Politics LIVE: Robert Jenrick lays out solution to 'farcical' prison crisis as 10,000 foreign offenders jailed at taxpayers' expense

'Two-tier Britain!' Liz Truss fumes as Lucy Connolly in jail while sex offenders poised for early release

Liz Truss has launched an attack at the Justice Secretary for planning to include sex offenders on a new early release scheme while Lucy Connolly sits in jail for a social media post.

"All sorts of people who have committed vile crimes are to be let out of prison early," Truss blasted. "Yet Lucy Connolly is still in jail for a tweet. Two-tier Britain."

Connolly is at the Court of Appeal today to appeal against her 31-month prison sentence - we'll bring you the outcome of her hearing as and when it happens.

Now Keir Starmer vows he WILL contest next election as PM sparks confusion in Albania

Keir Starmer has now vowed he will contest the next General Election - just a few hours after he failed to confirm he would to GB News.

"Of course I am going to stand at the next General Election. I have always said this is a decade of national renewal. I intend to lead," the Prime Minister blasted.

"That is part of what we were arguing for at the last election - and of course, we have a lot more work to do and we have made huge progress."

Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for 'negative depictions of Albanians' in Britain as press conference turns testy

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to apologise for "negative depictions of Albanians" in Britain as his press conference with counterpart Edi Rama took a fiery turn.

"Look, I think the fact that I’m the first British Prime Minister to be here in Albania, having a bilateral meeting, should be seen as a statement of intent as to the regard that I hold Albania and this Prime Minister," he said.

"I won't comment on previous prime ministers in Britain, but my approach is not megaphone diplomacy. It is to do the hard yards of actually dealing with the problems that we have to address."

Rama meanwhile said it was "not any British Prime Minister that did anything to offend the Albanians and to single out the Albanians".

"Other individuals" had been responsible for such depictions, he said, adding: "Cursing the Albanians was not a good idea, because the curse went back and they are now out of the Parliament."

MORNING RECAP: Keir Starmer could lose majority in vote as hundreds of Labour MPs break ranks in DOUBLE rebellion

Sir Keir Starmer's working majority in Parliament could be wiped out on a crunch vote after more than 100 MPs signed a letter condemning the Prime Minister's looming welfare cuts.

Last week, 42 MPs - largely on the party's left - signed a letter speaking out against the cuts. They have now been joined by legions more, bringing the total to as many as 140.

The Government enjoys a working majority of 165, meaning that just 83 Labour MPs would have to rebel for its welfare plans to crumble at a vote in June.

The group is said to be angry at cuts to the health element of universal credit and is demanding a full assessment of the impact on disabled people.

Ministers have responded to the letter vowing to address their concerns, The Times reports, and are still confident that the rebellion will ultimately be contained to about a dozen MPs.

But the backlash comes as the Government is fending off fury at Starmer's "island of strangers" comments on migration on Monday, which left-wing critics inside the party and out have compared to Enoch Powell's infamous "Rivers of Blood" speech.

The Prime Minister and allies including Cabinet Office chief Pat McFadden have consistently defended his remarks - and today, Starmer will be in Albania to commit to tackling illegal immigration and organised crime with his counterpart Edi Rama.

'We said NO!' Albanian PM slaps down Keir Starmer's returns hub request - 'We're loyal to Italy!'

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama has slapped down calls for his country to host migrant return hubs at a press conference with Sir Keir Starmer.

Rama said Albania would not be open to the hubs - as it was "loyal to the marriage with Italy", with which it already has a returns agreement.

"We have been asked by several countries if we were open to it, and we said no, because we are loyal to the marriage with Italy and the rest is just love," Rama added.

EXCLUSIVE: Keir Starmer refuses to commit to fighting next election as Reform UK surges AGAIN

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to commit to fighting the next General Election in an exclusive interview with GB News.

The Prime Minister was asked on today's visit to Albania about his "plans for the future" and whether he would be fighting the next election.

But Starmer refused to commit to taking on the task of securing another five years in No10...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'Round-the-clock deportations!' Robert Jenrick lays out solution to prisons crisis as 10,000 foreign offenders jailed at taxpayers' expense

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has laid out his solution to Britain's prisons crisis following the news that jails will be full in just a few months' time.

Jenrick warned MPs that 10,500 inmates born overseas were in British jails. He said they, along with the 17,000 on remand waiting for trial, made up a third of the prison population.

"The sensible step forward would obviously be to introduce emergency measures to expedite deportations and get the courts sitting around the clock," he said.

"If the Justice Secretary [Shabana Mahmood] chose to do that, we would support her. But so far she hasn't."

Jenrick added that Mahmood had not taken the judiciary up on their offer to have even more court days, and "instead, she's decided to let out early criminals who reoffend or breach their licence".

"There is now no punishment or deterrent for criminals who immediately reoffend, or cheat the system," he spat. "The Justice Secretary says these people will be, and I quote, 'in prison outside of prison'.

"Well I am sure hardened criminals will be quaking in their boots at that farcical double-speak. There is no two ways about it. This decision has put the public in danger and victims in jeopardy."

Tory peer: 'There was a return hub ready in Rwanda... Starmer cancelled it in a virtue-signalling strop!'

Tory peer Lord Hannan has issued a rebuke to Sir Keir Starmer following his confirmation that the UK would be seeking "return hubs" in the Western Balkans.

Hannan said on social media: "There was a return hub cleared and ready in Rwanda.

"Starmer cancelled it in a virtue-signalling strop. We had one ready and paid for.

"The Labour MPs who are now moaning voted, on taking office, to scrap it and write off the money. Clowns."

Kemi Badenoch later reposted his words - an apparent endorsement from his party leader.

CONFIRMED: Keir Starmer ramps up migration crackdown with 'return hubs' - despite scrapping Rwanda

Keir Starmer has confirmed plans to establish "return hubs" abroad for failed asylum seekers as part of a strategy to combat illegal immigration.

Speaking to GB News from Albania, the Prime Minister outlined how the hubs would help to process individuals who have exhausted all appeals in the UK system and need to be returned to their countries of origin.

"What we want to do, and are having discussions and talks of, is return hubs," he told the People's Channel. "These would be used when someone has been through the system in the UK and needs to be returned."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Tory firebrand Katie Lam issues scathing warning to pro-migration civil servants

Tory MP Katie Lam has launched into a scathing attack at pro-migration public servants following this morning's "net zero migration" polling.

The data from Merlin Strategy's Power and Politics Tracker, which was hailed by Reform UK earlier today, has found that 46 per cent of voters now either back a "one in, one out" system or net negative migration altogether.

And Lam, who was elected to the Commons just last summer, has said: "The British people do not want mass immigration.

"It is a fringe view to want more than 100,000 people a year to come to Britain. But the Home Office thinks numbers will 'settle' at about half a million.

"Any public servant who thinks this is ok is delusional - and dangerous."

NHS waiting list RISES for first time in 7 months in major blow to Wes Streeting and Labour

The NHS waiting list for hospital treatment in England has risen for the first time in seven months.

New figures show an estimated 7.42 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of March, relating to 6.25 million patients - a slight increase from 7.40 million treatments and 6.24 million patients at the end of February.

However, the data shows that the number of patients forced to endure very long waits for treatments has fallen.

Some 1,164 patients in England had been waiting more than 18 months to start routine treatment at the end of March, down from 1,691 in February.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Since day one, we have been clear it will take time to reverse the disastrous waiting list we inherited.

"But since July, real progress has been made - including over winter. We have overseen a massive increase in appointments available to meet rising demand, reduced long waits and helped people get diagnosed quicker.

"Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, we have now delivered more than 3.3 million extra appointments, helping hundreds of thousands of people get off the waiting list and get on with their lives.

"Our plan for change will continue to put patients first as we work to end the misery felt by millions up and down the country who have been denied the care they need for too long."

WATCH: Rachel Reeves speaks from a Rolls-Royce site in Derby following this morning's growth announcement

Defence Secretary announces new First Sea Lord to replace disgraced Ben Key

Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed the appointment of a new head of the Royal Navy to replace Admiral Sir Ben Key.

Key, suspended last week over allegations of having a secret affair with a female subordinate officer, will be replaced by General Sir Gwyn Jenkins.

Healey said on Thursday: "I warmly congratulate General Sir Gwyn Jenkins on his selection as the next First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. As the first Royal Marine appointed to the role, this is a hugely significant moment for the Royal Navy.

"General Jenkins is a proven leader with a distinguished career in both the military and at the core of government. I know he will deliver in this pivotal role, making Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

Jenkins said: "It is an honour to be selected as the next First Sea Lord.

"I feel extremely privileged to lead the exceptional sailors and marines of the Royal Navy at this pivotal time for UK defence.

"Throughout my career, I have always been motivated by the vital role the Royal Navy has in keeping our nation safe. To do that now, we need to accelerate our return to a war fighting force that is ready for conflict, expand our modernisation efforts and deliver the Royal Navy our nation needs."

'It's time for action!' Reform UK delighted as new poll finds nearly half of voters back 'net zero migration'

Reform UK's top brass have voiced their delight after a new poll which found that almost half of Britons back "net zero migration".

Some 46 per cent of voters now either back a "one in, one out" system or net negative migration altogether, according to polling by Merlin Strategy's Power and Politics Tracker.

And with "net zero migration" part of Reform's party policy, its deputy leader Richard Tice has called the polling a "clear" endorsement.

"Almost half of all voters want immigration to be frozen and there is only one party offering that - Reform UK," he said.

"We are the only party that can be trusted to freeze immigration, leave the ECHR and deport illegal migrants after decades of Tory and Labour failure. It's time for action."

While leader Nigel Farage said: "Reform is at the centre ground of public opinion."

WATCH IN FULL: Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds speaks to GB News Breakfast

Keir Starmer sniffing out plans to send failed asylum seekers to the Balkans

As Sir Keir Starmer visits Albania today, internal discussions in Westminster are ratcheting up about how to send failed asylum seekers to the Balkans.

Ministers are working on plans to send the migrants to "return hubs" overseas as a last resort - with Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia among the countries in the plans.

Any deal would require Britain to pay for each failed asylum seeker, but Starmer has vowed that he is willing to do "anything that works" as long as it is "consistent with international law" - despite dismissing the Tories' Rwanda processing scheme as a "gimmick".

The Prime Minister is not expected to raise the "hubs" with his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama.

Meanwhile, a Government source told The Times: "The talk of return hubs has definitely intensified internally but there's so much we can do ourselves. The slowdown is external."

Starmer said: "Our joint work to deter, detect and return illegal migrants is further proof that intervening upstream to protect British shores and secure our borders is the right approach.

"Every step we take to tackle illegal migration overseas, cripple the criminal networks that facilitate it and stem the finance streams that fund it is delivering safer streets in the UK, and reducing the strain on taxpayer-funded services.

"But we cannot take this action alone. Through closer partnerships and greater co-operation, we are creating real change with our partners across Europe and delivering on our plan for change."

WATCH IN FULL: Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride speaks to GB News Breakfast

Keir Starmer takes pot-shots at Tories as PM welcomes growth rate

Sir Keir Starmer has also spoken out following this morning's growth announcement. "The UK now has the fastest growth in the G7 - our plan for change in action," he said.

"We've had four interest rate cuts since July and wages are rising faster than prices.

"But I know the Tory cost of living crisis isn't over - we will go further and faster to deliver for working people."

David Lammy scolds 'low-level' Russian delegates in Turkey after Vladimir Putin SNUBS Ukraine

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has scolded "low-level" Russian delegates being sent to peace talks in Turkey today after Vladimir Putin controversially backed down from attending them personally.

Lammy, speaking at a gathering of Nato Ministers in the country, said: "We come with one single message to stand by Ukraine and to ensure that we get a just and lasting, enduring peace.

"And the readiness for that peace is demonstrated by President Zelensky being here in Turkey as well.

"And of course, we watched closely as we head to these talks, noting the Russian low-level individuals who are coming to represent the Russian side."

As Keir Starmer heads to Albania to 'smash the gangs'... his own Migration Minister pledged to NOT report undocumented migrants

With Sir Keir Starmer heading to Albania to tackle illegal immigration, it was revealed last night that his own Migration Minister signed a pledge not to report undocumented migrants to authorities.

Seema Malhotra, who has overseen migration and citizenship at the Home Office since the General Election, signed a 2018 pledge by the group "Global Justice Now" called "MPs not border guards".

The pledge stated she would "represent and advocate for all people living in my constituency as equal members of the local community, regardless of their immigration status".

It adds: "I will not report on anyone who seeks my advice to the Home Office for immigration enforcement and will ensure my office correctly handles sensitive personal information to prevent this from happening."

READ THE FULL STORY ON SEEMA MALHOTRA HERE

Tory grandee dismisses Reform defection rumours - but issues Badenoch 'crisis' warning about Farage

A Tory grandee has broken his silence after being named as a potential defector to Reform UK.

Sir Edward Leigh, who first obtained ministerial experience under Margaret Thatcher and now serves as Father of the House, was identified among a trio of top Tories placed on “defection watch”.

But Leigh has categorically rejected any speculation about him switching his blue rosette to join Farage’s Reform ranks...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Mel Stride: 'It's welcome the economy is growing - but growth has been DOWNGRADED'

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride has also released a statement following this morning's growth figures.

"While it's welcome the economy is growing, both the OBR and IMF have downgraded the UK’s growth," Stride said.

"Labour inherited the fastest-growing economy in the G7, but their decisions have put that progress at risk.

"Labour’s jobs tax, unemployment bill and reckless choices have seen the number of unemployed rise by 10 per cent and working families £3,500 worse off.

"Only the Conservatives believe in low tax, free-enterprise and less regulation, giving business the conditions to create good well paid jobs and wealth in our economy."

Stride will be speaking to GB News Breakfast at 8am - you'll be able to watch his interview with Stephen and Ellie in full here.

Rachel Reeves reacts as British economy grows by more than expected

GDP growth rose by 0.7 per cent between January and March, the ONS has said this morning - with the Chancellor hailing Britain's "strength and potential" as a result.

"Today's growth figures show the strength and potential of the UK economy," Rachel Reeves said. "In the first three months of the year, the UK economy has grown faster than the US, Canada, France, Italy and Germany.

"Up against a backdrop of global uncertainty we are making the right choices now in the national interest.

"Since the election we have already had four interest rate cuts, signed two trade deals, saved British Steel and given a pay rise to millions by increasing the minimum wage.

"Our plan for change is working. But I know there is more to do and that is why I'm determined we go further and faster to make working people better off."

READ THE FULL STORY ON GDP GROWTH HERE