WATCH: David Lammy assures 'every decision' made by Labour is based on 'public safety'

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has told MPs that "every decision" made by the Government is "based on public safety", as he is grilled by Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly on the early release of dangerous criminals, including grooming gang perpetrators.

Mr Lammy told the Commons: "He asks about a very serious issue, and every decision we have taken has been based on public safety in delivering justice for victims. Let's talk about the context.

"The last Labour Government built 28,000 prison places. We're building 14,000 by 2031. We've already delivered 3,200 under the Tories.

"They closed 23 prisons. Gloucester, closed. Shrewsbury, closed. Portsmouth, closed. Holloway, closed. Northallerton, closed. What are they now? A block of flats.

"That's why we have to have an early release scheme. That's why we passed the Sentencing Act. And we're putting community powers locally to make sure that we protect the public."

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