Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled a controversial proposal to strip most offences of jury trials, preserving the historic right.

Specialist courtrooms and fixed trial dates are being rolled out across Crown Courts in England and Wales to combat backlogs and support survivors of serious sexual offences.

Probation staff have voted overwhelmingly in favor of industrial action over a controversial government plan to release thousands of prisoners early.

New sentencing reforms will allow violent and sexual offenders to be released after serving half their terms, sparking backlash from victims and officials.