Politics LIVE: Robert Jenrick lambasts ‘sickening’ Hamas legal dispute for ‘terrorist ban’ to be lifted in Britain

Tory donor says Reform UK merger ‘must happen’ as he sets Nigel Farage strict deadline

A Reform UK-Conservative merger “must happen” for Labour to be ousted in favour of a right-wing government in Britain.

That is the view of Mohamed Amersi, a tycoon who has pumped thousands of pounds into the Conservative Party.

He told GB News that his “dream ticket” would be Nigel Farage’s populist party linking up with the Tories, and it should happen sooner rather than later.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Greens join Reform UK in calling for the nationalisation of British Steel 

The Green Party has joined Nigel Farage to demand the renationalistion of British Steel with a swipe at President Donald Trump's tariff plan.

Co-leader and Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay said: "We cannot afford to let our steel industry in Scunthorpe go into smelt down.

"With Chinese owner Jingyehas prepared to walk away and the steel industry facing Trump’s outlandish 25 per cent tariff, nationalisation looks like the only sure way to secure this strategically important sector so vital to national security and British jobs.

"The fact the government is considering this long-held policy of the Green Party is welcome. Nationalisation of the steel industry could also prove to be a key driver of a green industrial revolution.

"From wind turbines to trains, steel will be needed for the transition to a green economy. We must not leave the future of steel communities to the whims of multinational companies or unhinged American presidents.

"These communities deserve better and green steel in public ownership is the way to ensure these communities not only survive but thrive into the future."

UK regional airport given green light in £30m investment boost

Labour has given the green light to a £30million investment plan to contribute the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced today that she backed the move in a bid to boost the economy by £5billion.

The plans - pushed forward by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard - are also set to unleash 5,000 jobs and provide further benefits of £2million by 2050.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Farage says new Universal theme park should be built with 'British Steel' 

Nigel Farage has welcomed plans for a new multi-million pound Universal theme park in Bedfordshire, but has called for it to be built with "British steel."

It comes as the Reform UK leader has demnanded the renationalisation of British Steel plant in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, saying: "there has to be an immediate nationalisation of this plant. It has to happen before the end of this week."

Reacting to the news of the theme park, the Clacton MP wrote on social media: "This is great news. The new Universal theme park should be made with only British steel."

Starmer says he will refuse to budge on 'iron clad' fiscal rules

The Prime Minister has said there will be no flexibility when it comes to fiscal rules, saying they are "iron clad."

It comes as Labour is facing increasing pressure from their own backbenchers to change its fiscal rules, which state that ministers must balance day-to-day spending with income and only borrow to invest.

However, Sir Keir Starmer told ITV: "The fiscal rules were put in for a purpose, they’re iron clad, they’re non-negotiable

"They’re not going to change. We’re acting in the national interest. Those fiscal rules are foundational to the stability that we brought to our economy, so we go ahead in that calm way. Obviously we’re talking to the US to see what we can do to mitigate the situation."

Reeves announces £128 million worth of new export deals with India

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced £128 million worth of new export deals and investments with India.

Speaking at an event with her Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman, Reeves said that she was "delighted" with the news.

The Chancellor said: "In a changing world, it is imperative we go further and faster to kickstart economic growth.

"We have listened to British businesses, which is why we’re negotiating trade deals with countries across the world, including India, so we can support them and put more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

"Our relationship with India is longstanding and broad and I am delighted with the progress made throughout this dialogue to develop it further."

Streeting says there will be 'zero tolerance' against abuse of NHS staff

Wes Streeting will announce has said that there will be "zero tolerance" against abuse of frontline NHS staff as he announces new measures targeting violence and aggression in the health service.

The Health Secretary is set to speak at Unison union's annual conference in Liverpool, announcing a wave of new measures to encourage staff to report incidents of violence and aggression.

He told The Mirror: "No one should go to work fearing violence. Yet one in every seven people employed by the NHS have suffered violence at the hands of patients, their relatives, or other members of the public.

"Protecting staff from violence is not an optional extra. Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff. It's a commitment to make sure healthcare workers can focus on saving lives without fear for their own safety.

"I owe my life to the NHS staff who cared for me through kidney cancer. I owe a debt of gratitude that I will never be able to repay, but I certainly intend to try. You were there for me, and I'll be there for you."

Badenoch says Tories needs to demonstrate they're not just 'the party for older people'

Kemi Badenoch has said the Conservatives need to prove they are not just "the party for older people."

When asked what she was going to do to prevent the party from dying out, the Conservative leader said: "We’ve got to make sure that we demonstrate that we are creating an inheritance for the next generation.

"I think a lot of young people thought the Conservative party was a party for older people; no party can survive if it’s just tending to one demographic.

"We need to show that we’re looking at people from all walks of life and from all ages. That means talking about the issues that matter to them."

Davey calls on Farage to APOLOGISE over British Steel remarks - 'he doesn’t care about British industry'

Sir Ed Davey has demanded Nigel Farage to apologise for acting as a 'cheerleader' for President Donald Trump.

Responding to the ongoing speculation over the future of British Steel, the Liberal Democrat Leader said: "It is absolutely right that all options are on the table when it comes to protecting steel production in the UK.

"With Trump’s tariffs causing enormous damage and Putin waging war in Europe, we can’t afford to lose this strategically important industry or these vital British jobs.

"Donald Trump has put these jobs at risk, and his cheerleader Nigel Farage owes British steelworkers an apology. Farage’s plastic patriot act is wearing thin; the truth is he doesn’t care about British industry or British jobs.

"What we need now are real solutions. As a first step the Government should designate steel as a nationally strategic asset, using British Steel in infrastructure projects from defence to renewable energy.”

REMINDER: What is the Home Office's line on grooming gangs?

The Home Office brands reports that Labour dropped its commitment to grooming gang inquiries "patently false".

A spokesman told GB News yesterday: "The £5million funding announced in January is being made available to local authorities to help strengthen local responses to child sexual exploitation, and all local authorities will be able to apply for funding for local inquiries or other work in this area.

"The Home Secretary has written to every local authority on our plans to support local inquiries, and after listening to local authorities about what they need, we made the decision to implement the fund in a flexible way."

It's understood that the department will still support authorities which want to launch their own inquiries, but a national-level probe will not go ahead.

The Home Secretary had written last month to all local authorities to tell them about the plans - and an announcement on how councils can apply for funding is expected soon.

RECAP: Rachel Reeves holds urgent talks with City bosses in desperate bid to shield Britain from economic crash

Rachel Reeves held urgent talks with City executives this morning in a bid to shield Britain from the worst of a Donald Trump-inspired trade war.

The Chancellor and City Minister Emma Reynolds sat down with CEOs from Lloyds Bank, Legal & General, M&G and more - where Reeves hammered home her commitment to free trade and a deal with the US.

A Treasury spokesman said the pair's meeting with bosses aimed to promote Britain "as a place to invest given our stable political climate, our ongoing reforms to our capital markets and our commitment to bolstering the UK's retail investment culture".

But it came as long-term borrowing costs soared to the highest level since 1998, London dropped out of the top five wealthiest cities in the world, and just before China imposed a staggering 84 per cent retaliatory tariff on American goods.

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith blasted today: "Businesses this morning tell me they are incredibly concerned about high interest rates since Labour's tax rises and red tape strangling growth. Highest for decades, way before tariffs.

"It's actions not words that matter: it's been a regime of active 'self harm' against the UK economy since July 5, 24."

Starmer warns US trade deal 'won't be enough' as PM admits he DOESN'T know how long tariffs will last

A UK-US trade deal will not be "enough", Sir Keir Starmer has said - as he admitted he does not know how long Donald Trump's tariffs on Britain will last.

Asked whether Trump's 10 per cent tariff on importing goods to America would be in place forever, the Prime Minister replied: "Look, I don't know."

He told ITV: "We are negotiating and we hope to improve the situation, but what I mean by this is that simply thinking that any change in the rates, or any deal is going to be enough, to my mind is wrong.

"Just as we've done with defence and security, where we've recognised it’s a changing world, we've got to step up and act differently.

"In that case with defence spend, co-ordinating better across Europe, so too with trade and the economy.

"We are actually, there's a changing world, we're entering a new era. We have to think and behave in a way that reflects that, and that's why we've turbocharged what we're doing on the economy."

Ftse 100 slips AGAIN as China lands major blow on Trump in 'dreadful' trade war

The Ftse 100 slipped once again around midday after China announced 84 per cent retaliatory trade tariffs on US imports.

London's blue-chip index fell as far as 3.6 per cent - or 289 points - to 7,621, before slightly rebounding.

But it comes as fears are rising over the impact on Britain of Trump's tariff-inspired trade war.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the economic conflict is "dreadful from the President of the United States".

"You know, we used to have presidents of all political persuasions who we could rely on," he said. "But I'm afraid Donald Trump is an unreliable ally. He’s unreliable when it comes to defence and supporting Ukraine against the awful President Putin.

"Now he's unreliable on trade - and it's not just with China, it's with the UK, it's with our close allies, with Canada."

RECAP: 'Despicable' Labour faces cross-party fury over grooming gangs U-turn - 'Terrified of the pro-Gaza vote!'

Labour is facing a cross-party outcry following a "cowardly" U-turn on committing to grooming gang inquiries across five towns blighted by the abuse scandal.

Yesterday afternoon, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips had confirmed a £5million-valued five-way probe into grooming gangs would be reallocated into a "flexible fund".

But now, the Government has been branded "disgraceful", "despicable" and "cowardly" - and has been accused of "running scared of the extremist Muslim vote".

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he "tried to push the Government on holiding a full national inquiry" but dropped the plans after the Home Secretary announced the five probes earlier this year.

Now, after the U-turn, he said: "You've got to ask yourself... Why are they doing this? This Government is pandering, because it's scared of the Gaza independents. It's scared of that extremist Muslim vote that exists within our inner cities."

Farage was one of a number of high-profile figures on the British right to voice his fury on Tuesday. Richard Tice, Andrea Jenkyns, Liz Truss and Rupert Lowe have all poured scorn on Labour.

"Labour are terrified of the pro-Gaza vote and the extremist inner city vote," Tice said. "This is why they have reneged on holding formal inquiries into child rape gangs on white girls. Gutless cowards."

Jenkyns added: "Despicable. Labour has cancelled the grooming gang inquiry. There must be justice for these children," while Truss branded reports of Rotherham riots imprisonments overtaking those of rape gang members an example of "two-tier Britain".

And in a dire warning, Lowe added: "Sectarian politics is here to stay. It will grow and grow and grow. Demands for Pakistani airports will soon be the least of our concerns."

Rachel Reeves lines up fresh Brexit betrayal as Chancellor sets 40-day deadline to reopen Britain to Brussels

Rachel Reeves has said that Donald Trump's tariffs mean that a "relations reset" with the EU is "imperative" ahead of a major meeting with the Brussels bloc next month.

In 40 days' time, Reeves will be in attendance at a landmark UK-EU summit - which she said would be a chance to "refresh our relationship and make it easier for businesses to trade".

Speaking in Bedfordshire following this morning's theme park announcement, the Chancellor said: "I feel that in the current environment, there is a greater willingness from countries around the world to look at both tariff and non-tariff barriers that are holding back trade.

"Many of the developments, whether it is Russia's invasion of Ukraine or the challenges in global trade at the moment, mean that there’s an even greater imperative to improve our trading relationships with Europe."

She also warned: "Since Brexit, it has been harder for British firms to export around Europe, particularly smaller firms. Many feel shut out of European markets."

India pushes for National Insurance EXEMPTION for hundreds of thousands of workers in Britain - 'Not worth it!'

India is pushing for a National Insurance exemption for hundreds of thousands of its nationals on temporary work visas in the UK.

As part of trade deal talks rumbling on between the two countries, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is said to be sniffing out a free pass for her citizens - and in the year ending March 2024 alone, there were 160,676 working visas granted for workers from India, the most of any nationality.

The concerns stem from how temporary Indian workers are not exempt from UK pensions or social security benefits - and they may well be raised at a working dinner tonight, where Sitharaman, Rachel Reeves and potentially Sir Keir Starmer will all be in attendance/

"We hope that [with] the new Government showing a great deal of commitment and enthusiasm to have this agreement signed, we will be in a position to sign it sooner rather than later," Sitharaman said.

But concerns have been raised by the Adam Smith Institute think tank's Sam Bidwell.

He said: "As part of the negotiations around a UK-India free trade deal, India has pushed for Indian immigrants to be exempt from National Insurance.

"We must not accept more Indian immigration, or provide favourable treatment for Indian immigrants, in exchange for a deal. Not worth it!"

Labour Minister claims she's changed her mind about ABOLISHING the Royal Family - 'We need them!'

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy - who previously called to abolish the monarchy - has said she has changed her mind about getting rid of the Royal Family.

During the 2020 Labour leadership campaign, Nandy vowed to vote to abolish the monarchy if such a ballot was held - but now, she has claimed that Britain "needs" the Royals.

She told ITV: "Yes, I have changed my mind about that. I think, in principle I believe that people should have the power to decide who rules them.

"But I think the monarchy under the Queen and under this current King command strong public support.

"I think right now, if you look at the turmoil going on in the world, then we do need a Royal Family who are able to help us to deliver the benefits to Britain.

"So I'm not afraid to say when I change my mind and I have changed my mind about that."

David Lammy's home subjected to pro-Palestine stunt as Labour faces pro-Gaza wrath

David Lammy's front door was subjected to a pro-Palestine stunt on Tuesday as activists from protest group Youth Demand laid baby "body bags" outside his home.

The Foreign Secretary was accused by Youth Demand of "continuing to facilitate the genocide in Gaza" - with the body bags representing an alleged child death toll of more than 17,000.

Cristy North, who works as a live-in carer, and Sue Houseman, a mother from Lancaster, displayed a sign over the Foreign Secretary's hedge which read "Lammy Stop Arming Genocide".

And a spokesman for the group said: "History will rightly view those that supported the systematic slaughter of children with absolute contempt, and David Lammy will be held to account for not having the spine to cease trading with Israel and halting British armed forces from assisting this genocide."

'Pure obfuscation!' Badenoch fumes at Labour as Tory leader vows to force vote on FULL inquiry

Kemi Badenoch has waded into the outcry over Labour's grooming gangs U-turn with a vow to force a vote on a "full statutory inquiry".

Reacting to news of the walk-back, Badenoch said: "This move is pure Labour obfuscation. Last week, I met with more rape gang survivors. Brave and determined, they're deeply sceptical of Labour. One said to me Labour 'lied to the country'.

"So I will force a vote on a full statutory inquiry. Every MP can show whose side they're on."

It comes as suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe's own crowd-funder for an inquiry has crossed the £500,000 mark - prompting him to push on "all MPs" to "shine a light on these horrors".

"I invite MPs from all political parties to join our efforts," he said. "Labour, Conservative, Reform, Lib Dem. This is not a party political issue. It's about good versus evil. I will work with anyone."

Reform UK retakes polling lead as Tories backslide - just over 3 weeks remain until local elections

Reform UK has taken the lead once again in a national poll after the Tories' lead was wiped out.

New data from pollsters at More In Common has placed Nigel Farage's party jointly atop the pile with a 24 per cent vote share - with just over three weeks remaining until the local elections on May 1 - despite dropping by one per cent.

The Conservatives have backslid from their previous polling lead to third place after dropping three percentage points - and now sit behind Labour, which has gained three points to sit neck-and-neck with Reform.

But the biggest winners from this new data are the Liberal Democrats, which have gained four percentage points to sit in fourth place with a 17 per cent vote share.

Reacting to the figures, a Reform UK spokesman told GB News: "Poll after poll shows us ahead of the Tories. It's becoming clearer by the day that only Reform UK can beat Labour at the next General Election.

"Britain is broken, Britain needs Reform."

Ftse 100 plummets as Donald Trump's tariffs take hold - Tuesday's gains WIPED OUT

The Ftse 100 fell once again this morning as Donald Trump's global tariffs came into force, wiping out all the gains the index had made on Tuesday.

The index, which tracks the UK's top 100 listed companies, fell 2.34 per cent in early trades, or by 186 points, to reach 7,724.29 shortly after opening.

'Socialism ALWAYS fails!' Tories heap pressure on Labour after Sadiq Khan's London plummets in 'wealthiest city' rankings

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith has vowed that "socialism always fails" after London dropped out of the top five wealthiest cities in the world.

A new study by financial advisors Henley & Partners has found that Britain's capital has lost a higher proportion of millionaires than anywhere in the world other than Moscow - currently facing a raft of international sanctions thanks to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

This morning, Griffith said: "London has fallen out of the top five wealthiest cities in the world. The city has experienced a significant exodus of millionaires over the past year, losing 11,300 dollar millionaires, a higher proportion than any city other than Moscow. Socialism always fails.

"This Government fails fast! Our country is poorer without business wealth creators."

Labour strikes mega-deal with Universal for Bedford theme park - but Tories take credit

Bedford is in line for a mega £50billion investment package after Labour closed a deal for Europe's first Universal theme park in the market town.

The project - expected to be finished by 2031 - is expected to generate nearly £50bn for the economy by 2055.

It comes as Labour chases down growth amid a week of economic turmoil - this morning, Donald Trump's tariffs on numerous economies took effect, including a 104 per cent levy on Chinese goods.

And while Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith praised Labour for green-lighting the plans, he said the Tories "worked closely with Universal Studios to secure the land and help bring forward plans for the new park".

He added: "We're pleased that, despite Labour's economic mismanagement, Universal Studios has committed to investing in Bedfordshire."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Labour Minister doubles down on Home Office U-turn denial - 'It's NOT the truth!'

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said it is "not the truth" to suggest that Labour is dropping plans to investigate Britain's rape gang abuse.

Asked whether it was true to suggest Ministers were watering down their plans, the Culture Secretary told Times Radio: "No, it's not the truth.

"The truth is that we are listening to victims and authorities around the country about the need to give them the right tools to tackle it, this very pernicious problem, in their own areas.

"We believe that decisions are best made by those with skin in the game in their own communities, people who live in those communities, who understand what is happening there."

She also vowed that Ministers did not want to "impose one system from Whitehall, which might give us a decent press release in the media but doesn't actually tackle the problem".

Robert Jenrick weighs in as GB News reveals Rotherham riot convictions EXCEED those jailed for grooming gang abuse

Robert Jenrick has become the latest high-profile figure to speak out on the reignition of Britain's grooming gangs fury after GB News revealed that more people have been jailed for rioting in Rotherham than for participating in rape gang abuse.

The Shadow Justice Secretary, writing on social media this morning, said: "More people were sentenced in Rotherham for the summer riots than for decades-long rape gangs in the town. Starmer's called for countless national inquiries - but not one into rape gangs. It's two-tier justice. The fight for answers and accountability must go on."

South Yorkshire Police have made over 100 arrests in connection with the summer disorder, with 93 convictions.

And GB News has found that, to date, there have been 68 convictions for group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation in the town.

READ THE FULL STORY BY NATIONAL REPORTER CHARLIE PETERS HERE

Home Office: Reports of £5m funding U-turn 'patently false'

The Home Office has branded reports that Labour dropped its commitment to grooming gang inquiries "patently false".

A spokesman told GB News yesterday: "That is patently false. The £5million funding announced in January is being made available to local authorities to help strengthen local responses to child sexual exploitation, and all local authorities will be able to apply for funding for local inquiries or other work in this area.

"The Home Secretary has written to every local authority on our plans to support local inquiries, and after listening to local authorities about what they need, we made the decision to implement the fund in a flexible way."

It's understood that the department will still support authorities which want to launch their own inquiries, but a national-level probe will not go ahead.

The Home Secretary had written last month to all local authorities to tell them about the plans - and an announcement on how councils can apply for funding is expected soon.

RECAP: Labour DROPS commitment for five local grooming gang inquiries

Yesterday afternoon, Labour dropped its commitment for five grooming gang inquiries on the final day before Parliament broke up for Easter recess.

In January, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pledged £5million to support five local investigations into grooming gangs. However, this has now been reallocated into a "flexible" £5million fund.

The Government said it would still support inquiries if requested by local authorities but it no longer committed to five.

Tory MP Robbie Moore said that the five local inquiries had "been kicked into the long grass" - and branded the dropping "a complete and utter disgrace".

Meanwhile, opposition sources told GB News they received just 45 minutes' notice of the contents of the update.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE