UK Politics

A government minister has admitted that accidental prison releases have gone up under the Labour government, but insisted that the government is “gripping” the crisis. Ministers are facing mounting pressure over a series of high-profile manhunts, with justice secretary David Lammy admitting on Friday there is a “mountain to climb” to tackle the crisis in the prison system.It comes after it was revealed on Saturday that two prisoners are still at large after being mistakenly released last year, and another two, who are understood to have been freed in error in June this year, also remain missing.Asked if she knows how many prisoners are still on the run in total, culture secretary Lisa Nandy told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “I haven’t had any discussions with the justice secretary about that this morning. What I can tell you is that under the last government, for quite some time, there were, on average, 17 wrong releases. “Under this government that has risen. It’s 22. That is completely unacceptable. It was unacceptable before, it’s unacceptable now.” She added: “Even one is too many, and the justice secretary is gripping this by appointing Dame Lynne Owens, who is the former director of the National Crime Agency, to make sure that we really grip this, starting with the antiquated paper-based system that was developed in the 1980s that is still being used, building new prisons and making sure that we have additional checks so that people aren’t wrongly released.” Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said she doesn’t know how many prisoners are still on the run More

The BBC is set to apologise for editing a speech made by US president Donald Trump in a Panorama episode after facing a backlash – as a government minister said decisions at the broadcaster are “not always well thought through”. The corporation was accused of misleading viewers in a Panorama episode by selectively editing a speech made by Mr Trump ahead of the Capitol riots in 2021, according to a leaked memo. The spliced footage showed Mr Trump urging his supporters to “fight like hell” before the riots, but omitted a section where he told the crowd “to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard”.BBC chair Samir Shah is expected to apologise for the editing choice, in response to a request from parliament’s culture, media and sport committee, which said that there were “serious questions to answer”. A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC chairman will provide a full response to the culture, media and sport committee on Monday.”The leaked extract of the memo read: “It was completely misleading to edit the clip in the way Panorama aired it. The fact that he did not explicitly exhort supporters to go down and fight at Capitol Hill was one of the reasons there were no federal charges for incitement to riot.”A speech by Trump in 2021 was edited in a way that was ‘completely misleading’, according to a leaked memo More

A former minister has called on the government to pay people who reach state pension age for at least five years, even if they die.Sir Steve Webb, who was pensions minister when the triple lock was introduced, said the state pension age should rise, but urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to implement a “minimum guaranteed payout” of five years, which would protect those who are expected to live for less long. Then, if someone died within those five years, their heirs would receive the payout instead.Writing in a report for pensions consultancy LCP, where he now works, Sir Steve argued that the pension age should rise by one year every decade to account for increasing life expectancies, with people ending up with the state pension for 20 years on average.He added that those who die before reaching state pension age but have paid into the system should also get a similar guaranteed payout, such as through the working-age bereavement benefits system.The calls come as Ms Reeves is under increasing pressure to plug a hole in the country’s finances at the upcoming Budget this month.It comes as chancellor Rachel Reeves is under increasing pressure to plug a hole in the country’s finances at the upcoming Budget this month More

A minister has accused British Medical Association (BMA) leaders of being “determined to turn their organisation into a farce” after a motion was passed for GPs to refuse to comply with new online access requirements for surgeries.While Stephen Kinnock claimed the government wants “to work constructively with the BMA”, he said the motion “will put patient safety at risk at a critical time ahead of winter.”From October 1, GP surgeries in England have been required to keep their online consultation platform open for the duration of their working hours for non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries and admin requests.But a motion was passed that demanded the requirements’ removal and insisted online consultations should be curtailed once safe working limits have been reached, during Friday’s England LMC (local medical committee) conference.Health and care minister Stephen Kinnock has hit out at the BMA’s leadership More

Tens of thousands of people in Lisbon took to the streets Saturday to protest a package of labor reforms proposed by Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s government. Demonstrators carried posters that read “No to the labor package” and called for a monthly minimum wage of 1,050 euros ($1,214) in 2026. The protest was organized by the country’s main labor union in opposition to an overhaul the government says aims to improve productivity and flexibility in the job market. Opponents want the package withdrawn and say it threatens workers’ rights.Among the controversial elements are a limit on how long breastfeeding women can claim a flexible work schedule and reduced miscarriage bereavement leave. The reforms would also make worker dismissals easier.Portugal’s current minimum wage stands at 870 euros (about $1,007) per month.Montenegro, who leads the center-right Democratic Alliance, heads a minority government in the European Union nation of 10.6 million people. If approved, the bill will be sent to parliament where it’s expected to pass with the votes of far-right Chega, the largest opposition party. Organizers of Saturday’s protest announced a general strike on Dec. 11. More

Labour MPs are said to be plotting to oust Sir Keir Starmer, despite the prime minister welcoming rebellious backbenchers back into the fold.It comes amid despair about the party’s poll ratings and concern that the government may break Labour’s manifesto promise not to raise income tax to fill a hole in the public finances. The warnings come less than 18 months after Labour won a historic majority, with the government now seeing mounting discontent brewing among Labour backbenchers.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should face further scrutiny from his ethics adviser over the appointment of a Labour donor as the chairman of the new football watchdog, the Tories said (Ben Stansall/PA) More

The home secretary is preparing to announce a major shake-up of the immigration system that would be modelled on Denmark – which has one of the toughest systems in Europe. Officials are thought to be looking at Denmark’s tighter rules on family reunion, as well as considering restricting most asylum seekers to a temporary stay in the country.A delegation of senior officials was sent to Copenhagen last month to learn about their interventions and draw lessons that could be applied to the UK. The plan to copy Denmark comes as the government ramps up its efforts to bring down migration amid growing public anger over the issue. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is looking at Denmark’s immigration system More

The government is expected to break Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise income tax.The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has told the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that she intends to increase personal tax in one of several “major measures” planned for the Budget at the end of the month, according to The Times.The watchdog will produce an impact assessment of the chancellor’s proposals to be presented to the Treasury on Monday, ahead of the Budget on 26 November.Lucy Powell, the newly elected Labour deputy leader, has urged the government not to hike taxes at the upcoming Budget, warning that doing so could damage “trust in politics”.But amid speculation that Ms Reeves is plotting to take the plunge, The Independent takes a look at what her options are when it comes to income tax, and what they could mean for you.Chancellor Rachel Reeves may be set to break Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise income tax More