Bridget Phillipson says mobile phones have 'no place in schools' as she gives 'full backing' to ban

Labour MP calls for eligible children to automatically receive free school meals

All eligible children should be automatically enrolled for free school meals, a Labour MP has said, as he described the decision not to lift the two-child benefit cap as "extremely painful".

Peter Lamb, MP for Crawley, told the Commons everything possible should be done to prevent the vilification of those receiving benefits.

Currently, households with a combined annual net income of £7,400 or less, excluding benefits, are invited to sign their children up for free school meals.

Lamb's Free School Meals (Automatic Registration of Eligible Children) Bill proposes the automatic registration of all children eligible for free school meals, with the option for parents to opt out.

Speaking during the second reading, Lamb said: "If this government is to be judged on anything over the next five years, let it be how it treats the most vulnerable members of our society.

"Like many members of my party, I have found the decision not to immediately lift the two-child benefit cap extremely painful.

"We do not need further reports on how this has been one of the most significant drivers of child poverty under the last government, and at this point I do not believe the book shows at the House of Commons library could support any more evidence were it to be submitted."

Donaldson case delayed as wife 'unfit to stand trial'

The trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Donaldson is to be delayed.

At Newry Crown Court, Judge Paul Ramsey granted an adjournment application on medical grounds after being told Mrs Donaldson is currently "unfit to stand trial".

The trial had been due to start on 24 March. No new date has yet been set.

Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency.

The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.

Mrs Donaldson's barrister Ciara Ennis told the court that she wanted to advance the adjournment application.

Sir Keir Starmer is doubling down on his bid to reduce government waste, but is his plan a fix or just more spending spin? 

Beth is in Hull after hearing what the Labour leader is promising, including scrapping NHS England to "cut bureaucracy" and bring management of the health service "back into democratic control".  

Alongside Harriet and Ruth, they also discuss Starmer potentially facing down a rebellion from his own MPs over plans to shake up benefits reform and welfare payments.  

ANd are the cracks are widening in Reform UK’s internal spat. Beth speaks to Andrea Jenkyns, who left the Tories to join Reform, on the party's latest bust-up, and Ruth and Harriet look at whether the party’s chaos is helping both Labour and the Conservatives.  

And remember, you can also watch us on YouTube!

Lammy: 'Now is the time for a ceasefire with no conditions'

Foreign Secretary David Lammy is in Quebec, Canada today - where he has attended a summit of G7 (the Group of Seven).

The minister said the conference was "unified", as the world faces uncertainty on the question of a 30-day ceasefire deal in Ukraine.

He added that allies at the foreign ministerial meeting had "found common ground".

Lammy stressed that "now is the time for a ceasefire with no conditions".

"I think that there is a unified approach which will mean an enduring peace that lasts," the foreign secretary added.

Turning to the conflict in the Middle East, Lammy said their simply "cannot be a future for Hamas in Gaza - and on that we are unified."

"All of us want a ceasefire to endure," he said.

Royal College of GPs eases stance on legalising assisted dying

The UK's professional membership body for GPs is no longer formally opposed to a change in the law to legalise assisted dying.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) confirmed that, after a consultation with its members, it has moved to a position of neutrality – neither opposing nor supporting a change in the law.

It had adopted a position of opposition in 2005 and held that stance since then.

The change in position comes as MPs in England and Wales consider legislation which could see assisted dying legalised in the two nations.

Around six in 10 (61%) of the college's council voted for a move to a position of neither supporting nor opposing legalising assisted dying.

Almost four in 10 (39%) voted to maintain the position of opposition.

This followed a non-binding survey of 8,779 GPs and GP Registrars, which saw a third (33.7%) state that the college should support assisted dying being legalised.

The consultation results showed "widely differing and strongly-held views about assisted dying", said RCGP chairwoman Professor Kamila Hawthorne.

Trump's tariffs not to blame for weak UK economy - No 10

Donald Trump's tariffs are not responsible for the UK economy's weak performance, Downing Street has indicated.

The UK economy shrank at the start of 2025, according to official figures which had been expected to show further meagre growth.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that output declined by 0.1% during the month following the 0.4% growth seen in December.

Asked if the US president's trade policy was to blame, a No 10 spokesman said: "No."

He added: "We know the cost-of-living crisis is not over, and this government is determined to make people better off, and that's why economic growth is the prime minister's number one priority.

"Growth is what funds our public services, it is what enables investments in our hospitals and schools and, of course most importantly, raises living standards for everyone, everywhere."

The spokesman reiterated that the government continue to engage with the US administration on tariffs, and insisted they were global and not targeted at the UK.

He added: "As we've said, we won’t be imposing tariffs immediately. 

"And let's be clear, industry doesn't want to see a trade war where both sides keep escalating the situation, and standing up for industry means finding a solution. 

"Our approach to the US remains one of a cool-headed approach, pragmatic. We continue to have productive discussions securing a wider economic deal."

Russia's response to ceasefire proposal is 'nebulous', No 10 says

Russia's response to the Ukrainian ceasefire proposal is "nebulous", the prime minister's spokesperson has said.

Yesterday, Vladimir Putin said he agreed with the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine, but set out a number of conditions for the 30-day peace.

This was agreed by Ukraine earlier this week following talks with the US.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called Putin's response "manipulative".

Asked about this, Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson said Russia's response to the proposal is "nebulous" - meaning vague, or ill-defined. 

Pressed, the spokesperson said the "ball is in Russia's court" on the deal.

"They could end this war today," No 10 added, saying the onus for withdrawing troops from Ukraine falls on Russia.

"There's an agreement on the table, and we'll continue to talk to our partners."

Ex-Reform UK leader in Wales to deny alleged Russian bribery charges

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has indicated he will deny taking bribes to make favourable statements about Russia in the European parliament.

Nathan Gill, 51, is charged with eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Gill allegedly made statements in the European Parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine, which were "supportive of a particular narrative" which would "benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine".

The defendant is alleged to have been tasked by Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money.

Gill, of Anglesey, north Wales, appeared for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.

The defendant's lawyer Clare Ashcroft indicated he would deny the charges against him but asked that he not be asked to formally enter pleas yet.

Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC told the court the charges related to the defendant's time as a member of the European parliament.

He said that charges had been authorised against the defendant's alleged co-conspirator Voloshyn, who is believed to be out of the jurisdiction.

Justice Cheema-Grubb set a plea hearing for 18 July and a provisional trial before a High Court judge from 29 June 2026 at the Old Bailey.

The defendant stood in the dock wearing a blue striped tie and grey suit, and spoke only to confirm his identity during the hearing.

Addressing the defendant at the end of the hearing, Justice Cheema-Grubb said: "I'm going to release you on bail on the same conditions as before."

Gill is bailed on condition that he surrender his passport, is not to obtain international travel documents and not to contact Voloshyn.

Will Reform's civil war hurt the party?

Reform UK has consolidated its gains at the general election, with recent polling suggesting it's neck and neck with Labour and ahead of the Tories. 

But now a huge row has erupted between Nigel Farage and his fellow MP Rupert Lowe. 

Lowe is currently suspended from the party after being reported to the police over alleged threats towards Reform's chairman. 

He has called the allegations "false" and says it's because he "dared to question Nigel Farage". 

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at what's behind the row and examines how damaging it is for Reform with Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig and Gawain Towler, the party's former director of communications. 

Call for smartphone ban in Welsh schools rejected by Senedd committee

We just heard Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson give her "full backing" to schools implementing a mobile phone ban in classrooms.

She said: "They have no place in our schools, and the government's position is clear - you have our full backing in ridding our classrooms of the disruption of phones."

But earlier this week, calls for a smartphone ban in Welsh schools were rejected by a committee of politicians.

The Senedd's petitions committee has instead recommended more support for schools to set their own restrictions, instead of an outright ban, after hearing how smartphones can support young people's welfare and safety.

In a report published on Wednesday, it urged the Welsh government to establish clear guidance which would allow teachers to set the rules that work best for their pupils.

"The growing body of evidence about the harms of smartphones outweighing the benefits for children is both compelling and concerning," said committee chair Carolyn Thomas.

"However, on balance we do not believe that it supports a move to a uniform 'ban' on smartphones in all Welsh schools."

Meanwhile, Sky News revealed last year that plans to ban smartphones from schools in England had been dropped.

-SKY NEWS