Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

At a late stage in the debates on the Public Bodies Bill, the Government announced that it would reverse its original decision to abolish the Youth Justice Board. Many voices had been raised against taking the functions of the Board into the government machine. (Incidentally, I am always puzzled as to why ministers making ‘U-turns’ is regarded as a bad thing; if they are responding to well argued alternatives should they not be applauded?)

A closer look at what Ministers said, however, shows that while the YJB is being retained, they will be reviewing the particular role that it plays in the youth justice system. Obviously these new ideas will take some time to emerge.

I will keep you posted.