37 h. ago ‘Tough on crime’ politics has not made us safer – the prisons crisis has forced a rethink

As justice secretary Shabana Mahmood agrees to the biggest overhaul to sentencing in a generation, Amy-Clare Martin considers whether the new approach – to refocus the system on rehabilitation and reducing reoffending – will be effective

Events

43 h. ago Plans to use mandatory chemical castration on serious sexual offenders after prison review

Long-awaited review by former Tory justice secretary David Gauke says government must stop ‘over-reliance’ on jail time to tackle overcrowding

Events

45 h. ago Plans to free sex offenders after half of sentence to tackle prison crisis

Long-awaited review by former Tory justice secretary David Gauke says government must stop ‘over-reliance’ on jail time to tackle overcrowding

Events

57 h. ago US deportations cast spotlight on South Sudan’s deepening political crisis

World’s youngest country is facing renewed outbreak of tensions that have plagued it for yearsAn attempt by the US to deport South Asian migrants to South Sudan has cast a spotlight on the world’s youngest country, which is experiencing a renewed outbreak of the political tensions that have plagued it over the years.On Tuesday, a US federal judge said migrants supposedly flown from the US to South Sudan appeared to have been deported in violation of a court order and ruled that they remain in the custody and control of US officials. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Why Starmer’s government has waited until now to take action on Israel

As David Lammy announces the suspension of trade talks with Israel and new sanctions over the Gaza humanitarian crisis, political editor David Maddox explains why action wasn’t taken sooner

Politics

5 d. ago Inside prisons crisis as Keir Starmer told to 'hold his nerve' on unpopular decision

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will soon face tough choices as his major sentencing review is expected to demand a complete overhaul of the prisons system

Events

5 d. ago ‘I’m from Glasgow – the swearing came naturally!’ The full uncensored history of The Thick of It

It was the political satire that gave us omnishambles, pet asbos and the terrifying Malcolm Tucker. Two decades on, creator Armando Iannucci and stars including Peter Capaldi and Rebecca Front lift the lid on its chaotic creationTwenty years ago this month we were plunged straight into the middle of an omnishambles. It was a moment in time when petrified politicians lurched from crisis to crisis, scrambling desperately to control the narrative as their endless gaffes derailed even the vaguest attempts to change this country for the better. But am I talking about the tail-end of the Blair years or the televisual tour-de-force that was Armando Iannucci’s The Thick of It?It could be either. It could even be right now – such was the show’s prescient genius. This was a satire that didn’t just mimic the government’s calamities but seemed somehow to foresee them. Over its seven-year run, The Thick of It came up with farcical policies that the government went on to adopt (pet asbos, anyone?...

Politics

2 w. ago Sadiq Khan unveils plan to rip up green belt to build flats for Londoners

The controversial move is likely to face opposition from environmental campaigners

Politics

3 w. ago Headteachers warn of biggest crisis facing UK schools as kids badly let down

The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has issued a dire warning over the SEND crisis facing schools, with a shortage of specialist teaching

Events

3 w. ago Tony Blair’s climate crisis views ‘absolutely aligned’ with government policy, Starmer says – UK politics live

PM says he and Blair aligned ‘if you look at the detail of what he said’PMQs is starting soon.Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question. Continue reading...

Politics