Robert Jenrick takes aim at Badenoch's 'unnecessary drama' as Tory leadership election progresses – breaking news

Bridget Phillipson has been urged to take immediate action to tackle children's use of smartphones in schools by a group of educators who are “deeply concerned” about their impact.

In an open letter to the Education Secretary, 30 education leaders said there was clear evidence that “children in schools do better without smartphones” and called on her to introduce effective restrictions on their use.

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below:

Robert Jenrick has insisted his team cast no votes in yesterday's shock vote which saw James Cleverly out of the running.

He said the campaign team worked “tirelessly” to collect the most votes.

“And I think you will have seen from my behavior over the summer that we worked hard,” he added.

Strategic coordination may have played a role in his exit, according to reports.

Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake claimed there were unexpected voting patterns that led to Mr Cleverly's downfall in Wednesday's MP election, where he received just 37 votes.

Robert Jenrick now answers questions from the press.

He was asked whether he would end mass migration even if it hurt economic growth.

The would-be Tory leader said: “I think this is a wrong decision. As I have argued time and time again, I do not believe that the age of mass migration has made any of us richer.

“In the 25 years since Tony Blair became prime minister, a net 5.9 million people have come to our country, and yet this has been an era characterized by low economic growth and low productivity growth.”

Mr Jenrick added that he planned to “end mass migration and stimulate our economy”.

Robert Jenrick has urged the Conservatives to pick themselves up after their worst-ever general election defeat.

“Doing anything else means letting the country down,” said the conservative leadership hopefully.

He has leveled thinly veiled criticism of rival Kemi Badenoch, suggesting she would focus on Twitter rows and frivolous issues while he focused on the public's priorities.

Mr Jenrick said: “This is how we regain the public’s trust. So my plan is to stimulate the economy, reform our public services like the NHS, manage migration by limiting the numbers and leave the ECtHR with a serious plan and not unnecessary drama.

“Let us find serious answers to the challenges facing our country with courage, competence and conviction to once again make the conservative case for change.

“This is how we win again, not in 15 years, not in 10 years, but this is how we win the next general election.”

The Conservative Party has “no future” if it does not support withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights, said Robert Jenrick.

In a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank, he told his supporters: “Unless we leave, our party has no future. “To win back the trust of the British public, we really need to do whatever it takes.”

Instead, Mr Jenrick promised to introduce a legally binding cap on net immigration of “tens of thousands or less”.

He added: “My path is the promise of a plan, not a plan for tomorrow.” That is not enough. If we don't take the issue of migration seriously, our party will not survive. It’s that simple.”

Robert Jenrick has harshly criticized Liz Truss and her disastrous mini-budget for 2022.

Mr Jenrick, one of many Tories eager to distance themselves from the short-term former prime minister, lumped her budget in with Labor's borrowing plans – describing both as irresponsible.

He said: “I say that sound public finances are the bedrock of our prosperity and that borrowing billions to fund glossy projects like Ed Miliband's fantasy energy company is wrong.”

“Just like it was wrong to borrow billions to finance tax cuts in the 2022 mini-budget.”

Robert Jenrick doesn't rock the world with his Policy Exchange speech as he keeps his feet firmly on the ground and his hands on the side of his podium.

He spoke for more than 10 minutes without letting go of the podium, and other than slight head and shoulder movements, he is extremely calm.

Robert Jenrick remembers the Brexit days and presents a stark Leave vs Remain decision to voters in the ECtHR.

The Conservative leadership hopeful believes the European Convention on Human Rights prevents Britain from controlling illegal migration.

And referring to Brexit, he said: “It’s leave or stay, and I’m for leave.”

Kemi Badenoch has not directly endorsed leaving the convention but said she would consider it if she felt it was necessary.

Robert Jenrick promises the government's Rwanda deportation plan would have worked if it had been tightened.

The plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda was aimed at deterring those crossing the English Channel.

But despite the government spending £700 million on the measure, only four asylum seekers were sent to the East African country – and all of them volunteered.

Immigration was the first issue Mr Jenrick raised, repeating his promise to withdraw from the ECtHR. It sets the stage for the issue to be a crucial dividing line if Kemi Badenoch is in the race and then Sir Keir Starmer if Mr Jenrick wins.

Robert Jenrick takes to the stage at the Policy Exchange think tank and promises to talk to his supporters about “the real choice facing our country”.

He said it was “great to be in the bottom two” but is already considering how he will face Labor and Sir Keir Starmer as opposition leader.

He completely ignored his rival Kemi Badenoch, saying: “Our job is to send Keir Starmer away.”

The right-winger promised to be constructive wherever possible but said the Tories “must stand up for the common sense of the British people on every issue”.