Record levels of diversity in parliament - not by chance but because of purposeful effort

Big Ben light switched on to mark end of WWII blackouts

On Thursday evening, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle turned on the Ayrton Light above Big Ben to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War blackouts. In peacetime, the lantern light always shone out after sunset in order to show that the House of Commons was at work. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Speaker turns on Big Ben's light to mark WW2's end

The speaker of the House of Commons turned on Big Ben's symbolic light as part of the VE Day anniversary celebrations. Sir Lindsay Hoyle replicated former speaker Douglas Clifton Brown who switched on the light at the top of Big Ben in 1945, which symbolised the end of the blackouts in London during the Second World War. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM meets British Steel workers after bill passes Commons

Sir Keir Starmer meets with British Steel workers near Scunthorpe shortly after the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill passed the House of Commons unopposed. The prime minister tells the steelworkers: "I felt it was really important today, having been in Parliament this morning, to come straight up here to see you face to face to have that discussion”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Cabinet arrive at Downing Street as Starmer chairs meeting

Ministers arrive at Downing Street for a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer before the House of Commons pauses for Easter recess. Arriving at Number 10 were Jonathan Reynolds, Yvette Cooper, John Healey, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband and other members of the cabinet. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Chancellor leaves Downing Street to deliver Spring statement

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

Southport report rejects 'two-tier policing' claims

There was no evidence of "two-tier policing" in the police's handling of riots that erupted after last year's Southport murders, a new report by MPs has found. The report by the Home Affairs Committee, published on Monday, examined the police response to disorder that broke out following the stabbings in July last year. Commenting on the findings, former Metropolitan Police chief Dal Babu said there are "some lessons for the police to learn particularly around how they deal with social media". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: Retaliatory tariffs are on the table 'if necessary'

The UK is keeping its options on the table for retaliating to US tariffs “if necessary”, Sir Keir Starmer has told a senior group of MPs. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reeves tells public 'we've got your backs' amid tariffs

The government will stand with families and businesses during the worrying economic period ahead, following Trump's tariffs, according to Rachel Reeves. The chancellor said "we've got your backs" during a statement to MPs in the Commons, during which she noted that tariffs "have and will continue to have huge implications for the world economy". Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Labour MPs arrive back in UK after Israel denies entry

Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were denied entry to Israel and have now arrived back in the United Kingdomm, landing at Heathrow Airport. The two Labour MPs said they had made the trip “to visit humanitarian aid projects and communities in the West Bank”. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn