A key ally of Jeremy Corbyn has claimed Labour is on the right track after the party secured better-than-expected results across England.

Despite the party's bad night north of the Border, Labour lost fewer in English councils than many had predicted.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he did not want to overplay the night's events.But, he added: "We are on a path of improvement."

A number of Labour MPs urged Mr Corbyn to change tack.

Labour MP Jo Cox described the English results as "not a path back to power" in 2020's General Election.