'We'll be back to the Stone Age': British Steel employees express fears over plant's future

‘Children are being bombed’ - Govt call for end to conflict

Wes Streeting sharply criticises Israeli military action in Gaza, calling the situation “utterly horrific and intolerable”. The health secretary says the government is working “intensively” to unblock aid corridors and to bring an end to the “bloody conflict”. Streeting stops short of calling it a “genocide” but says MPs feel “the same frustration as people marching in the streets”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Justice secretary announces chemical castration pilot

The justice secretary announces a national rollout, covering 20 prisons to pilot the use of medication to suppress the sex drive of sex offenders. The government is exploring whether to enforce the chemical castration on offenders as mandatory, Shabana Mahmood tells MPs, after recommendations from the independent sentencing review to explore its use further to reduce the risk of reoffending. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM announces U-turn over winter fuel payments

Sir Keir Starmer tells MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions that the government is going to increase the number of pensioners who qualify for winter fuel payments following last year’s cut in the numbers who are eligible. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage: Keep China out of UK infrastructure

Nigel Farage says Chinese firms should have no role in UK infrastructure after ministers took control of British Steel. The government acted over the weekend amid fears its Chinese owner planned to shut Scunthorpe’s furnaces. Farage said China is “not a friend of ours” and warned the UK must “find alternatives” even if it means less investment. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reynolds hails steel lifeline but warns on jobs

Jonathan Reynolds says he is “delighted” vital raw materials have arrived to keep the blast furnaces operating at British Steel’s plant in Scunthorpe. Speaking at nearby Immingham Port, the business secretary also hinted at concerns over future Chinese involvement in the steelworks following a clear ‘difference of opinion’ with its previous owners. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Supplies arrive as UK moves to save British Steel plant

Raw materials secured by the Government have arrived in the UK to keep British Steel blast furnaces burning after a race to save the company’s Scunthorpe plant. Ministers have taken control of the firm to ensure supplies such as coking coal and iron ore reach the site after talks with its Chinese owner, Jingye, broke down. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Government defends Scunthorpe steel deal

Industry minister Sarah Jones says the government would prefer to find a private sector partner to manage the steelworks in Scunthorpe – but refuses to rule out the involvement of another Chinese firm. Speaking on the day a shipment of raw supplies is due to arrive at the plant, Jones also defended the government’s support package, saying the £2.5 billion fund will help ensure the site’s future and avoid even higher costs from closure and job losses. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn