Prisons minister Lord Timpson who oversaw Labour's controversial early release scheme quits government

By RORY TINGLE, HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT Published: 11:08, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 11:24, 20 July 2026 Prisons minister James Timpson has quit the government before Andy Burnham carries out his first reshuffle as prime minister.  Lord Timpson was appointed to the role by Sir Keir Starmer in July 2024 after leaving his job as CEO of his family business, the Timpson Group. The business has a reputation for employing large numbers of former inmates, and Labour figures hoped he would take a 'radical' and 'innovative' approach to overseeing Britain's crisis-hit prisons.  In his role he oversaw the controversial release of tens of thousands of inmates to create more space in prisons.  Critics will point out that the prison estate continues to be rife with violence, drug taking and overcrowding, while probation services are overwhelmed.  But in a statement today, Lord Timpson told the BBC he had left 'our prisons and probation service in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago'. Lord Timpson was appointed to the role by Sir Keir Starmer in July 2024 after leaving his job as CEO of his family business, the Timpson Group He continued: 'I'm proud to have become the longest-serving minister in this role for 15 years. I'm also proud that 75% of prisons and 90% of probation teams are now performing better than when I started. 'Self-harm, violence and assaults on staff are all down, and fewer people are leaving prison without a home to go to, a measure of dignity I care about deeply.' Lord Timpson also pointed to the Women's Justice Board he set up, saying he 'believe[s] most women should not be in prison at all' and 'diverting them away from custody, helping them with often chaotic, damaged, and addicted lives, is one of the changes I'm proud to have achieved'. The businessman is leaving his role just months before the Sentencing Act 2026 is enacted in September.  This is set to see more people released early and more convicted criminals handed community sentences rather than time in custody.  A source in the Ministry of Justice was quoted as saying: 'We're gutted he's going but the new person is going to have their work cut out to get their head round what's round the corner.' , seen exclusively by the BBC, Lord Timpson said he was stepping down and it was an 'honour' to serve in the post. His statement did not give a specific reason for resigning, but it is understood he feels he has done as much as he can in the role. Prisons in England and Wales were at crisis point, reaching almost full capacity, when he first entered Sir Keir Starmer's government. He oversaw the controversial early release scheme which saw tens of thousands of inmates let out to create more space in jails. His critics will argue prisons continue to be violent, drug infused and overcrowded, while probation officers still report being overworked and unable to cope. But figures do show assaults against staff and self-harm in prisons are falling. Lord Timpson said in his resignation statement that he had left 'our prisons and probation service in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago'. He added: 'I'm proud to have become the longest-serving minister in this role for 15 years. I'm also proud that 75% of prisons and 90% of probation teams are now performing better than when I started. 'Self-harm, violence and assaults on staff are all down, and fewer people are leaving prison without a home to go to, a measure of dignity I care about deeply.' He also pointed to the Women's Justice Board he established, saying he 'believe[s] most women should not be in prison at all' and 'diverting them away from custody, helping them with often chaotic, damaged, and addicted lives, is one of the changes I'm proud to have achieved'. His critics may question why he is leaving before the Sentencing Act 2026 is enacted in September, when more people are expected to be released early and further criminals will serve their sentences in the community. A source in the Ministry of Justice told the BBC: 'We're gutted he's going but the new person is going to have their work cut out to get their head round what's round the corner.'