Local elections 2025: The poll where voters roll the dice?
Sunday, 27 April 2025 This week's set of elections across England will be a series of firsts: it will be the first big ballot box test of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership and Kemi Badenoch's leadership of the Conservative Party.
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
The expansion of free school meals is a "down payment" on the plan to lift children out of poverty, Sir Keir Starmer has said, as he did not rule out scrapping.. Sky News
Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street ahead of his weekly appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Kemi Badenoch has criticised the nationalisaton of rail services by the government. The Conservative party leader said: "This is yet another example of the unseriousness of the Labour party who do not have a plan. We need to get Britain growing again, that means investing in business and not nationalising it." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch claims the Chagos Islands deal was an example of "Labour chaos", saying, "we should not be paying to surrender British territory 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
Kemi Badenoch says it is a "joke" to say that Sir Keir Starmer's partial U-turn on winter fuel payments is a reaction to the economy improving. The Conservative leader also says she would like to see a change that means pensioners who earn “£11,000 to £15,000 a year getting winter fuel payments”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
At Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says: "Inflation was 2% when Conservatives left office, 2%, it's now nearly double that. When will he recognise that it’s Labour's budget driving up inflation?" Sir Keir Starmer says, “we are taking measures to bring prices down”, citing the government’s trade deal with the EU. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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
The Conservatives are pushing for the UK to leave the ECHR, claiming it is limiting the government’s abilities to control borders. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says the government should be able to do “what the public want”.
Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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. Newly-elected Davy Russell celebrated the victory, claiming the SNP had "let down" the Scottish people and that the 'poison' of Reform was not welcome in Scotland. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Mel Stride has said the Conservative Party has changed in a speech delivered on Thursday. The shadow chancellor admitted the 2022 mini-budget "was a mistake". "The Conservative Party is needed now more than ever but to win the fight, we will need thoughtfulness," Mr Stride added.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whatley says the government’s plan to release prisoners early is “alarming”. According to Whatley, Labour have made a “mess of their early release scheme, including accidentally releasing prisoners like violent domestic abusers”.
Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Polls have closed in local council and mayoral elections across parts of England. More than 1,600 seats are being contested in 23 councils and six mayoral positions.
Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on..