Kemi Badenoch has said people are “scared to have families” due to the cost amid an ongoing row about her comments on maternity pay. On Sunday, the Tory leadership contender had said the government was doing “too much” on statutory maternity pay, before backtracking on the remarks.

James Cleverly has denied attacking Kemi Badenoch over her controversial maternity pay comments during an appearance on GB News. Speaking to Isabel Webster, the ex-Foreign Secretary emphasised his longstanding friendship with Badenoch,

Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch has said “we should find a way to make life easier for those who are starting families”, just a day after appearing to say maternity pay was “excessive”.