‘Labour must kind out the regulation and order mess created by Tories’

Operation Early Dawn – holding defendants in police cells and delaying court appearances until prison places come free – is what Labour is having to do to clean up the Tories’ law and order mess.

The operation and the early release of some prisoners are regrettable, if necessary steps. In the words of PM Keir Starmer, his new government, is “managing the risk” to public safety of a “terrible inheritance” left by the Tories.

Heavy sentences for the violent, racist far-right thugs and looters who unleashed mayhem in the riots are justified, but intensify the pressure on jails. But the blame for early releases rests with the Conservatives.

In the longer term, Britain needs a public debate on who, what for, why and for how long we put criminals behind bars. But let us hope the gamble now doesn’t put law-abiding members of the public at risk.

Cash gateway

Claiming Pension Credit, a means-tested benefit for pensioners on low incomes, has never been more important for the estimated 850,000 elderly Britons missing out on £3.8billion worth of support they are entitled to. Because the benefit is to become a gateway to the Winter Fuel Allowance, worth up to £300 a year, when the Labour government controversially means tests that too, removing the payment from 10 million or so senior citizens as part of cuts to public spending.

Pension Credit is also the route to free TV licences for over-75s, which makes it very valuable, with people due around £4,000 a year. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall’s push could put money into the pockets of elderly folk who need the cash. So claim. Now.

A class act

How classy of Taylor Swift to meet some of the victims of the terrible Southport knife attack and their loved-ones at her sell-out Wembley Stadium concerts. She is a pop sensation who shows she really cares about her young Swifties.