Kit Bradshaw

EXCL: Sir Keir Starmer tells me the SEND system “isn’t working” and commits to “bringing forward reforms in the new year”.

The PM also reveals to ITV News Meridian that the issue of supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities is raised with him more than any other.

Pre-Budget speculation, Downing Street briefing wars, and whether climate change is being crowded out... lots to discuss tonight!

The Last Word panel:
🟠 Charlie Maynard MP
🔵 Mims Davies MP
🔴 Jim Dickson MP

On ITV1 in the Meridian region at 10.50pm 📺

Asked if he would one day like to be Lib Dem party leader, Josh Babarinde told me: "That’s not where my head’s at. My job is to be the president of our party… working with members across the country."

Full ITV News Meridian interview 👇

www.itv.com/news/meridia...

Newly-elected Lib Dem president @joshbabarinde.bsky.social tells me he'll be "the last line of defence against Reform".

The Eastbourne MP plans to "campaign hard" to offer "solutions of hope and optimism that bring our communities together rather than tear them apart".

The DWP say they're "deeply thankful for Mr Houghton’s dedication to this country".

Spokesperson adds: "Eligibility for Personal Independence Payment is dependent on being present in the UK for a specified period of time".

Full ITV News Meridian report 👇
www.itv.com/news/meridia... (3/3)

Eastleigh MP @lizjarvis.bsky.social has raised her constituent's case in Parliament and is calling on the Government to "rethink" how Personal Independence Payment rules apply to veterans.

The Lib Dem tells me she thinks Mark Houghton MBE has been "treated so badly".

(2/3)

Exclusive: The family of British Army veteran Mark Houghton MBE say he feels "deserted by the state" after being denied disability benefits following a "catastrophic" E-scooter crash in Dubai.

Mark's son, Lawrence, says they're fighting "tooth and nail" for support.

🧵 (1/3)

EXCLUSIVE: Plans to introduce so-called “mega councils” in the South will cost an initial £12 million over two years, figures obtained by ITV News Meridian reveal.

▫️Surrey: £6.4m
▫️Essex: £2.8m
▫️Hampshire: £1.03m
▫️Sussex: £920,000
▫️Oxfordshire: £736,000
▫️Kent: £440,000

www.itv.com/news/meridia...

NEW: The Prime Minister refuses to commit to holding delayed local elections in 2026. Sir Keir Starmer would only tell me he “wants them to go ahead” next year in Essex, Sussex and Hampshire.

It’s the last day of Parliament before MPs head off on their summer recess.

It’s also my first anniversary as ITV News Meridian’s political correspondent.

What a year. I feel my ability to multitask has improved. And my coffee intake. Here’s to Year 2! ☕️

Are cuts to disability and sickness benefits justified? And is the government ploughing enough money into the military? Lots to debate on The Last Word:

🔴 Anneliese Dodds, Oxford East MP
🔵 Dame Penny Mordaunt
🟠 James MacCleary, Lewes MP

📺 10.45pm tonight: ITV1 Meridian

NEW: Labour MP Peter Lamb describes the Air India plane crash as “absolutely tragic news” and says he is “there to try to help” any constituents affected. The MP's Crawley constituency includes Gatwick Airport, where the flight was headed.

The new Reform UK leader of Kent County Council defends the removal of Ukraine’s flag from the council chamber.

Cllr Linden Kemkaran tells me: “I don’t think most Ukrainians will have noticed the flag was there in the first place”.

Polling stations are open until 10pm tonight 🗳️

– Kent County Council
– Oxfordshire County Council
– Wiltshire Council
– Buckinghamshire Council

Full #localelections coverage on ITV Meridian tomorrow 📺

Could the Conservatives lose control of Kent County Council next week?

“Anything is possible”, Kemi Badenoch tells me on a visit to Sevenoaks. The party leader says “the public are still angry” with the Tories ahead of polling day on 1st May.

#localelections

"Did you go back to bed?"

Heathrow CEO, Thomas Woldbye, refuses to tell me whether he went to sleep after first being told of the substation fire, which led to the total shutdown of Europe's busiest airport.

“If I lose my PIP, I won’t be able to afford to live”

Poppy May, from Crawley, tells me why she travelled to Downing Street to protest against planned cuts to benefits, including Personal Independence Payments.

#SpringStatement

BREAKING: Government approves the multi-billion pound Lower Thames Crossing tunnel between Kent and Essex. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has formally granted permission for the scheme, which could be finished by 2031.

NEW: Crawley’s Labour MP Peter Lamb tells me that if the “rapid expansion” of Gatwick Airport is ultimately approved later this year then the local area “desperately needs more investment” in transport infrastructure.

NEW: Green Party MP Sian Berry calls Transport Secretary’s statement on Gatwick Airport “outrageous” and accuses Heidi Alexander of “bending over backwards to push this decision through” – after the minister said she was minded to approve expansion.

Labour's Laura Kyrke-Smith pays tribute to her "incredibly smart" friend Sophie, who took her own life 10 weeks after giving birth. The Aylesbury MP called for better maternal mental health support in Parliament this week.

Full ITV Meridian story:
www.itv.com/news/meridia...

NEW: Leader of Kent County Council Roger Gough tells ITV News Meridian he’s “stunned” that the county has missed out on getting fast-track devolution while Essex and Sussex have been accepted by the government.

Deputy Prime Minister agrees to postpone local elections, due in May, in the following areas: East and West Sussex, Essex (including Thurrock), Hampshire, Isle of Wight, and Surrey. They'll be pushed back to 2026.

BREAKING: Angela Rayner confirms plans new elected mayors for 'Greater Essex', Hampshire and Solent, Sussex including Brighton & Hove. First mayoral elections planned for May 2026, as part of government's fast-track scheme for English devolution.

"We all belong to the same family" – Janine Webber's message of respect and tolerance on #HolocaustMemorialDay. The 92-year-old shares her incredible story of survival with ITV News Meridian.

Government announces major new hospital projects in Berkshire, Hampshire and East Sussex – first promised by the Conservatives – won't begin construction until 2037. It will delay plans for a new NHS facilities in Reading, Basingstoke and Eastbourne.

BREAK: The schools division of the University of Brighton has told the government it wants to hand over control of its three secondaries and 11 primary schools in Sussex to other academy trusts. Decision confirmed in letter to parents today, seen by ITV News Meridian.

Should local elections be delayed to get devolution in the South? Discussing that on The Last Word:

🟥 Labour's Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke
🟩 Green Party's Siân Berry, MP for Brighton Pavilion
🟦 Conservative Lord Mackinlay of Richborough

📺 10.45pm on ITV1 @itvmeridian

Mid Sussex MP Alison Bennett urges ministers to rethink their approach to teachers' pay in order to end sixth form college strikes.

Seven colleges in Sussex, Hampshire & Oxfordshire have been impacted by NEU strikes since Nov.

ITV Meridian report ⬇️
www.itv.com/news/meridia...

Protests were held outside County Hall in Lewes today, by those opposed to a potential delay to East Sussex County Council elections under devolution plans. Lib Dem MP, James MacCleary, says it's an attempt to delay judgement on the Conservative’s council record.