Ministers have been accused of “scaremongering” for refusing to resentence over 2,600 prisoners with indefinite jail terms, including cases like James Lawrence serving 18 years for an eight-month term. Despite calls for resentencing from the UN and a private members bill by Lord Woodley, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood and prisons minister Lord Timpson have rejected the idea, citing concerns about releasing “dangerous” offenders without supervision. Campaigners and politicians are pushing for reconsideration, criticizing the government’s excuses for inaction and calling for all IPP prisoners to have their sentences reviewed.
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Besieged Reeves hit by even worse than expected economic growth forecast
Rachel Reeves received a boost with the Bank of England cutting interest rates to aid economic growth, benefiting businesses and mortgage holders. However, growth expectations were halved due to increased NHS spending in her Budget, leading to projections of rising inflation. Despite calls for her to do more for struggling businesses, Downing Street reiterated support for Reeves to remain Chancellor for the entirety of the Parliament. Full Article
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