Local elections for millions postponed as Farage hits out at government

Farage praises Winter fuel payment U-turn

Nigel Farage has praised the government's decision to reverse the winter fuel payment cut. Pensioners with an annual income of £35,000 or less will have their winter fuel payments restored this winter, it has been announced, as the government laid out details of their u-turn following weeks of speculation. Speaking in a speech delivered on Monday, the Reform UK leader said it was a "considerable step in the right direction". Report by Kennedyl. 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

Govt: ‘Farage can’t even manage 5 MPs’

The government has hailed Scottish Labour’s victory in the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse whilst piling criticism on Reform Leader Nigel Farage following the resignation of party chair, Zia Yusuf. The environment secretary said Farage could not run a party “with enough MPs to fit in a phonebox”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

King Charles visits SXSW London

The King visited South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in London. His Majesty was greeted by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner at the event. The King also toured Old Spitalfields Market and met with several retailers before concluding the visit. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Angela Rayner gives update on benefits cap

Angela Rayner has refused to say if the government plans to scrap the two child cap on benefits. The deputy prime minister said: "We're looking at all the different issues that affect child poverty. What we inherited was child poverty on the increase. We will be coming forward with our strategy later this year." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Pope Leo XIV Meets Zelensky at Inauguration Mass | 1st American Pope Vows to end Russian-Ukraine War

In a historic and politically charged moment at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, shook hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska as his inaugural Mass drew to a close. But the gesture was more than ceremonial. In his first global address, Pope Leo XIV vowed to make “every effort” to help end the war in Ukraine and later condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying people had been “reduced to famine.” World leaders—including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—looked on as faith and geopolitics collided in St. Peter’s Square. Is the new pope signaling a bold new era of Vatican diplomacy? Can faith intervene where politics has failed? #PopeLeoXIV #Zelensky #Vatican2025 #PapalInauguration #UkraineWar #GazaCrisis #CatholicChurch #FaithAndPolitics #FirstAmericanPope #JDVance #StPetersSquare #VaticanNews #WorldLeaders #PopeAndPeace #HumanitarianCrisis #ReligionAndGeopolitics ~HT.410~PR.274~ED.102~GR.124~

Deputy PM 'confident' furnaces will continue firing

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner confirmed that the government has secured the raw materials needed to keep Scunthorpe steel plant going. It comes as the government stepped in over the weekend to take it over from Chinese company Jingye after it threatened to shut down one of the furnaces today. "We've got the raw materials, they've been paid for and we're confident that the furnaces will continue to fire," Ms Rayner said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn