Cancelling probation contracts could cost £300-£400m

Unprecendented clauses in probation contracts which guarantee private providers their projected profits in the event of early cancellation could cost the taxpayer £300-400m, reports The Guardian. This could stifle Labour's plans to repeal the outsourcing of probation services if they win next years general election. Margaret Hodge, chair of the public accounts committee, said she was appalled by the discovery and has called on the National Audit Office to dispute any politically contentious contracts signed off before the general election in May 2015.