News 24/08/25

New laws to cut the use of short prison sentences and toughen community punishments are set to be introduced within weeks.

Ministers are expected to bring the legislation before Parliament after the summer recess. The plans would abolish most short-term jail terms and create an earned release scheme, based on a system in Texas. Prisoners who show good behaviour could be released earlier, while those who break rules would stay longer.

Some offenders jailed for violent crimes will be eligible, but those convicted of terrorism or the most serious offences will be excluded.

A 54-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at a restaurant in east London.

Three people were taken to hospital in life-threatening condition after the blaze broke out at the Indian Aroma in Ilford on Friday night. Police say two remain critically ill. The restaurant itself was left with extensive damage as investigations continue.

Labour MP Anna Dixon says she has received threats of death and violence after a video was posted online by her neighbouring MP.

Dixon, who represents Shipley, accused Conservative Robbie Moore of spreading misinformation in a Facebook video about her stance on grooming gang inquiries. She claims his post has inflamed hatred against her and directly led to violent threats. Dixon, who entered Parliament last year, described his actions as irresponsible and dangerous.

A British cyclist has pulled off a dramatic late dash to make the start of one of cycling’s biggest races.

Finlay Pickering was called up less than 24 hours before the Vuelta a España began in Turin, replacing injured teammate Damiano Caruso for Bahrain Victorious. Pickering says he was already heading to collect his repaired training wheels when he got the call from team management asking how quickly he could get to the airport. His answer: “pretty quick.”

Two married couples have died after a British car left the road and crashed in Germany, police say.

The accident happened shortly after midnight on Saturday near a highway in the Kassel district of Hesse, central Germany. Four people in the vehicle – a 32-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman, a 32-year-old woman and a 30-year-old woman – all died at the scene despite efforts by emergency services. UK officials have not yet been contacted for assistance.

Bank holiday Monday could bring temperatures of up to 30 degrees across parts of the UK, with the Midlands expected to be hottest and Wales possibly seeing its warmest late August Bank Holiday on record.

The Met Office says the summer is on track to be one of the country’s hottest on record. But from Tuesday, the remnants of hurricane Erin are expected to bring wet and windy conditions first to Northern Ireland, then across much of the UK.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared a personal message from King Charles to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.

The monarch expressed what he called his “greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people,” adding that he hopes the UK and Ukraine can continue to work closely together to achieve what he described as a just and lasting peace.

In reply, President Zelenskyy said the King’s words were a true inspiration during what he called “the difficult time of war.”

Criminals could be banned from pubs, sports grounds and concerts under new government plans to toughen community sentences.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the measures should remind offenders that, under this government, “crime does not pay.” Judges would also be able to impose driving bans, travel restrictions and confine offenders to specific zones.

The rules would extend to prisoners released on licence, with drug testing widened to include all offenders, not just those with a history of substance misuse.

Police say a man in his twenties has died after a serious workplace accident at a funfair in Whitley Bay.

Emergency crews were called to the Spanish City Summer Funfair on Saturday afternoon. Paramedics, an ambulance crew and the air ambulance all attended, while an off-duty medic treated the man before he was taken to hospital. He later died from severe head injuries.

The government has unveiled plans to overhaul the asylum appeals system as part of efforts to reduce the number of migrants housed in hotels.

A new independent body will be set up to hear cases more quickly, staffed by adjudicators rather than judges. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the aim is to tackle unacceptable delays.

The move comes after a fresh wave of protests over asylum housing took place across the UK this weekend.