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Prisoners serving whole-life orders no longer have right to marry
Prisoners serving whole-life orders will no longer have the right to get married under a measure signed into law by the Lord Chancellor. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 includes a marriage ban for prisoners. The ban was introduced following a high-profile case involving serial killer Levi Bellfield’s attempt to challenge a decision blocking him…
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UK legal sector second biggest reporter of ransomware attacks
Ransomware hijackers of law firms’ computer systems have been paid off on eight known occasions in the past six years, according to a global survey on cyberattacks. The report identified 138 individual ransomware attacks on the legal sector, compromising nearly 3m records. Law firms are attractive targets due to the sensitivity of data they hold….
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Labour to axe anti-strike laws
The Labour Government is set to roll back legislation forcing workers to provide a minimum level of service during strikes with the law expected to be formerly repealed alter this year. In the meantime, cabinet ministers in relevant departments will be told this week to disregard the “minimum service levels” (MSL) provisions. Angela Rayner, the…
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Number of prisoners released into homelessness jumps
The number of people released from prison into homelessness has risen 30% in a year, according to new government figures. The data lay bare the dire state of prisons in England and Wales, with record levels of self-harm, violence, and overcrowding. Analysis of the Ministry of Justice figures found that the number of inmates left…
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Probation officers receive bumper pay deal
Probation officers have been awarded a bumper pay deal and boosted overtime as staff push to tackle prison overcrowding. The pay deal includes a £1,000 bonus and a temporary boost in overtime pay to time-and-a-half. The National Association of Probation Officers and Unison trade unions have accepted the offer. Qualified probation officers will see a…
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Labour could ‘put lives at risk’ with new strike laws
New laws making it easier for public service staff to strike will put lives at risk, opponents have claimed. The Employment Rights Bill will repeal anti-strike legislation, encouraging strikes across various sectors, MPs and experts warned. Former Tory party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the move would give power to the unions to strike…
