Prisoners in the UK could serve their time in Estonia as the Labour government looks into ways to deal with chronic overcrowding in prisons, according to reports.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to meet her Estonian counterpart Liisa Pakosta next week to discuss the leasing of cells, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.
Labour minister Angela Eagle refused to deny the reports on Friday morning and said the MoJ is “considering anything” to alleviate prison overcrowding.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is coming under mounting pressure as Labour MPs furious about cuts to winter fuel payments could vote against the government next week.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell said a motion to approve the changes will be debated on September 10.
One MP told the i: “Six days is a long time. There are people who are determined to vote against this even though they know they will probably lose the whip as a result.”
Opposition MPs voiced concerns over the cuts on Thursday, with Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse saying many pensioners in her Bath constituency are “worried sick that they will not be able to heat their homes this winter“.
