Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been abducted by Russian forces, with nearly 16,000 identified in a network of prisons, where they face inhumane treatment and torture.

Prime Minister’s statement about Britain becoming an “island of strangers” has drawn criticism, evoking comparisons to Enoch Powell’s controversial rhetoric from 1968.

Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal for “return hubs” aims to facilitate the deportation of migrants who have exhausted all options to stay in the UK, though Albania has expressed reluctance to participate.

Victims’ watchdog Baroness Newlove expresses serious concerns regarding the government’s changes to prisoner recall release policy, questioning the early release of certain sexual and violent offenders.

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.

Sir Keir Starmer is in Albania to strengthen measures against migrant smuggling gangs, aiming to reduce both legal and illegal migration levels.