The UK government's revised early release scheme to address prison overcrowding has sparked outrage after it was confirmed that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, convicted of manslaughter for the 2019 death of PC Andrew Harper, will be eligible for release next year after serving half of their 13-year sentences. The decision has prompted a public petition with over 440,000 signatures, criticism from MPs, and threats of legal action from Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg and the Police Federation. The government defends the policy as necessary to avert a prison capacity crisis, but critics argue that manslaughter convicts with high culpability should be excluded.

Background: The UK has been experiencing a prolonged summer heatwave, with drought declared across more than half of England and all of Wales, record-low rainfall, and hosepipe bans affecting over 20 million people. Today: New warnings from farmers and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) indicate the UK's cereals and oilseed harvest could be the worst since records began in 1984, dropping to 19.5 million tonnes and costing £390m in lost revenue. Consumers face 'shrinkflation' as supermarkets offer smaller vegetables at the same price or higher prices, and grocers are already importing produce like broccoli and iceberg lettuce from Spain in August, which is 'unheard of' according to Tim O'Malley, chairman of Nationwide Produce. The drought, with England and Wales experiencing their driest July since records began 190 years ago, is devastating crop yields and quality. England received just 7% of average rainfall, with southern England as low as 1%. Farmers report a 'massive reduction in yield and major quality issues', with Martin Lines of the Nature Friendly Farming Network calling the harvest 'a real kick in the teeth' and noting even climate sceptics are worried about the future. These developments prompt calls for government action to secure water and food supplies.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has brought into force new guidance in England, Wales, and Scotland that requires single-sex spaces such as toilets and changing rooms to be organized based on biological sex, following a Supreme Court ruling. The guidance applies to a wide range of public facilities and services, and while it warns against discrimination against transgender people, it directs them to use gender-neutral facilities or those matching their biological sex. The move has sparked opposition from trans-rights groups and some local authorities, while sex-based rights campaigners welcome the clarity. Legal challenges are anticipated.

The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents in the UK in the first half of 2026, a 21% increase from the same period last year and the second-highest total ever recorded. The rise includes arson attacks on Jewish organisations and a terrorist-designated stabbing. The CST attributes the increase partly to the ongoing Middle East conflict, with 41% of incidents referencing Israel, Palestine, or Hamas. Policing Minister Sarah Jones condemned the figures, while the government announced a record £250m investment in policing Jewish neighbourhoods.

Reform UK announced a policy to fine companies 10% of global revenues and imprison bosses who employ illegal migrant workers, even if unaware of the worker's status. The proposal, dubbed the 'Deliveroo law', targets delivery and gig economy companies. It would make chief executives and directors personally and criminally liable, similar to FCA rules. Reform also proposed a public reporting phone line with rewards for successful prosecutions. The Home Office responded that it is already increasing penalties, with illegal working arrests up 83% and raids up 77% since Labour came to power, calling some proposals 'empty posturing'.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, facing fiscal constraints, is considering additional measures to reduce household energy bills beyond the VAT cut already announced. Options include shifting more green levies to general taxation, moving the gas standing charge to the unit rate, and writing off electricity debt. Specifically, shifting additional green levies from electricity bills to general taxation could save £42 per year at a cost of £1.7 billion annually for a decade. Moving the gas standing charge onto the unit rate could save £22 per year at no cost to the government, while a one-off write-off of electricity debt could save £130 per year but cost £2.7 billion. Analysts warn that savings may be offset by rising wholesale gas prices due to the Iran-US conflict, and that no single large intervention can significantly reduce bills, leading to a 'salami slicing' approach. The government has not yet decided on the final package, and any measures must be funded from already-pressured departmental budgets. Decisions are expected before the fall budget.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, support for Ukraine, and Gaza. Miliband avoided reporters' questions about his past remarks calling President Trump a 'racist' and 'misogynistic'. The meeting was their second after a prior encounter in the Philippines. Miliband emphasized the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as Britain's number one priority, citing economic pressures at home. The talks also covered standing with Ukraine against Russia's war and addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

A 47-year-old woman was arrested after four men were stabbed in Covent Garden, central London, in an incident police believe was mental health-related and isolated. The victims, aged 34 to 52, were taken to hospital; two remain with non-life-threatening injuries and two have been discharged. The woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault. Police responded within minutes and a visible presence remains in the area.