I first entered the imposing gates of HMP Wandsworth in July 2016, and the crumbling Victorian edifice reminded me of Castle Greyskull from the cartoons. I was welcomed by a ginormous bald officer with multiple tattoos, whose terrifying appearance made him ideal for scaring the willies out of trembling new prisoners like me.
I’d just been convicted of tax fraud for using a dodgy finance scheme to fund my film and given a five-year sentence, of which I’d serve half in custody. The officer rightly guessed I’d never set foot in prison before and gave me a cheerful introduction to my new home. “Welcome to Wandsworth, the biggest prison in Europe. Right now, we’re the second most overcrowded jail in England and have the highest suicide rate.”
I would soon witness firsthand how these depressing statistics were deeply interlinked, and see how chronic overcrowding had brought the entire prison system to its knees – a problem Andy Burnham is now grappling with. The Government has U-turned on an emergency early release scheme introduced under Sir Keir Starmer. It has announced £110m will be spent converting unused office space, laundry rooms and storage space into more cells.
How to be more grateful for daily life in five easy steps
The world feels like a difficult place at the moment, and it can feel very hard sometimes to find things to be thankful for; when we are overwhelmed, we have less capacity to notice and reflect on the good things. Yet, ironically, proactively cultivating gratitude is one of the things that can actually help us feel less stressed.
NHS GP dR RADHA
The science
Research has shown that feeling or expressing thanks can actually alter our brain.
- The balance of neurotransmitters change; more serotonin and dopamine (feel good chemicals) are produced.
- This can be long lasting if we make gratitude a regular habit.
- We also get a decrease in our cortisol (stress hormone) levels which helps lower anxiety.
- Being grateful can strengthen the nerve pathways which triggers positive emotion.
How can we build gratitude?
Change your words
Instead of seeing something as a problem, try to see the opportunities within it.
Our brains are very receptive and what we read or write can alter our emotional system.
Express it
This will not only make you feel good, but you will also get a positive response from others.
How can we build gratitude?
Notice more
Throughout your day, try to notice all the things that are going well; has someone opened a door for you, or smiled?
The basics
By being thankful for the small things every day, we are far more likely to be and stay healthy so that we can enjoy them.
What to do
Gratitude can lead to feelings of optimism, lower our blood pressure, and improve sleep quality.
- Write down what potential good aspects there are to the things you don’t feel like doing, or even what could be worse about it.
- Spend a few minutes writing down three things that you are looking forward to that day, or the good things that have happened to you that day.
- Say thank you to yourself for the things you have achieved, or managed to get through and changed that day.
Sales of battery
electric vehicles hit a record high last year.
Starts at £22,995 for the smaller battery
Available with either a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh pack, that offers almost 255 miles, the latest, retro-inspired Renault 5 is both a joy to behold and a hoot to drive.
The interior has been lavished with a level of detail that’s typically reserved for more expensive cars.
4 min read
A champion of EV efficiency
It offers a remarkable 491 mile range on a single charge from the 85kWh battery.
It is a technological masterclass inside with the ability to option screens that span the entire width of the dashboard, including an optional display for the front passenger.
Priced from £37,400
2 min read
It’s a lot of money to part with, but this is arguably all the car you will ever need.
The £89,000 Macan is a premium SUV that somehow manages to blend Porsche’s reputation for dynamics and sporty driving with everyday practicality.
The 95kWh batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes from the fastest public charging outlets.
With the business class-style six seat configuration costing a staggering £76,995, it is by far the most expensive Kia ever made, but it backs up its financial demands with a suite of genuinely useful and impressive onboard technology.
It’s fast, goes a long way between stops and charges relatively quickly but the interior is bland, the onboard technology is infuriating and the experience is devoid of emotion.
All of its gadgetry can’t disguise the fact that performance is weak, even for a typically zippy EV, the ride is fussy at slower speeds and it’s not in the least bit enjoyable to drive on a country road.
- While good value (prices start at £17,935) for the 200-mile max range, there are more interesting options from Hyundai, Citroen and Renault for similar money.
- It attempts to wow with tech, much of which hinders, rather than helps.
- There’s no tangible benefit over mounting your phone to the dash.
- Simply an average driving experience, adequate range and slow charging speeds.
2 min read
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Victorinox paring knife
It’s comfortable to hold, with a point sharp enough for scoring pastry.
ProCook cast iron pan
For unbeatable searing and heat-retention, cast iron is the top choice.
Tesco chopping board
Priced at just £22, I’ve yet to find another board that matches it for sheer value and quality.
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Pyrex jug
It is the perfect vessel for blending smooth sauces, melting butter, or warming stock. It won’t stain like plastic and the red measurements never fade.
Salter scales
“I’ve had my slim little set of Salter Disc Scales for over a decade, and I’m delighted to see they are still made to exactly the same reliable design today.”
Microplane grater
It uses photo-etched stainless steel teeth that stay razor-sharp for a decade, something the lookalike copycats simply can’t match.
Braun hand-held blender
It’s an essential for everything from making velvety soup to getting the lumps out of white sauce.
Bodum cafetiere
As well as delivering great results, cafetieres are easy to clean and there’s no ongoing filter paper costs or pod recycling to deal with.
5 min read
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Oxo peeler
What truly sets it apart is the chunky, rubberised handle that absorbs pressure and stays completely non-slip, even if your hands are wet. It is inexpensive and incredibly durable.
Falcon pie dish
Made by fusing porcelain onto heavy-gauge steel for smooth durability, it is dishwasher, freezer, hob, air-fryer and oven-safe.
The golden rules for a happy, secure relationship
Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr Amir Levine, author of bestselling book , explains why we behave the way we do in love.
Golden rules for happy relationships
Start with your own behaviours
The foundation of a secure, connected life is being what I call CARRP: that means being consistent, available, responsive, reliable and predictable. All of these qualities can be enacted in small gestures every day.
Express your needs
People need consistency and connection to feel safe. This is not, ‘You hurt my feelings by never replying to me’, it’s more ‘this is the kind of contact that helps me feel secure’.
Golden rules for happy relationships
The appendix ‘inflammation’ rule
If a relationship repeatedly inflames your nervous system, you need to disengage and deprioritise it.
Lean on community
You don’t need hundreds of friends. You need people and places that regularly remind you that you belong.
Stop blaming childhood
Humans are much more complicated than: ‘this happened to you, therefore you are doomed to be anxious’.
Reach for a
secure script
When something unsettles you in a relationship, your first reaction is not always the most accurate one.
If you’re anxious, your brain may jump very quickly to: ‘this is the beginning of the end’. If you’re avoidant, your brain may say: ‘this person wants too much from me, I need to get away’. So one very practical thing you can always do is pause and ask: ‘What would a secure person do here?’
Loneliness elsewhere
When people talk about loneliness, they often assume it means you don’t have enough people in your life. But you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely if those relationships leave you feeling excluded, ignored or disconnected.
What to do
- Build a community that works for your temperament and gives you regular, reliable moments of connection.
- You can still be kind to people while not treating them as someone who belongs in your inner circle.
- Explain what you need. Sometimes people simply don’t realise how you are experiencing them.
- Check in with people: does this person actually feel that I’m reliable? Do they experience me as predictable? That’s the only way that you can start to become more secure.
Do some foods leave
you feeling hungry rather than satiated? Experts say there are…
Foods that leave you hungrier
A bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice
More refined cereals are digested quickly, and fruit juice, whilst one of your five-a-day, contains less fibre than whole fruit. This might mean you find yourself hungry again within 1-2 hours of eating this breakfast.
Swap the orange juice for a whole orange, the cereal for oats and milk or serve it with Greek yoghurt or a boiled egg. This would increase the fibre and protein content; two nutrients strongly linked with fullness.
Foods that leave you hungrier
These pastries are made primarily from refined flour and butter, and are relatively low in protein and fibre.
Toast and jam
Shop-bought packs can contain a lot of white rice, which is digested quickly, and the protein content is often modest.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Vegetable soup
On its own, it is often very low in protein and calories, so hunger can return quickly.
Unless it’s loaded with veggies, it’s probably pretty low in fibre.
Liquids are generally less filling as they require little chewing which may not trigger satiety signals.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Snack bars
They are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, but if reducing hunger is what you’re after, it’d be better to swap it out.
Low-fat yoghurt
A full-fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds tends to be much more filling due to the protein, fat and fibre.
On an empty stomach, it can actually increase your appetite.
What to eat instead
Instead of thinking about avoiding foods, think about what you can add to them.
- Add beans, lentils or shredded chicken to your vegetable soup and pasta.
- Thicken your smoothies with Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and oats.
- Apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with berries and hummus with oat biscuits are better snack options than a pre-made snack bar.
- Have alcohol alongside a balanced meal containing protein and fibre.
How to age well
without pain
Will Harlow, a physiotherapist
for the over-50s and author of Independence for Life, shares
the key signs you’re ageing
badly – and what to do about it.
How to know
Ageing well is maintaining the ability to do what you want you want for as long as you want without needing help. Everyone is talking about longevity but what’s the point in living longer if the last decade is painful and you’re [totally] reliant on people?”
The signs to look out for
- The most obvious early warning sign of bad ageing is pain says Harlow.
- Another is losing confidence in doing daily tasks, which can quickly lead to a lack of independence.
- One call Harlow often receives is people calling after having a fall and struggling to get up.
4 min read
How to age without pain
Not just stopping
When people retire, they often put their feet up and stop. Your body really is use it or lose it.
Throughout our entire lives, Harlow says we need between seven and nine hours of sleep.
Social isolation
The lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death by
as much as 29 per cent.
Strength training
It really is the proxy for
overall independence.
The more muscle mass you have, the less chance of heart disease, diabetes, falls and even anxiety, depression and dementia.
The brain can be linked to muscle mass too, Harlow says. It’s not just about being able to lift things. It gives you more energy, better sleep and you’ll look and feel better.
How to age without pain
Daily habits
Do short bursts of exercise, between 30 and 60 seconds, in otherwise dead time during the day.
Stretch in bed
Take joints through a full range of motion for five minutes to loosen it before getting up.
Don’t crash diet
How to age without pain
Harlow advises 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight to stop muscle loss alongside resistance training.
Don’t wait
Harlow finds that many patients put off making a change to their lifestyle until their lives are consumed by pain.
For most people, it’s about reducing the number of times per week you’re exercising, not reducing intensity.
The three ageing tests to do
- Lie completely flat on the floor and get back up to a standing position using any technique. This should take less than 10 seconds.
See how many times you can sit on the chair and stand back up again in 30 seconds. Men should be aiming for more than 14 times and women 12.
The single-leg stand, which involves standing on one leg and balancing for 10 seconds. Everyone should be able to do that and for those under 65, Harlow asks them to do it with their eyes closed.
Despite the job market hiring fewer entry-level roles, employers are still looking for grads…
But you should be prepared to keep an open mind.
We’ve compiled the sectors hiring graduate roles, what degree is required, and what they pay.
The degrees to choose for a career
Hiring in the UK could
finally be on the up
47%
of employers offered entry-level
positions from July.
That is up nearly 15 per cent from the same period last year.
700,000
But graduate unemployment rose to six per cent in 2025 and 700,000 jobless graduates were claiming benefits.
Finance and insurance
- Around 42 per cent of UK finance and insurance employers say they will be open to graduate roles this summer.
- Business loan company Portman Finance Group has taken on 50 graduates over the past four years.
Portman graduates start on £36,000 for the two-year programme and the education you need to apply is a minimum “ABB” of A-levels, and a 2:1 or above university degree. But not in a specific subject.
Trade and logistics
What makes it particularly rewarding is that there’s always something to learn.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of trade and logistics companies will be giving graduates a go this year.
Salaries start at £30,000 with an uncapped bonus, rising to £50,000 plus a company car as a senior account partner.
Technology and IT
More than half (52 per cent) of UK tech and IT firms are actively looking for graduates.
Successful entry-level candidates can earn a basic salary of up to £35,000, with the opportunity to triple that within their first three years of working.
4 min read
Public sector, health
and social services
46 per cent of public sector, health and social services organisations are also ready to take graduates, according to a survey by Manpower.
- For example, Police Now runs a graduate programme into policing. They recruit graduates from any degree field, as long as they achieve a 2:2 or above. Starting salaries range from £31,164 to £42,210 depending on location and rising each year.
Can we treat guests without blowing our budget?
According to Waitrose, a dinner party revival is underway led by younger people trying to reduce the cost of getting together.
Always have bread
People will feast on the
ELLA RISBRIDGER, AUTHOR OF THE KITCHEN BOOK – GOOD FOOD FOR EVERY DAY
bread, and then need less fish/steak/expensive whatever. All small plates restaurants know this: this is why the first thing on the menu is always artisan bread and butter.
Use vegetables as centrepieces
Add pantry items
Graham’s recipes include a braised cabbage with a preserved lemon sauce, a roast cauliflower with saffron, and harrisa roast carrots with mango labneh.
How to host on a budget
Improve the everyday
Guests will always appreciate a stellar interpretation of the ordinary. Think lasagna or curry.
Cooking dinner for your guests is spoiling them – you’re being generous with your time, your effort, and your home. So don’t feel the need to go overboard elsewhere.
Ask for help
Ask friends to bring a contribution, be it a nibble or a pudding.
Big platter energy
[Presentation] can be the key to elevating something . Spaghetti and tomato sauce suddenly looks like a feast when tumbled on a lovely big plate, dressed with olive oil and parmesan and placed in the middle of the table.
Food writer and editor Eleanor Steafel
How to host on a budget
Taco party
Have one expensive filling, like shredded chicken, and two cheaper options, like refried beans, says Ella Risbridger.
Shop-bought ice cream is so easily zhuzhed up with the help of handy toppings, says Eleanor Steafel.
Imagine a school which increases its class sizes from 30 to 60, while cutting teachers. Or picture a hospital where wards built for 20 beds must suddenly cope with 40 patients – while slashing nursing staff. Two things would immediately happen: a complete collapse in standards and an explosion of national outrage. This is what had occurred to HMP Wandsworth before I moved in, a prison designed for 800 inmates, now struggling with over 1,500 (the population remains at this level today). Nationally, prisoner numbers had doubled since the 90s, while staffing levels had dropped by a third – a shocking defunding of the justice system carried out by the coalition government in the 2010s.
As I nervously entered the induction wing, I learned that most prisoners were now locked in their cells all day, every day, a permanent state of misery nicknamed “bang up”. My first cellmate ruefully suggested that the easiest way to imagine these conditions would be to go into a bathroom with a stranger, lock the door and flush the key down the toilet.
After a week of 23-hour bang up I realised what he meant. I got so stir crazy I would have seriously contemplated joining the Islamic State to get out of my cell. I spent hours staring dementedly out the crack in the door, dripping with jealousy at the inmates who were happily walking the landings, some of whom had gone to extraordinary lengths to escape their cells. There were several Muslims on my wing, and they all signed up to the weekly AA meetings. They were strictly teetotal but pretended to be alcoholics to stretch their legs and chat with their friends.
I learned that the best way to leave my cell was to obtain a job assisting the officers, who were vastly overstretched as the government kept cutting their numbers, and I quickly became the screws’ bitch. They soon asked me to tick off the morning register as inmates left the wing, a role that should have been undertaken by an officer and not entrusted to an offender who had just been convicted of a highly publicised crime of dishonesty. I wasn’t remotely shocked when Daniel Khalife vanished from Wandsworth several years later and was only surprised that such daring escapes didn’t happen more often.
I served nine months in Wandsworth (before moving to the relatively better conditions at Ford Open Prison) and kept adding more jobs to my portfolio, allowing me to explore every corner of this grossly dysfunctional jail. As a writer and journalist, I realised I was in the middle of the biggest story of my life and kept a detailed diary of my mad experiences, which later became my bestselling book, A Bit of a Stretch.
I saw that chronic overcrowding was the cancer killing the entire prison system. The never-ending bang up meant that prisoners’ mental health spiralled, triggering an epidemic of self-harm. Many inmates would self-medicate their misery with illegal drugs, and the trade in narcotics was rampant. When prisoners were eventually let out of their cells, many would release their pent-up frustration and anger, and violence skyrocketed.
The poor officers were run ragged by this daily chaos and were unable to deliver purposeful activities for the inmates. While the prison did have an education department, its impact was negligible as the officers rarely had the time to unlock prisoners and escort them to classes. Teachers would often sit alone in empty classrooms, which was particularly tragic as many offenders fell into crime through a lack of education, and tuition in literacy and numeracy would have significantly reduced reoffending.
The public often dismisses the overcrowding crisis as something that doesn’t affect law-abiding citizens – who cares if some criminals are having a hard time? But this is a false perspective. By simply warehousing prisoners, we have abandoned any hope of offering rehabilitation and steering offenders on a better path.
Inmates leave our bursting prisons far more damaged than they went in, and many fall right back into crime. I would often say farewell to a neighbour on a Friday afternoon as they were released, only to see them back inside by Monday morning. The revolving door was so entrenched that cons would sometimes go right back to their old cell. The consequence for the public is heightened levels of crime – around a third of released prisoners reoffend within a year, rising to 60 per cent for those on short sentences.
If our prisons were less overcrowded and could function as centres of rehabilitation, then crime rates would fall. Nordic countries have long prioritised education and therapeutic treatments for convicted criminals and subsequently have far lower levels of reoffending. These progressive policies have allowed these countries to close prisons as fewer offenders cycle back through the system. The UK is taking the exact opposite approach, fixated on relentless and brutal punishment. As a result, we are all paying for an ever-rising prison population, which is set to increase by 10 per cent to 100,000 by 2030. We have given up trying to prevent reoffending and opt instead to pack damaged criminals into crumbling prisons like sardines.
Starmer’s government didn’t cause this crisis but had to somehow deal with the mess inherited from the Tories. It tried to limit overcrowding by introducing an emergency release scheme in 2024 which let some prisoners out after 40 per cent of their sentences (as opposed to 50 per cent in my day). This had a raft of unintended consequences, as inmates were suddenly dumped out the prison gates with zero preparation for their release, and many quickly breached the terms of their licence and were recalled back inside. The recall rate shot up by 30 per cent in 2025. In early 2026, more inmates were recalled back to prison than were let out, meaning the early release scheme actually helped increase prison numbers – the exact opposite of its intended purpose.
There are sensible ways to reduce prison numbers which don’t involve kicking the can down the road. Imprisonment for public protection sentences (IPPs), long discredited as utterly unjust and inhumane, were abolished in 2012, but there are still 2,700 men trapped inside on these barbaric schemes. IPPs had no fixed release date and were given when a crime did not deserve a full life sentence, but the offender was deemed to pose a high future risk of harm. Even the Tory justice secretary Alex Chalk called them “a stain on our justice system”.
The Labour Government has rightly promised to end this massive miscarriage of justice by the end of this Parliament. But it needs to act now and start letting these men go – some of whom have served 10 years over their initial tariff. This would go some way to easing the chronic overcrowding that is causing so much destruction to our society.