Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride welcomed the Government's latest tax cuts, saying it will be a "driver of people into employment." The chancellor is cutting the main rate of national insurance contributions paid by workers from 12% to 10%, which he said would benefit 27 million people.
He also announced changes to the national insurance paid by those who are self-employed.
Report by Kennedyl.
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Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall launched a community-led pilot in Barnsley to help people back into work. She said many on sickness and disability benefits want to work but need the right support. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Conservatives have branded the Government’s welfare reforms as too little, too late, with Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall being urged to be tougher. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately told the Commons: "The fact is £5 billion just doesn’t cut it. With a bill so big, going up so fast, she needed to be tougher." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride reacted to the news, claiming Labour's policies have prevented higher cuts to interest rates. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride warns that the UK could face higher prices, job losses, and lower wages without a trade deal with the US. He said that businesses, investors, and stock markets are unhappy, urging the government to accelerate negotiations and secure a deal quickly to avoid economic difficulties. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Tories have criticised the government for not being “quicker” with talks about tariffs imposed by the US. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said Labour’s comments about Trump whilst they were the opposition were “unhelpful” and could have “soured” relations with the Trump administration. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride has accused the Government of making rushed welfare cuts, including to disability benefits, to save money. He said ministers "lacked ambition" in finding fair savings and warned of "hard cases" emerging from the plans. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A Thomas the Tank Engine superfan says it is "surreal" and "wonderful" that a long-lost pilot episode of ITV's classic children's cartoon series Thomas & Friends has been released for the first time. Neil Leighton adds that he is intrigued to find out how different the episode will look compared to "what we all know" from the first season. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Huge crowds have gathered in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent to watch the unveiling of a new statue of legendary Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister. The memorial erected in the hometown of the singer and bassist marks 10 years since his death. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Kemi Badenoch says the UK-US trade agreement is "not a huge success at all" and has left Britain in a worse position than it was six weeks ago. The Conservative Party leader adds, "that's why when Labour negotiates Britain loses". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer has paid a visit to HMS St Albans navy frigate in Oslo port, on the fringes of the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit. The prime minister's trip to Norway comes as the government announces its largest ever sanctions package against the Russian Shadow Fleet of oil tankers. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The chancellor says the welfare system "needs reform", as more than 40 MPs have written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to pause and reassess planned cuts to disability benefits. Rachel Reeves adds, "the current levels of people going onto these benefits is not sustainable". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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