Labour plans to expand Lords with new peers if it wins election - despite wanting to abolish it

Keir Starmer comforts emotional veteran during cafe visit

Sir Keir Starmer comforted an army veteran who became emotional when he explained how he set up a charity after the suicide of a fellow ex-serviceman. Dan Smith explained how he started the Darlington Veterans’ Community, a charity which helps local ex-servicemen suffering with the cost-of-living crisis, after his friend committed suicide during the pandemic. He became visibly emotional with the Labour leader, who reassured him to take his time. Sir Keir was joined in Darlington by Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, during a visit to businesses ahead of next week's local elections. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour MP brands Tory Minister embarrassing after TV blunder

Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described a government minister's appearance on Question Time as "incredibly embarrassing" after he appeared to ask if Rwanda and Congo were different countries. When discussing the government policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, policing minister Chris Philp responded to an audience member’s question during the BBC One programme by asking: “Rwanda is a different country of Congo, isn’t it?” Mr Reynolds said the Rwanda scheme has caused "significant damage to the reputation of the UK around the world." The government's Rwanda bill, which was passed in parliament last week, says any asylum seeker entering the UK "illegally" after 1 January 2022, from a safe country such as France, could be sent to Rwanda. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Sir Keir Starmer vows to renationalise Britain's railways

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says his government would transfer the 10 remaining privately run rail networks to public ownership “well within the first term” by folding existing private passenger rail contracts into a new body as they expire. His comments come during a visit to a train manufacturer Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham. Report by Czubalam. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour pledge to renationalise railways within five years

Labour has pledged to renationalise the railways if it wins the next general election, with the shadow transport secretary saying that "today's broken model simply doesn't work". The party says it will also introduce a new watchdog focusing on passengers, and streamline tickets and timetables. The government insists the plan will "do nothing" to improve service reliability or affordability. Meanwhile, passengers at Manchester Piccadilly station expressed frustration with rail services, but little enthusiasm for Labour’s plans. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour vows to nationalise railways if it wins election

Labour pledges to renationalise the railways if elected, in what the party calls the “biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation.” A Labour government will transfer rail networks to public ownership within its first term by folding existing private passenger rail contracts into a new body as they expire, Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh says. Report by Czubalam. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Parliament passes Rwanda Bill after months of back and forth

The government's controversial Rwanda Bill has finally been passed in Parliament after months of back and forth between the House of Commons and House of Lords. It will now head for Royal Assent before becoming law. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister blames Labour for Rwanda bill delay

Responding to the record numbers of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel, Gillian Keegan blames Labour for slowing the progress of the government’s Rwanda Bill. The education secretary says, "It is now stuck in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, held up by Labour MPs and Labour peers.” Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Leadsom: Labour determined not to stop the small boats

Dame Andrea Leadsom, hit out at Labour after Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation plan has been hit by further delay after defiant peers dug their heels in and inflicted a series of fresh defeats against the controversial policy. Leadsom insisted that the defeat in the House of Lords was a “result of Labour’s determination not to stop the small boats.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Sunak says he is 'determined to get Rwanda scheme through'

Rishi Sunak has expressed his hopes of getting the Rwanda bill through parliament and flights up and running by Spring. It comes as MPs are set to vote on the House of Lords amendments to the bill today. In November, the Supreme Court ruled the African nation isn't a safe place to send asylum seekers. "We aim to get a flight off in the Spring. It's important that we get the Rwanda scheme up and running because we need a deterrent," Mr Sunak said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn