British politician and current Deputy Prime Minister / Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor since Sept 2025
Undercover ITV footage has surfaced showing Reform UK councillors and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language. The party says it is investigating those involved and has stressed there is no room for racism, while critics accuse the party of weak vetting. The broadcasts have intensified scrutiny ahead of local elections.
Prime minister has announced an 850 million VAT cut on household electricity bills from October, funded by scrapping the Digital ID programme. The move is part of a broader plan to ease the cost of living, with ministers pledging to pass savings through to consumers as cabinet reshuffles unfold.
UK prime minister Andy Burnham has taken office and pledged to deliver real change while promising a fully funded package to ease the cost of living. He is reshaping the cabinet, signaling a shift from the Starmer era, with Healey as chancellor and a plan to lay out a 10-year vision for Britain. Markets reacted with caution as investors weigh higher borrowing against intervention in the economy.
The government has announced a review of early-release plans for prisoners, as ministers and the justice secretary examine possible exemptions amid a looming September rollout. Prison officers warn of chaos and pressure on staff, while victims’ groups and families express concern about the impact on safety.
Protesters in London are calling for an arms embargo on Israel and urging the UK to pressure Tel Aviv to end its siege, as public attention intensifies over Gaza amid ongoing crisis. The demonstration occurs as Labour leader Andy Burnham is poised to become prime minister, with critics accusing the government of complicity in Gaza killings.
Carole Gould and Julie Devey, friends united by the murder of their daughters by a former partner, have mobilised a campaign to change laws governing domestic violence and murder investigations. The BBC West series captured their fight after Ellie Gould’s death in Wiltshire in 2019, sparking calls for justice and policy reform.
Sir James Cleverly has quit frontline frontbench duties to pursue a 2028 London mayoral bid, stressing London’s need for enterprise and opportunity. He faces a potential contest against Labour’s Sadiq Khan, with Liberal Democrats and Reform UK weighing into the race as the Conservatives court a centrist path.
Big changes to England and Wales’ criminal justice system are moving forward as overcrowding drives policy decisions. Government plans to accelerate prison construction and expand early release schemes have been revised after public backlash and safety concerns. Officials are also deporting foreign prisoners and reviewing IPP sentences to free up space, with new measures to monitor released prisoners.
The parole board in South Australia has upheld the release of James Vlassakis, the former witness-turned-convicted murderer, after his parole decision was challenged. The case, tied to the Snowtown bodies-in-barrels murders, has drawn opposition from victims’ families and sparked debate over parole reforms.
The government has announced specialist courtrooms for rape and serious sexual offences will be rolled out to every crown court within two years, with private entrances and trauma-informed training for staff. Trials will be fixed to dates, and funding is set to support victims through the national rape and sexual abuse support fund.
The government has reversed Keir Starmer-era plans to curb jury trials for cases likely to yield sentences under three years, amid a backlog crisis that implicates victims and defendants. Justice Secretary Alex Norris says the change responds to strong public concern, maintaining some judge-only powers for complex cases while expanding magistrates’ scope in less serious matters.