More prisoners recalled to jail than released in England and Wales

29 October 2026 at 21:00

Ministry of Justice figures show recalls rose 27% in year to June despite emergency measures to ease overcrowding

More people were recalled to jails in England and Wales in the first half of this year than were released, despite government efforts to reduce the prison population, according to figures released on Thursday.

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data shows that 12,338 people were recalled to custody between the beginning of April and the end of June, while 12,278 people were released. It continues a trend set between January and March, when 13,193 people were returned to prison and 12,977 released.

Russell Brand’s wife tells court he is ‘amazingly attentive husband’

World news | The Guardian

By: Emine Sinmaz

29 October 2026 at 16:12

Giving evidence at her husband’s rape trial, Laura Brand says couple previously split up over his promiscuity

Russell Brand’s wife has told a court that they previously split up over his promiscuity but that he was a “wonderful father” and an “amazingly attentive husband”.

Giving evidence at her husband’s rape trial, Laura Brand, 39, said they fell in love after meeting in 2006 but that the comedian found monogamy difficult.

After 28 Years Walking the Globe, Karl Bushby Is Almost Home

NYT > Top Stories

By: Jonathan Wolfe

29 October 2026 at 12:29

Karl Bushby has walked 31,000 miles, crossing some of the world’s harshest landscapes. He plans to reach his mother’s house in England next week.

Mr. Bushby in London. He said his journey was a reminder of people’s kindness.

Neighbour of new Montenegro embassy in London sues council over impact on mental health

World news | The Guardian

By: Daniel Boffey Chief reporter

29 October 2026 at 09:00

Exclusive: Case in Pimlico is latest instance of tensions between small countries seeking a space in capital and residents

It is not a classic neighbour-from-hell dispute, what with the protagonist inviting everyone over for evening drinks and canapés. But the sudden conversion of a five-bedroom family home in Pimlico, central London, into the embassy of Montenegro has triggered a neighbourhood row that has gone all the way to the desk of a high court judge.

The first stirrings of trouble came when one resident argued in a submission to the council this spring that the new embassy’s “flagpole and rather tacky-looking flag stick out like a sore thumb” among Cambridge Street’s Grade II-listed homes.

Woman woke up to see stranger invited into bedroom by husband, court hears

World news | The Guardian

By: Steven Morris

28 October 2026 at 21:22

Jury at Winchester crown court sees video evidence by Joanne Young in trial of four men accused of sexual assault

A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by men invited by her ex-husband into their family home described how she would wake in the middle of the night restrained and blindfolded and feeling “hazy”.

Joanne Young said that on one occasion she managed to remove her blindfold and was shocked to glimpse a stranger in her bedroom whom her then husband, Philip Young, had allegedly arranged to have sex with her.

‘This isn’t supposed to happen’: giant-slaying Fleetwood revels in fairytale Arsenal win

World news | The Guardian

By: Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent

28 October 2026 at 19:52

Fishing town in disbelief the morning after its footballing minnows beat mighty Arsenal on penalties

On a wet and windy night on the north-west coast of England, a League Two side sensationally knocked the Premier League champions out of the Carabao Cup. But this is not just a fairytale story of giant-slaying; Fleetwood Town and Arsenal have an unlikely history that stretches back long before Tuesday night’s game.

Arsenal played at their iconic Highbury stadium until 2006, and Fleetwood’s ground has the same title, being named after Highbury Avenue, the adjoining street.

Healey gives households £100 to help navigate ‘global economic storms’

World news | The Guardian

By: Heather Stewart and Jessica Elgot

28 October 2026 at 19:40

Payments to 20m homes part of package to cut energy bills and ease cost of living crisis, paid for by bank windfall tax

John Healey promised to steer Britain through “global economic storms” as he announced an energy giveaway of £100 to 80% of households in England, funded by a smaller than expected windfall tax on banks.

In his first budget, the chancellor said 20 million households in council tax bands A to D would receive a £100 payment – a measure he said would cost £2.6bn.

Yvette Cooper drops plans to abolish NHS patient champion after outcry

World news | The Guardian

By: Denis Campbell Health policy editor

28 October 2026 at 12:00

Exclusive: Health secretary to extend role of watchdog, which backers say helps hold service in England to account

Yvette Cooper has abandoned plans to abolish the NHS’s independent patient champion after an outcry from MPs across the political spectrum.

The health secretary has decided to keep and extend the role of Healthwatch England, which was due to be axed as part of the government’s reorganisation of the health service in England.

axe the Health Services Safety Investigations Body.

end councils’ automatic representation on the boards of ICBs.

remove the requirement for a nurse on every NHS foundation trust board.

Reading view