Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has made it clear that rioters will not be released early from prison despite the overcrowding in the UK’s prisons. He initially stated that they would not be included in the government’s release scheme, but this claim was later corrected by a source who said he had “misspoke”. However, it was clarified that some rioters could be eligible for release depending on their conviction and sentence length, with violent offenders being unlikely candidates for early release.
Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that the impact of the recent riots on the streets will have long-lasting effects on the criminal justice system. She had previously announced plans to release some inmates early to alleviate prison overcrowding, blaming the previous Conservative government for the situation.
During an interview on GB News, Mr. Reynolds emphasized the importance of ensuring there is enough capacity in the prison system to handle disorder. He urged the public to support local businesses affected by the riots, highlighting the significant impact on small businesses.
Despite concerns about the riots affecting foreign investment in the UK, Mr. Reynolds expressed confidence that investors are more interested in political stability, tax regime certainty, and pro-business measures. He reassured that the upcoming investment summit has garnered significant interest, indicating that the government is taking steps to support affected businesses.
In response to the riots, Mr. Reynolds mentioned efforts to assist small businesses, including making insurers pay claims promptly and informing businesses about potential support under the Riot Compensation Act. While the full extent of the financial costs of the riots is not yet known, the impact on small businesses has been described as “very significant”.
Overall, the government is committed to addressing the aftermath of the riots and supporting businesses affected by the unrest. Despite challenges, efforts are being made to ensure that the justice system can effectively deal with the consequences of the violent scenes witnessed on the streets.
