As the Parliamentary term came to a close for the year, Members of Parliament have departed Westminster for the Christmas recess. Prior to the two-week break, the Government has released a slew of data and announcements, a customary practice before Parliament adjourns.
Ministers have traditionally revealed unfavorable news on the final day of term, and this year was no exception. Various documents, including speed camera fines and concerning court statistics, have been made public for scrutiny. Additionally, Keir Starmer’s team at No10 caused a stir by announcing the cancellation of afternoon press briefings for the new year in an email released last night.
The Mirror has meticulously examined the negative news disclosed to prevent it from being overlooked. Downing Street has decided to discontinue its daily afternoon press briefing, which journalists caution may hinder government scrutiny. Instead, Number 10 plans to provide “occasional” press conferences with ministers or technical briefings to enhance access for journalists outside the traditional lobby.
The move has sparked concerns among political reporters, with the lobby chairs expressing worry over restricted access and transparency. Notably, thousands of drivers may have received inaccurate speeding fines due to a fault in speed camera activations on English motorways and A roads. National Highways disclosed 2,650 wrongful camera triggers since 2021, leading to refunds and points rescission for affected drivers.
Moreover, official data released on the last day of Parliament revealed a new high in court backlogs. The Ministry of Justice reported a 9% increase in crown court open cases, with over 20,000 cases open for a year or more. The backlog continues to grow, prompting Justice Secretary David Lammy’s controversial proposal to limit jury trials for shorter sentences, facing opposition from Labour MPs.
In a separate development, the Government spent over £20 million on the Covid Inquiry in the first half of the year, with substantial costs on staff and legal expenses. Concerns over the Army’s Ajax armoured vehicle trials have arisen following vibration injuries to soldiers, leading to a temporary pause in testing.
Lastly, police forces in England and Wales will receive varying budget increases, with new policing reform proposals slated for early 2026. Local elections in 63 council areas may be postponed until 2027 as part of local government restructuring efforts. Additionally, a review of adult gender clinics in England highlighted severe service quality issues and long waiting times, calling for urgent improvements.
As ministers depart for the Christmas break, agricultural concerns resurface with calls for a new approach to farm profitability and clarity on farming schemes. The review emphasizes the need for a comprehensive government-industry farming agreement to bolster the sector’s sustainability and productivity.