{"id":4792,"date":"2025-12-18T11:50:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T11:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=4792"},"modified":"2025-12-18T11:50:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T11:50:00","slug":"labour-warned-plan-to-jail-fewer-offenders-undermines-strategy-to-protect-women-and-girls-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=4792","title":{"rendered":"Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls &#8211; UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Sentencing bill plan for fewer offenders to go to jail will undermine VAWG strategy, victims&#8217; commissioner claims<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here are some more extracts from the statement about the VAWG strategy issued by <strong>Claire Waxman<\/strong>, the incoming victims\u2019 commissioner for England and Wales. Here comments about funding were quoted at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8#block-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">9.25am<\/a>. But other points are worth noting.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Waxman says that, while elements of the plan are welcome, it remains to be seen if, overall, it will provide what is needed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">While many individual initiatives are welcome, it remains to be seen whether the overall Strategy provides the scale, pace, and leadership required to match the government\u2019s ambition &#8211; and truly tackle this emergency.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>In terms of specific measures, the national rollout of the Child House model &#8211; pioneered by Lighthouse in London &#8211; is a welcome step I have long called for. It marks vital progress towards delivering on the recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There is more about the Child House model <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/child-sexual-abuse-child-house\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>, and more on the Lighthouse <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelighthouse-london.org.uk\/about-page\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>She also welcomes the expansion of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.npcc.police.uk\/our-work\/violence-against-women-and-girls\/operation-soteria\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> Operation Soteria<\/a>, a police\/CPS partnership to improve the prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I also welcome initiatives such as the expansion of Operation Soteria to reduce the re-traumatisation too many victims experience in the trial process. Long after my 2019 rape review, \u2018end-to-end\u2019 reform of the justice system for serious sexual offences is finally in sight &#8211; but only if the government now delivers on its commitment to independent legal advice for rape survivors, and tackles the long waits for justice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Without clear, sustainable investment and cross-government leadership, I am concerned we run the risk of the Strategy amounting to less than the sum of its parts; a wish-list of tactical measures rather than a bold, unifying strategic framework.<\/p>\n<p>The Sentencing Bill underlines this lack of cohesion. Victims need confidence that the system will protect them, yet under the proposals in the bill, the reality is that many abusers will avoid prison entirely or benefit from early release &#8211; undermining the very safety this Strategy seeks to guarantee.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd#block-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-18T10:04:28.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 18 December 2025 at 10:04 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.04 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><label for=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-button\" class=\"dcr-zw7tgl\"><span id=\"svgminus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1 10.75v2.5h22v-2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span id=\"svgplus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m10.8 13.2.425 9.8h1.525l.45-9.8 9.8-.45v-1.525l-9.8-.425-.45-9.8h-1.525l-.425 9.8-9.8.425v1.525z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943e7f98f089fd88bc157c5&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Severin Carrell is the Guardian\u2019s Scotland editor.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4cebf777-d2c3-49d8-905e-0710fae395eb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ash Regan&lt;\/strong&gt;, a former Scottish National party minister who defected to Alex Salmond\u2019s nationalist party Alba, faces a two-day suspension from the Scottish parliament for breaching its code of conduct in a row over gender recognition.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1e947f3e-2e6d-41e9-b3f3-58516f7c8724&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Holyrood\u2019s standards committee has recommended Regan, who&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cre5g13zljqo\\&quot;&gt; now sits as an independent &lt;\/a&gt;after quitting Alba some months after losing a leadership contest, be suspended on a Wednesday and Thursday \u2013 its busiest two days. That needs to be approved by a full vote in parliament, after the Christmas recess.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7c47fd08-b769-4942-949a-5896999eab04&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;It ruled she had breached the MSP\u2019s code by posting a claim on the social media site X which attacked the Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman, over remarks Chapman made about the UK supreme court ruling on the definition of woman.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;cb8d7240-70d6-4b47-ab60-12d47e18485e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Chapman has been one of Holyrood\u2019s most vociferous supporters of trans rights; Regan is one of its most vociferous gender critical activists.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e506ed43-014e-4833-82a5-c5dc7aa9f15d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Regan said on X: \u201cI\u2019ve formally reported Maggie Chapman MSP to the presiding officer and standards committee following her dangerous dismissal of the supreme court\u2019s ruling on the Equality Act as a \u2018political attack\u2019. MSPs have a duty to uphold the law, not undermine it.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5b89f476-f00c-4216-a481-28383106f937&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;After considering a report from Holyrood\u2019s ethics commissioner, the committee &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.parliament.scot\/msps\/code-of-conduct\/section-9-enforcement-of-the-rules#topOfNav\\&quot;&gt;unanimously agreed&lt;\/a&gt; this was a breach of part 9.1 of the code of conduct, which bars MSPs from disclosing, communicating or discussing complaints about other MSPs before a report on that complaint has been published.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;76b6be6b-5190-4983-8eef-0607a4b665e8&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766057977000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.39\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766058169000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766058169000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.42\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.42&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ash Regan faces two-day suspension from Holyrood over code of conduct breach during gender recognition row&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Severin Carrell&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/contributor\/2007\/09\/28\/severin_carrell_140x140.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=268fdbe82024e185350f606ad4a8e90b&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943e5608f0865651e79118b&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In interviews last week, Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, played down the prospect of the UK following Australia and banning under-16s from having their own social media accounts. She did not rule out the idea, but she said &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/10\/pmqs-latest-news-updates-rachel-reeves-treasury-committee-keir-starmer-kemi-badenoch?page=with%3Ablock-693939a08f0865dd983a95ea#block-693939a08f0865dd983a95ea\\&quot;&gt;she did not believe it would be easy to enforce&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f257520e-3841-4361-ae46-4772fe12265e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But, in her interviews this morning, &lt;strong&gt;Jess Phillips&lt;\/strong&gt;, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls (VAWG) sounded much more positive about the Australian experience, saying the government would consider it \u201cvery closely\u201d. She told Times Radio:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7db725e9-b8b2-4a55-a1f9-944637488208&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;What I would say is that you cannot have a violence against women and girls policy that doesn\u2019t look at the online environment, or certainly one that looks at misogyny and the behaviours of boys who grow into men without looking at an online world \u2026&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The government will be looking very, very closely at what is happening in Australia, and we would always take the best of what is available around the world with regard to the safety and security of children.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e313c085-a01d-45c6-af50-9d34d5dfb511&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But Phillips also said the UK had been a \u201ctrailblazer\u201d for online safety.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a259b2b5-2458-4241-b215-f39d87608caa&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Today, when the full policies are announced in the violence against women and girls strategy, you will see that online harm, online harms to children, are very, very much part of that.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f089ce21-9f7e-406f-b92a-43bc6063118d&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766057312000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.28\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766057931000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.38\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766057910000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.38\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.38&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;VAWG minister Jess Phillips says UK will consider results of Australia's social media ban for under-16s 'very closely'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943e4ad8f089fd88bc15782&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The employment rights bill has received royal assent, which means it is now the Employment Rights Act and it is law, &lt;strong&gt;Lindsay Hoyle&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Speaker, told the Commons this morning. &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; MPs cheered when they heard the news.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;75a7c682-f425-4dfd-b0c2-620224485918&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766057133000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.25\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766057264000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.27\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766057264000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.27\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.27&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;MPs cheer as speaker tells them employment rights bill has received royal assent&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943e3f88f08a8a54efc46d9&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Richard Adams is the Guardian\u2019s education editor.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;47e038fc-761d-4232-b73d-e80ec1972f44&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The British public supports the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2025\/dec\/17\/eu-erasmus-scheme-reopen-uk-students-first-time-since-brexit\\&quot;&gt;government\u2019s decision to rejoin the Erasmus youth education and work experience programme&lt;\/a&gt;, according to snap polling released by YouGov.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;df8d86fa-4580-4c19-85a9-d231abd129a4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/yougov.co.uk\/topics\/society\/survey-results\/daily\/2025\/12\/17\/0ab95\/1\\&quot;&gt;pollsters asked 7,300 adults&lt;\/a&gt; about one element of the scheme \u2013 UK students spending \u201ca year at European universities as part of their UK degrees courses without paying extra fees, and vice versa for European students\u201d \u2013 and found that 65% would support it and only 12% were opposed, while 22% answered \u201cdon\u2019t know\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6ce8075a-d26f-41eb-b789-08e73ad7bc50&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The good news for the government is that younger people aged 18 to 24 \u2013 those most likely to take part \u2013 were even more enthusiastic.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6e43fdea-bee1-4032-bf09-29419c98944d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;However the question didn\u2019t note the \u00a3570m cost to the UK for one years\u2019 membership, which shadow education secretary Laura Trott &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/x.com\/LauraTrottMP\/status\/2001278652135129459\\&quot;&gt;described as \u201cnuts\u201d&lt;\/a&gt;. It also didn\u2019t mention that the Erasmus+ programme includes far more than university students: before the UK left in 2020 &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/assets\/eac\/factsheets\/pdf\/uk-erasmus-plus-2020-in-numbers.pdf\\&quot;&gt;schools were its most active participants&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;20412322-e651-428e-8b2a-89fcfb41c773&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The question\u2019s mention of studying \u201cwithout paying extra fees\u201d suggests that the higher education element will operate as it did prior to 2020, although that remains to be set out, according to university leaders.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;031d014a-7328-42e8-b5da-f1d671d23e41&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766056952000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.22\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766057059000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766057059000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.24\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Voters overwhelmingly favour UK rejoining Erasmus student exchange scheme, poll suggests&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Richard Adams&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/pictures\/2008\/06\/05\/richardadams_140x140.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5c5675c87c18e33448b37bf600f99ba4&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943de6b8f086bb6dbbb25ef&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The crown court backlog in England and Wales has risen to nearly 80,000 cases in a new record high, PA Media reports. PA says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;77c36e97-8caa-4363-ba3d-b7bc703ce58a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Data &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/criminal-court-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2025\/criminal-court-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2025\\&quot;&gt;published this morning&lt;\/a&gt; showed the open caseload was 79,619 at the end of September, up 2% from 78,096 at the end of June.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;It is also up 9% from the same point a year earlier, according to Ministry of Justice figures.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The number of cases open for a year or more passed 20,000 for the first time at 20,155 at the end of September, which is up 25% year on year and up 6% from the end of June.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Open caseload refers to the number of outstanding cases.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Ministry of Justice projections published earlier this month suggested the crown court backlog could reach a high estimate of 125,000 by the end of this parliament under current conditions. &lt;strong&gt;David Lammy&lt;\/strong&gt;, the deputy PM and justice secretary, says his plans to limit jury trials will help to reduce this.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ed275ab3-e868-4592-acdb-8ee60b6daf8e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Commenting on the figures today, Lammy said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9c6ef09f-b110-4e58-84ab-b0e6d6f83dd3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This Government inherited a system on the brink of collapse.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Victims\u2019 lives are being put on hold as cases are kicked several years into the future.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The scale of this crisis means tinkering at the edges is not enough. 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court backlog figures for England and Wales&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Crown court backlog figures for England and Wales&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: MoJ&quot;}}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766055531000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.58\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766055842000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.04\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766055842000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.04\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.04&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Crown court backlog for England and Wales rises to almost 80,000&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943d5168f08b7c73ed63533&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kemi Badenoch&lt;\/strong&gt; has vowed to scrap green spending to pay for a multibillion-pound fund to rearm the UK, PA Media report. PA says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9e3ec6c7-e5e9-4755-ac18-a0c6290a6644&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Accusing Labour of failing to invest in the UK\u2019s armed forces, the Conservative leader has proposed reallocating \u00a317bn to \u201caccelerate\u201d Britain\u2019s \u201cwar readiness\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;She said: \u201cWe must ensure our armed forces are equipped and ready to defend our country, because defence of the realm must be the first priority of any government.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The money includes \u00a311bn from the national wealth fund that is currently allocated to net zero projects, with the fund itself turned into a new national defence and resilience bank.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Another \u00a36bn over three years would be taken from the government\u2019s research and development budget and given to the Ministry of Defence to invest in new technology.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Alongside investment from the private sector, the Tories said they expected their plan to mobilise \u00a350bn for defence.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Shadow defence secretary &lt;strong&gt;James Cartlidge&lt;\/strong&gt; said the money would \u201cdeliver the drone revolution our armed forces require\u201d and create a \u201cmore lethal\u201d military.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;As well as investing in UK defence firms, the money is expected to be used to build more resilient supply chains, reducing Britain\u2019s reliance on \u201chostile states\u201d such as China.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Labour has previously pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027 and to 3% by the end of the decade.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;01533aa0-9ce9-4278-8a75-25182bda2965&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Tories claim that, together, these measures would fund a \u00a350b \u201csovereign defence fund\u201d. In a briefing, this is how they explain it.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2f370a52-1838-44bb-8177-bdf33bd061fd&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-\u00a36bn (\u00a32bn per annum over the course of this parliament) would be reallocated from the Research and Development (R&amp;D) budget in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to the MOD. It is well known that defence technology and innovation can have spillover effects into other sectors, like communications and transport, causing a multiplier effect.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-\u00a311bn ringfenced from the national wealth fund (NWF) \u2013 which will become the national defence and resilience bank (NDRB). This funding is currently allocated to many of Ed Miliband\u2019s costly eco-projects. We would leave the remainder of financing in the fund for national resilience like water and transport.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;-Approximately \u00a333bnn of private finance via NDRB mobilisation. The existing NWF target of mobilising \u00a33 of private investment for every \u00a31 of public investment would remain for the SDF \u2013 so this could unlock tens of billions of pounds in private investment.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dc016e86-3d13-4f63-82ed-dda19671baf0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In response, a &lt;strong&gt;Labour party spokesperson&lt;\/strong&gt; said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3d19714b-5735-430a-bbb4-9c6445132efe&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The Tories are gaslighting the British public on defence.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;These are yet more fantasy figures from a Conservative party that cut defence by \u00a312bn in their first five years in power. Look at their record: their time in office starved our forces of funding, drove down morale and left Britain less safe. They did it before, and they\u2019d do it again.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2bf99bfa-b7cf-4c29-b86a-188cf7bbcab4&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766053142000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.19\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766053649000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.27\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766053649000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.27\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.27&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Tories propose re-allocating \u00a317bn in government spending for defence, mostly from net zero projects&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943d2468f082cfe460266f0&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Almost 40 &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; MPs have signed an open letter to Keir Starmer describing the government\u2019s plans to limit access to jury trials as madness.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c37484e1-bd53-4c2c-8dac-149a5d1d8984&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/x.com\/KarlTurnerMP\/status\/2001339480314446106\\&quot;&gt;the letter&lt;\/a&gt;, organised by &lt;strong&gt;Karl Turner&lt;\/strong&gt;, who is normally a loyalist, the MPs say:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ea8fb162-ba4e-4a8a-a3f0-da4d915ff758&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The drastic restriction of the right to trial by jury is not a silver bullet. 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by Labour MPs condeming plan to limit trial by jury&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Letter by Labour MPs condeming plan to limit trial by jury&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Karl Turner&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The government has a working majority of 167 and so, even if all 39 MPs who have signed the letter were to vote against the government when it legislates for its plans next year, they would not be enough to see it defeated.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2fcc1413-dc18-4513-b1ea-b25559a9462a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But there are other Labour MPs who share the concerns of this group, and the government is already under strong pressure to a sunset clause on the plans \u2013 meaning the jury trial restrictions were time-limited for just a few years \u2013 as a compromise.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;707d70da-c9da-4bc1-b48c-fd1015261be2&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ben Quinn&lt;\/strong&gt; has more on the story here.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5d5bff5b-5c90-47ad-9b35-c8726f4fc194&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Labour MPs revolt over \u2018madness\u2019 of jury-scrapping plans&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3bc98b11-70b6-41b8-81e6-7a949fb5d567&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/law\/2025\/dec\/18\/jury-scrapping-plans-are-madness-labour-mps-tell-starmer&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766052422000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.07\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766053054000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.17\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766053054000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.17\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.17&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour MPs denounce plan to limit jury trials as 'madness' and likely to 'cause more problems than it solves'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943d1d08f08b7c73ed63512&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Schools have warned of growing misogyny from pupils towards teachers and a lack of avenues to seek help about concerns over sexually aggressive behaviour, &lt;strong&gt;Jess Phillips&lt;\/strong&gt;, the VAWG minister, has said. &lt;strong&gt;Jessica Elgot&lt;\/strong&gt; has the story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4ec688d6-b76e-49ec-9b24-e5151f09a98d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Schools in England warning of rise in misogyny towards teachers, says Phillips&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;42e93e41-b7d9-4ca2-81e5-1a418c7cf228&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/dec\/18\/schools-england-rise-misogyny-towards-teachers-jess-phillips&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766052304000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.05\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766052357000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.05\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766052358000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.05\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.05&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Schools in England warning of rise in misogyny towards teachers, says Phillips&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943cd498f082cfe460266bd&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here are some more extracts from the statement about the VAWG strategy issued by &lt;strong&gt;Claire Waxman&lt;\/strong&gt;, the incoming victims\u2019 commissioner for England and Wales. Here comments about funding were quoted at &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8#block-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8\\&quot;&gt;9.25am&lt;\/a&gt;. But other points are worth noting.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2d59d2cc-b8e7-4f8e-95af-e4554ab01a15&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;ul&gt;\\n &lt;li&gt;\\n  &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Waxman says that, while elements of the plan are welcome, it remains to be seen if, overall, it will provide what is needed&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;\\n&lt;\/ul&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e507760f-5c1f-47ee-b9d1-19497bbb5e7e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;While many individual initiatives are welcome, it remains to be seen whether the overall Strategy provides the scale, pace, and leadership required to match the government\u2019s ambition - and truly tackle this emergency.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b185d790-4453-466d-ab64-47d46a466286&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;ul&gt;\\n &lt;li&gt;\\n  &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;She specifically welcomes the plan to roll out nationally the Child House model for supporting child abuse victims.&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;\\n&lt;\/ul&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;790cc95e-3293-477e-89a3-2c1800fc235b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;In terms of specific measures, the national rollout of the Child House model - pioneered by Lighthouse in London - is a welcome step I have long called for. It marks vital progress towards delivering on the recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ae8ef12c-c031-477e-abbc-f805e056b1ce&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;There is more about the Child House model &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/child-sexual-abuse-child-house\\&quot;&gt;here&lt;\/a&gt;, and more on the Lighthouse &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.thelighthouse-london.org.uk\/about-page\/\\&quot;&gt;here&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d50735a7-8a30-477d-ad88-5fe2524e6f1d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;ul&gt;\\n &lt;li&gt;\\n  &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;She also welcomes the expansion of&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.npcc.police.uk\/our-work\/violence-against-women-and-girls\/operation-soteria\/\\&quot;&gt; Operation Soteria&lt;\/a&gt;, a police\/CPS partnership to improve the prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences.&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;\\n&lt;\/ul&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d566904f-fae3-4b7d-a578-c31b4679394b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I also welcome initiatives such as the expansion of Operation Soteria to reduce the re-traumatisation too many victims experience in the trial process. Long after my 2019 rape review, \u2018end-to-end\u2019 reform of the justice system for serious sexual offences is finally in sight - but only if the government now delivers on its commitment to independent legal advice for rape survivors, and tackles the long waits for justice.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;05baadc4-6af9-4393-9997-718342930cca&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;ul&gt;\\n &lt;li&gt;\\n  &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;She says plans in the sentencing bill to limit the number of offenders being jailed will undermine the VAWG strategy.&lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;\\n&lt;\/ul&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2862b921-2f76-4869-90a1-88457de842e9&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Without clear, sustainable investment and cross-government leadership, I am concerned we run the risk of the Strategy amounting to less than the sum of its parts; a wish-list of tactical measures rather than a bold, unifying strategic framework.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The Sentencing Bill underlines this lack of cohesion. Victims need confidence that the system will protect them, yet under the proposals in the bill, the reality is that many abusers will avoid prison entirely or benefit from early release - undermining the very safety this Strategy seeks to guarantee.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;78576007-2b9f-44e1-a41f-81aa5ad827d4&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:true,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766051145000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.45\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766052268000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.04\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766052080000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.01\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Sentencing bill plan for fewer offenders to go to jail will undermine VAWG strategy, victims' commissioner claims&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943cc3c8f08b7c73ed634da&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Jessica Elgot is the Guardian\u2019s deputy political editor.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1c2013a3-e08f-46dc-9794-9e9d1bf05d12&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Keir Starmer is planning for a new king\u2019s speech after the crunch May elections as a reset moment for the government amid speculation over the prime minister\u2019s future.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6b89b45f-f9fe-46cd-8b80-6e1a3fe1c696&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Senior sources in parliament said planning was under way to end the parliamentary session the week after local elections in England, making it a significantly longer session than normal, and nearly two years since &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; first set out its legislative agenda.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;80cfd7cd-489d-4787-944f-7169a22ae74f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Labour is facing a potentially devastating set of results in England, Wales and Scotland, with the possible loss of hundreds of council seats to Reform and the Greens in England as well as defeat for the first time in Wales, where Plaid Cymru and Reform are leading in the polls.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8c6601b3-e4c9-416a-a90a-3a4c56cb5b8d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In Scotland, the Scottish National party are polling on course to maintain power despite pre-election hopes that Labour\u2019s Anas Sarwar could become first minister. Critics of Starmer\u2019s leadership have repeatedly named May as the moment when would-be leadership challengers could call for him to stand aside.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;841e9083-da9d-48b7-9c71-3149eb6e472b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The last king\u2019s speech was in July 2024, weeks after Labour won the general election, but a combination of parliamentary rebellions, international and economic turmoil and defeats in the House of Lords has meant the government needs more time to complete the legislation.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fbdb5183-dccd-4f99-bfb4-a9ad8f64365b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The relatively late end to the session will raise some hopes among supporters of assisted dying that it may be possible to complete the bill, which will fall if it does not pass by the end of the session. They expect many opponents will try to use procedure to talk out the private members\u2019 bill and bar it from progressing.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b5c785a0-0a49-44f5-9f04-7863673c5c95&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Further changes to the House of Lords are among a number of measures expected in the king\u2019s speech, including introducing a mandatory retirement age of 80.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f5514fe9-1af4-4045-aee7-14fcee5a9ae7&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766050876000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.41\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766051021000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.43\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766051021000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.43\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.43&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Starmer planning to hold next king's speech soon after May elections&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Jessica Elgot&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/contributor\/2015\/6\/26\/1435313697913\/Jessica-Elgot.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=3c7102f1de86e006a0414f699d81342f&quot;,&quot;largeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Jessica-Elgot,-R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=7e8406fd3cd1d31c8bfc658c9bc7abbb&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning. The government is finally publishing its violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy. In its manifesto Labour said it wanted to halve VAWG within a decade, and so this is a vital policy area. Publication of the strategy has been delayed three times. In the Commons on Monday, in response to an urgent question on this, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/jess-phillips\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Jess Phillips&lt;\/a&gt;, minister for safeguarding and VAWG, said the delays were down to her. \u201cIt is entirely my fault because, with every iteration, the strategy was not ambitious enough. I could have done it more quickly, and then it would not have been as good,\u201d she said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;07022fc7-d40d-43a9-a0ad-5bc0f8752244&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Although the document is being published today, the VAWG strategy is being promoted via a budget-style, week-long media strategy. We have already had announcements form the Home Office covering &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/over-1-billion-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse-to-access-support-and-rebuild-their-lives\\&quot;&gt;extra spending for abuse victims&lt;\/a&gt;, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/abuse-victims-to-get-specialist-nhs-support\\&quot;&gt;specialist NHS help for abuse victims&lt;\/a&gt;, and all police forces introducing &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/new-vawg-strategy-will-leave-offenders-with-nowhere-to-hide\\&quot;&gt;specialist rape and sexual offence teams&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;34235611-8255-405c-861d-1fdaf4b06e3c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And, overnight, the government has been briefing on plans to tackle misogynist behaviour in schools. &lt;strong&gt;Alexandra Topping &lt;\/strong&gt;and&lt;strong&gt; Rajeev Syal&lt;\/strong&gt; have the details here.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;37bdfbc4-8c92-48b2-a058-6dce307b6733&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Boys to learn difference between porn and real life to tackle misogyny in England\u2019s schools&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f1b76195-1488-402e-b46e-fc601f922eb1&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2025\/dec\/17\/teachers-will-be-given-extra-training-to-tackle-misogyny-in-schools&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Phillips&lt;\/strong&gt; has been giving interviews this morning and she has described these measures as particularly important because, while other aspects of the strategy deal with the consequences of VAWG, this aspect deals with prevention. She told Times Radio:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;18250f86-bdcb-4b4c-b5a6-5528924eeec0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I\u2019m a bit sick, I have to say, as somebody who\u2019s campaigned on this for many years, of just trying to put nicer plasters onto ever growing scars, and so we\u2019ve got to \u2013 the government is really, really focused on the prevention.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;51515e6b-6c14-4c7b-b1c8-dd9d67d73488&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But how good is the strategy overall? &lt;strong&gt;Claire Waxman&lt;\/strong&gt;, the incoming victims\u2019 commissioner for England and Wales, has issued a statement saying that, while the plan contains many welcome measures, potential lack of funding is \u201cdeeply concerning\u201d. She says she is worried it could end up as \u201cless than the sum of its parts\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;27ab3464-dd89-4744-8e2d-475fe650d606&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;She says:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b9784c78-7669-4cdf-bfbb-d3a616b187e8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Ultimately, the success of this strategy hinges on whether delivery partners are equipped to succeed. Early indications around funding are deeply concerning. The strategy introduces welcome measures in schools and the NHS which will, by design, drive up disclosures and referrals to police and victim services. Yet frontline services are already overstretched and struggling to meet need, and the criminal justice system remains in crisis.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Funding is critical. Driving up demand without increasing capacity puts victims at risk and threatens to destabilise the very partners the strategy relies upon. This concern is heightened by the lack of meaningful consultation. Victim services are not an optional extra to this strategy - they must be the backbone of it.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Without clear, sustainable investment and cross-government leadership, I am concerned we run the risk of the strategy amounting to less than the sum of its parts; a wish-list of tactical measures rather than a bold, unifying strategic framework.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f655b2ef-354a-413b-a6fa-3e47b0e472b8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is the agenda for the day.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;65bb66ce-3a12-43fe-99bd-dfe1218a6e79&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;9.30am:&lt;\/em&gt; The Ministry of Justice publishes its latest figures on the courts backlog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;551a74d1-481b-43e1-8847-28cf6da05e9d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;9.30am:&lt;\/em&gt; Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, takes questions in the Commons.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;39556599-a380-40af-9b98-6ba5a86b94ea&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;11am:&lt;\/em&gt; Jeremy Corbyn, the former &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; leader, and John McDonnell, the Labour MP, speak at a press conference held by relatives and supporters of the Palestine Action-lined hunger strikers.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;76ef2538-37da-4500-a0a0-2ddaaeebd765&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;After 11.30am:&lt;\/em&gt; Jess Phillips, the VAWG minister, makes a statement to MPs about the government\u2019s plan to tackle violence against women and girls.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0bdc798b-24a9-46e8-9249-863fced89f87&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Morning:&lt;\/em&gt; Kemi Badenoch is on a visit in east Hampshire.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ef818769-e843-419f-9a75-dfb6fb313e6f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Noon:&lt;\/em&gt; The Bank of England announces its decision on interest rates.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;053a4a1f-0ab7-433f-85d2-8ac988d362a9&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The government is also making announcements via 13 written ministerial statements, covering police funding, the cost of the government\u2019s response to the Covid inquiry, the Minette Batters review of farm profitability, and the inquiry into conditions at the Manston asylum centre.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;43e51ce0-a4b2-4627-b34a-29145a563e15&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (normally between 10am and 3pm at the moment), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b66004ca-800f-4a3e-a3f6-23e567593074&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\\&quot;&gt;given up posting from its official accounts on X&lt;\/a&gt;, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c022e017-f0b3-49f1-8804-a563a77ab17b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;54f7ab16-baec-497e-aad4-3d0e3ea4c460&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Share&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fb364f80-2813-4602-ae16-7ad43417ea21&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1766049953000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.25\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1766051041000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.44\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1766049953000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.25\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.25&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Potential lack of funding for plan to prevent violence against women \u2018deeply concerning\u2019, says victims\u2019 commissioner&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 18 Dec 2025 11.42 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 18 Dec 2025 09.25 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1766058598290}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"src-component-61711_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"src-component-61711\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"src-component-61711_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-6943e7f98f089fd88bc157c5\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Ash Regan faces two-day suspension from Holyrood over code of conduct breach during gender recognition row<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/contributor\/2007\/09\/28\/severin_carrell_140x140.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=268fdbe82024e185350f606ad4a8e90b\" alt=\"Severin Carrell\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Severin Carrell<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Severin Carrell is the Guardian\u2019s Scotland editor.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ash Regan<\/strong>, a former Scottish National party minister who defected to Alex Salmond\u2019s nationalist party Alba, faces a two-day suspension from the Scottish parliament for breaching its code of conduct in a row over gender recognition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Holyrood\u2019s standards committee has recommended Regan, who<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cre5g13zljqo\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> now sits as an independent <\/a>after quitting Alba some months after losing a leadership contest, be suspended on a Wednesday and Thursday \u2013 its busiest two days. That needs to be approved by a full vote in parliament, after the Christmas recess.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It ruled she had breached the MSP\u2019s code by posting a claim on the social media site X which attacked the Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman, over remarks Chapman made about the UK supreme court ruling on the definition of woman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Chapman has been one of Holyrood\u2019s most vociferous supporters of trans rights; Regan is one of its most vociferous gender critical activists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Regan said on X: \u201cI\u2019ve formally reported Maggie Chapman MSP to the presiding officer and standards committee following her dangerous dismissal of the supreme court\u2019s ruling on the Equality Act as a \u2018political attack\u2019. MSPs have a duty to uphold the law, not undermine it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After considering a report from Holyrood\u2019s ethics commissioner, the committee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parliament.scot\/msps\/code-of-conduct\/section-9-enforcement-of-the-rules#topOfNav\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">unanimously agreed<\/a> this was a breach of part 9.1 of the code of conduct, which bars MSPs from disclosing, communicating or discussing complaints about other MSPs before a report on that complaint has been published.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943e7f98f089fd88bc157c5&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943e7f98f089fd88bc157c5&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943e7f98f089fd88bc157c5#block-6943e7f98f089fd88bc157c5\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943e5608f0865651e79118b\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">VAWG minister Jess Phillips says UK will consider results of Australia&#8217;s social media ban for under-16s &#8216;very closely&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In interviews last week, Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, played down the prospect of the UK following Australia and banning under-16s from having their own social media accounts. She did not rule out the idea, but she said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/10\/pmqs-latest-news-updates-rachel-reeves-treasury-committee-keir-starmer-kemi-badenoch?page=with%3Ablock-693939a08f0865dd983a95ea#block-693939a08f0865dd983a95ea\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">she did not believe it would be easy to enforce<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But, in her interviews this morning, <strong>Jess Phillips<\/strong>, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls (VAWG) sounded much more positive about the Australian experience, saying the government would consider it \u201cvery closely\u201d. She told Times Radio:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>What I would say is that you cannot have a violence against women and girls policy that doesn\u2019t look at the online environment, or certainly one that looks at misogyny and the behaviours of boys who grow into men without looking at an online world \u2026<\/p>\n<p>The government will be looking very, very closely at what is happening in Australia, and we would always take the best of what is available around the world with regard to the safety and security of children.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But Phillips also said the UK had been a \u201ctrailblazer\u201d for online safety.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Today, when the full policies are announced in the violence against women and girls strategy, you will see that online harm, online harms to children, are very, very much part of that.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943e5608f0865651e79118b&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943e5608f0865651e79118b&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943e5608f0865651e79118b#block-6943e5608f0865651e79118b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-18T11:38:51.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 18 December 2025 at 11:38 Greenwich Mean Time\">11.38 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6943e4ad8f089fd88bc15782\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">MPs cheer as speaker tells them employment rights bill has received royal assent<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The employment rights bill has received royal assent, which means it is now the Employment Rights Act and it is law, <strong>Lindsay Hoyle<\/strong>, the Speaker, told the Commons this morning. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> MPs cheered when they heard the news.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943e4ad8f089fd88bc15782&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943e4ad8f089fd88bc15782&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943e4ad8f089fd88bc15782#block-6943e4ad8f089fd88bc15782\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6943e3f88f08a8a54efc46d9\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Voters overwhelmingly favour UK rejoining Erasmus student exchange scheme, poll suggests<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/pictures\/2008\/06\/05\/richardadams_140x140.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5c5675c87c18e33448b37bf600f99ba4\" alt=\"Richard Adams\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Richard Adams<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Richard Adams is the Guardian\u2019s education editor.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The British public supports the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2025\/dec\/17\/eu-erasmus-scheme-reopen-uk-students-first-time-since-brexit\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">government\u2019s decision to rejoin the Erasmus youth education and work experience programme<\/a>, according to snap polling released by YouGov.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/yougov.co.uk\/topics\/society\/survey-results\/daily\/2025\/12\/17\/0ab95\/1\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">pollsters asked 7,300 adults<\/a> about one element of the scheme \u2013 UK students spending \u201ca year at European universities as part of their UK degrees courses without paying extra fees, and vice versa for European students\u201d \u2013 and found that 65% would support it and only 12% were opposed, while 22% answered \u201cdon\u2019t know\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The good news for the government is that younger people aged 18 to 24 \u2013 those most likely to take part \u2013 were even more enthusiastic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However the question didn\u2019t note the \u00a3570m cost to the UK for one years\u2019 membership, which shadow education secretary Laura Trott <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LauraTrottMP\/status\/2001278652135129459\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">described as \u201cnuts\u201d<\/a>. It also didn\u2019t mention that the Erasmus+ programme includes far more than university students: before the UK left in 2020 <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/assets\/eac\/factsheets\/pdf\/uk-erasmus-plus-2020-in-numbers.pdf\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">schools were its most active participants<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The question\u2019s mention of studying \u201cwithout paying extra fees\u201d suggests that the higher education element will operate as it did prior to 2020, although that remains to be set out, according to university leaders.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943e3f88f08a8a54efc46d9&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943e3f88f08a8a54efc46d9&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943e3f88f08a8a54efc46d9#block-6943e3f88f08a8a54efc46d9\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943e0208f086bb6dbbb2620\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Jess Phillips\u2019s statement to MPs about the VAWG strategy will start after noon, after the business statement is over. After that, there will be two more ministerial statements \u2013 from Luke Pollard, the armed forces minister, on Ukraine, and from Alison McGovern, the local government minister, on local government reorganisation.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943e0208f086bb6dbbb2620&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943e0208f086bb6dbbb2620&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943e0208f086bb6dbbb2620#block-6943e0208f086bb6dbbb2620\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943de6b8f086bb6dbbb25ef\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Crown court backlog for England and Wales rises to almost 80,000<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The crown court backlog in England and Wales has risen to nearly 80,000 cases in a new record high, PA Media reports. PA says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Data <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/criminal-court-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2025\/criminal-court-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2025\">published this morning<\/a> showed the open caseload was 79,619 at the end of September, up 2% from 78,096 at the end of June.<\/p>\n<p>It is also up 9% from the same point a year earlier, according to Ministry of Justice figures.<\/p>\n<p>The number of cases open for a year or more passed 20,000 for the first time at 20,155 at the end of September, which is up 25% year on year and up 6% from the end of June.<\/p>\n<p>Open caseload refers to the number of outstanding cases.<\/p>\n<p>Ministry of Justice projections published earlier this month suggested the crown court backlog could reach a high estimate of 125,000 by the end of this parliament under current conditions. <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">David Lammy<\/strong>, the deputy PM and justice secretary, says his plans to limit jury trials will help to reduce this.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Commenting on the figures today, Lammy said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>This Government inherited a system on the brink of collapse.<\/p>\n<p>Victims\u2019 lives are being put on hold as cases are kicked several years into the future.<\/p>\n<p>The scale of this crisis means tinkering at the edges is not enough. We simply cannot spend our way out of this mess \u2013 only fundamental reform can give the brave survivors of crime fairer and faster justice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"6236a96a-cfe4-4389-be14-7ea80e50d56c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Crown court backlog figures for England and Wales<\/span> Photograph: MoJ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943de6b8f086bb6dbbb25ef&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943de6b8f086bb6dbbb25ef&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943de6b8f086bb6dbbb25ef#block-6943de6b8f086bb6dbbb25ef\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943dabb8f080663f1937c3d\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is <strong>Jessica Elgot<\/strong>\u2019s full story about Keir Starmer planning to hold the king\u2019s speech more or less straight after the elections next year for the Scottish parliament, the Senedd in Wales and English councils. They take place on Thursday 7 May.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"dc84f182-3f04-4884-a35a-0acc5f065c81\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer planning new king\u2019s speech after May elections&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dc84f182-3f04-4884-a35a-0acc5f065c81&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/dec\/18\/keir-starmer-planning-new-kings-speech-after-may-elections&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Henry Zeffman<\/strong> from the BBC <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hzeffman\/status\/2001559672956850443\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">says<\/a> the king\u2019s speech will take place either on Tuesday 12 May or Wednesday 13 May.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943dabb8f080663f1937c3d&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943dabb8f080663f1937c3d&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943dabb8f080663f1937c3d#block-6943dabb8f080663f1937c3d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6943d5168f08b7c73ed63533\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Tories propose re-allocating \u00a317bn in government spending for defence, mostly from net zero projects<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Kemi Badenoch<\/strong> has vowed to scrap green spending to pay for a multibillion-pound fund to rearm the UK, PA Media report. PA says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Accusing Labour of failing to invest in the UK\u2019s armed forces, the Conservative leader has proposed reallocating \u00a317bn to \u201caccelerate\u201d Britain\u2019s \u201cwar readiness\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>She said: \u201cWe must ensure our armed forces are equipped and ready to defend our country, because defence of the realm must be the first priority of any government.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The money includes \u00a311bn from the national wealth fund that is currently allocated to net zero projects, with the fund itself turned into a new national defence and resilience bank.<\/p>\n<p>Another \u00a36bn over three years would be taken from the government\u2019s research and development budget and given to the Ministry of Defence to invest in new technology.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside investment from the private sector, the Tories said they expected their plan to mobilise \u00a350bn for defence.<\/p>\n<p>Shadow defence secretary <strong class=\"dcr-in3yi3\">James Cartlidge<\/strong> said the money would \u201cdeliver the drone revolution our armed forces require\u201d and create a \u201cmore lethal\u201d military.<\/p>\n<p>As well as investing in UK defence firms, the money is expected to be used to build more resilient supply chains, reducing Britain\u2019s reliance on \u201chostile states\u201d such as China.<\/p>\n<p>Labour has previously pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027 and to 3% by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Tories claim that, together, these measures would fund a \u00a350b \u201csovereign defence fund\u201d. In a briefing, this is how they explain it.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>-\u00a36bn (\u00a32bn per annum over the course of this parliament) would be reallocated from the Research and Development (R&amp;D) budget in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to the MOD. It is well known that defence technology and innovation can have spillover effects into other sectors, like communications and transport, causing a multiplier effect.<\/p>\n<p>-\u00a311bn ringfenced from the national wealth fund (NWF) \u2013 which will become the national defence and resilience bank (NDRB). This funding is currently allocated to many of Ed Miliband\u2019s costly eco-projects. We would leave the remainder of financing in the fund for national resilience like water and transport.<\/p>\n<p>-Approximately \u00a333bnn of private finance via NDRB mobilisation. The existing NWF target of mobilising \u00a33 of private investment for every \u00a31 of public investment would remain for the SDF \u2013 so this could unlock tens of billions of pounds in private investment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In response, a <strong>Labour party spokesperson<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The Tories are gaslighting the British public on defence.<\/p>\n<p>These are yet more fantasy figures from a Conservative party that cut defence by \u00a312bn in their first five years in power. Look at their record: their time in office starved our forces of funding, drove down morale and left Britain less safe. They did it before, and they\u2019d do it again.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943d5168f08b7c73ed63533&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943d5168f08b7c73ed63533&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943d5168f08b7c73ed63533#block-6943d5168f08b7c73ed63533\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943d2468f082cfe460266f0\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Labour MPs denounce plan to limit jury trials as &#8216;madness&#8217; and likely to &#8217;cause more problems than it solves&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Almost 40 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> MPs have signed an open letter to Keir Starmer describing the government\u2019s plans to limit access to jury trials as madness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KarlTurnerMP\/status\/2001339480314446106\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the letter<\/a>, organised by <strong>Karl Turner<\/strong>, who is normally a loyalist, the MPs say:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The drastic restriction of the right to trial by jury is not a silver bullet. To limit a fundamental right for what will make a marginal difference to the backlog, if any, is madness and will cause more problems than it solves.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"8e842fbb-cc15-48fb-a317-a522c5b92ffb\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Letter by Labour MPs condeming plan to limit trial by jury<\/span> Photograph: Karl Turner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The government has a working majority of 167 and so, even if all 39 MPs who have signed the letter were to vote against the government when it legislates for its plans next year, they would not be enough to see it defeated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But there are other Labour MPs who share the concerns of this group, and the government is already under strong pressure to a sunset clause on the plans \u2013 meaning the jury trial restrictions were time-limited for just a few years \u2013 as a compromise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ben Quinn<\/strong> has more on the story here.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"be214acf-27a0-4433-bc02-50c7179e7fab\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:7,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Labour MPs revolt over \u2018madness\u2019 of jury-scrapping plans&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;be214acf-27a0-4433-bc02-50c7179e7fab&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/law\/2025\/dec\/18\/jury-scrapping-plans-are-madness-labour-mps-tell-starmer&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943d2468f082cfe460266f0&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943d2468f082cfe460266f0&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943d2468f082cfe460266f0#block-6943d2468f082cfe460266f0\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-6943d1d08f08b7c73ed63512\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Schools in England warning of rise in misogyny towards teachers, says Phillips<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Schools have warned of growing misogyny from pupils towards teachers and a lack of avenues to seek help about concerns over sexually aggressive behaviour, <strong>Jess Phillips<\/strong>, the VAWG minister, has said. <strong>Jessica Elgot<\/strong> has the story.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"dab38c75-46af-4a65-b0a8-64e3433e800d\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Schools in England warning of rise in misogyny towards teachers, says Phillips&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dab38c75-46af-4a65-b0a8-64e3433e800d&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2025\/dec\/18\/schools-england-rise-misogyny-towards-teachers-jess-phillips&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943d1d08f08b7c73ed63512&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943d1d08f08b7c73ed63512&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943d1d08f08b7c73ed63512#block-6943d1d08f08b7c73ed63512\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Sentencing bill plan for fewer offenders to go to jail will undermine VAWG strategy, victims&#8217; commissioner claims<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here are some more extracts from the statement about the VAWG strategy issued by <strong>Claire Waxman<\/strong>, the incoming victims\u2019 commissioner for England and Wales. Here comments about funding were quoted at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8#block-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">9.25am<\/a>. But other points are worth noting.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Waxman says that, while elements of the plan are welcome, it remains to be seen if, overall, it will provide what is needed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">While many individual initiatives are welcome, it remains to be seen whether the overall Strategy provides the scale, pace, and leadership required to match the government\u2019s ambition &#8211; and truly tackle this emergency.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>In terms of specific measures, the national rollout of the Child House model &#8211; pioneered by Lighthouse in London &#8211; is a welcome step I have long called for. It marks vital progress towards delivering on the recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There is more about the Child House model <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/child-sexual-abuse-child-house\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>, and more on the Lighthouse <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelighthouse-london.org.uk\/about-page\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>She also welcomes the expansion of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.npcc.police.uk\/our-work\/violence-against-women-and-girls\/operation-soteria\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> Operation Soteria<\/a>, a police\/CPS partnership to improve the prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I also welcome initiatives such as the expansion of Operation Soteria to reduce the re-traumatisation too many victims experience in the trial process. Long after my 2019 rape review, \u2018end-to-end\u2019 reform of the justice system for serious sexual offences is finally in sight &#8211; but only if the government now delivers on its commitment to independent legal advice for rape survivors, and tackles the long waits for justice.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Without clear, sustainable investment and cross-government leadership, I am concerned we run the risk of the Strategy amounting to less than the sum of its parts; a wish-list of tactical measures rather than a bold, unifying strategic framework.<\/p>\n<p>The Sentencing Bill underlines this lack of cohesion. Victims need confidence that the system will protect them, yet under the proposals in the bill, the reality is that many abusers will avoid prison entirely or benefit from early release &#8211; undermining the very safety this Strategy seeks to guarantee.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd#block-6943cd498f082cfe460266bd\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-18T10:04:28.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 18 December 2025 at 10:04 Greenwich Mean Time\">10.04 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943cc3c8f08b7c73ed634da\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer planning to hold next king&#8217;s speech soon after May elections<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Jessica-Elgot,-R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=7e8406fd3cd1d31c8bfc658c9bc7abbb\" alt=\"Jessica Elgot\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Jessica Elgot<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Jessica Elgot is the Guardian\u2019s deputy political editor.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Keir Starmer is planning for a new king\u2019s speech after the crunch May elections as a reset moment for the government amid speculation over the prime minister\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Senior sources in parliament said planning was under way to end the parliamentary session the week after local elections in England, making it a significantly longer session than normal, and nearly two years since <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> first set out its legislative agenda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Labour is facing a potentially devastating set of results in England, Wales and Scotland, with the possible loss of hundreds of council seats to Reform and the Greens in England as well as defeat for the first time in Wales, where Plaid Cymru and Reform are leading in the polls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In Scotland, the Scottish National party are polling on course to maintain power despite pre-election hopes that Labour\u2019s Anas Sarwar could become first minister. Critics of Starmer\u2019s leadership have repeatedly named May as the moment when would-be leadership challengers could call for him to stand aside.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The last king\u2019s speech was in July 2024, weeks after Labour won the general election, but a combination of parliamentary rebellions, international and economic turmoil and defeats in the House of Lords has meant the government needs more time to complete the legislation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The relatively late end to the session will raise some hopes among supporters of assisted dying that it may be possible to complete the bill, which will fall if it does not pass by the end of the session. They expect many opponents will try to use procedure to talk out the private members\u2019 bill and bar it from progressing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Further changes to the House of Lords are among a number of measures expected in the king\u2019s speech, including introducing a mandatory retirement age of 80.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943cc3c8f08b7c73ed634da&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943cc3c8f08b7c73ed634da&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943cc3c8f08b7c73ed634da#block-6943cc3c8f08b7c73ed634da\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Potential lack of funding for plan to prevent violence against women \u2018deeply concerning\u2019, says victims\u2019 commissioner<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning. The government is finally publishing its violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy. In its manifesto Labour said it wanted to halve VAWG within a decade, and so this is a vital policy area. Publication of the strategy has been delayed three times. In the Commons on Monday, in response to an urgent question on this, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/jess-phillips\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jess Phillips<\/a>, minister for safeguarding and VAWG, said the delays were down to her. \u201cIt is entirely my fault because, with every iteration, the strategy was not ambitious enough. I could have done it more quickly, and then it would not have been as good,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Although the document is being published today, the VAWG strategy is being promoted via a budget-style, week-long media strategy. We have already had announcements form the Home Office covering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/over-1-billion-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse-to-access-support-and-rebuild-their-lives\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">extra spending for abuse victims<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/abuse-victims-to-get-specialist-nhs-support\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">specialist NHS help for abuse victims<\/a>, and all police forces introducing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/new-vawg-strategy-will-leave-offenders-with-nowhere-to-hide\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">specialist rape and sexual offence teams<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And, overnight, the government has been briefing on plans to tackle misogynist behaviour in schools. <strong>Alexandra Topping <\/strong>and<strong> Rajeev Syal<\/strong> have the details here.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"490f43d1-1b81-4e7c-a41b-a69e364c634a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:3,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Boys to learn difference between porn and real life to tackle misogyny in England\u2019s schools&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;490f43d1-1b81-4e7c-a41b-a69e364c634a&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2025\/dec\/17\/teachers-will-be-given-extra-training-to-tackle-misogyny-in-schools&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Phillips<\/strong> has been giving interviews this morning and she has described these measures as particularly important because, while other aspects of the strategy deal with the consequences of VAWG, this aspect deals with prevention. She told Times Radio:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I\u2019m a bit sick, I have to say, as somebody who\u2019s campaigned on this for many years, of just trying to put nicer plasters onto ever growing scars, and so we\u2019ve got to \u2013 the government is really, really focused on the prevention.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But how good is the strategy overall? <strong>Claire Waxman<\/strong>, the incoming victims\u2019 commissioner for England and Wales, has issued a statement saying that, while the plan contains many welcome measures, potential lack of funding is \u201cdeeply concerning\u201d. She says she is worried it could end up as \u201cless than the sum of its parts\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">She says:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Ultimately, the success of this strategy hinges on whether delivery partners are equipped to succeed. Early indications around funding are deeply concerning. The strategy introduces welcome measures in schools and the NHS which will, by design, drive up disclosures and referrals to police and victim services. Yet frontline services are already overstretched and struggling to meet need, and the criminal justice system remains in crisis.<\/p>\n<p>Funding is critical. Driving up demand without increasing capacity puts victims at risk and threatens to destabilise the very partners the strategy relies upon. This concern is heightened by the lack of meaningful consultation. Victim services are not an optional extra to this strategy &#8211; they must be the backbone of it.<\/p>\n<p>Without clear, sustainable investment and cross-government leadership, I am concerned we run the risk of the strategy amounting to less than the sum of its parts; a wish-list of tactical measures rather than a bold, unifying strategic framework.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is the agenda for the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>9.30am:<\/em> The Ministry of Justice publishes its latest figures on the courts backlog.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>9.30am:<\/em> Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, takes questions in the Commons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>11am:<\/em> Jeremy Corbyn, the former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> leader, and John McDonnell, the Labour MP, speak at a press conference held by relatives and supporters of the Palestine Action-lined hunger strikers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>After 11.30am:<\/em> Jess Phillips, the VAWG minister, makes a statement to MPs about the government\u2019s plan to tackle violence against women and girls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Morning:<\/em> Kemi Badenoch is on a visit in east Hampshire.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Noon:<\/em> The Bank of England announces its decision on interest rates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The government is also making announcements via 13 written ministerial statements, covering police funding, the cost of the government\u2019s response to the Covid inquiry, the Minette Batters review of farm profitability, and the inquiry into conditions at the Manston asylum centre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (normally between 10am and 3pm at the moment), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Share<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Labour warned plan to jail fewer offenders undermines strategy to protect women and girls - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8#block-6943b2aa8f080663f1937ae8\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-18T09:44:01.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 18 December 2025 at 09:44 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.44 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;politics&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/series\/politics-live-with-andrew-sparrow&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Series&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics live with Andrew Sparrow&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/uk&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/labour&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Labour&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/conservatives&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Conservatives&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;society\/violence-against-women-and-girls&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Violence against women and girls&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/jess-phillips&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jess Phillips&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/ukcrime&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Crime&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/police&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Police&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;society\/women&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Women&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/defence&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Defence policy&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;law\/trial-by-jury&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Trial by jury&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;law\/law&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Law&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;law\/criminal-justice&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK criminal 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Sparrow&quot;,&quot;twitterHandle&quot;:&quot;AndrewSparrow&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Andrew-Sparrow.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=b63c46db36dd834cfdb2e7124ef11d96&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Andrew_Sparrow,_R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5954dfa9a3b566f5929d1f7fab099903&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/severincarrell&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Severin Carrell&quot;,&quot;twitterHandle&quot;:&quot;severincarrell&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/contributor\/2007\/09\/28\/severin_carrell_140x140.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=268fdbe82024e185350f606ad4a8e90b&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/richardadams&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Richard Adams&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/pictures\/2008\/06\/05\/richardadams_140x140.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=5c5675c87c18e33448b37bf600f99ba4&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/jessica-elgot&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jessica Elgot&quot;,&quot;twitterHandle&quot;:&quot;jessicaelgot&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/static\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/contributor\/2015\/6\/26\/1435313697913\/Jessica-Elgot.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=3c7102f1de86e006a0414f699d81342f&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2017\/10\/06\/Jessica-Elgot,-R.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=7e8406fd3cd1d31c8bfc658c9bc7abbb&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tracking\/commissioningdesk\/uk-home-news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tracking&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK Home News&quot;}],&quot;isPaidContent&quot;:false,&quot;contributionsServiceUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/contributions.guardianapis.com&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2025\/dec\/18\/violence-women-girls-strategy-labour-conservatives-badenoch-starmer-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;keywordIds&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics,uk\/uk,politics\/labour,politics\/conservatives,society\/violence-against-women-and-girls,politics\/jess-phillips,uk\/ukcrime,uk\/police,society\/women,politics\/defence,law\/trial-by-jury,law\/law,law\/criminal-justice,education\/students,education\/universities,media\/social-media&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;}\"\/><\/div>\n<p>#Labour #warned #plan #jail #offenders #undermines #strategy #protect #women #girls #politics #live #Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sentencing bill plan for fewer&hellip; 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