treasury has hailed an unexpected dip in inflation, but admits that the cost of living "is still a pressure for families across the country and there's more work to do".
Inflation has fallen to 2.5% in December from 2.6% in November, which will come as a relief to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has faced criticism given rising government borrowing costs and a slump in the value of the pound.
The latest figures could open the door for an interest rate cut next month.
Report by Brooksl.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves is coming under increased pressure to raise taxes or cut public spending as official figures show government borrowing was more.. Sky News
The chancellor says the government is ready to support creative industries, after announcing film studios in England are to receive business rates relief for the next nine years. On a visit to the Warner Bros Studio in Leavesden, Rachel Reeves adds "that's something that this government wants to get behind to back growth and back British workers". 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 says she is "absolutely committed" to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence and will "set out a pathway" to do so "in the proper way". The chancellor adds, "a strong economy depends on strong defences". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The shadow chancellor of the exchequer has defended the previous government for the rise in inflation, instead blaming Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget and other government decisions, including increased spending and borrowing. Mel Stride's comments come after government ministers pointed blame at the previous Conservative government after new data from the Office for National Statistics estimated that the rate of UK inflation rose from 2.5% in December to 3% in. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Conservatives have said that the "disappointing" rise in inflation is a cause of worry. Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Levelling Up Secretary, said the 0.5% rise in inflation from December to January was a direct result of Rachel Reeves' budget. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson has admitted that the next few months could be a "bumpy ride" following new data from the Office for National Statistics estimate that the rate of UK inflation rose from 2.5% in December to 3% in. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has criticised the new growth figures released by the ONS. Mr Stride accused the government of "talking down the economy" and referenced the "disastrous budget" set out by Rachel Reeves.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The UK economy grew in the final quarter of last year after better-than-expected expansion in December, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.1% higher between October and December. Rachel Reeves said she is "still not satisfied with the level of growth our economy is achieving" as she pledged to go "further and faster" to boost growth. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
UK retail sales unexpectedly declined last month in a blow to the sector during the all-important festive shopping season, new official figures show. The volume of retail sales ā which measures the quantity bought ā fell by 0.3% in December, the Office for National Statistics said. Retail analyst Kate Hardcastle said that the flop in sales was down to "savvy" customers who "cut corners" to save money. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Cabinet minister Darren Jones says he has āevery confidenceā that Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US will be approved by Donald Trump's team. There were reports in a number of newspapers on Sunday that the Trump administration could be considering not granting approval to Lord Mandelson's new position. The chief secretary to the Treasury also distances the government from comments made by Sir Sadiq Khan where the Mayor of London warned over 'resurgent fascism' ahead of Trumpās inauguration. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Darren Jones says Tulip Siddiq's resignation from the government can be seen as a "clear success" for Sir Keir Starmer, as it shows the prime minister's new independent process for investigating ministerial conduct "has worked". The chief secretary to the Treasury adds Siddiq "was a good minister doing a great job", but that she accepted her wider family had become a "distraction" for the government. Siddiq resigned as Treasury minister over an anti-corruption investigation into her wider family in Bangladesh. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Disabled fashion designer Kat Paylor-Bent says she is āhonouredā to be showcasing her clothing at London Fashion Week. Paylor-Bent makes history by incorporating braille into her clothes designs at the event for the first time.
Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The funeral of 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose took place at Sheffield Cathedral after he was fatally stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield.
Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Nour Norris, the aunt of Raneem Oudeh who was killed by her ex-husband, has welcomed the 'Raneem's law' scheme which will see specialists embedded in 999 control rooms across some police forces as āit will play a huge, big role in supporting first call victimsā.
Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips says 'Raneem's law' scheme will āsort the systems we have now that are currently failingā as the initial phase is rolled out. The new law is named in memory of Raneem Oudeh who was killed by her ex-husband that she had reported to the police at least seven times.
Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A friend of Jaysley Beck has said sexual abuse in the Army is still going on years after the former Royal Artillery gunner's death. The body of the 19-year-old was found in a locker room at Wiltshire's Larkhill Camp in 2021. She had been subjected to relentless harassment from her line manager, Bombardier Ryan Mason, an inquest was told. Beck had also filed a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber who "pinned her down" and tried to kiss her at a work social. Former soldier Tamzin Hort compared being a woman in the Army to being "a piece of meat in a tank of sharks" and that "people get sexually assaulted left, right and centre, but nothing's done about it". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The shadow chancellor says the Treasury "should not be popping champagne corks" over the unexpected dip in inflation to 2.5% in December. Mel Stride adds the government has "killed growth stone dead"..
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