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Prison deaths surge in Scotland
Prison deaths in Scotland have reached a record high, with 54 fatalities reported in 2023/24, the most since 2012. This marks a rise of 15 deaths from the previous year. Among these, ten were classified as probable suicides. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said that ensuring safety in prisons is a top priority. Scottish Conservative justice…
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Online English test plans face backlash
A Government proposal for online English language tests for migrants has raised significant concerns about security and potential cheating. The International English Language Testing System has withdrawn from bidding for the £800m contract, citing risks of malpractice. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s plan allows candidates to take tests remotely, which could lead to impersonation and AI-assisted…
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Peers push back against radical abortion plans
Peers in the House of Lords are set to vote on amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that aim to block controversial proposals allowing abortion up to birth. The amendments, backed by notable female peers, seek to remove the decriminalisation measures and reinstate mandatory consultations with medical professionals before prescribing abortion pills. Baroness Monckton…
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IEA calls on Labour to abolish ‘arbitrary’ inheritance tax
The UK Government faces pressure to abolish inheritance tax (IHT) due to concerns it hampers investment and drives entrepreneurs abroad. A report from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) reveals that nearly half of OECD countries do not impose taxes on bequests to adult children, positioning the UK as a high-tax outlier. The IHT, set…
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KC quits Legal Services Board over jury trial reforms
Flora Page KC, a barrister known for representing wrongly convicted sub-postmasters, has resigned from the Legal Services Board. She has done so in protest at David Lammy’s proposed reforms to limit jury trials to cases with potential jail sentences over three years. Page argues that these changes will undermine the rule of law and reduce…
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Law changes threaten justice for abuse victims
Proposed changes to inquest laws may hinder justice for women who die by suicide after enduring domestic abuse. Campaigners argue that making it harder to issue unlawful killing verdicts will protect abusers. Harriet Wistrich, head of the Centre for Women’s Justice, said: “We strongly oppose any reversal of the standard of proof for unlawful killing…
