Chancellor to signal cost-cutting steps as she accuses Tories of fiscal 'cover up'

Tories: We welcome defence boost but growth has flatlined

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

Tories defend local record ahead of elections

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

Tories: Labour needs to be tougher on welfare reform

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

Tories seek to ban 'disruptive' phones in school classrooms

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

Reeves: House building to reach 40-year high

The chancellor says Labour reforms will lead to house building reaching a 40-year high, according to the OBR. Rachel Reeves adds that changes to the national planning framework alone will help build more than 1.3m homes over the next five years, "taking us within touching distance of our manifesto pledge to build 1.5m homes in England in this Parliament". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reform names Sarah Pochin for Runcorn by-election

Reform UK has revealed Sarah Pochin as its candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The announcement comes after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury resigned, having received a suspended prison sentence for assaulting a man in the street. This marks Sir Keir Starmer's first by-election since taking office in July 2024. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reeves: We’re in intense negotiations over tariffs

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

Reeves shown first AI-powered strike drone

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

Reeves: I'm not in favour of national service

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

Reeves: Nation's defences are stronger with spending boost

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

Civil Service credit cards to be frozen to cut spending

Civil Service credit cards will be frozen this week under plans to reduce their numbers by 50% and slash Government spending. The Cabinet Office will order almost all of the 20,000 procurement cards used by civil servants to be frozen. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said the so-called government procurement cards should only be provided to officials when it is essential. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Women's Day 2025: Exclusive Conversation with Ira Singhal | Revealing the Secrets of Success |

IAS officer Ira Singhal, the topper of UPSC 2014, had an exclusive conversation with OneIndia. Despite clearing the Civil Services Exam three times, she was initially rejected due to her physical disability. Speaking to OneIndia, Ira Singhal revealed that her passion for public service led her to challenge the system in court. Eventually, the verdict was in her favor, not just for her but also for other aspirants facing similar challenges, paving the way for their entry into the Civil Services. #WomensDay2025 #OneIndia #irasinghal #irasinghalinterview #irasinghalias #WomenInLeadership #BreakingBarriers #Resilience #CareerGrowth #Entrepreneurship ~HT.97~PR.152~GR.121~