Badenoch rules out 'any coalitions' with Reform - as Welsh Tory leader says he'd work with others

James Cleverly joins Badenoch's shadow cabinet

Sir James Cleverly has returned to the Conservative frontbench as Kemi Badenoch announced changes to her shadow cabinet. Addressing the reshuffle during a visit to a housing site, Ms Badenoch said Mr Cleverly is "a very experienced member of the parliamentary party" who agrees with her position on the ECHR. "I wouldn't bring someone into the shadow cabinet if they didn't agree with me," she added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch: Tories wouldn't nationalise water industry

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised Reform UK, during a visit to the The Royal Welsh Show at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, saying ''Nigel Farage wants to borrow more to nationalise, he wants to borrow more for more welfare. Who is going to pay that? It's going to be your children.'' Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer defends rising inflation figures at PMQs

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “We just heard that inflation is up again, the worst in the G7. We left him with 2% inflation. We have borrowing up, unemployment up, taxes are up (..) his budget last year had high taxes. That’s why the economy is contracting.” Sir Keir Starmer replied: “I think of the working people across this country who put in every day and don’t get back what they deserve, and that’s who we’re working for. That’s who we’re fixing the country (for).” Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch blasts Tory defectors to Reform UK

Kemi Badenoch has accused defectors to Reform UK of acting “like they do in banana republics”. Hitting back at Sir Jake Berry, she said some politicians “just want to play the game” and chase polls. Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, the Tory leader said only parties with “serious, credible” plans would win public trust at the next election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Govt: Water system is broken

The system for regulating water companies should be overhauled and replaced with one body for England and one body for Wales, a landmark review of the sector has advised. The much-anticipated report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlines 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments. Water minister Emma Hardy says she cannot guarantee the government will implement all 88 recommendations. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ofwat "failed everybody", says Environment Secretary

Environment Secretary Steve Reed says the water regulator Ofwat has “clearly failed everybody,” citing record pollution levels and rising bills. Reed said the government is committed to halving sewage discharges into England and Wales’ waterways by 2030. He called for “a revolution in our water sector” and said a report from Sir John Cunliffe will guide urgent regulatory reform. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Conservatives 'cautiously' welcome Cunliffe water report

Shadow environment minister Robbie Moore ''cautiously'' welcomes the Sir Jon Cunliffe’s much-anticipated report by the Independent Water Commission – which makes 88 recommendations including a proposal to bring multiple water regulators together. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Home Sec: People should support Police

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has defended Labour's record on returning asylum seekers and criticised Reform UK for ''continuously attacking'' the police. It comes as the Chief Constable of Essex Police has denied that officers drove counter-protesters to a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers after claims made by Nigel Farage. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage: Reform UK will be the toughest party on crime

Reform UK will aim to halve crime in five years if the party gets into government, Nigel Farage has announced. Speaking at a press conference in Westminster on Monday, Mr Farage said: “Reform will be the toughest party on law and order and on crime that this country has ever seen.'' Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Reform UK will not support lowering voting age to 16

When asked whether his party would support lowering the voting age to 16, Reform UK leader said ''No, even though we'd get lots of votes''. Mr Farage also added 16 years olds should only be allowed to vote when they are allowed to stand for Parliament. The next general election will see 16-year-olds able to vote for the first time, ministers have confirmed in wide-ranging plans to “modernise our democracy”. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn