Tory leadership contender defends MPs taking 'freebies' - as she accuses Labour of 'hypocrisy'

Hillier hails welfare deal after Labour revolt

Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier says a workable compromise has been reached on welfare reforms after ministers offered concessions to avoid defeat. Sir Keir Starmer faced pressure from 126 Labour MPs who backed an amendment to block the Bill, but the government now expects it to pass its first Commons vote on 1 July. Hillier says the changes are "critical to protecting the most vulnerable." Report by Covellm. 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

Badenoch slams government's welfare bill

Kemi Badenoch has told business chiefs that the Tories would “cut taxes responsibly” and end a system which she said was “paying people not to work.” Speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce event, the Conservative leader said: “This is about running government like you run your businesses, focused on outcomes, not process". Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch: We need to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons

Kemi Badenoch says, “the most important thing is to make sure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons” and reiterates her “support” for Israel. The Conservative leader says she is “worried” that any use of UK-controlled Diego Garcia for a potential US bombing mission would hit problems as it has been “surrendered to Mauritius”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Grooming gang issue not about politics, Badenoch says

Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch introduces a press conference with grooming gang survivors, insisting it is "not about politics". Report by Faragt. 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