It is the biggest change to the justice system in 140 years. Magistrates are to be given powers to jail criminals for up to a year in an attempt to clear backlogs in the courts system.
Dominic Raab, the Justice Secretary, today announces the prison terms that magistrates can impose will double from the current maximum of six months – enabling them to try more serious offences such as assault, burglary, theft and fraud.
Read his article for The Telegraph, arguing that the change will free up judges to concentrate on major trials and speed up justice.
However, Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas reports warnings from leading barristers that it would lead to more people being jailed – piling pressure on prisons.
NHS to start sacking unvaccinated front-line staff
The NHS will begin sacking workers who have failed to have the Covid vaccine in just over two weeks’ time, new guidance reveals. All front-line staff are required to have had two jabs by April 1, meaning the first dose must have been administered by February 3. More than 80,000 NHS staff – six per cent of the workforce – remain unvaccinated, despite repeated efforts to boost uptake. Health Editor Laura Donnelly explains the details of how dismissal notices will start being issued.
After revelations about multiple Number 10 parties, a minister has declared that the Prime Minister “should set the highest standards” and warned that allegations have damaged trust in the Government. George Freeman, the business minister, told a constituent that people in power “shouldn’t seek to escape public responsibility or accountability”. The remarks came as Dominic Cummings claimed he was prepared to swear under oath that Boris Johnson “lied to Parliament about parties” at Downing Street. The former chief aide to Mr Johnson indicated he will “say more” about the issue only after a report by Sue Gray into alleged rule-breaching parties is published. The threat risks undermining Ms Gray’s report, which is expected to conclude between the end of this week and early next week. Can any leader survive the pandemic? From Australia to Israel, Fraser Nelson explores how the curse of Covid appears to kill off a politician’s chance of re-election.
Does Prince Harry just want to come home?
After both losing their honorary titles, it has emerged that the Dukes of York and Sussex will not be awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal like other members of the Armed Forces. It comes as the Duke of Sussex seeks a court review of his UK security arrangements, believing he and his family deserve enhanced police protection like “others who have left public office”. Celia Walden wonders if Prince Harry is trying to tell us he wants to come home, as she reads between the lines of his complaint.
Daily dose of Matt
View Matt‘s latest cartoon as he focuses on Sir Keir Starmer’s office drinking during lockdown.
Also in the news: Today’s other headlines
Ski death charge | A man has been charged with manslaughter after a five-year-old British girl was killed in a “high-speed” skiing crash in Switzerland. The 40-year-old was charged just over 48 hours after the accident. The child, thought to be from a British expat family who were on holiday at their second home near the Flaine resort, was part of a group lesson skiing on an easy “blue” slope when tragedy struck.
Around the world: Britain to send weapons to Ukraine
Britain will send defensive weapon systems to Ukraine for the first time to help deter a potential Russian attack, the Defence Secretary has announced. Ben Wallace said he would also invite Sergei Shoigu, his Russian counterpart, to talks in London in an effort to defuse an escalating crisis that has seen Russia threaten to attack Ukraine unless Nato delivers on a series of security guarantees. Roland Oliphant understands the UK will send next-generation light anti-tank weapons.
