theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_82

Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many injured service personal required rehabilitation services in each armed service in each year since 2015; and how much his Department on rehabilitation of injured service personnel in each service in the same period. \p Al Carns: The table below presents the number of UK Armed Forces personnel who have had at least one appointment at Primary Care Rehabilitation Facilities (PCRF), Regional Rehabilitation Units (RRU) and/or Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) in each year since 2015, broken down by service.

Year

Total

Navy

Army

RAF

2015

58,144

9,450

36,807

11,824

2016

57,332

9,348

36,053

11,847

2017

55,605

9,523

34,653

11,346

2018

53,318

9,371

32,641

11,229

2019

52,981

9,678

31,775

11,446

2020

42,138

7,905

25,200

8,959

2021

45,526

8,640

27,524

9,281

2022

46,673

8,959

27,920

9,739

2023

45,137

8,696

26,828

9,572

2024

45,217

8,547

27,203

9,410

The table below presents the total spent on rehabilitation at Regional Rehabilitation Units (RRUs), Defence Primary Health Care Rehab Headquarters and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) from the start of 2015 to 8 January 2025.The figures below do not include costs for Primary Care Rehab Facilities (PCRFs). PCRFs provide primary rehabilitation for Service Personnel who do not require referral into an RRU. PCRFs costs are embedded within Medical Centres and the costs cannot be extracted.

As rehabilitation is delivered in a tri-service environment, it is not possible to break this data down by Service.

Financial Year

Total £

2015-16

28,391,515

2016-17

22,895,461

2017-18

27,841,573

2018-19

31,852,392

2019-20

40,041,538

2020-21

32,473,582

2021-22

35,275,941

2022-23

39,037,736

2023-24

41,468,534

2024-25

30,885,020

Total

332,536,267
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_83

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on the War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment scheme; how many applicants have received payments; and what the (a) branch of service and (b) regiment of such recipients is. \p Al Carns: This Government recognises the unique commitment that Service families make to our country. We remain sympathetic to those widows and widowers who forfeited pensions under historic rules because they remarried or cohabited.

The War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment Scheme has received 357 applications and accepted and paid 240 claims since it was launched on 16 October 2023. Of those, 99% of all claims have been processed and the Recognition Payment Scheme is delivering effectively to those it was established to recognise.

Information relating to the branch of service and regiment of individuals whose widows have received payments under the scheme is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_84

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness of the application of the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland and (b) adequacy of Armed Forces Covenant arrangements in Northern Ireland. \p Al Carns: Our election manifesto commitment to put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law highlighted the need to strengthen the rights of the Armed Forces community and thus improve current and former service life on a broader scope. Work is currently underway to develop policy in a range of areas relevant to the Armed Forces community.

The Armed Forces Covenant applies across the whole of the UK including the Devolved Nations; its delivery is shaped by local and regional factors and jurisdictions. In Northern Ireland, government bodies and the charitable sector work together to provide practical support to the Armed Forces community, helping deliver the Covenant. Since 2015, Covenant delivery has been supported by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, an Arm’s Length Body of the Ministry of Defence and a charity. In 2023-24, the Trust awarded a total of £31.7 million to projects across the UK, including Northern Ireland, in support of the Armed Forces community. From 2022-23 to date, £3.26 million across 51 grants in total have been awarded to projects in Northern Ireland.

A Covenant Legal Duty impact survey aimed at organisations subject to the Duty was completed in 2024. This included engagement with the Devolved Administrations. The survey was aimed at the whole of UK. Greater detail on the survey can be found in the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2024, published in December 2024: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676049f6cfbf84c3b2bcfacc/Armed_Forces_Covenant_annual_report_summary_2024.pdf

We are making good progress in delivering the Covenant in Northern Ireland, where unique circumstances require a different approach to be taken from the rest of the UK. We will continue to work closely with our stakeholders in Northern Ireland to ensure that the Covenant remains effective.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_85

David Reed:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to simplify procurement processes to enable (a) micro, (b) small and (c) medium-sized companies to compete more effectively for defence contracts. \p Maria Eagle: The Procurement Act 2023 introduces reforms intended to make it easier for small businesses to access public sector procurements, including a requirement for contracting authorities to consider barriers to participation and whether they can be removed or reduced.

UK industry partners of all sizes, including SMEs, are at the heart of our One Defence approach and we recognise the vital contribution they make in driving economic growth and strengthening our national security.

The Defence Industrial Strategy will set the conditions to unlock the full potential of SMEs to innovate at pace and seize future opportunities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how often Royal Navy vessels have been tasked to shadow Russian navy ships near the UK in each of the last five years. \p Luke Pollard: The Royal Navy continuously monitor UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguading national security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_87

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last had discussions with his Finnish counterpart on Russian shadow fleet aggression in the Baltic Sea. \p Luke Pollard: The Secretary of State for Defence contacted his Finnish counterpart immediately following the incident damaging the Estlink 2 undersea cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. They also discussed the incident when they met at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base on 9 January.

Acting as framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), we have activated a JEF Response Option, known as NORDIC WARDEN, which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations as well as NATO.

This JEF activity reinforces existing and planned NATO responses.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_88

Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) his Ukrainian counterpart, (b) MOAS, (c) other humanitarian charities and (d) other stakeholders on the value of frontline medical evacuation services provided by humanitarian charities in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on a number of issues. Through the FCDO, the UK Government continues to maintain close contact with humanitarian partners to support Ukraine, including with medical evacuation services.

The Ministry of Defence has a well-established route through which requests for support from the Government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence are received and we carefully weigh how we commit UK taxpayer money, aligned with that demand signal.

Our humanitarian support to Ukraine now amounts to £477 million to Ukraine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps his Department has taken to enhance interoperability between the Armed Forces and allied nations' forces on joint operations. \p Luke Pollard: Enhancing interoperability continues to be at the core of our work, both between the branches of our Armed Forces and with our Allies. UK Strategic Command is defence's Integrated Design Authority ensuring integration across capabilities. Internationally, the UK continues to play a leading role in exercises and training, such as through hosting the upcoming Exercise Formidable Shield - the world's largest maritime Integrated Air and Missile Defence exercise. We continue to develop our key international partnerships - such as the Joint Expeditionary Force - to ensure our capabilities are interoperable across both NATO and wider allies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_90

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to allow UK defence companies to participate in (a) careers fairs and (b) related events on university campuses. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence works closely with UK defence companies to highlight the significant benefits of a career in the defence sector. We recognise that attracting and retaining the right mix of skills is critical to sustaining a vibrant, innovative and competitive UK defence sector, and this is an important area of focus in the development of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Decisions relating to UK defence companies participating in careers fairs and related events on university campuses are for the companies themselves. Such events provide students valuable opportunities to learn about different career possibilities in the defence sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has received enquiries from international partners on the potential sale of (a) HMS Bulwark and (b) HMS Albion. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Navy is exploring options to sell both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark in a government-to-government sale. These vessels had, in effect, been retired by the previous Government. Their sale will save £9 million a year in maintenance costs in addition to the receipt from the sale, unlocking as much funding as possible to invest in modernisation, as well as reinforcing relationships with international partners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with health and care stakeholders on the potential impact of the Strategic Defence Review on areas for which his Department is responsible; and whether his Department have made a submission to that Review. \p Luke Pollard: Defence Medical Services is an important theme being considered by the Reviewers as part of One Defence and renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. During the Review and Challenge, there was a Panel dedicated to Defence Medical Services to provide robust challenge to submissions received from the Department into the Review. Now this phase has concluded, the Reviewers continue to iterate their final recommendations for the Prime Minister. The Review will be socialised across Whitehall, including with Department for Health and Social Care colleagues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding he has allocated to the submarine dismantling programme for each of the next five years. \p Maria Eagle: The Department does not release spending profiles for individual programmes. However, I can confirm the latest Whole Life Cost for the Submarine Dismantling Project, as published in the Department’s 2023 Government Major Projects Portfolio data, is £298 million. This figure includes costs associated with dismantling work in Rosyth and maintenance costs for decommissioned submarines in Devonport.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Future Combat Air System. \p Maria Eagle: Progress continues to be made on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The core platform, that will sit at its heart, is being delivered through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Prime Minister and his Italian and Japanese counterparts have reiterated their commitment to GCAP. The GCAP International Government Organisation to oversee delivery on behalf of all the partner governments has been created. On 13 December 2024, BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC), reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture for GCAP, subject to regulatory approvals. The new joint venture will be accountable for the design, development and delivery of the next generation combat aircraft.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to replenish stockpiles of precision-guided munitions; and what steps he plans to take to help increase domestic production capacity. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence is carefully investing to improve the health of our munitions stockpiles, including precision-guided munitions, within the available financial envelope. Through investing in munitions we seek to grow domestic production, strengthen our resilience and self-reliance, boost our sovereign defence industrial capacity, increase our exports and create good jobs in the UK. The Department will continue to develop our approach as the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review become clear.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has for procuring a replacement for the Hawk T2. \p Maria Eagle: Ministers regularly discuss the future capability requirements of the Royal Air Force with the Chief of the Air Staff. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 3 December 2024 to Question 15292.

Global Combat Air Programme (docx, 15.1KB)
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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much and what proportion of defence spending is allocated to Wales. \p Maria Eagle: Ministry of Defence expenditure in financial year 2023-24 totalled £53.9 billion. We do not allocate this spending by nation nor region.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which groups his Department will consult for its biennial monitoring reports on the (a) UK-Australia and (b) UK-New Zealand free trade agreements. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade engages with and recognises the need to understand a range of stakeholder perspectives in its aims to monitor Free Trade Agreements, including Australia and New Zealand.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which parts of the (a) UK-Australia and (b) UK-New Zealand trade agreements will be monitored as part of the biennial monitoring reports on those treaties. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department is currently considering our approach to FTA monitoring, and we will provide an update on this in due course to align with the Trade Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the UK and Japan. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We continue to discuss with Japan how to improve our bilateral trade, including through implementation and utilisation of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). For example, last year we secured Geographical Indication status protection for 76 additional British food and drink products in Japan.

At the G20 Summit last November, the UK and Japan Prime Ministers also announced a new ministerial level Economic 2+2 dialogue to advance bilateral trade and discuss geopolitical issues which are vital to economic growth in both countries.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 14407 on Trade Agreements, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and (b) Windsor Framework on the ability of Northern Ireland companies to access inputs through that Agreement which allow cumulation in Northern Ireland within relevant Rules of Origin for onward sale. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On Rules of Origin, CPTPP gives Northern Ireland companies the ability to cumulate materials from other CPTPP countries, in their exports to CPTPP countries, in the same way as any other part of the UK. Goods moving into Northern Ireland, including under CPTPP, are able to access UK tariffs preferences, subject to the ‘at risk’ criteria. The Windsor Framework does not affect exports from Northern Ireland, or Rules of Origin for exports.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the UK and Malawi. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade, and UK Export Finance, has officials throughout our Embassy network in Africa to support businesses where there are commercial opportunities. Additionally, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which entered into force in June 2023, makes it simpler and more beneficial for African countries (including Tanzania and Malawi) to export goods to the UK. The UK-Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACUM) and UK-Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) are development-focused free trade agreements that underpin UK goods trade with Botswana, Namibia (SACUM) and Zimbabwe (ESA).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what role the Fair Work Agency will play in ensuring businesses observe best practice when granting their employees maternity leave. \p Justin Madders: We are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights.

The Fair Work Agency will work closely with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), which already provides guidance for both employers and workers in these specific areas, to deliver appropriate support to the majority of businesses who want to comply with the law.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make the Responsible Car Wash Scheme’s Code of Practice mandatory. \p Justin Madders: The Department of Business and Trade does not currently have any plans to make the Responsible Car Wash Scheme’s Code of Practice mandatory.

I also refer the member for South Shropshire to the answer I provided to UIN 21371 on 9 January for further information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of the cost of the Employment Rights reforms on local authorities, including the indirect cost through outsourced social care services. \p Justin Madders: On Monday 21 October, the Government published 24 Impact Assessments, providing a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill.

This analysis includes consideration of impacts on the public sector, particularly where proposed legislative reforms are expected to affect local authorities. We will engage closely with local authorities as policy develops.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of further restricting the (a) use and (b) sale of fireworks on animal welfare and wildlife. \p Justin Madders: Most people use fireworks in a responsible, safe, and appropriate manner and there are laws in place to address situations where fireworks are misused. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of further restricting a) use and b) sale of fireworks on animal welfare and wildlife. To inform any future decisions the Government intends to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the UK and Norway. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The United Kingdom is committed to our strong trading relationship with Norway. The Prime Minister signed a Joint Declaration with Norway on our strategic partnership in December 2024. This declaration reaffirms our commitment to working together and using existing structures under the UK-EEA/EFTA Free Trade Agreement to identify further opportunities to increase the volume and value of our trade.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade recently met with his Norwegian counterpart, and officials held the third UK-EEA/EFTA Joint Committee trade meeting in December 2024 where they discussed how we can remove barriers and grow our trading relationship.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the UK and Indonesia. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Indonesia is an emerging economic powerhouse where UK companies see significant opportunities, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, education and health. In November 2024 the Prime Minister and President Prabowo of Indonesia agreed to work towards a new Indonesia-UK Economic Growth Partnership to drive increased trade and investment.

The UK will also support Indonesia to deliver the reforms needed to join the OECD, which should address business environment issues to further increase trade and investment opportunities.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21472 on Industrial Strategy Council: Public Appointments, if he will provide details of the number of people that were considered for appointment to the Industrial Strategy Council. \p Sarah Jones: Members of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were selected following the Cabinet Office Guidance on Direct Ministerial Appointments. As per this guidance, Ministers and departmental officials identified a wide range of potential candidates that fit the agreed criteria for the role, from a variety of backgrounds, representing business leaders, policy experts and trade union leaders.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11832 on the Living Wage, if the Impact Assessment will provide an estimate of the number of national living wage earners who will become income tax payers from April 2025. \p Justin Madders: The Department produces National Minimum Wage Impact Assessments in line with the requirements of the Better Regulation Framework. Previous Impact Assessments are available via Legislation.gov.uk.

The Impact Assessment that will be published alongside the legislation for the 2025 rates will not provide an estimate of the number of National Living Wage earners who will become income tax payers from April 2025.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reduced glass import tariffs on UK glass manufacturers. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade recently conducted an assessment to determine whether the current tariff rate for various glass products was appropriate.   Having considered the predominance of imports from the EU or from countries with whom we have an FTA, and further analysis of specific imports from non-FTA partners, the  evidence does not suggest that tariff liberalisation is materially affecting the interests of the sector, or the competitiveness of businesses.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to introduce specialist rape courts at every Crown Court. \p Alex Davies-Jones: We know that, due to the complexity of the cases, victims of rape can wait longer than victims of other offence types for their case to complete in court. We remain committed to delivering our manifesto commitment, where we set out that we will fast-track rape cases, with specialist courts.

The fast-tracking of rape cases has dependencies with, and impacts on, the rest of the criminal justice system, including the wider Crown Court caseload and the capacity of the rape and serious sexual offences specialist legal workforce. We are carefully considering how best to deliver this. We plan to work closely with the judiciary and will be able to say more in due course.

We are committed to supporting victims of rape throughout their journeys through the criminal justice system, including at court. Section 28 has helped victims and witnesses avoid the stress of giving evidence live at trial and improve their evidence, by enabling cross-examination to take place at a separate hearing in advance of the trial. Trauma informed training has now been rolled out at three Crown Courts, to over 400 staff who come into contact with victims at court. We have also been running a one-year pilot through which victims of rape and other sexual offences can request transcripts of the Crown Court sentencing remarks in their case, for free, which will end in May 2025.

We will go further, and as part of our landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, we are also introducing specialist rape and sexual offence teams in every police force and rolling out free, independent legal advocates for victims of adult rape, to advise them at any point from the moment they report.
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she plans to take to tackle the shortage of qualified (a) teachers and (b) staff to provide literacy education in prisons. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The recruitment of qualified teachers is primarily a matter for the prison education providers. HMPPS is working with education providers to reduce teacher vacancies. The vacancy rate for all providers has reduced over the last few months. As of 15 December 2024 it was 4%, reducing from 5% in November 2024 and 7% in October 2024.

HMPPS has contractual levers in place to ensure that literacy courses are delivered, with financial penalties for non-delivery. Providers must deliver 95% of commissioned courses due to vacancies, or take a 2% financial penalty. We also do not pay for any commissioned education which is not delivered.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people convicted of causing a death have been granted parole before the halfway point in their original sentences in the last year. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: No prisoners are eligible to be considered for release by the Parole Board before the half-way point in their sentence.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison officers reported abuse by offenders in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, and (c) 2024. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Abuse of prison officers by prisoners is taken very seriously, and will never be tolerated. It is comprehensively recorded through various mechanisms, including internal reports, disciplinary records, and external investigations. The goal of these systems is to ensure the safety and security of staff, while also managing the behaviour of prisoners within the system. As the information is collected in a variety of formats, collating it would be a labour-intensive process, which could not be undertaken without incurring disproportionate cost.

Attacks on prison officers are taken very seriously, and they are treated equally with assaults on the police and other emergency service workers under the Assaults on Emergency Workers Act (Offences) 2018. Since June 2022, the maximum penalty for those who assault emergency workers, which covers prison officers, has now doubled.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of offenders perpetrated further crimes in prison in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, and (c) 2024. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Data relating to crimes committed in prison are held in HMPPS’s police referral and adjudications records. To be able to identify all such cases, it would be necessary to review all potentially relevant records, and this could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_117

Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of violent offenders reoffend within (a) one year, (b) three years, (c) five years and (d) ten years of conviction. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Offences are recorded on the Police National Computer using the Home Office Classification, which does not allow us to identify whether an offence is ‘violent’ or ‘non-violent’. As a result, it is subsequently not possible to identify violent offenders through digital records. Providing this information would therefore require a manual search of court records and would therefore be of disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_118

Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will take steps to help tackle the (a) stigma and (b) barriers preventing prisoners from participating in literacy programs. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Reading is a priority for HMPPS, and improving prisoner literacy is a key aim of prison education and plays an important role in supporting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. Formal literacy teaching follows national accredited qualifications, which must follow quality standards laid down by awarding organisations.

Education providers are also encouraged to embed learning in vocational training. Engagement is also supported through the delivery of Education for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) and all learners are screened for neurodiversity needs and provided with support so that education is tailored, and adjustments (such as providing assistive technology or additional support) are made for those with additional learning needs and/or ESOL.

All prisons have reading strategies, and we have established a national reading panel with external experts to provide advice and challenge as we develop new work in this area. These include representatives from Department for Education, Ofsted, British Dyslexia Association and the National Association for Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults. Libraries support prisoners in their reading. We also have a long-standing National Reading Working Group that has members from Further Education and the Third Sector.

In terms of improving digital delivery, our in-cell technology programme, Launchpad, has now been provided in 17 prisons which gives prisoners access to resources that support reading and literacy in their cells. Launchpad will be delivered to a further 2 prisons by March 2025, increasing the total number of prisoners with access to around 12,900. Since the 1st of July 2024, the Shannon Trust, ‘Learn to Read’ content series has been accessed by Launchpad users over 5000 times.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_119

Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for (a) legal aid and (b) criminal courts. \p Sarah Sackman: This Government inherited a justice system under enormous strain and a legal aid system facing significant challenges, but we have already started to rebuild the system. On criminal legal aid, in November 2024 we announced our response to the Crime Lower consultation, confirming an uplift to the lowest police station fees, introducing a new Youth Court fee scheme, and paying for travel time in certain circumstances. Together, these changes amount to a £24 million investment for criminal legal aid providers.

In addition, in December 2024, we announced that criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year to help address the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system, subject to consultation. This is a significant investment to reflect the valuable and tough work that is undertaken by those who work in the criminal justice system, helping them to make sure justice is served and that victims get the resolution they need.  Alongside consulting on specific solicitor fee uplifts, we are committed to continuing to work with the criminal legal aid profession, including the Bar, on further opportunities for reform this Parliament and to support the overall sustainability, diversity, and efficiency of the system.

On civil legal aid, the Ministry of Justice has recently undertaken a comprehensive review of civil legal aid and, having considered the evidence collected, we acknowledge that the sector is facing a number of challenges. We are committed to improving the experience of users and providers and, as an important first step towards this, we intend to consult on uplifts to housing and debt and immigration legal aid fees this month which would inject an additional £20 million into the sector each year once fully implemented. We will continue to consider the fees paid in other categories of civil legal aid, and the wider themes from the Review, in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the civil legal aid sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_120

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will take steps to ensure that cases involving members of the House of Lords convicted of serious crimes do not adversely impact public confidence in the criminal justice system. \p Sarah Sackman: All individuals, including members of the House of Lords, are held to be equal before the law. Decisions on bringing forward charges and prosecutions are for the police and Crown Prosecution Service, and the management of cases through the courts and sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary. Prosecutors have an overriding responsibility to act without fear, favour or prejudice. Therefore, any member of the House of Lords who commits a crime will face the appropriate consequences for their actions in our open and fair criminal justice system, just like any other member of the public.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_121

Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when her Department plans to respond to the consultation entitled Limitation law in child sexual abuse cases, which closed on 10 July 2024. \p Sarah Sackman: The consultation on limitation law in child sexual abuse cases was held between 15 May 2024 and 10 July 2024. Ministers are currently considering responses to the consultation and a Government response will be issued shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_122

Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that people carrying out jury duty do not experience financial hardship. \p Sarah Sackman: Juries are a vital part of our criminal justice system and undertake an important civic duty. The support provided to jurors includes measures to assist those who may suffer financial hardship. People who are not paid by their employer whilst they are on jury service can claim a loss of earnings allowance from the court, and jurors can apply for a deferral or excusal based upon financial hardship.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_123

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16135 on Crown Prosecution Service and with reference to the The Better Case Management Revival Handbook, published in January 2023, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Crown Court consistently manages cases. \p Sarah Sackman: The management of case progression and listing across the criminal courts is a judicial function. As part of their systemic oversight, the senior judiciary produced (and have subsequently kept under review) a framework of guidance to drive improved performance.

The Better Case Management Revival Handbook, published in January 2023, is intended to remind all criminal justice partners of the principles of Better Case Management (BCM) and to ensure the courts consistently apply them. Chief among the aims is better collaboration between prosecution and defence to drive earlier guilty pleas wherever appropriate, increase trial effectiveness, and reduce the number of hearings per Crown Court case. The Government is working closely with the judiciary and other justice partners to improve adherence to Better Case Management Principles through supporting the Criminal Court Improvement Group (CCIG), which is chaired by the Senior Presiding Judge.

Among other things, we have piloted a new role in certain Crown Court offices – Case Coordinators – who are deployed exclusively to support the local judiciary in driving adherence to the BCM principles. HMCTS also provides the CCIG (and local judicial managers) with data and analytical support to help oversee and manage performance. Most recently, HMCTS has supported a judicially-led review into Crown Court listing practices, which aims to achieve broad alignment of listing approaches and increase the consistency and predictability of case management processes.

Ultimately, the management of cases through the Crown Court is the responsibility of the independent judiciary.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_124

Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how she measures the success of literacy programs; and if she will set benchmarks to track progress of those programs. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We are evaluating some of the programmes to support literacy delivered by partners and will look to publish an evaluation report later in 2025. We are also improving our understanding of the outcomes of different prison education types, including English courses, through the Better Outcomes through Linked Data (BOLD) programme.

As part of BOLD, there is existing funding to conduct research to explore the relationship between prison education and post-release employment outcomes with findings expected to be published in 2025. All this learning will continue to support our evolving understanding of what more we can do to improve literacy in prisons.

The success of formal literacy education is primarily measured by prisoners ‘achieving’ and getting an accredited qualification; we regularly use this data to ensure good performance. Latest published data (for 2023/24) shows a 5% increase in participation in English functional skills and a 21% increase in prisoner learners who achieved a full in English functional skills, compared to 2022/23.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_125

Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of domestic abusers perpetrated further crimes in prison in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, and (c) 2024. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: It is not possible to robustly calculate the number of domestic abusers in prison or their reoffending rate. This is because these crimes are recorded under the specific offences for which they are prosecuted, such as intentional strangulation or suffocation. Data relating to crimes in prison is held across police referral and adjudication records. To be able to identify these cases we would have to access and review all potentially relevant records which would be of disproportionate cost.

The Public Protection Policy Framework and the Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service work to protect victims and prevent offenders, such as domestic abusers, from continuing to carry out crimes such as stalking or coercive controlling behaviour from prison.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_126

Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of domestic abusers perpetrate domestic abuse against their original victims within (a) one year, (b) three years, (c) five years and (d) ten years of conviction. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: It is not possible to robustly calculate the number of domestic abusers in prison or their reoffending rate. This is because these crimes are recorded under the specific offences for which they are prosecuted, such as intentional strangulation or suffocation.

This Government is prioritising public protection from, and rehabilitation for, this cohort through measures such as better training for probation officers and improved use of monitoring technology. We have also recently introduced Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which brings together the strongest elements of existing orders to protect victims.

This Government also ensured that a range of offences linked to domestic abuse have been excluded from the early release programme, unlike the scheme run by the previous Conservative Government. We have set out an unprecedented mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, using every tool available to us to deliver transformative change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_127

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to page 33 of the policy paper entitled Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, how she plans to measure success in building confidence in the criminal justice system; and whether she plans to regularly (a) collect and (b) publish victim satisfaction data. \p Sarah Sackman: We are still developing this pillar of the mission and will say more in due course.

We regularly publish victim engagement data for the criminal justice system in the Criminal Justice System Delivery Data Dashboard. These metrics cover the percentage of investigations closed because the victim does not support police action, cases stopped after a defendant has been charged because a victim no longer supports the prosecution, and cases in which the victim or witness no longer supports prosecution on the day of trial.