Prison education cuts driving drug use, self-harm and violence, says watchdog

Report by HM inspector of prisons for England and Wales comes as spending on frontline education falls by up to 50%

Brutal" cuts to prison education and training by Labour ministers are leading to an increase in drug use, self-harm and violence, a watchdog's withering final annual report has said.

Charlie Taylor, who steps down as HM inspector of prisons for England and Wales in the autumn after six years, has also warned the authorities must keep a close eye" on the impending release of thousands of prisoners later this year.