Plans would reserve jury trials for only the gravest offences, such as murder, manslaughter and serious sexual assault. A new intermediate court, with cases heard by a judge and possibly magistrates, would handle others to reduce Crown Court backlogs, prompting debate on defendants’ rights.
Rachel Reeves urged Labour MPs to unite behind her budget, insisting it is a single package and ruling out U‑turns. She rebuked what she called misogynist criticism, defended tax rises to fund services and investment, and said unity and fiscal discipline are vital for economic stability.
Reeves will impose a surcharge on about 100,000 high‑value homes, averaging £4,500, expected to raise £400m–£650m. Collected via council tax bills, it targets the most expensive properties and forms part of wider fiscal plans to bolster the public finances.
Washington is urging a European partner to accept a land‑for‑peace deal, warning support could be cut within days. The PM and European allies push back, arguing forced territorial concessions and defence cuts would reward aggression, weaken deterrence and erode sovereignty.
The Covid inquiry concludes that severe delays and muddled decisions in early 2020 caused about 23,000 avoidable deaths. It says the PM and senior ministers underestimated the threat, locked down too late, repeated errors in later waves and allowed a toxic culture to hinder clear advice.
A foreign surveillance ship allegedly aimed lasers at RAF pilots over the North Sea, prompting condemnation from the defence secretary. A Royal Navy frigate shadowed the vessel in UK waters as ministers consider steps to safeguard aircrews and undersea infrastructure.
MI5 has warned MPs and peers that Chinese intelligence is targeting Westminster, using LinkedIn “headhunters” to cultivate contacts and pay for information. Staff, advisers and think‑tank figures have been approached. Parliament issued new security advice and probes are ongoing.
Shabana Mahmood set out an asylum shake-up, offering cash incentives for families with refused claims to leave voluntarily and prioritising enforced removals if they decline. A trial of enhanced payments is planned. Framed as tackling illegal migration, the plans drew sharp criticism from Labour MPs.
The Home Sec will announce visa bans on countries that fail to take back people with no right to remain, naming three today. The push to raise returns includes proposals to limit repeat appeals and narrow family reunion, aiming to speed removals.
Rachel Reeves will extend the freeze on income tax thresholds, relying on fiscal drag to raise billions. The move is set to push millions into higher bands and pull all state pension recipients into the tax system by 2027–28. A late U-turn on earlier budget plans unsettled markets.