Jennifer McKiernan

City of Westminster, Edinburgh

Political Reporter at BBC

BBC Westminster political reporter. British Journalism Awards finalist 2023. Amnesty International media awards winner 2021. Also N Ireland, Holyrood & Brussels

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Articles

Prisoners to be eligible for release after serving a third of sentence

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jennifer McKiernan |Ashitha Nagesh |Sima Kotecha

Prisoners in England and Wales, including some serious offenders, will be eligible for release after serving a third of their sentence under reforms. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons she accepted most of the proposals from an independent sentencing review, but stopped short of allowing the most serious offenders from being released early.
Government to press ahead with shorter prison sentence plans

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Jennifer McKiernan

Government to press ahead with shorter prison sentence plansPA MediaSentencing reforms aimed at easing prison overcrowding have been mostly accepted by the government, the justice secretary has said, although she has rejected allowing early releases for the most serious offenders. The government commissioned an Independent Sentencing Review by former Conservative Lord Chancellor David Gauke, who concluded major reforms were needed to "end the dangerous cycle of emergency releases".
UK steps up action against Israel over Gaza offensive

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jennifer McKiernan |James Landale |Yang Tian

The UK has suspended talks on a trade deal with Israel, summoned the country's ambassador and imposed fresh sanctions on West Bank settlers, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the military escalation in Gaza "morally unjustifiable". The move follows warnings of starvation in Gaza after Israel launched a new military operation over the weekend.
Labour postpones women's conference after Supreme Court ruling

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jennifer McKiernan

The Labour Party has postponed its annual Women's Conference in the wake of advice following last month's ruling on the legal definition of a woman. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Up until the ruling, Labour had allowed people to self-identify as a woman, so trans women could attend the event and also take part in "positive action" measures such as all-women shortlists.
UK steps up action against Israel over Gaza offensive

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Jennifer McKiernan

UK steps up action against Israel over Gaza offensiveReutersThe UK has suspended talks on a trade deal with Israel, summoned the country's ambassador and imposed fresh sanctions on West Bank settlers, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the military escalation in Gaza as "monstrous". The move follows warnings of starvation in Gaza after Israel launched a new military operation over the weekend.
Peers demand more protection from AI for creatives

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Jennifer McKiernan

She was backed by Labour's Lord Brennan, who said the government was trying to set up "a double standard" with AI companies, and abandoning its historical leadership over the importance of intellectual copyright. "This country has shown leadership throughout history in relation to copyright and setting the highest standards in order to try and drag people up to our level rather than simply putting up the flag of surrender," he said.
Minister 'pushing' for deal over UK use of EU passport e-gates

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Jennifer McKiernan

The UK and EU will hold their first bilateral summit since Brexit on Monday, described by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as a "really significant moment". Both parties are hoping to agree deals on a number of issues, including trade and security. Describing talks as in "the very final hours", Thomas-Symonds said he was focused on jobs, lower household bills and stronger borders.
PM urged to end 'legal theft' from park home owners

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Jennifer McKiernan

PM urged to end 'legal theft' from park home ownersBBCSir Keir Starmer is being urged to scrap a law forcing people who live in mobile homes to hand over 10% of the profits when they sell up to the site owner. The charge has been labelled "legal theft of equity" by campaigner Sonia McColl, who represents an estimated 200,000 park homes residents across England.
Mahmood pledges 'moment of reckoning' for grooming gangs

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Jennifer McKiernan

Mahmood pledges 'moment of reckoning' over grooming gangsPA MediaJustice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has promised "a moment of reckoning" for those who turned a blind eye to the the scandal of grooming gangs. The scale of abuse was set out by Prof Alexis Jay's Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) in 2022, but when Labour won the general election in July 2024, none of her 20 recommendations had been implemented.
Cooper backs PM over 'island of strangers' remark

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Jennifer McKiernan

Cooper backs PM over 'island of strangers' remarkEPA-EFE/ShutterstockHome Secretary Yvette Cooper has defended the language used by Sir Keir Starmer in a speech to unveil plans to cut immigration. The phrase has led some Labour MPs to accuse him of divisive language - a claim rejected by Cooper. She added the PM had been seeking to highlight the impact of rising migration in recent years and "support for integration," including English language tests.