Minister accuses Tories of being 'bandwagon jumpers who don't care about children' over grooming gangs inquiry calls

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

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

Govt expanding free meals to families on universal credit

All pupils in England whose families claim universal credit will be eligible for free school meals under an expansion plan announced by the government on Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands more children across the country will be able to access means-tested free school meals when the provision is extended from September 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) has said. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the announcement "is a game changer for families - half a million children will benefit". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Phillipson pays tribute to victims of Liverpool parade crash

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson pays tribute to those affected by a car that ploughed into a crowd during a Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade on Monday. She says, “it’s right that the police continue their investigation”. A 53-year-old man has been arrested by police. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn