David Lammy is exploring plans to replace juries with judge-only trials for offences carrying up to five years, keeping juries for the most serious and public-interest cases. The aim is to cut the Crown Court backlog, but critics say it risks miscarriages of justice and weakening victims’ rights.
Campaigners warn many older people may struggle to heat homes this winter as energy bills stay high. They urge the Chancellor to use the Budget to ease pressures, saying frozen income tax thresholds and other rises risk leaving pensioners worse off.
Analysis warns pensioners could be about £800 a year worse off if the Chancellor extends the freeze on the income-tax personal allowance to 2030. The House of Commons Library says it could pull hundreds of thousands into tax and cost pensioners around £7bn in 2029–30.
MPs are considering an injury-in-service medal to recognise police officers forced to leave the job due to serious injuries. The plan would honour those retiring on medical grounds and address concerns their sacrifice is overlooked.
A Christmas appeal seeks donations for specialist wheelchairs, helping children gain independence and join everyday activities. It spotlights four-year-old Robyn, whose chair transformed her mobility. Funds will support families needing equipment beyond standard provision.
Analysis based on government forecasts says scrapping the state pension triple lock would cut incomes for up to 26m people, with millions facing a sharp fall at retirement and a rise in pensioner poverty. The policy currently uprates by the highest of inflation, earnings or 2.5%.
Footage from a former RAF base shows people seeking asylum holding a party, prompting local anger over behaviour at the site. Councillors demand tighter management and transparency on costs and rules; the Home Office says it will review oversight and remind residents of expectations.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch backed Home Sec Shabana Mahmood’s tougher asylum measures but warned they could fail if courts and Labour backbenchers block them. She urged cross-party cooperation in the “national interest”, saying ministers may need Tory votes.
Labour’s sentencing reforms to ease overcrowding would bring earlier release, with those jailed for more than four years serving half their term. Families of victims say this betrays them and undermines trust and safety. Ministers argue it’s needed to manage capacity and support rehabilitation.
An 82-year-old terminally ill woman urges the Lords to end delays to assisted dying legislation, arguing it would offer choice and dignity with strict safeguards. Supporters cite compassion and oversight, while critics warn of risks to the vulnerable and unintended consequences.