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PRESS RELEASE : Domestic abusers to be marked and tracked in boost to victims’ safety [October 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 5 October 2026.

Victims and survivors of domestic abuse will be better protected as new measures come into force today (Monday 5 October), which require courts to make a formal record when domestic abuse was a factor in offending.
- For the first time, courts will formally record when an offence involved domestic abuse.
- New marker will help police, prisons and probation better identify and manage perpetrators and protect victims.
- Latest step in the government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls.
Victims and survivors of domestic abuse will be better protected as new measures come into force today (Monday 5 October), which require courts to make a formal record when domestic abuse was a factor in offending.

Domestic abuse is already recognised as an aggravating factor in a wide range of offences, such as assault or stalking, but until now there has been no consistent way to record this once an offender is convicted. This makes it harder to identify abusers; manage the risks they pose and identify patterns of repeat offending.

Under the new measures, the courts must now state in open court when an offence involved domestic abuse, creating for the first time a single, clear court record that can be shared across the criminal justice system. This will ensure perpetrators are identified and managed more effectively by enabling more tailored interventions to address abusive behaviour.

Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls and International Justice, Alex Davies-Jones said:

Too many victims have suffered because patterns of abusive behaviour have not always been recognised across the justice system.

This is an important step towards better identifying dangerous perpetrators, protecting victims and delivering on our commitment to halve violence against women and girls.”

Andrea Simon, London’s Victims’ Commissioner, said:

As a panel member of the Independent Sentencing Review, I was committed to ensuring domestic abuse flags were enshrined in law through the Sentencing Act. This is so the context of an offence could be formally recorded and protections for victims of abuse could be strengthened. I am therefore, pleased to see these measures being implemented in practice. Within the context of early prison releases, it is vital that justice agencies can effectively identify and respond to the risks posed by domestic abuse perpetrators and put the right interventions in place to protect victims from further harm.

Court flags will be shared with relevant partners and agencies, and be visible on police, probation and prison digital systems. This will give frontline staff a clearer picture of an offender’s history, helping them assess and manage risk effectively and better identify repeat domestic abuse offenders

More widely, victims are being supported through a new Victim Support helpline, funded as part of an £18 million support package, while the Prime Minister has blocked offenders convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming from benefiting from upcoming sentencing changes.

Victims will also be better protected through the expansion of electronic monitoring, including world-first restriction zones designed to keep the highest-risk offenders away from those they have harmed.

Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, said:

This marks a step change in our ability to track domestic abuse perpetrators through the criminal justice system – something I have long called for.

Not only will it enable us to better identify and respond to harmful behaviour, but it will also help ensure victims receive the right level of support they need, while giving us a clearer picture of how pervasive domestic abuse is within our justice system.

That insight is crucial if we are to better protect victims and hold perpetrators to account.

Further information
- The Judicial Finding of Domestic Abuse was introduced by the Sentencing Act 2026. It has also been included in the Criminal Procedure Rules, making it obligatory for the courts to implement. The judicial finding will apply when an offence involved domestic abuse (as defined by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021) carried out by the offender.
- The Judicial Finding of Domestic Abuse will only apply in the Criminal Court.
- The finding will be recorded as a formal court result at the point of sentencing.
- The reforms form part of wider action to improve outcomes for victims and survivors, including:
- Introduced domestic abuse specialists in 999 call centres in selected areas. Specialists can support first responders to assess the risk and make sure there is an appropriate response.
- The CPS and NPCC have launched the ‘Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan’, which brings police and prosecution expertise together – for a stronger, more co-ordinated approach to investigating and charging domestic abuse.
- Improved access to civil legal aid for domestic abuse victims by extending the equity disregard for the main residence.
- Expanding the Pathfinder pilots in family courts, which are helping to ensure that children’s voices are heard in each case, reducing their trauma, and providing more access to specialist support.
- The rollout of the Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas. This puts tough restrictions on abusers and can include orders for behaviour change programmes.
- Considering how to expand the use of specialist domestic abuse courts.
05/10/2026
NEWS STORY : Government Intervenes in BT Acquisition of TalkTalk Over Risks to Public Services

STORY

The Government has intervened in BT Group’s proposed acquisition of TalkTalk amid concerns that a collapse of the telecommunications company could disrupt essential telephone and broadband services. Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy has issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice under the Enterprise Act 2002, allowing the wider consequences of the deal to be considered alongside competition concerns.

TalkTalk has been seeking a buyer for its consumer and wholesale operations following a period of financial difficulty. The Government said its networks support emergency calls, hospital and ambulance communications, medical alarms and other critical services, including those used by vulnerable customers. Customers have been told that they do not need to take any action and that services should continue as normal while the acquisition process proceeds.

The Competition and Markets Authority has been instructed to report to Nandy by 19 October 2026. She will then be able to consider the public interest implications of the transaction, including public health, critical national infrastructure and the continuity of telecommunications services, as well as the CMA’s assessment of any competition issues. The Government also intends to place an order before Parliament adding continuity of telecommunications supply as a specific ground for intervention under the Enterprise Act.

05/10/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Supported housing residents to keep more of what they earn as new rules come into force [October 2026]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 5 October 2026.

More than 325,000 residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation will keep more of what they earn when they take up work or increase their hours.
- New rules coming into force today will end the “cliff edge” loss of income faced by residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation when they increase their working hours.
- Comes as part of the Government’s wider plan to move from a welfare state to a working state, including a £3.5 billion investment in employment support and the biggest youth employment reforms in a generation to create almost one million opportunities for young people.
More than 325,000 residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation will no longer face a drop in income when increasing their working hours, under new rules coming into force today [Monday 5 October 2026].

Under the system inherited by this Government, people living in supported housing and temporary accommodation often received help with their day-to-day living costs through Universal Credit, while support for their rent was paid separately through Housing Benefit.

The two systems had different rules about how much someone could earn before their benefits started to be reduced and for people receiving Housing Benefit, those rules were less generous than for people whose support was provided entirely through Universal Credit.

As a result, some residents who moved into work or increased their hours could see their Housing Benefit reduced more quickly, leaving them worse off despite earning more. In some cases, the fear of losing support with housing costs acted as a disincentive to take on work. This created a cliff edge that trapped people on benefits rather than supporting them into work and financial independence.

The reforms will help make sure that people living in supported housing and temporary accommodation, including nearly 50,000 young people who are starting out in employment, are better rewarded for taking up work or increasing their hours.

As part of the Government’s commitment to move from a welfare state to a working state, the regulations change how Housing Benefit is calculated so it aligns with Universal Credit, strengthening work incentives for more than 325,000 residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

People should never have to choose between keeping a roof over their head or being able to work. But the system has been rigged against some of the very people trying their hardest to get on, particularly young people starting out, who are being left worse off for earning more.

We’re putting that right through a common-sense change that will help people keep more of what they earn. This is what progressive welfare reform looks like: helping people into work and giving families the security and breathing space they need to get on. That’s how we make Britain better off.

Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said:

For too long, the system has been doing the opposite of what it should: it discouraged some of the most vulnerable residents from working rather than helping them into jobs.

We’re putting that right, so that residents keep more of their earnings, and so that working more hours leaves people better off than staying on benefits.

This is a promise from our Autumn Budget now being put into action, and it’s part of a much bigger effort to overhaul a welfare system that has trapped too many people in dependency for too long. We’re building a system that rewards work and lets people hold on to more of what they earn, while continuing to protect those who need it most.

Homelessness Minister, Florence Eshalomi, said:

We’re investing over £4 billion to end homelessness for good, and employment is an important step in many people’s recovery. This is a crucial intervention that supports this mission – helping people into secure work or increase their earnings from work, in turn building lasting independence.

We’ll continue to support people in temporary accommodation by ensuring that safe, stable placements are available to all who need them, tackling the unlawful use of B&Bs for families and improving access to vital support services.

Today’s rules come alongside previous steps to help people on disability benefits who want to work into work. We have rebalanced Universal Credit to tackle the perverse incentives that discourage work, while giving sick and disabled people support, they were denied under the previous government and introduced the Right to Try so people can try work without fear of immediate reassessment.

Seyi Obakin, Chief Executive Officer at Centrepoint said:

This is a landmark win for young people, and we commend the government for getting this change over the line. For too long young people in supported housing, particularly those at the start of their careers, have had their ambitions blocked by a system that punished them for working harder.

Young people told us that they often felt “trapped,” unable to increase their hours, change jobs or even build savings without feeling immediately worse off, as the cost of living, rents and utility bills continued to rise. From 5th October a young person living in supported housing will keep far more of what they earn, so their extra hours will finally add up. The changes will mean most young people will not experience the stark financial cliff edge they once faced.

Young people will be free to take on more work, chase their career goals and build the futures they want. This is what it looks like when the system works for young people, and we are hugely grateful to everyone who made it happen.

Emma Haddad, CEO at St Mungo’s CEO said:

St Mungo’s has long campaigned for this change, so we absolutely welcome this landmark moment in removing barriers to work for people living in supported accommodation.

For many people, work is a way to build up financial resilience and independence and supports with maintaining and sustaining a home. But for people living in supported housing, work has often felt out of reach. It is reasonable for benefits to reduce as earnings rise; however, the system that is being replaced withdrew support so sharply that people were left worse off by working more. We have seen heart-breaking cases where people had to choose between earning and keeping their accommodation because of this perverse anomaly in the benefits system.

Hundreds of people who St Mungo’s supports benefit from our learning, training and employment services so that they can improve their skills and confidence before entering the world of work. This change will allow more people to use their skills, which we know has positive impacts on their health and wellbeing and increases connection with communities, all of which are vital steps in the recovery from homelessness.

These measures come alongside an investment of £3.5 billion in employment support for sick or disabled people to end the culture of people being signed off and written off, including personalised support to help 300,000 people into work via the Connect to Work programme.

Additional information
- The Housing Benefit (Earned Income Disregards) Regulations 2026 were laid before parliament on 6th July 2026 and come into force on 5 October 2026.
- Five new earned income disregards are being introduced for working-age Housing Benefit claimants in supported housing and temporary accommodation.
- Disregard values will be updated annually. No group is made worse off by this change; any variation in the immediate financial gain reflects how existing Universal Credit and Housing Benefit tapers already operate.
05/10/2026
NEWS STORY : Lee Edwards and Craig Forshaw Jailed for Burglary Committed During Family Funeral

STORY

Lee Edwards and Craig Forshaw have each been sentenced to 18 months in prison after burgling a fish and chip shop and the home above it in Hindley while the family attended a funeral. The two men were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after targeting the property on 26 June 2026, the day of owner Brian Warburton’s funeral.

The premises were ransacked and £5,000, morphine and ten older mobile phones were stolen. The phones contained photographs, videos and recordings of Mr Warburton and the family, including memories of his partner Denise’s only son, a serving soldier who had been killed. In a victim impact statement, Denise said the offenders had taken memories, security and peace from the family at an exceptionally vulnerable time.

Greater Manchester Police said CCTV footage and witness statements identifying Edwards and Forshaw formed part of the evidence gathered during the investigation. Constable Richard Kelsall described the burglary as a despicable act and said he hoped the sentences would help the family rebuild their lives. The force reported that burglaries across the Wigan district had fallen by 35 per cent during the previous year.

05/10/2026
NEWS STORY : Green Party Crisis Deepens as Head of Jewish Greens Considers Quitting Over ‘Zionism Is Racism’ Vote

STORY

The head of Jewish Greens has said she may leave the Green Party following its decision to adopt a policy equating Zionism with racism. Vivien Lichtenstein said the motion was unhelpful and that she would speak to colleagues before deciding whether to remain in the party. The policy was approved at the party’s annual conference by 1,022 votes to 813.

The dispute has also led to criticism of Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who missed the vote and encouraged supporters to campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary by election instead. Polanski had unsuccessfully requested that the conference be postponed so the party could concentrate on the campaign, while some members believe greater involvement from the leader could have prevented the motion from passing.

Four of the Green Party’s five MPs opposed the motion, which states that Zionism should be treated as a form of racism and supports the establishment of a single Palestinian state with equal rights for all. Some Jewish members have expressed concern that the policy could affect their involvement with organisations supporting Israel’s continued existence, although supporters of the motion have said this would not happen. Party members are also reportedly considering a legal challenge under equality legislation.

05/10/2026
NEWS STORY : Government Abandons Wider Plans for Judge Only Crown Court Trials

STORY

The Government has abandoned plans for some criminal trials to be heard by a judge without a jury following opposition to the proposed reforms. Justice Secretary Alex Norris said he had heard the strength of feeling surrounding the plans and had decided to change course, meaning that juries will continue to hear more serious cases in the Crown Court.

Judge only trials will still be permitted for lengthy and technically complex fraud and financial cases. Magistrates will also be given the power to impose longer sentences, while courts rather than defendants will have the final decision over where relatively minor cases are heard. The Government said this would prevent defendants from electing a Crown Court jury trial in an attempt to delay proceedings or avoid imprisonment.

The revised measures will be added to the Courts and Tribunals Bill when it returns to the House of Commons on 13 October. Nearly 81,000 Crown Court cases are awaiting resolution, with almost a third having been outstanding for at least a year. Ministers have also proposed greater use of virtual hearings, artificial intelligence to assist with case listings and additional resources for judges, alongside an independent review of the effects of the structural reforms on ethnic minorities and people from different backgrounds.

05/10/2026
Alex Norris – 2026 Comments on Scrapping Judge Only Trials

The comments made by Alex Norris, the Justice Secretary, on 4 October 2026.

This government inherited criminal courts on the brink of collapse, with victims waiting years for their day in court. I remain committed to bringing down the backlog and delivering swifter justice for those who so desperately need it. But I have heard the strength of feeling on the proposals for increasing the number of judge-alone trials in the Crown Court and have made the decision to change course.

This allows us to start that work far earlier, ensuring that under this Government we do not have victims waiting endlessly for justice.

Justice delayed is justice denied, and I am committed to maximising efficiencies in our system alongside record investment. I remain committed to structural reform which is crucial if we are to bring down the backlog.

05/10/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Justice reforms to be rolled out faster as Justice Secretary sets out changes to Courts Bill [October 2026]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 4 October 2026.

Victims will get the fast and fair justice they deserve under changes to court reforms, the Justice Secretary has announced today.
- Plans for some criminal trials to be heard by judge alone to be scrapped under changes to court reforms
- Wider changes to criminal courts to cut the record number of cases waiting to be heard will be fast-tracked
- ‘Victims will not be waiting endlessly for justice’ Justice Secretary pledges
Plans for some criminal trials to be heard by judge alone will be scrapped, meaning more serious cases will continue to be heard in front of a jury, keeping juries the cornerstone of British justice.

This will mean the Justice Secretary can be fully focussed on fast-tracking the broader changes needed to drive down the record number of cases waiting years to be heard – fixing a crisis that is leaving too many victims in limbo before they see their perpetrator in the dock.

Millions will be invested in new technology to modernise the outdated courts and slash inefficiencies, judges will be given the resources they need to hear more cases, and vital structural reforms will deliver a court system fit for the 21st Century.

This will give magistrates the power to hand out longer sentences, meaning the courts can deal with cases quicker and get victims justice faster.

Technical and lengthy fraud and financial offences will be allowed to be heard by a judge alone, freeing up jurors from the personal and financial burdens created by complex, months-long trials.

And courts will have the final say over where cases should be heard, preventing criminals accused of relatively minor crimes trying to game the system by electing a jury trial in an attempt to avoid prison.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Norris, said: 

This government inherited criminal courts on the brink of collapse, with victims waiting years for their day in court. I remain committed to bringing down the backlog and delivering swifter justice for those who so desperately need it. But I have heard the strength of feeling on the proposals for increasing the number of judge-alone trials in the Crown Court and have made the decision to change course.

This allows us to start that work far earlier, ensuring that under this Government we do not have victims waiting endlessly for justice.

Justice delayed is justice denied, and I am committed to maximising efficiencies in our system alongside record investment. I remain committed to structural reform which is crucial if we are to bring down the backlog.

The changes announced today will be made to the Courts and Tribunals Bill, due back in Parliament later this month.

When it returns, the government will also make a statutory commitment to consider any impacts of the structural reforms on ethnic minorities and people of different backgrounds, led by an independent reviewer.

Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC said: 

Justice delayed is justice denied. We must take action to bring down the backlog using every lever we have. That’s why we will set out, in our response to Lord Leveson’s report, the steps we are taking to make the courts more efficient.  

Whether that is using AI to support the listing of cases, rolling out further virtual hearings, or taking steps to ensure defendants arrive to court on time, we will turn the tide and deliver the swifter justice victims deserve.

Today’s announcement comes just weeks after new figures confirmed the backlog in the Crown Court had reached a record high. Nearly 81,000 cases are now stuck waiting for justice and of these almost a third had been waiting for a year or longer.  

No single measure can fix years of underinvestment and decades where the system has not kept up with the pace of change. That is why the government is doing all it can to get victims fairer, faster justice – long-term reform, underpinned by vital efficiency and record investment.

Notes to editors:
- The Government will publish its full response to both parts of Lord Leveson’s review in the coming weeks. 
- The Bill will return to the House of Commons on 13 October.
05/10/2026
NEWS STORY : Joint Expeditionary Force Ministers Agree Deeper Cooperation With Ukraine and Canada

STORY

Defence ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force have agreed to deepen Ukraine’s involvement in the organisation and strengthen military activity across northern Europe. The ministers met at Keflavik Air Base in Iceland to discuss support for Ukraine, security in the Baltic Sea and High North, and the development of closer cooperation with NATO.

Ukraine participated in the JEF’s Lion Protector exercise for the first time this year, with Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels operating alongside forces from member countries. Ministers said that the exercise had improved interoperability and allowed participating nations to learn from Ukraine’s experience of modern warfare. They reaffirmed their support for the JEF Ukraine Enhanced Partnership and agreed to increase Ukrainian participation in future activities.

Ministers also discussed Canada’s application to join the JEF and agreed to continue work on a recommendation for national leaders. They reviewed Russian sabotage and other hybrid activity against NATO members, while stating that the organisation did not seek confrontation with Russia. Further work will examine defence industry cooperation, military innovation and the alignment of JEF response plans with NATO’s regional operations.

05/10/2026
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement from Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force [October 2026]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 October 2026.

Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and Allies met at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, today (02 October) to advance the JEF’s role as a key pillar of European and Euro-Atlantic security.

Defence Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and Allies met at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, today (02 October) to advance the JEF’s role as a key pillar of European and Euro-Atlantic security. Following guidance from Leaders at the Helsinki Summit in March, Ministers agreed upon further action across the JEF’s key priorities.

1. Reinforcing steadfast support to Ukraine through ambitious delivery of the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership.

The JEF Nations remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine. In 2025, the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership was established to deepen cooperation and strengthen collective security. Today, Defence Minister Khamara virtually joined JEF counterparts to mark the successful ongoing delivery of that Partnership. This year, for the first time, Ukraine participated in the JEF’s flagship Lion Protector exercise, with Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels operating alongside JEF forces to strengthen interoperability, enabling the JEF to benefit from Ukraine’s unrivalled operational experience of modern warfare. Defence Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Partnership and agreed to deepen Ukraine’s involvement in JEF activities.

2. To further leverage the JEF’s specific geographical focus and collective expertise in operating in the Arctic, High North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea regions to strengthen NATO’s northern flank

Defence Ministers reaffirmed that the Baltic Sea region, the High North, and the North Atlantic remain the JEF’s core and interconnected area of strategic interest. Joined by Canadian Defence Minister McGuinty, Ministers discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation between the JEF and Canada, noted Canada’s application to join the Framework, and advanced work towards a shared recommendation to JEF Leaders on Canadian membership.

Ministers also agreed the JEF’s overarching policy direction and a common framework for structuring engagement with partners.

3. To further increase the JEF’s deterrence and peacetime activity.

Defence Ministers received an update on the Lion Protector series, conducted across Iceland and Norway this autumn, and welcomed its synchronisation with the UK’s Carrier Strike Group. Ministers reviewed the JEF’s five-year programme of activity and welcomed continued efforts to strengthen coherence with NATO, including work to align JEF response options with NATO regional plans.

Ministers discussed Russia’s hybrid activity against JEF nations and other NATO Allies and agreed to continue developing common approaches through JEF mechanisms. Despite Russia’s unacceptable acts of sabotage against JEF Nations and other Allies, they are resolved to improving our individual and collective preparedness to defend against these threats and will not be deterred from supporting Ukraine. Ministers reiterate that JEF nations do not seek confrontation and pose no threat to Russia, but Russia should be in no doubt that we will defend ourselves.

Ministers also reviewed progress on defence industrial cooperation following two meetings of JEF National Armaments Directors since the Ankara Summit. They welcomed the pace of work to identify practical opportunities for collaboration and the importance of delivering tangible outcomes. Ministers reaffirmed the need for collaboration in reinforcing interoperability, advancing capability innovation, and strengthening shared industrial resilience. Ministers looked forward to receiving concrete proposals ahead of their next meeting. The Single Services continue to deepen military engagement within the JEF, including through work on the Northern Navies concept, in support of the JEF’s five-year exercise plan.

Finally, Ministers reaffirmed the JEF’s vital contribution to a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO. They highlighted the JEF’s unique role below the threshold of Article V, delivering agile and credible responses to emerging challenges while complementing NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Ministers directed further work to demonstrate the JEF’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and ensure the Framework continues to meet the evolving needs of our collective security.

Ministers thanked Iceland for hosting the next JEF Leaders’ Summit in Reykjavik next spring.

05/10/2026