Plans to house asylum seekers at former RAF base in Lincolnshire scrapped

Immigration concerns drive Reform UK surge in Grimsby

Voters in Grimsby say immigration was a key reason for backing Reform UK in Thursday’s local elections. As counting continues across Lincolnshire, the party is making significant gains, while the Conservatives have been wiped out in the City of Lincoln. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Jenkyns wins Lincolnshire mayor race for Reform UK

Reform UK’s Dame Andrea Jenkyns has been elected as Greater Lincolnshire’s first mayor, winning 104,133 votes to the Conservatives’ 64,585. Rivals walked offstage during her speech, in which she pledged to end “soft-touch Britain” and said the fight to “save the heart and soul” of the country had begun. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

RAF plane departs Israel carrying 63 UK nationals

An RAF A400 plane leaves Israel carrying 63 UK nationals and their dependents, as the UK government begins evacuating British citizens from the country. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

John Healey ramps up defence spending

The defence secretary has paid a visit to a Royal Air Force station following his pledge to ramp up defence spending this week. John Healey flew in an army helicopter and operated a drone during the visit to RAF Northolt in South Ruislip in London on Tuesday. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Emotional fire chief hails two firefighters killed

Oxfordshire's chief fire officer gives an emotional statement at the scene of a fire which claimed the lives of two firefighters and a member of the public at a former RAF base in Bicester. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall says, “it is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters. A member of the public has also sadly died in the incident.” Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

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