In england and wales. That policy sees the proportion of sentences which some inmates must serve behind bars temporarily cut from 50 to A0 . But latest government figures suggest more than a quarter of prisoners will go on to reoffend within a year of being released. The problem is there are no guarantees that anybody who is released early will not reoffend, because weve got to do ourjob in our prisons of trying to rehabilitate people. We simply cannot do that if theyre used as Human Warehouses and were overcrowded. We must be given a chance to give people hope. The Ministry Ofjustice says it cannot comment on individual cases but insists that anyone who breaks their Licence Conditions upon release, or who commits further crimes, will be punished, and the government says without the early release scheme, police would not be able to make arrests and the courts would not be able to hold trials. The Prison Population in england and wales has dropped by more than 2,000 in a week following
Countries in the region including the Czech Republic where 38 locations have declared the highest flood alert. Authorities there say the worst Rainfall And Flood risk should be experienced in the coming 2a to 48 hours. Poland, too, has also experienced heavy rain. Our correspondent in warsaw, Adam Easton, has the latest. Well, what this cyclone is doing, catherine, is causing extremely heavy rainfall which is leading to dangerously high river Levels Water levels in the rivers across the region. Many rivers have burst their banks, and thats causing flooding in many countries particularly, as you mentioned, in romania, where four people have been found dead in the east of the country by the River Danube delta. 5,000 homes have been damaged in the flooding and the romanian authorities have, as you said, set up Displacement Camps and are providing blankets and food for people who have been forced to evacuate their homes. In romania and in the Czech Republic, the floods have caused Tens Of
At the impact on patients, healthcare workers and the wider nhs. The personal stories of more than 30,000 people will form part of the evidence heard over the coming weeks. 0ur Reporterjoe Inwood has more. There was no area of life untouched by the covid 19 pandemic. But what impact did it have on those who risked their lives to save others . Thats The Question being asked by the next stage of the covid Public Inquiry, known as module three, which begins today. It will examine how Health Care workers were impacted, looking at the issue of ppe, at masks and Infection Control, as well as the way that gps and the 111 helpline were used. It will also aim to shed light on the thorny issues of shielding for the most vulnerable, maternity services and end of life care, along with many other areas. The Public Inquiry started injune last year, and is looking at all aspects of the worst pandemic of modern times. This section is set to take ten weeks, and will include 30,000 stories submitted by
Good afternoon, and welcome to the Bbc News at one. Several major Trade Unions have appealed directly to Sir Keir Starmer to reverse the decision to take away the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners. The plan to make it means tested was announced shortly after the election, with both the prime Minister And Chancellor insisting its necessary, and the money needs to be spent elsewhere. But tomorrow some of the governments own mps plan to abstain from a Commons Vote on the change, rather than backing it. Our Employment Correspondent Zoe Conway has the latest. Trade unions are celebrating that the Labour Party is back. For Trade Unions are celebrating that the Labour Party is back. The Labour Party is back. For the first time in the Labour Party is back. For the first time in 15 the Labour Party is back. For the first time in 15 years the Labour Party is back. For the first time in 15 years under the Labour Party is back. For the first time in 15 years under a first time in 15 y
Theyre also worried about needing to go to hospital or work how will they get there . Because we are literally expecting a gridlock. Concerns, too, that Lorry Drivers coming in from europe might not have got the message this is a well worn route for those coming in from the Channel Ports. Several closures between now and the end of the year are planned. National highways advised commuters to take the train instead, and to plan in advance. But the advice this weekend . Avoid, avoid. Frances read, bbc news. To our correspondent, mark ashdown. There have been dire warnings. What sense do you get of the predicted Traffic Chaos . This sense do you get of the predicted Traffic Chaos . Traffic chaos . This is an unprecedented Traffic Chaos . This is an l unprecedented moment. Traffic chaos . This is an unprecedented moment. Looking Traffic Chaos . This is an unprecedented moment. Looking behind me, even at this time of day this would normally be absolutely heaving with traffic. Eight lanes of