---

Prisoner Early Release Scheme

My Lords, I echo the sentiments of the noble Lord, Lord Pannick. Andy Burnham uses the northern phrase that we have to “get it”. What is the point of getting it when you lose Ministers of the quality of the noble Lord, Lord Timpson, and the noble Baroness, Lady Levitt, who clearly get it? These Benches are dismayed that they have lost their places, because they added so much value to the debate on this sensitive issue.

Does the Minister agree that, in a fully functional justice system, no victim or their loved ones should ever be told that the perpetrator is to be released earlier than expected? Now that the Government claim to have increased capacity in the Prison Service, will they take the opportunity to restore confidence among victims by correcting this unfairness?