Andy Burnham is focused on preventing the early release of child sexual abuse perpetrators as part of the government's early release scheme. Urgent talks regarding which serious criminals could be exempted are concluding today, 2 August 2026.
Government ministers are understood to have 24 hours to assess which criminals can be released early to alleviate prison overcrowding. This assessment involves weighing each exemption against the potential collapse of the criminal justice system.
The prime minister halted the controversial plans to release thousands of killers, rapists, and sex offenders from prison in September during his second week in office. He is reportedly keen to make as many exceptions as the available prison space allows.
Burnham's stance follows ministers hearing concerns from victims' representatives and support services, who warned that a lack of safeguards for abuse victims would place them at particular risk. A review of the scheme is expected to conclude within the next 24 hours, with a final decision on exemptions still pending.
The early release scheme, which includes a significant expansion of electronic tagging, is still anticipated to commence this autumn with an initial group of approximately 700 offenders. This follows the Sentencing Act 2026, passed in January, which makes some serious offenders eligible for release halfway through their sentences from September, and those convicted of less serious crimes after serving a third of their sentence.