Anglia Late Edition - December 2024

Watch the latest Anglia Late Edition - the regional politics programme covering issues affecting the East of England. Presented by Political Correspondent Emma Hutchinson

This programme was broadcast in the ITV Anglia region on Thursday 12 December 2024

While vigourously denying it was any kind of re-launch, the government has recently announced it six milestones - its top priorities to achieve before the next general election.

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister visited a building site in Alconbury in Cambridgeshire on Thursday to launch their overhaul of the planning system with the aim of building 1.5 million new homes over five years.

It came with strict new house building targets for every district in the East of England and across the country.

Rayner says 1.5m homes pledge 'can happen', but won't give social housing target
Saving for home 'a massive, monumental task', says first-time buyer
Green belt, grey belt and brownfield: What does it mean for your neighbourhood?

The government continues to face pressure over its budget with farmers again descending on Westminster in tractors to protest at inheritance tax changes for family farms.

The Chief Constable of Essex Ben-Julian Harrington has also warned he may have to cut frontline officers because of budget pressures over the way government funding to shared out to different police forces around the country.

Emma Hutchinson was joined by three MPs from the East of England on the programme:

  • Alice Macdonald is the Labour MP for Norwich North

  • Patrick Spencer is the Conservative MP for Central Suffolk & North Ipswich

  • Victoria Collins is the Liberal Democrat MP for Harpenden & Berkhamsted

Emma Hutchinson was joined on Anglia Late Edition by Alice Macdonald MP (Lab), Patrick Spencer MP (Con) and Victoria Collins (Lib Dem)

This week, the billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy has pledged to donate a "seven-figure" sum to Reform UK after resigning his Conservative Party membership to become Nigel Farage's new treasurer.

Mr Candy, who is married to pop singer Holly Valance, posed for pictures alongside the party leader and Clacton MP in Westminster after it was announced he would take over as chief fundraiser in the new year.

Reform has been buoyed by a series of Tory defections, including former minister Andrea Jenkyns as it seeks to make inroads at the local elections in May.

Reform UK took 17.5% of the votes in the ITV Anglia region at the general election in July and the party has pledged to fight every seat in the county council elections in May 2025.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know