Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a pause to a plan for early prisoner release, pending an urgent review. The decision comes after the widow of PC Andrew Harper described the potential early release of inmates as "deplorable," particularly in light of reports that two of the officers' killers might be freed.
The early release scheme had been available for over a year before this announcement. The review is intended to address concerns raised by the public and victims' families regarding the policy.
In a separate policy announcement, Prime Minister Burnham also unveiled plans for a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England, set to take effect in April. The funding mechanisms for this initiative and its potential impact on business owners are expected to be discussed further.