Tories demand investigation into Civil Service appointments under Labour government

Minister appeals to Labour MPs to support welfare bill

Education minister Baroness Smith appeals to Labour MPs to support the controversial bill on welfare changes, saying, “it’s only a Labour government that can reform the welfare system”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch: Labour’s welfare plan fails key tests

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says Labour’s welfare reforms fail to cut spending, boost employment or rule out tax rises - key conditions for Conservative support. She accused ministers of “giving up” and warned the bill’s U-turns threaten public finances. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Kendall says welfare changes show 'strength in listening'

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall says she “hopes” concessions to the welfare Bill will win over Labour rebels, despite some still refusing to back it. She called the changes a sign of “strength in listening” and insisted protections for existing claimants were standard practice, aimed at easing widespread concerns ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories attack welfare plan as costly and confused

Shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden has criticised the government’s welfare reforms, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of “U-turns” and lacking clarity on funding. He warned the plans will fail to cut welfare costs and predicted tax rises in the autumn to cover the changes Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: Inflation figures are of government’s making

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride describes Wednesday’s inflation figures of 3.4% as “pretty disappointing” saying it is “of this government’s making” after putting up National Insurance for employers in the last budget. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: We would ‘in principle’ support US attack on Iran

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge says the Conservative Party would “in principle” support US military action against Iran “if they took the view, that on the basis of the intelligence it was necessary”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Government: Tories should apologise to grooming victims

Economic secretary Emma Reynolds said victims of grooming gangs must be “front and centre” as the government delivers “truth and justice”. She accused the Tories of wasting time and said they should apologise, adding Labour is focused on action, not “scoring political points”. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: 0.3% shrink in economy is deeply disappointing

The shadow chancellor says it is "deeply disappointing" that the economy shrunk by 0.3% in April, a figure higher than expected. Mel Stride adds, "this is a budget that's spiralling ever-upwards and this government is failing to get a grip on". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories slam obesity plan, urge farm tax rethink

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately says speaking to supermarkets is “not the answer” to the UK’s health problems as she argues that obesity is about personal responsibility. She goes on to criticise the government for threatening family farms with their tax policy while claiming to promote healthier living. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn