theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has help increase the speed of the delivery of Challenger 3 main battle tanks, in the context of the supply chain. \p Maria Eagle: We are engaged with the supply chain and additional resources have been directed towards ensuring the materials required for Challenger 3 main battle tanks are available to meet the delivery timescales.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45186 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, how much of his Department's budget for the F-35 Lightning programme has been spent to date. \p Maria Eagle: It is taking time to collate the requested information, and I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the previous ownership status was of each of the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft. \p Maria Eagle: The three airframes were previously on the United States civil aircraft register. They were registered to Boeing.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of defence equipment collaboration between the UK and Germany on levels of investment in (a) infrastructure and (b) innovation in the North West. \p Maria Eagle: Collaboration with Germany on defence equipment will have a positive impact on infrastructure and innovation in the North West. Specifically, recently announced programmes with KNDS UK in Stockport, which build on the existing investment for Bridging, as well as investment in a new manufacturing facility for BOXER, will lead to more than £400 million in total economic benefit. Furthermore, the programmes will support investment in local supply chains and sustain highly skilled jobs. More widely, we are deepening equipment collaboration with Germany through the Trinity House Defence Agreement; this collaboration will lead to further economic benefit across the UK in the longer term.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, whether the named housing officer for each family will be (a) a new PID on a unit 8005 establishment and (b) an additional role allocated to an existing post. \p Al Carns: Housing Officers are employed by Pinnacle, the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Industry Partner. As these posts are not filled by MOD personnel, a new PID on the Unit 8005 Establishment is not required, nor are these roles allocated to existing posts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 47898 on Armed Forces: Housing, when the new taskforce will be created. \p Al Carns: The new taskforce to accelerate development on surplus Ministry of Defence (MOD) land, between the MOD, HM Treasury and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government was created and announced on 27 March 2025.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 47898 on Armed Forces: Housing, what progress he has made with Homes England on accelerating the release of public land for development. \p Al Carns: Ministry of Defence Officials continue to engage with Homes England and have set up a series of workshops to target the accelerated delivery of sites, with a particular focus on Chetwynd Barracks, Ripon and RAF Wyton.

Officials are also working jointly with Homes England at specific sites to design a phased development approach for delivering houses. Homes England will also be invited to support the promotion of sites through the Town Planning Process.
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Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the £50 million allocated to the new VALOUR comes from his Department's existing budget. \p Al Carns: VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven. With new funding for veterans from the Ministry of Defence budget, the detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of trends in levels of recruitment and retention in the armed forces on operational capacity. \p Luke Pollard: The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration, and we are committed to addressing this through a range of targets, initiatives and measures.

The Ministry of Defence continually monitors the recruitment and retention trends across the Armed Forces and makes assessments of the impact these trends may have on a particular capability as well as our overall operational capabilities. I hope that the hon. Member will understand that details on operational capacity are not made public to preserve the operational security of HM Armed Forces, but improving both recruitment and retention are priority areas for Armed Forces.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of his Department's (a) recruitment and (b) retention of armed forces personnel. \p Luke Pollard: The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration, and we are committed to addressing this through a range of targets, initiatives and measures. Although Armed Forces outflow currently remains greater than intake, compared to the previous 12-month period Armed Forces inflow has increased and outflow has decreased, with the gap between getting smaller.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of the funding for VALOUR centres will be allocated to Northern Ireland. \p Al Carns: VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. A new VALOUR HQ within the Ministry of Defence, a network of field officers, regional VALOUR-recognised support centres, and development funding to support local delivery will be established, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. VALOUR will foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure veterans’ support is data driven.

The details regarding the funding for VALOUR centres is currently being developed by officials. This includes the process by which centres can apply for funding, and the way in which funding is distributed across the UK. Further information, including on funding for centres, will be released in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support, HCWS619, whether VALOUR services will offer legal advice for veterans subject to judicial proceedings arising from service on Operation Banner. \p Al Carns: As a part of our ongoing commitment to veterans involved in Northern Ireland legal processes, the Ministry of Defence provides welfare support and where appropriate, legal support, at public expense.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48217 on Great British Energy: Staff, whether the employees listed were the only employees of Great British Energy as of 20 April 2025. \p Michael Shanks: To ensure Great British Energy can begin delivering quickly once the parliamentary process has been completed, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has taken steps to assign resource including the appointment of Juergen Maier to the role of start-up chair for Great British Energy, Dan McGrail as interim CEO, and five start-up non-executive directors. Additional DESNZ resource has been assigned to Great British Energy, focusing on a small number of essential roles.

Once Great British Energy is formally established by the Bill, work will begin to fully resource Great British Energy.

DESNZ senior and junior roles are published every quarter on data.gov.uk, including those assigned to GBE. The most recent publication was 28 April 2025.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of how many jobs carbon capture and storage network initiatives will create in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes over the next five years. \p Sarah Jones: A strong UK CCUS sector will support well paid, highly skilled jobs across the UK, supporting 50,000 jobs in the 2030s across the CCUS industry. Whilst there are no projects that are currently being negotiated with HMG through the cluster sequencing process, in the mentioned areas, the CCUS sector is expected to have a positive impact with DESNZ analysis showing that CCUS has the potential to generate £4-5bn GVA per year by 2050.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help reduce energy prices for energy intensive industries. \p Sarah Jones: This Government recognises high energy prices are a key challenge for UK businesses. Our Clean Power 2030 target is the key to long-term sustainable price reductions. Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because clean, homegrown energy is the best way to protect billpayers and boost Britain's energy independence. This Government is also already bringing energy costs for UK industries closer in line with other major economies through the British Industry Supercharger. This fully exempts eligible firms from certain costs linked to renewable energy policies, particularly those exposed to the high cost of electricity.

UK businesses using more electricity and less fossil fuels is the future. The latest advice from the Climate Change Committee expects electricity to meet 61% of industrial energy demand by 2040. My department is developing options to enable them to do that.
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Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of vehicles rented by his Department are electric vehicles. \p Michael Shanks: In FY24-25, DESNZ had 149 hires, including 6 electric vehicles. The data for FY25-26 to date is not yet available.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was formed in February 2023, therefore there is no data for DESNZ prior to that date. Additionally, for FY23-24 the car hire contract used was still under DESNZ’s predecessor department, Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and all bookings were assigned to BEIS cost centres. It is not possible to determine which of these hires related to DESNZ.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48217 on Great British Energy: Staff, from which budget Great British Energy (a) staff and (b) non-executive directors are remunerated; and what their individual remuneration totals are. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy (GBE) was allocated £11.1 million for 2024/25, and £25 million in 2025/26 for set up costs. Salaries are paid from these budgets which are managed by DESNZ whilst GBE is being established.

DESNZ senior and junior roles and salaries are published every quarter on data.gov.uk, including those assigned to GBE. The most recent publication was 28 April 2025.
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Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to help support community energy schemes to sell energy to local (a) households and (b) businesses. \p Michael Shanks: The Department is considering a range of reforms to unlock renewable investment and pass through the benefits of cheaper renewables to consumers. This includes potential changes to support local and community energy.

The Secretary of State previously commissioned Ofgem to explore policy and regulatory barriers to local supply, including route to market challenges. We are also learning from the responses to the Call for Evidence on barriers to community energy[1], which referenced local supply issues.

The Department continues to work with Ofgem and key stakeholders to enhance our community energy offer. We will set out further detail in due course.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/barriers-to-community-energy-projects
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the current capacity is of renewable energy generation in Buckinghamshire. \p Michael Shanks: Renewable electricity generation statistics for each local authority are published in Regional Renewable Statistics. At the end of 2023, Buckinghamshire’s recorded electricity generation capacity was 223 MW.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the potential change in renewable energy capacity in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire over the next five years. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not forecast changes in renewable electricity capacity at this level. The progress of UK renewable electricity projects over 150 kW through the planning system are published in the Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD).
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 47816 on Renewable Energy: Electricity Generation, what the annual cost to consumers of the Offtaker of Last Resort scheme has been since 2015. \p Michael Shanks: Since its launch there have been no applications to the OLR scheme and no Backstop PPAs have been entered into. The only costs related to the scheme are the administrative costs incurred by Ofgem. The cost of the scheme for 2024/25 was £26,902. Details of the activities associated with these costs can be accessed here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/offtaker-last-resort-olr-annual-report-april-2023-march-2024
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department considered Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil production facility within the recommendations of Project Willow. \p Michael Shanks: Project Willow – an independent feasibility study led by Ernst and Young and jointly funded by the UK and the Scottish Governments – evaluated over 300 technologies to identify those that could be effectively deployed in Grangemouth. This included options to produce hydrogenated vegetable oil products, such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel.

We are now ready to take these opportunities forward. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our UK and Scottish Government investment agencies are working together to find investors for clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many job vacancies were being advertised by Great British Energy as of 1 April 2025. \p Michael Shanks: I can confirm that as of 1 April 2025 there were sixteen vacancies advertised by Great British Energy.
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Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve protections for private renters with pre-paid energy metres. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is committed to ensure energy is affordable for all households, including those who are on prepayment meters. For some consumers, prepayment meters are a useful tool for managing budgets.

In 2023, Ofgem introduced stringent rules for the involuntary installation of prepayment meters. Under these rules, energy suppliers are required to make at least 10 attempts to contact an indebted customer, carry out a site visit prior to any involuntary installation, and refrain from installations in households where a vulnerable person is present.

Energy suppliers are only able to restart involuntary prepayment meter installation when they can demonstrate to Ofgem that they are able to comply with the new rules.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the contribution to the UK's 2030 net zero target of (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire. \p Kerry McCarthy: Central Government does not set net zero targets for local government, however, Government recognises the important role of local places, including Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire, to help realise our national 2050 net zero target. Great British Energy, our new publicly-owned energy company, will support local energy generation by partnering with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Devolved Governments and local and community energy groups to increase the roll-out of renewable energy projects. Government also funds the Local Net Zero Hubs which support local authorities across England to develop net zero projects and attract commercial investment, including through information and knowledge-sharing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-12)

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Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number of Radio Teleswitch meters remaining in Scotland. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Latest figures from Ofgem state that as of 4 April 2025, there were 129,814 Radio Teleswitch meters remaining in Scotland.
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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average price quoted was for court transcripts for victims in each of the last five years. \p Sarah Sackman: Management information held about transcript requests is limited, and the information requested is not held centrally.

Victims usually request the judge’s sentencing remarks, which summarise the case against the defendant made at trial, the impact on victims and families and outline how the judge has come to a conclusion about the sentence handed down. This typically costs around £45 to £50.

However, bereaved families of victims of murder, manslaughter and fatal road offences can request a free transcript of the judge’s sentencing remarks. On 22 May we announced that, following the conclusion of a one-year pilot at the end of May, we are continuing the scheme that enables victims of rape and other sexual offences to apply for a free copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks.
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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress her Department is making on reducing the (a) cost and (b) time to taken to produce court transcripts for victims who request them. \p Sarah Sackman: Bereaved families of victims of murder, manslaughter and fatal road offences can request a free transcript of the judge’s sentencing remarks. On 22 May we announced that, following the conclusion of a one-year pilot at the end of May, we are continuing the scheme that enables victims of rape and other sexual offences to apply for a free copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks.

More widely, we are actively considering how to make court transcripts more accessible, and we continue to explore the potential for using AI to produce transcripts more quickly and cost effectively.
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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much income her Department has received from the sale of court transcripts to victims in each of the last five years. \p Sarah Sackman: HM Courts and Tribunals Service receives no income from the sale of court transcripts to victims. The service is provided under contract and suppliers provide court transcripts for a fee.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she had made an assessment of the potential merits of the use of mandatory mediation in (a) group actions and (b) class action claims. \p Sarah Sackman: The merits of mediation are considerable. It offers parties a swifter and less costly way to resolve legal disputes and can save parties the time and cost of going to court, thus saving sitting days and reducing the court backlog.

The Government has no plans to consider mandatory mediation at this time but continues to explore opportunities to expand the use of dispute resolution across the civil justice system.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the grievance and complaints process in employment claims to mandate mediation. \p Sarah Sackman: The Government has not made a decision to introduce mandatory mediation in Employment Tribunal claims. We are continuing to explore and assess the potential merits of options to utilise more mediation and alternative dispute resolution in the context of the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to reduce court backlogs for residents in Fylde constituency. \p Sarah Sackman: This Government inherited a record and rising courts backlog. For this financial year (25/26), this Government is funding a record allocation of Crown Court sitting days to deliver swifter justice for victims – 110,000 sitting days this year, 4,000 higher than the last Government funded. However, the scale of the challenge is beyond what increasing sitting days can achieve.

That is why we have commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to conduct a review of efficiency that will propose once-in-a-generation reform to deliver swifter justice for victims.

In civil justice, courts and tribunals are sitting at, or close to maximum judicial capacity in every jurisdiction.

In the Fylde constituency:

Crown Jurisdiction:

We continue to operate all 13 Crown courtrooms across the Lancashire estate to maximise use of sitting days. Along with a robust case management approach Lancashire runs an Expedited Domestic Abuse trial scheme where Domestic Abuse cases are prioritised and given a trial date within 16 weeks.

Magistrates Jurisdiction:

Over the last 12 months we have successfully recruited 6 Trainee Legal Advisers which has meant we have been able to increase the number of courts held each week from 30 to 65, reducing waiting times across Lancashire.

Family Jurisdiction:

Our focus across Lancashire is to progress the family cases in as timely a way as possible whilst balancing the individual circumstances and needs of each case. The Designated Family Judge, along with HMCTS, has implemented a robust case progression initiative. Cases are reviewed and cases that are suitable for the hearing date to be brought forward are prioritised. This is achieved by utilising courtroom capacity that becomes available from other cases resolving.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on the expansion of mandatory mediation to higher value claims. \p Sarah Sackman: The Ministry of Justice continues to engage with stakeholders to explore ways that Dispute Resolution can be used across various jurisdictions. No decision has been made to introduce mandatory mediation to higher value claims, and options to use different Dispute Resolution approaches remain open.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on the use of mediation in administrative justice claims. \p Sarah Sackman: Administrative justice issues extend across a very broad range of diverse disputes and jurisdictions. The Government continues to engage with stakeholders on the use of Dispute Resolution across various jurisdictions.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to encourage higher attendance rates at the Small Claims Mediation Service. \p Sarah Sackman: Since the introduction of integrated mediation for small claims under £10,000 in the county courts in 2024, attendance at mediation appointments has been mandatory. As part of the litigation journey, parties are required to attend a free, one-hour mediation appointment with HMCTS’ Small Claims Mediation Service.

Where mediation is not successful, the case will progress to a court hearing.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with the Small Claims Mediation Service on the introduction of mandatory mediation for small claims. \p Sarah Sackman: The HMCTS Small Claims Mediation Service has been closely involved in the implementation of mandatory mediation for small claims in the county courts, working together with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the service and its staff are fully prepared to manage the increase in case volume.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has had recent discussions with Lawtech UK on the feasibility study for an SME online dispute resolution platform. \p Sarah Sackman: In 2021, LawtechUK delivered a feasibility study for the development of an online platform that could assist smaller businesses in recovering unpaid debts. The study demonstrated how the platform could be established and become financially self-sustaining. It set out a business case for potential developers and estimated that the platform, if built, could support the resolution of 200,000 disputes over a five-year period, accounting for £3.4 billion in debt value.

The intention of the study was not for LawtechUK or Government to fund or develop the platform itself but was aimed at raising awareness of the issue and encourage innovative developers to build and finance the technology. The current phase of LawtechUK does not have any plans to revisit this issue at present.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of mandatory self-regulation on third party litigation funders. \p Sarah Sackman: The Government recognises the critical role litigation funding plays in ensuring access to justice.

Following the PACCAR judgment, concerns have been raised about the need for greater regulation of the litigation funding market, which currently operates a system of voluntary self-regulation.

The Civil Justice Council is considering this issue in its review of litigation funding in England and Wales, which will conclude in summer 2025. Once the Government receives this report, it will assess the potential impact of its recommendations on funders, claimants and the wider market.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost was of her Department's language services contracts in 2024. \p Sarah Sackman: The cost for all language service contracts in 2024 was £31,625,158.35.

It is a legal requirement that these services are provided.

The procurement for these services follows the requirements of the Public Procurement Act, and delivers value for money for the taxpayer through robust competition and rigorous governance.
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Katie White:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to mitigate the potential impact of fixed term recalls of 28 days on levels of violence against women and children. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Government inherited a justice system in crisis. If our prisons run out of space, we would risk the safety of thousands of victims and the wider public. The measure being introduced excludes anyone sentenced to more than 4 years, anyone who has committed a serious further offence and anyone subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) levels 2 and 3. These multi agency arrangements will apply to certain sexual and violent offenders, including many domestic abusers. This will ensure these types of offenders can continue to receive longer recall periods where appropriate. We will be setting out further details of exemptions and safeguards when we put the Statutory Instrument before parliament. However, without this measure, we would run out of prison places by November 2025.

All offenders are subject to robust licence conditions on release, such as tagging, curfew, protective orders and exclusion zones. They may be recalled again for breach of those conditions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_15

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the cost to the public purse of incarcerating foreign national offenders in the last 12 months. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We do not disaggregate prison running costs by nationality and the cost to hold individuals depends on the category of prison. Our unit costs for holding prisoners are published on GOV.UK alongside the HM Prison and Probation Service Annual Report and Accounts. Data on the number of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) in custody is published in Offender Management Statistics quarterly on GOV.UK.

This Government is deporting more foreign national offenders than the last Conservative Government. Between 5 July 2024 and 18 May 2025, 4,436 FNOs have been returned which is 14% more than the 3,879 in the same period 12 months prior. We are also investing £5 million to 82 new FNO Specialist roles in prisons to speed up the removal of prisoners who have no right to be in this country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_16

Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to support individuals with unspent convictions seeking employment. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We know that finding employment after release reduces the chance of reoffending significantly, by up to nine percentage points. That is why the Government’s manifesto commits to break the cycle of reoffending by better supporting prisons to link up with employers and the voluntary sector.

Employment roles are in place across all 93 resettlement prisons to prepare prisoners for work on release, match them to jobs and provide ID documents to secure work. These are supported by employment advisory boards, linking local employers with the prison resettlement.

We have launched regional Employment Councils which bring businesses together with prisons, probation and the Department of Work and Pensions to support offenders in the community.

In addition, HMPPS’ Creating Future Opportunities programme offers tailored support for ex-offenders - particularly those who are furthest from the labour market - to secure employment, training and education opportunities for release.

We also work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure support is in place for ex-offenders in the community, for example, through co-location of services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_17

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison spaces were available across all Category C specialist sex offender prisons as of 30 April 2025. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: There are 9 specialist category C prisons that hold only prisoners convicted of sexual offences. These are listed below, alongside their published operational capacity on 28 April 2025.

Prison

Operational Capacity (28 April 2025)

Ashfield

416

Bure

643

Littlehey

1241

Risley

1034

Rye Hill

1008

Stafford

761

The Verne

608

Usk

276

Whatton

836
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_18

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) Category A, (b) Category B, (c) Category C and (d) Category D prison spaces her Department plans to build by 2031 as part of the Prison Capacity Strategy. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The prison population has nearly doubled in the past three decades, with just 500 extra prison places added in the last 14 years. To put an end to this crisis, the Government confirmed plans to invest £4.7 billion more in prison building, putting the Government on track to open 14,000 places by 2031. This is the largest prison expansion programme since the Victorians. Since July 2024, 2,400 places have already been opened.

As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, we are committed to delivering the remaining 14,000 places of the 20,000 prison place programmes and aim to do so by 2031. Around 8,500 of these places have been delivered through three new Category C prisons, hundreds of rapid deployment cells, essential refurbishments and modern houseblocks.

We plan to deliver three more new prisons; these include a new prison in Leicestershire which will add c.1,700 places to the Category B estate, a new prison in Buckinghamshire that will add c.1,500 places to the Category C estate and a new prison in Lancashire that will add c.1,700 places to the Category C estate.

We also plan to deliver additional places through the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate and temporary accommodation. These places will add c.1,750 places to the Category B estate, c.4,200 places to the Category C estate, c.1,550 places to the Category D estate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_19

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what date the transfer of Joanna Rowland-Stuart to HMP Downview was authorised by her Department; and what the authorisation process was. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We do not provide information that includes the personal details of individuals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_20

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what due diligence was undertaken before reappointing Serco and G4S for electronic monitoring services. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The current contracts for the delivery of the electronic monitoring service have the capacity to manage the proposed increase in demand.

The Procurement of Electronic Monitoring was conducted by the previous Government in 2023. It was conducted in line with Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Cabinet Office Sourcing Playbook (version May 2021) where all bids were fully and appropriately evaluated, including capacity, resulting in Serco being confirmed as the winning bid for the Field and Monitoring Service contract.

The Public Contracts Regulations allow suppliers to be excluded from bidding for new contracts in certain circumstances, such as certain criminal offences and previous poor performance. Serco and Allied Universal (G4S) complied with all of the requirements and standards set out in legislation and on that basis, they were entitled to bid for this contract.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_21

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that criminal (a) prosecution and (b) sentencing is applied consistently. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Charging decisions are a matter for the independent Crown Prosecution Service and sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, based on the circumstances of individual cases.

Equality before the law is a fundamental principle of our justice system. This Government will protect and defend this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_22

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will increase sentences for offences committed with a knife. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Tackling knife crime is a priority and this Government is determined to do all it can to break the deadly cycle of violence that devastates the lives of individuals, families and communities.

The maximums available for existing knife offences include up to 4 years’ imprisonment for carrying a knife or threatening with an offensive weapon being 4 years’ imprisonment. Where someone is actually harmed by a knife or offensive weapon, there are a range of offences that the offender may be charged with, such as causing grievous bodily harm. These can result in lengthy sentences, up to life imprisonment. Sentencing in individual cases are a matter for our independent judiciary.

We will be reforming the sentencing framework in line with most of the recommendations made by the Independent Sentencing Review in May 2025 to ensure that our prisons never run out of space again, which would place the public at unconscionable risk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_23

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 47817 on Ministry of Justice: Equality, if she will publish all documentation associated with the training on creating inclusive virtual teams. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Training materials associated with the Ministry of Justice’s course Creating Inclusive Virtual Teams are subject to copyright and confidentiality considerations.

The documentation includes proprietary material provided by third-party training providers under licence and therefore cannot be published in full.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_24

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to support victims of domestic abuse in (a) Fylde and (b) other rural and coastal areas. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of domestic abuse, including those in rural and coastal areas such as Fylde, can access the support they need. Through the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, we are strengthening the rights of all victims and improving their access to services, such as consulting on a new and improved Victims’ Code, or introducing a duty on local commissioners to better collaborate when commissioning victim support services.

The Ministry of Justice provides funding to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to commission local victims support services tailored to community needs, allowing PCCs in rural and coastal communities to best support victims in their area. This includes Lancashire PCC, which currently funds 15 domestic abuse organisations, five of which cover the Fylde constituency and other rural areas. These include;

Victim Support – National organisation with services across England, including Lancashire and Fylde.

Fylde Coast Women’s Aid (FCWA) – Explicitly supports victims of domestic abuse in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde.

Empowerment – Provides a range of services across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, including mental health, advocacy, and domestic abuse support.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Covers the Fylde coast area, including Fylde.

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board – Oversees health services across the region, including Fylde and other rural areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_25

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has received representations on the sentencing of Lucy Connolly. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Sentencing decisions in individual cases are entirely a matter for the independent judiciary, based on the facts of the case before them. It would not be appropriate for Government Ministers to comment on individual cases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_26

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the About Us page for the Office for Investment on gov.uk, updated on 8 November 2024, when he plans to set out further details on the expanded Office for Investment; and when that expanded office will be operational. \p Sarah Jones: The Office for Investment (OfI) has remained operational throughout this period, continuing to lead efforts to secure high-value investment into the UK — such as through its role in landing the major investment partnership worth £24 billion between The Crown Estate and Lendlease and the multibillion-pound investment by Universal in a new theme park and resort in Bedford. The expanded OfI will be operational by the end of May. The Department remains committed to continuously improving its approach to attracting and delivering transformational investment that supports UK growth and innovation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_27

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with retailers on (a) mitigating and (b) preventing ransomware attacks. \p Gareth Thomas: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working in close coordination with law enforcement, the Department for Business and Trade and other relevant government departments to support each of the affected retailers. This includes providing technical expertise and strategic guidance which assist with incident response and recovery.

The NCSC is maintaining active engagement with the wider retail sector to share threat information and offer mitigative guidance aimed at reducing the risk from further incidents.

The Government offers free guidance, tools and training to help businesses improve their cyber resilience. This includes a new Cyber Governance Code of Practice to help boards and directors manage digital risks, and the Cyber Essentials scheme which is highly effective in protecting businesses against cyber-attacks.

Details of any Ministerial and Senior Officials' meetings and engagements can be found in the Department’s quarterly transparency returns on Gov.uk.