42 h. ago Shabana Mahmood says UK will seek reform of human rights convention

Justice secretary says ‘public confidence in the rule of law is fraying’ but she wants to protect ECHR by changing itEchoes of Brexit as Starmer is pressed to seize initiative on human rightsThe justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has said Britain will pursue reform of the European convention on human rights (ECHR), both at home and in Strasbourg, saying “public confidence in the rule of law is fraying”.Mahmood’s warning in her speech at the Council of Europe came as the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said she would undertake an examination of how the courts were applying the right to freedom from degrading treatment. Continue reading...

Politics

45 h. ago ECHR must be reformed to restore ‘fraying’ public confidence – Lord Chancellor

Shabana Mahmood told the Council of Europe in a speech in Strasbourg the ECHR ‘must evolve’ to respond to new realities.

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves should invest extra money in economic growth, not U

Exclusive: Call from former Treasury adviser Lord O’Neill will pile pressure on chancellor and PM amid demands for hat-trick of U-turns on winter fuel allowance, two-child benefit cap and disability payments

Economics

3 w. ago The Guardian view on sentencing reform: a landmark chance for change | Editorial

David Gauke’s review gives penal policy in England and Wales a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move in more constructive directionThe independent sentencing review for England and Wales under David Gauke is a landmark response to both an immediate crisis in the prisons and to an endemic criminal justice policy failure going back decades. It creates the platform for penal policy to take a much-needed new direction. As Mr Gauke says, this will take bravery from government. Encouragingly, the lord chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, has accepted most recommendations in principle, though with some exceptions. The need now, though, is for sustained action, investment and results.When the review was established in 2024, prisons for men had been at 99% of capacity for 18 months and a surge of further prison sentences was developing after the summer riots. Managed early-release measures eased some pressures, but demand for places is still projected to exceed supply by 9,500 in 2028. The inesca...

Politics

4 w. ago What is chemical castration? Lord Chancellor considers procedure for serious sex offenders

Could chemical castration help ease overcrowding in UK prisons? What does it really entail?

Politics

4 w. ago Shabana Mahmood considers chemical castration for serious sex offenders

Justice secretary expected to back radical sentencing reforms, including use of libido-suppressing drugs in England and WalesShabana Mahmood, the lord chancellor, is considering mandatory chemical castration for the most serious sex offenders, according to government sources.The minister’s department is planning to expand a pilot to 20 regions as part of a package of “radical” measures to free thousands of prisoners and ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales.Ensure custodial sentences under 12 months are only used in exceptional circumstances.Extend suspended sentences to up to three years and encourage greater use of deferred sentences for low-risk offenders.Give courts greater flexibility to use fines and ancillary orders like travel, driving and football bans.Allow probation officers to adjust the level of supervision based on risk and compliance with licence conditions.Expand specialist domestic abuse courts to improve support for victims.Expand tagging for all perpetrato...

Politics