Labour Promises 14,000 New Prison Places to Fix Overcrowding Crisis
Labour has launched a bold plan to tackle the UK’s prison overcrowding nightmare. The party vows to add 14,000 extra prison places, slamming the Conservatives for years of inaction.
Prisons to Be “Of National Importance” – No More Planning Delays
Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed Labour would label prisons as “of national importance” from day one. This means ministers can fast-track planning decisions, cutting out local authorities and speeding up construction. The aim? To create 20,000 new spots behind bars and ease the deadly congestion.
No Excuse for Delay – Funding Is in Place, Bureaucracy Isn’t
Mahmood slammed claims that lack of funding is the issue. “The money is there inside the Ministry of Justice budget,” she said. “The real problem is red tape and backbench grumbles slowing everything down.”
Her comments come after chilling reports of ten inmate deaths at Parc Prison in bridgend/" title="Bridgend" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bridgend since February, highlighting the dire need for urgent action.
Conservatives Claim ‘Largest Prison Expansion Since Victorian Times’
The Tory party fired back, insisting they are already delivering the biggest prison estate expansion in over a century. But Labour isn’t backing down.
Beyond prisons, Labour’s manifesto also promises 80 new specialist rape courts across England and Wales, dedicated rape units within police forces, and new laws to protect shop workers from violence.
