Prisoner Early Release

Debate between Baroness Falkner of Margravine and Lord Timpson

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Timpson (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that question. Probation has had a very difficult time, but I am pleased to tell noble Lords that 90% of our probation regions are now improving, ahead of last year. I am doing a series of roadshows at the moment, going around the country speaking to probation staff—in fact, I will be in Bristol tomorrow—talking about the £700 million of extra investment we are putting into probation. There are extra staff—in fact, we have recruited more staff than we expected and more than ever before, and we are investing in technology and more housing too. While probation has had a difficult time, we are seeing green shoots across the whole of the Probation Service, and the support we are giving it through extra stability, extra recruitment and extra tech will mean that it can get back to the levels of service it was delivering many years ago.

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)]

My Lords, I want to draw the House’s attention to a specific case concerning child-grooming gang rapists who are no longer British citizens. I think the Minister will not be surprised to hear me refer to the case of Mr Shabir Ahmed, who we are told cannot be deported because of an immigration law passed more than 55 years ago in a different context. I ask the Minister a simple question: will the Government pass an amendment to that law so they can follow the law and the will of the people as exists now—that very serious offenders who are not British citizens are not welcome in this country and should be deported?

[Lord Timpson (Lab)]

What I can tell the noble Baroness is that all our sympathies are for the victims of these shocking crimes. It is absolutely terrible what happened. By law, tomorrow this this criminal will have to be released. What is important is that there will be substantial and robust licence conditions under MAPPA, with a recall option as well. He will know that the eyes of the state will be on him 24 hours a day.