What happened today in the UK?

Grab yourself a coffee and let us break down the news in the UK this morning – it’s time for your daily dip into the headlines. From Westminster to the weather (yes, it’s raining again!) to sports and entertainment, regardless of whether you’re commuting or couch-bound – here are the stories you need to know.

Labour prison plans – UK economy grows – Israel bombs Gaza overnight

Thursday’s headlines see coverage of the government’s plans to ease the pressure on prisons across England and Wales, as a report says prisons will run out of space by November. The government has announced a series of measures which include early release for some offenders as part of the plans to tackle the overcrowding. The government also announced they will build three new prisons – but despite the dire state of the prison system, the plans still might not be enough to tackle the problem.

The UK economy grew unexpectedly in the first three months of 2025 – a major win for the government, especially the chancellor, who’s been under increasing pressure over the state of the economy and the government fiscal plans. The ONS said the growth was driven by the service sector and production. But the joy might be short-lived, the figures mark the period just before the US imposed tariffs.

On the international front, the Israelis launched an overnight attack on Gaza killing at least 48 people including women and children. It comes as aid continues to be blocked and major evacuation orders have been issued – potentially displacing thousands. Whilst ceasefire talks are ongoing the behaviour from Israel suggests the ground operations are set to escalate.

Today's Main news story

Labour plans to tackle prison overcrowding crisis

CliffNotes

England and Wales will run out of prison space by November
Government unveil plans to free up spaces
Plans to build three new prisons

Labour plans to tackle prison overcrowding crisis

What Happened

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced emergency measures to limit how long certain offenders can be recalled to prison, as the government faces projections that England and Wales will run out of prison space by November.

Under the new plan, some prisoners who breach licence conditions after early release will be sent back to jail for just 28 days, instead of serving the remainder of their sentence. The changes aim to free up 1,400 prison places and apply to those originally sentenced to between one and four years.

Mahmood called the current state of the prison system “shameful” and blamed years of Conservative mismanagement for the capacity crisis. She warned that without action, the country risks a “total breakdown in law and order”.

The announcement comes alongside a £4.7bn pledge to build three new prisons, part of what Mahmood called a “record expansion” of the prison estate. Construction will begin this year near HMP Gartree (Leicestershire), HMP Garth (Lancashire), and HMP Grendon (Buckinghamshire).

However, the changes have sparked criticism from victims’ advocates and opposition politicians. Domestic abuse commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs warned that the 28-day recall policy could put lives at risk, particularly if violent offenders are released early. Victims’ commissioner Baroness Newlove said she would write to Mahmood expressing concern about the “short-term, stopgap” nature of the reforms.

What’s Next

With England and Wales’s prison population nearing 89,000, officials now admit they are just months away from zero capacity. The fixed-term recall plan is expected to provide only a temporary buffer until broader sentencing reforms take effect.

An independent sentencing review, led by former justice secretary David Gauke, is due next week. It is expected to recommend allowing offenders to earn early release by completing work, training or education programmes, and demonstrating good behaviour. Some may become eligible for release after serving just a third of their sentence.

Mahmood confirmed these sentencing reforms are being fast-tracked, with the government hoping to begin legislating by April 2026, though their impact won’t be felt until next spring. The Justice Secretary stressed that emergency measures like fixed-term recalls were necessary to avoid further early-release schemes like those seen in 2023.

Not all offenders will be eligible for shorter recalls. Mahmood said those who commit serious further offences will be excluded. However, critics argue the government lacks data to guarantee the safety of victims, particularly in domestic abuse cases.

Despite pledges to expand capacity, the Ministry of Justice admits the prison estate will still be 9,000 places short by 2028. With time running out, ministers are bracing for continued public backlash, even as they insist these changes are crucial to keep the system afloat.

Media Reaction

The Guardian reports despite the announcement, senior Tories accused Mahmood of failing to punish criminals, sarcastically saying repeat offenders would be “quaking in their boots”.

GB News says prisoners are set to be released after serving just one-third of their sentences as part of new Labour plans to battle an overcrowding crisis. Under the shake-up, well-behaved offenders can earn their freedom early by completing work, training or educational assignments, GB News says.

Daily Mail reports that despite promising to build three new prisons the Justice Secretary said it was not possible to ‘build our way out of the crisis’ and unveiled new rules that will see offenders serving sentences of between one and four years only returned to prison for a fixed 28-day period.

The Times claims domestic abusers and sexual offenders recalled to prison after breaching their licence conditions will be allowed back onto the streets after 28 days to free up space. The domestic abuse commissioner says lives are being put in danger by these emergency measures.

Today's International Lead

Israeli Air Strikes Kill Dozens in Gaza as Aid Blockade Continue

CliffNotes

Israeli air strikes kill dozens in Gaza as aid blockade continues
Israel has issued widespread evacuation orders
Despite ceasefire talks, ground operations suggest escalation

Israeli Air Strikes Kill Dozens in Gaza as Aid Blockade Continue

What Happened

More than 40 people have been killed in a wave of intensified Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip, according to hospital officials. At least 36 bodies were taken to medical facilities in the south, including 26 killed overnight in Khan Younis, amid continued bombardments.

The escalation comes as President Donald Trump visits the region and efforts continue to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Despite diplomatic talks, Israel has stepped up its campaign, issuing one of the most wide-reaching evacuation orders of the war.

Large areas of Gaza City have now been declared unsafe by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with civilians urged to flee ahead of what the IDF described as “intense strikes.” Among the buildings targeted are Al-Shifa Hospital, the Islamic University, and three former schools, which Israel claims are being used by Hamas as command centres. Aid groups and local authorities say these sites are also hosting thousands of displaced civilians.

Meanwhile, the blockade on humanitarian aid remains in effect. A US-backed aid group has announced plans to begin operations in Gaza within two weeks, but deliveries remain suspended, with no supplies allowed in for over ten weeks. International agencies have warned of imminent mass starvation.

What’s Next

The new evacuation orders and sustained air strikes are seen as signs that Israel is preparing to significantly expand its ground and aerial campaign in Gaza. Aid agencies say moving thousands of people from already devastated areas will take time and could result in major civilian casualties if strikes proceed before evacuations are completed.

Pressure is also mounting internationally. Critics of the aid distribution plan say the two-week delay before the US-backed agency begins operations is unacceptable given the humanitarian crisis. Some aid groups have demanded immediate resumption of UN-led deliveries, warning that any further delay could prove fatal.

Inside Israel, voices of dissent are beginning to emerge. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has publicly warned against deepening the military offensive, making him one of the few senior Israeli figures to break ranks.

Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, the situation on the ground suggests further escalation is imminent. Observers fear that unless a breakthrough occurs in negotiations, the coming days could bring a sharp rise in both civilian and military casualties — with the humanitarian situation in Gaza spiralling towards catastrophe.

Media Reaction

Aljazeera reports At least 84 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip, including air attacks on northern Gaza’s Jabalia that left at least 50 people dead. Thousands of Palestinians have fled parts of Gaza City’s Remal neighbourhood after the Israeli army announced plans to attack because it said Hamas – without providing any evidence – was operating there.

New York Times reports more than 50 bodies arrived at the Indonesian Hospital by noon on Wednesday following overnight Israeli strikes.

Arise News says at least 48 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed in Israeli strikes as the UN warns of looming genocide in Gaza.

UK Economy

UK Economy Grows Faster Than Expected in Early 2025

CliffNotes

UK economy grows faster than expected in early 2025
Driven by the services sector, alongside gains in industrial production
Despite the news, economists remain cautious about the outlook

UK Economy Grows Faster Than Expected in Early 2025

What Happened

The UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year, outpacing expectations and marking a stronger start to 2025 than analysts had predicted. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that growth was primarily driven by a resilient services sector, alongside significant gains in industrial production.

The economy also expanded by 0.2% in March alone, defying forecasts of zero growth for the month. The figures suggest that the UK may be turning a corner after last year’s technical recession.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves hailed the figures as evidence of “the strength and potential of the UK economy,” pointing out that the UK outperformed the US, Canada, France, Italy and Germany during the same period.

But the news was tempered by warnings from the opposition. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride noted that both the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had recently downgraded their full-year growth forecasts for the UK. He also criticised the government’s decision to raise employers’ National Insurance contributions, branding it a “jobs tax”.

What’s Next

Despite the stronger-than-expected start to the year, economists remain cautious about the outlook. The OBR now expects slower growth in the second half of 2025 due to weak consumer demand, higher business taxes, and persistent inflationary pressures.

Reeves has insisted that her economic strategy will focus on stability, investment and long-term growth, pledging to create the conditions for “sustained recovery, not just a short-term bounce”.

She is also under pressure to clarify her next steps on public spending, with some analysts warning that recent growth figures mask underlying weaknesses, including sluggish productivity and a still-tight labour market.

Businesses are lobbying for relief from the new National Insurance rules, with some calling on the Treasury to reverse the hike or offer exemptions for smaller employers.

The government is also preparing for a potentially turbulent autumn budget, with limited fiscal headroom and growing demands for increased spending on public services. Reeves is expected to unveil her economic vision for the rest of the Parliament in a major speech later this month, setting out how she plans to maintain momentum without fuelling inflation.

For now, however, the positive Q1 growth figures provide Labour with an early economic win — and a talking point in what is expected to be a tightly contested political year.

Media Reaction

The Standard says the growth was faster than expected by most City forecasters who said higher Government spending, a rush by exporters to get ahead of new US tariffs and sunny weather boosting the high street may have all contributed to the spurt.

Daily Express reports the better-than-expected figures will bring some relief to the chancellor who has faced ‘months of scrutiny.’

Investing.com says Starmer and Reeves are trying to kickstart Britain’s sluggish economy via increased spending on infrastructure and other reforms that they hope will boost investment.