Housing minister 'rejects' idea govt is imposing austerity
Video Credit: ODN - Duration: 01:20s - Published
Housing minister 'rejects' idea govt is imposing austerity
A housing minister admits "difficult choices" will have to be made in the chancellor's Spring budget tomorrow, but rejects the idea the government is "imposing austerity".
Matthew Pennycook adds, "we are taking very decisive action to turn around 14 years of stagnation and low growth".
Report by Brooksl.
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A housing minister says he is "confident" the way UK government officials communicate is secure, after messages about European "free-loading" and plans for a military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen in a White House Signal group chat were inadvertently leaked. Matthew Pennycook adds, "we all know that Europe has got to step up and do more for its collective defence". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The housing minister has defended the government's decision to introduce cuts to the benefit system. The government plans include a £5bn in cuts, making it harder to qualify for the disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Matthew Pennycook said the current welfare system is "failing the people who need support the most" and "failing the taxpayer and employers as well". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The government has pledged to build a "new generation of towns" across the UK. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the plan is an "ambitious milestone" to build the next generation of communities. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A WhatsApp group in which MP Andrew Gwynne posted “completely unacceptable” messages is being investigated, a minister has said. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook could not say if others in the chat, which reportedly included another Labour MP, will be suspended, but suggested the Prime Minister could take action based on what the investigation finds. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Armed Forces minister has said the responsibility to end the war in Ukraine "is solely on Putin", as Russia and Ukraine agree to a Black Sea ceasefire deal. Luke Pollard adds, "we will continue to support our friends in Ukraine to guarantee their freedom and sovereignty for as long as it takes". On the leaked White House Signal messages criticising Europe, Pollard says President Donald Trump is "right" to call on European countries to step up on defence spending. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Armed Forces minister says the £2.2bn increase in defence spending is necessary in "these more insecure and dangerous times". Luke Pollard adds the money will be put towards "more advanced weaponry, directed energy weapons, more business going directly to UK firms and improving defence housing". 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 has left Downing Street for the House of Commons where she will deliver her Spring statement. Rachel Reeves, who enjoyed seeing inflation fall to 2.8% this morning, is expected to announce welfare cuts and an increase in defence spending. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will give her Spring statement in the House of Commons this lunchtime, where she is expected to announce welfare cuts and a boost to defence spending. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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