Raw materials for British Steel plant 'paid for' amid race against time to avert shutdown

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

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

Ed Davey says UK steel industry must be protected

The leader of the Liberal Democrats said the party has given the government their "full backing" to ensure a steel industry remains in the UK. It comes as British Steel staff and civil servants are racing to avert the permanent shutdown of Britain's last primary steelmaking plant. Sir Ed Davey condemned President Trump's tariffs and said it's "essential that we can have steel made in the UK". Report by Kennedyl. 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