Responding to reports of Labour back bench criticism over policy, cabinet minister Steve Reed insists the government is “absolutely focussed on supporting those people who are struggling the most with the cost-of-living crisis”. The environment secretary lists increases to pensions and the National Minimum Wage plus increased investment in the NHS as a “Labour thing to do”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The number of appointments for patients waiting for NHS treatments in England increased by nearly 19,000, to 7.42 million in March up from 7.4 million in.. Sky News
Wes Streeting has defended "unpopular" policies such as the cut to the winter fuel payment following Labour's poor performance in the local elections. "Voters have sent us a very strong message which we're taking on the chin. We know there have been some policies which have been unpopular whether it's national insurance or winter fuel among other things - that's how we're investing in the NHS," the health secretary added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer says he does not want to see industrial action over public sector pay, saying “I don’t think anybody wants to see strikes”. The prime minister is keen to talk about the different approach between his government and the last Conservative administration saying, “we’ve got our doctors and nurses on the frontline providing care, rather than on the picket line”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Health minister Stephen Kinnock says the government “will consider very carefully” recommendations made by the Pay Review Body for NHS workers, but any deal must be based on the “very tight fiscal position”. 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
More than 70 Dunkirk Little Ships set sail from Ramsgate to Dunkirk to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo where retreating allied troops were rescued from northern France. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Retail expert Amna Khan says she believes Marks and Spencer customers will, in the long term, stick with the company as “trust can be rebuilt”. The British shop says the disruption caused by the cyber-attack could continue until July. 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