Education secretary, Ed Balls, has won a Whitehall turf war with the Home Office over young offenders. The victory was revealed in the announcement by Mr Balls that Frances Done, ex-managing director of local government at the Audit Commission and a former chief executive of Rochdale MBC, was new chair of the Youth Justice Board. The battle began when Professor Rod Morgan resigned as YJB chair last year and attacked the Home Office, which had responsibility for youth offending, for the rising number of young people held in custody. A Whitehall insider told The MJ: ‘This was a symbolic and very significant announcement. ‘It was a clear power shift and a policy change that accepts locking young people in cells won't solve their underlying problems.' The education secretary said in the announcement: ‘This important appointment comes at a critical time for implementation of the Children's Plan and the Government's proposals to create a modern youth justice system. ‘I'm sure she will play a pivotal role in bringing all relevant partners on board to tackle the multiple problems of young people who offend.'
