Justice & Home Affairs

Scathing report on prisons estate from Nick Hardwick blames deterioration on staff shortages, over-crowding and "misguided policies"

Lowell Goddard orders civil servants not to destroy documents relating to the sexual abuse of children.

Richard Heaton to succeed Ursula Brennan as MoJ permanent secretary, while civil service chief executive John Manzoni given Heaton's Cabinet Office perm sec remit

Labour MP Simon Danczuk calls for DPP to step aside as Right to Review scheme orders "trial of facts" over Lord Janner abuse claims

Former non-exec Dame Sue Street says justice secretary's move "not in the spirit of good governance"

Independent review into intelligence agencies' powers expected at 11am

Report by the National Audit Office says Home Office must improve its understanding of individual police forces, and how further funding cuts could impact service delivery

Higher Education Policy Institute sounds alarm on un-recouped student loans

Former education secretary Michael Gove to take on justice secretary role while Nicky Morgan stays at DfE

A former police call centre worker tells Freya Pascall about the pressures – exacerbated by central government – that led to their resignation. Illustration by John Levers

From the homeless and crime victims to the abused children of Rotherham, Louise Casey has spent her career fighting for society’s most vulnerable. Sarah Aston meets her. Photos by Tal Cohen

Former environment secretary set to pressure government over Ministry of Defence budget, while defence secretary Michael Fallon says he will be 'fighting' against MoD cuts

Northern Irish unionist party the DUP says 2% defence pledge a 'very clear' part of terms for coalition support

Think tank RUSI says UK unlikely to meet 2% Nato target

Committee urges greater diversity in intelligence agencies

Attorney general's deputy legal secretary set to follow Michael Fuller in inspecting prosecutor's work

Labour rounds on Home Office over investigation into Serco-run detention centre

Prime minister David Cameron set to unveil new measures to crack down on child sexual exploitation

Defence safety regulators to merge into Defence Safety Authority from 1 April 2015

As Britain’s first anti-slavery commissioner, Kevin Hyland is on a mission to set people free – with the help of some friends in very high places. Sarah Aston spoke to him.

Home Office let off the hook after court rules department does not have to pay damages to defence firm 

Former head of London Probation Trust appointed interim chief inspector of probation

Home Affairs Select Committee calls for extension of abuse inquiry to cover all of the UK