Tories are doubling down on their commitment to privatisation – Richard Burgon

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the government’s written statement that it will not permit public sector bids to run the next wave of prisons said:

“The Conservatives claim their obsession with handing over public assets to be run by private companies isn’t about ideology. Fixing the market to prevent the public sector from bidding to run prisons shows that to be untrue.

“Privatisation in our justice system has been a costly failure, from G4S’s shocking record at HMP Birmingham to Carillion’s botched handling of prison maintenance works.

“Instead of learning the lessons and changing direction, the Tories are doubling down on their commitment to privatisation. Labour in office will put an end to the scandal of our prisons being run for private profit.”