'Questions raised' after huge scale of Starmer's gifts and freebies revealed, says Tory leadership hopeful

Kemi Badenoch reacts to winter fuel U-turn

Kemi Badenoch welcomed the winter fuel payment U-turn, insisting it should have happened sooner. Speaking on Monday, the Conservative party leader said: "I'm glad the government has finally done this but what took them so long? I asked Keir Starmer six times at the despatch box at PMQ's why he was doing this and that he needed to reverse it." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer welcomes Nato chief to Downing Street

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte to Downing Street on Monday as pressure continues to mount on the Prime Minister to hike defence spending. The visit comes after Mr Rutte's visit to Yorkshire earlier in the day with Defence Secretary John Healey. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Keir Starmer praises the powers of AI in speech

Sir Keir Starmer has praised the advances of AI saying it can be "hugely transformative" for the UK. In a speech delivered at London Tech Week on Monday morning, the prime minister said his government is launching a new skills programme which will allow pupils to get the skills and tools needed to get the AI-powered jobs. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM visits school following free meal rule change

Sir Keir Starmer visited a primary school in Essex following an announcement that all pupils in England whose families claim universal credit will be eligible for free school meals. The prime minister was joined by the education secretary Bridget Phillipson who described the plans as "a game changer for families". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

UK-China embassy row sparks espionage fears

Both Labour and Conservatives have raised red flags over a proposed Chinese super-embassy in London. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the US was right to be concerned, claiming Labour is “cosying up to China” at the cost of national security. Meanwhile, Technolgy Secretary Peter Kyle says the UK has longstanding, secure processes in place to monitor foreign diplomatic sites, adding the public should feel reassured. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Philp: Reform offers ‘Truss on steroids’

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says the Conservative Party has learned from past mistakes but warns that Reform UK's pledges are like “Truss on steroids,” with over £100bn in unfunded promises. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Scottish Labour: People are sick of SNP and reject Reform

Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar has hailed his party’s shock victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-elections, saying the results sent a “clear message” from the Scottish people, who he says are “sick of the SNP” and “reject the poison of Farage”. Scottish Labour stunned the SNP to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election by just 602 votes, whilst Reform UK beat the Conservatives into third place, just 800 votes shy of the SNP in second. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories push for UK to leave ECHR to 'control borders'

The Conservatives are pushing for the UK to leave the ECHR, claiming it is limiting the government’s abilities to control borders. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says the government should be able to do “what the public want”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Scottish Labour's shock victory in Hamilton by-election

Scottish Labour stunned the SNP to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election by just 602 votes, whilst Reform UK beat the Conservatives into third place, just 800 votes shy of the SNP in second. Newly-elected Davy Russell celebrated the victory, claiming the SNP had "let down" the Scottish people and that the 'poison' of Reform was not welcome in Scotland. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn