Home Office data to confirm if recruitment pledge has been met, while concerns over quality and vetting of recruits persist.

The UK government is poised to announce whether it has achieved its ambitious goal of recruiting 20,000 new police officers across England and Wales. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed confidence that the target, central to his promise to reduce crime, is on the verge of being met.

Data from the Home Office, set to be released on Wednesday morning, will confirm if the recruitment milestone—intended to address cuts made during austerity—is reached. However, critics have questioned the pace and quality of the recruitment campaign, raising concerns about potential shortcomings in vetting and training.

In anticipation of the announcement, Home Secretary Suella Braverman plans to urge police forces to prioritise “criminal justice over social justice” during a speech for the Public Safety Foundation campaign launch. She is expected to criticise “politically correct preoccupations” in policing, advocating instead for “common sense policing” focused on addressing crime directly.

Sunak stated, “When I stood outside Downing Street six months ago, I pledged to do whatever it takes to cut crime and make our communities safer. Recruiting 20,000 additional officers is a significant part of that effort. Today, we expect to confirm that we’ve achieved this goal, which marks an important step toward transforming policing and making it more representative of the communities it serves.”

While acknowledging the progress, Sunak noted that further action is required, highlighting plans to combat anti-social behaviour through increased police presence in high-crime areas and expanded drug testing for offenders.

Policing Minister Chris Philp admitted he would be “very disappointed” if the target isn’t met, but he also emphasised the importance of ensuring the new recruits are adequately trained and supported. “The sergeants and inspectors must mentor and develop these officers to maintain policing standards,” he told MPs.

Despite reaching 84% of the target by December, concerns about the rapid recruitment pace persist. Reports suggest that some police forces resorted to inviting back previously rejected candidates to meet the deadline, sparking fears about potentially unsuitable individuals joining the force.

The £3.6 billion recruitment initiative is part of a broader £18.5 billion, 10-year plan by the Home Office. However, watchdogs, including the National Audit Office (NAO), warn that the campaign may exacerbate pressures on an already strained criminal justice system. Critics also highlight risks of recruiting inexperienced officers too quickly, with issues cited in forces like the Metropolitan Police.

As the government awaits final confirmation of its achievement, questions remain about the long-term impact of the recruitment drive and its ability to strengthen policing effectively.

Analysis suggests annual expenditure on housing asylum seekers may surpass £4 billion under proposed migration policy changes.

The Labour Party has raised concerns that the Conservative government’s Illegal Migration Bill could escalate daily costs for asylum seeker hotel accommodation by an additional £7.5 million, pushing annual spending above £4 billion.

Current Home Office figures show that £6 million per day is already being spent on housing nearly 50,000 asylum seekers in hotels, with an additional 57,000 in more established asylum accommodation. Labour’s analysis warns that the proposed changes in the Bill, due to return to the Commons on Wednesday, would lead to even higher costs.

The legislation, which applies to those arriving after March 7, aims to prevent asylum claims from being assessed, according to Labour. Instead, the government intends to remove individuals from the country, but Labour argues this is unlikely to happen on a significant scale. Rwanda, one of the primary relocation destinations, is expected to accept only a few hundred people, far short of the estimated 53,000 arrivals subject to the Bill’s provisions this year.

To accommodate these numbers, the Home Office is reportedly planning to expand its use of asylum housing, including bases, barges, and new hotels. Labour cited recent proposals or openings in areas such as Hereford, Kegworth, and Aberdeen, despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s December promise to end the reliance on hotels.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the Bill, stating: “This legislation will create more chaos in the asylum system. Instead of reducing hotel use, it will result in thousands more people housed in taxpayer-funded accommodation.” She urged Tory MPs to reject the Bill in favour of Labour’s proposal for fast-tracking decisions and returning asylum seekers to safe countries like Albania and India to alleviate the backlog.

Labour has also called for new measures requiring the Home Office to consult local councils on asylum accommodation plans and to prioritise deportation of terrorists arriving on small boats.

A government spokesperson dismissed Labour’s analysis, accusing the party of opposing efforts to deter illegal crossings. “Labour doesn’t want to stop the boats – they want to scrap the Rwanda deal, which would only increase the costs of our asylum system. Our plan is designed to prevent people from making these dangerous journeys in the first place,” the spokesperson said.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and four others face charges of seditious conspiracy over Capitol riot.

The defence team has completed its testimony in the high-profile trial of Enrique Tarrio, former national leader of the Proud Boys, and four other members of the group accused of conspiring to disrupt the transfer of power after the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The case centres on allegations that the defendants plotted to prevent Joe Biden from assuming the presidency.

Federal prosecutors are expected to call rebuttal witnesses before closing arguments commence. Jurors will then deliberate on one of the most significant cases stemming from the Justice Department’s investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The trial, which began over three months ago, resumes Friday.

Dominic Pezzola, a former Proud Boys member and the last defence witness, testified he acted independently during the events of January 6. A Marine Corps veteran, Pezzola admitted to breaking a Capitol window with a riot shield taken from police but denied any coordinated plot. He described the riot as “the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.”

During cross-examination, prosecutors played a video of Pezzola smoking a cigar inside the Capitol, calling it a “victory smoke.” Pezzola expressed regret, labelling his actions “idiotic” and claiming he was unaware of any broader Proud Boys strategy to attack the Capitol.

The defendants, including Tarrio and group members Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, and Zachary Rehl, face charges of seditious conspiracy. Prosecutors allege the group acted as a violent force to keep Donald Trump in office. The jury has heard testimony from over three dozen witnesses since the trial began in January, with the defence resting its case on Thursday.