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Andy Burnham has paused the early release scheme for some prisoners, which was due to start in September.
It comes just hours after the new Prime Minister slashed business rates by 20% for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across London from April next year.
The early prison release policy would have seen around 6,000 offenders in England and Wales freed earlier from UK prisons.
In a statement, Mr Burnham said: “Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority.
“I am working closely with the new justice secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on the changes that were due to start in September.”
The statement added that no prisoners would be released until an “urgent review” is conducted.
Earlier today, Downing Street said nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses will have business rates cut, saving a typical pub some £1,100 annually.
The overhaul of business rates will be funded through a review of reliefs for businesses that “do not make a positive contribution to local communities” such as vape shops and a crackdown on online marketplaces that do not comply with tax obligations, No 10 said.
Since becoming Prime Minister on Monday, Andy Burnham has made four sweeping reforms to policy in the UK, including cutting VAT on household electricity bills and capping bus fares at £2.
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What would the early release scheme have meant?
Under the early release scheme, thousands of offenders in England and Wales would have been freed earlier.
Offenders on fixed terms would have been released after a third of their sentence, rather than half.
The policy was intended to reduce prison overcrowding, but Mr Burnham has now put the scheme on pause until an urgent review is conducted.
Andy Burnham pauses early prison release scheme
In yet another sweeping announcement, Andy Burnham has paused the early release scheme for some prisoners, which was due to start in September.
The police would have seen thousands of offenders in England and Wales freed earlier.
Mr Burnham said: “Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority
“I am working closely with the new justice secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on changes that were due to start in September.”
The statement added that no prisoners will be released under this policy until an urgent review is conducted.
A recap: what you need to know
Here’s a recap of what you need to know as Andy Burnham settles into No10.
- Business rates will be slashed by 20% for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England
- This will come into force in April next year
- It comes after Downing Street announced plans to cap bus fares at £2 outside of London and plans to scrap VAT on household electricity bills in October.
- Details of the business rates discount are expected to be disclosed in the new Budget
- Downing Street insists the plans are “fully funded” but sceptics have raised concerns
- Industry figures have warned that the measures do not go far enough and exclude restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.
- Burnham is expected to speak more on the policy later today ahead of meeting the leaders of Scotland and Wales.
- During a visit to a pub in Essex, Burnham added that gambling arcades would also be targeted to fund business rates relief
Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey drinking a pint at a pub in EssexGettyAndy Burnham to hold first meeting at No10 North on Friday
Andy Burnham will hold his first meeting at No 10 North on Friday, he has said.
Speaking at The Hare pub in Harlow, Essex, the Prime Minister said: “Tomorrow, we’ll be meeting in Manchester in No 10 North.
“And whole purpose of No 10 North is to put more power into every postcode in the land, including the postcodes of Harlow.
“How do we get power out of Whitehall and Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can make a difference and turn things around?”
Heron House will become No10 North.
Heron House Is Prepared To Become No10 NorthGettyBurnham has had 'a really good first few days' says Sir Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan has welcomed Andy Burnham’s cut to business rates, adding that the new PM has had a “really good first few days” in the new job.
The London Mayor said he expects to see more policies in the coming days showing that Mr Burnham “understands the challenges people are facing.”
You can watch the full interview here:
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Top chefs warn business rates cut 'won't make a difference'
Top chefs in the hospitality sector have warned that Mr Burnham’s cut on business rates “won’t really make a difference.”
TV chef Tom Kerridge said: "It doesn't go far enough but it does show that there is an understanding that hospitality needs a hand, especially smaller venues.”
Mr Kerridge launched a nationwide campaign earlier this month, calling for hospitality to be cut to 10 per cent.
Other chefs, such as Great British Menu winner Nick Beardshaw also branded the move as a “political manouvre”, explaining it was “an absolute drop in the ocean” when it comes to helping the hospitality sector.
Chef Tom KerridgePA Archive'We're bringing the North to the South' says Burnham
As Andy Burnham celebrated his decision to slash business rates for pubs, he poured a pint for his new Chancellor John Healey.
Handing Mr Healey a McMullen’s East Indian Pale Ale, the Prime Minister said: “There you go John.
“This is my thank you to you for being our Chancellor.”
Mr Healey replied that the drink had “almost a northern head” on it.
“We’re bringing the North to the South,” Mr Burnham replied.
‘We’re bringing the North to the South’, says BurnhamGettyLondon business chief calls for expansion of discount
Concerns continue to be raised about the effectiveness of Burnham’s 20% cut on business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues.
Karim Fatehi, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the cut, especially for London’s economy.
However, he added that the long-term solution must go beyond the current offering.
He said: “Firms across the capital, particularly SMEs, continue to grapple with high employment costs, inflationary pressures and an outdated business rates system that discourages investment in physical premises.
“Retailers, hotels, manufacturers, office-based businesses and other firms operating from bricks-and-mortar locations continue to face an unfair tax burden that makes it harder to hire, invest and grow.”
Karim Fatehi, CEO of London Chamber of CommerceLondon Chamber of CommerceBurnham defends funding concerns
Andy Burnham has defended concerns about funding his slashing spree.
In three days, the Prime Minister has vowed to scrap VAT on electricity bills, cap bus fares at £2, and slash business rates for pubs by 20%.
He told reporters that gambling arcades causing “harm to communities” would see their business rate relief slashed.
“This is funded from within a change to business rates, because you know you can’t see all businesses the same,” he said.
The Labour leader added: “They will obviously pay higher rates to give the ability then to cut business rates for pubs and other venues that bring people together and bring wider benefits to high streets and communities.”
'The cavalry is coming', says Burnham
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said pubs should know “the cavalry is coming” as he described his plans to slash VAT for pubs, clubs, and live music venues.
He explained that this was just a “first step” in his plans for the sector.
“You know, this is to me our heritage. It’s working class culture. Once pubs are gone, they don’t come back. So we’ve just got to signal what support when we can. That’s why I’ve made this early announcement. This is a significant cut to the business rates that pubs and other venues pay,” he said.
Mr Burnham added that the UK cannot afford to lose any more pubs.
He described them as “the heart of the high street” and vowed to be a “defender” for them.
Mr Burnham has vowed to be the ‘defender’ of pubsGettyLatest updatesOlder updates