theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the merits of introducing (a) ring-fenced grants and (b) bonuses for local authorities that exceed (i) affordable and (ii) sub-market housing delivery targets. \p Alison McGovern: The government does not believe that the New Homes Bonus is an effective incentive. It often rewards authorities for housebuilding that would have occurred in the absence of any incentive, and its efficacy is further blunted by the interactions with the remainder of the Settlement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has received recent representations from relevant stakeholders on the closure of the (a) Smithfield and (b) Billingsgate market. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Secretary of State has not received recent representations from relevant stakeholders about Smithfield or Billingsgate market.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will set out the differences in (a) scope and (b) the terms and reference between the (a) Community Cohesion and Resilience Programme and (b) Community Recovery Fund in 2024-25; and if will list the local authorities that received funding from both in 2024-25. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The scope and terms of reference of the Community Cohesion Resilience Programme was set out in my response to Parliamentary Question UIN 78216. Those for the Community Recovery Fund are set out on GOV.UK Community Recovery Fund: Guidance - GOV.UK including the Councils receiving the funding.

The Councils to receive funding through the Community Cohesion Resilience Fund were:
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 75992 on Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund, which organisations submitted an application. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government received 34 applications to the Combating Hatred Against Muslim Fund.

All applicants were required to submit a detailed business plan as well as provide answers to questions related to 16 criteria. More information on the 16 criteria which applications were assessed against can be found on the fund’s prospectus here.

The prospectus for the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund did not indicate that the names of applicants would be made public and applications were not submitted on this basis.
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Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods report entitled Anatomy of Mission Critical Neighbourhoods, published on 30 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the number of (a) Santander, (b) Barclays and (c) HSBC bank branches in mission critical neighbourhoods. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: We welcomed the May report from the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods entitled ‘Anatomy of Mission Critical Neighbourhoods’ and have noted the findings of the entrenched challenges these areas face, specifically in relation to economic inactivity, ill health and skills.

We have not made any assessment of bank branches in the areas ICON analysed, however we will continue to work closely with the areas supported by our Pride in Place programme to build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people.

Our Pride in Place programme will work closely with 244 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, delivering up to £5 billion funding and support over ten years to these areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to ensure that site freeholders are financially responsible for fighting fires within derelict buildings. \p Alison McGovern: Owners of derelict buildings have obligations in respect of fire safety measures. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, the “Responsible Person” (usually the owner or person in control of the premises) must:

- Carry out and record a fire risk assessment

- Take steps to reduce fire risks

- Maintain fire safety measures — even in non-occupied or derelict buildings

Owners of derelict buildings are also required to liaise with their council tax authority concerning payment of council tax.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce (a) financial incentives and (b) stamp duty reliefs for older homeowners wishing to move to more suitable housing. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on ensuring that housing policy supports independent living for older people. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government recognises that well-designed, suitable housing can help support older people to live independently for longer.

We will shortly set out our policy on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the number of no win, no fee legal firms pursuing repeated deposit protection claims against landlords on the private rented sector. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has made no such assessment.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the policy paper entitled Licensing policy sprint: joint industry and HM government taskforce report, published on 14 August 2025, whether he plans to implement the recommendations in the section entitled Planning – permitted development. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government published its response to the Licensing Taskforce Report on 14 August. We continue to keep permitted development rights under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many long-term empty dwellings received funding through the New Homes Bonus in each year since the creation of that scheme. \p Matthew Pennycook: The New Homes Bonus has been paid in respect of over 2.9 million net additional homes since its introduction in 2011. This includes over 745,000 affordable homes and 65,000 long-term empty properties returned to use.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the initial Government response to the independent report entitled New Towns Taskforce, published on 28 September 2025, what the (a) budget and (b) timetable is for the (i) strategic environment assessment and (ii) habitats regulation assessment. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the government’s initial response to the independent New Towns Taskforce report published on 28 September which can be found on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to review the requirement for park home residents to pay a 10 per cent commission to site owners upon the sale of their home. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69040 on 24 July 2025.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities meet identified needs for older people’s housing in local plans. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 63197 on 7 July 2025.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many (a) social and (b) private homes were started in London in the first half of 2025. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department publishes a quarterly release entitled ‘Housing supply: Indicators of New Supply, England’, which includes estimates of new build starts and completions in London. Statistics to the quarter ending June 2025 can be found in Table 217 on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to increase property service charge thresholds under section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation closed on 26 September, and we are analysing responses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders following the closure of the consultation on Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department engages regularly with a range of stakeholders about our ongoing reforms to the planning system, including proposals to increase build out rates.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to publish an annual brownfield site audit for England. \p Matthew Pennycook: Local planning authorities are required to maintain a register of brownfield sites that they have assessed as appropriate for residential development.

My Department has no current plans to undertake an annual audit of such registers.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department subscribes to planning starts data produced by Glenigan. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department purchases data from Glenigan covering planning applications for residential developments.

While the data contains some information on site starts, we do not judge this to be a robust and comprehensive picture of building starts and therefore do not use the data for this purpose.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to provide additional funding to support households to improve their Energy Performance Certificate ratings under the Warm Homes Plan. \p Martin McCluskey: The domestic Energy Performance Certificate is based on energy costs. This government is investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan to upgrade up to 5 million homes and cut energy bills for good, in line with the Manifesto commitment.

Further details on allocations for individual programmes will be set out soon, but will include increasing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, additional funding for social housing landlords through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and funding for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, to improve the energy performance of low-income households through the installation of energy efficiency measures and low carbon technologies, as well as funding to deliver heat network schemes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to require energy suppliers to pay interest on significant customer credit balances held for extended periods. \p Martin McCluskey: In the year to June 2025, Ofgem data shows that there has been a fall by around £500m of credit balances held by suppliers (Domestic Energy Customer Credit Balances, July 2024 to June 2025 | Ofgem)

Customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier if they disagree with it and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings they used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

Additionally, if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it. Suppliers must do this promptly unless there are reasonable grounds not to and the supplier must explain the reasons for not doing so.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with energy suppliers on the level of their compliance with licence requirements to ensure that direct debit levels reflect customers’ actual energy use and account balances. \p Martin McCluskey: In the year to June 2025, Ofgem data shows that there has been a fall by around £500m of credit balances held by suppliers (Domestic Energy Customer Credit Balances, July 2024 to June 2025 | Ofgem)

Customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier if they disagree with it and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings they used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

Additionally, if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it. Suppliers must do this promptly unless there are reasonable grounds not to and the supplier must explain the reasons for not doing so.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on the (a) total value of credit balances currently held by domestic energy suppliers and (b) steps it is taking to ensure that surplus credit is refunded promptly to customers. \p Martin McCluskey: In the year to June 2025, Ofgem data shows that there has been a fall by around £500m of credit balances held by suppliers (Domestic Energy Customer Credit Balances, July 2024 to June 2025 | Ofgem)

Customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier if they disagree with it and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings they used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

Additionally, if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it. Suppliers must do this promptly unless there are reasonable grounds not to and the supplier must explain the reasons for not doing so.
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David Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much and what proportion of the funding for the Warm Homes Plan will be made available for (a) social and (b) private landlords; and how they will be able to access that funding. \p Martin McCluskey: The £13.2 billion investment in the Warm Homes Plan includes funding for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) with more information at www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat. For example WH:LG allows private landlords to claim 100% grant fundings towards energy performance upgrades for one eligible privately rented home, with subsequent eligible homes in their portfolio requiring a 50% cost contribution.

Landlords can access support and guidance through the Gov.UK page ‘Find Ways to Save Energy in your Home’ (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency), which provides users with tailored recommendations for home improvements to increase energy efficiency and clean heat.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support small businesses with energy transitions. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is committed to supporting small businesses across the UK in their transition to cleaner, more secure energy.

Key steps include:

These programmes form part of the Department’s wider efforts to ensure small businesses can play a full role in the UK’s energy transition, while benefiting from reduced costs and enhanced competitiveness.

For Northern Ireland, energy policy is devolved. However, we continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to share best practice and support UK-wide collaboration on energy transition. Small businesses in Northern Ireland can access advice and support through local programmes.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of small modular reactors being made as load following energy sources. \p Michael Shanks: The next generation of nuclear, including small modular reactors (SMR), offers new possibilities including faster deployment, lower capital costs, and greater flexibility.

Whilst nuclear energy has a unique role to play in delivering stable, low carbon baseload energy, SMRs may be able to serve the electricity grid more flexibly than traditional nuclear, as well as unlock a range of additional applications in energy sectors beyond grid electricity.
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David Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support rural properties to improve their energy efficiency. \p Martin McCluskey: This government is investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan to upgrade up to 5 million homes, including £500 million to be delivered from 2025-28 through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. The WH:LG provides energy performance measures to low-income homes with EPCs band D-G on or off the gas grid across England.

For most rural homes, decarbonising heat will involve installing a heat pump. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants offer £7,500 for heat pumps, and £5,000 for biomass boilers in specific rural cases.

For tailored recommendations on home upgrades consumers should visit the government’s home retrofit tool on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it remains his policy to cut energy bills by £300 by 2030. \p Martin McCluskey: It remains our intention to cut energy bills by up to £300 by 2030.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

A clean power system will also help protect consumers from global gas prices and fluctuations which drove increases of over £1,300 in the electricity price cap for a typical household during winter 22/23.
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David Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how solar schemes that contribute to residential energy efficiency are accounted for when measuring energy performance certificate ratings. \p Martin McCluskey: Solar photovoltaic (PV) is currently reflected in the domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which is based on energy costs. Electricity generated by PV is assigned a value and deducted from the property’s energy cost, improving the EPC Rating.

Government is reforming EPCs to better align them with our Clean Power and Net Zero objectives. Our December 2024 consultation proposed moving from one metric to four complementary metrics, together highlighting the main aspects of a home’s energy performance. Alongside retaining an energy cost metric, this includes a Smart Readiness metric that would reflect a home’s ability to generate electricity, such as from solar PV. A response to the consultation will be published in due course.
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Colum Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on implementing an energy labelling scheme that is compatible with EU standards. \p Martin McCluskey: The Government is assessing updates to Great Britian’s energy labelling standards on a case-by-case basis. The department is working to address challenges from differing labelling regimes, informed by independent analysis of EU standards and potential implications for the UK internal market.

Additional information on energy labelling can be found here: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/home-appliances/. Further guidance on energy labelling for suppliers can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-energy-labelling-of-products, and on the Office for Product Safety & Standards website.
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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will review the current eligibility criteria for legal aid in private family law proceedings to allow applicants on low incomes to qualify for support even where there is no evidence of domestic abuse or risk to a child. \p Sarah Sackman: This Government recognises that legal aid – a vital part of the justice system – supports the ability of individuals, who need it most, to have access to publicly funded legal assistance in order to uphold their legal rights.

Legal aid is available for some private family matters such as child arrangement orders, if an individual is a victim of domestic abuse or at risk of being abused, or if the child who is the subject of the order is a victim of child abuse or at risk of abuse. Funding is subject to providing the required evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse and passing the means and merits tests.

The Government keeps legal aid policy under continuous review.

For cases which do not qualify for legal aid, individuals may seek free, independent advice from legal support and advice organisations.

The Ministry of Justice is providing funding to support litigants in person, to help them navigate the civil justice system effectively, including preparation for court and support at court. In 2025/26, we are providing over £6 million of funding to 60 organisations to support the delivery of free legal support and information, both in-person and online. This includes some Citizens Advice and Law Centres, Rights of Women and Advice Now.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many employment tribunal claims have been lodged against his Department in each of the last five years by (a) unfair dismissal and (b) claims under the Equality Act 2010. \p Jake Richards: The proportion of Employment Tribunals claims which include Unfair Dismissal as a reason for the claim is 25.1%, and 62.5% of Employment Tribunals lodged against the Department are brought under the Equality Act 2010. 3.9% of cases lodged against the Department cite both Unfair Dismissal and claims under the Equality Act 2010.

Employment Tribunals lodged against the Department for Unfair Dismissal

01 Oct – 31 Dec 2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

02 Jan – 28 Oct 2025

Total

0

17

44

66

56

61

244

Employment Tribunals lodged against the Department under the Equality Act 2010

*A breakdown of protected characteristics where Employment Tribunals have been brought has been included. Please note, Employment Tribunal claims often include multiple reasons when lodging a claim e.g. race discrimination and disability discrimination etc. This means that, total Employment Tribunals lodged against the department under the Equality Act 2010 will not reflect the total claims under the different protected characteristics.

01 Oct – 31 Dec 2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

01 Jan – 28 Oct 2025

Total

Age

3

13

10

26

17

20

89

Disability

4

78

85

110

104

103

484

Gender Reassignment

0

0

0

1

0

1

2

Marriage & Civil Partnership

0

0

0

0

1

2

3

Pregnancy & Maternity

0

1

4

2

4

8

19

Sex

1

10

20

18

13

23

85

Sexual Orientation

1

4

6

4

2

10

27

Total Employment Tribunals Brought Under the Equality Act 2010

9

18

127

145

153

155

607

Employment Tribunals lodged under both Unfair Dismissal and a claim under the Equality Act 2010 against the Department

*Figures below are included in the previous tables.

01 Oct – 31 Dec 2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

01 Jan – 28 Oct 2025

0

7

25

45

33

38

The Ministry of Justice headcount is circa 82,000 in total.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff (a) did not retain employment in the Department following completion of their probationary period and (b) had their probationary period extended in each of the last 5 years. \p Jake Richards: The Ministry of Justice’s probation policy and guidance advises managers on the steps to take to assess a new employee’s suitability for the post and to provide support to enable them to succeed. It also advises on the steps to take where performance, attendance or conduct are not satisfactory. This can include exiting the employee or extending their probation to provide further evidence for a final decision on their suitability.

The table below shows data for the number of staff who left the Department for the leaving reason "Discharged Probation", in the 12 months to 31 March 2021 - 31 March 2025.

12 months to…

Number of leavers

31st March 2025

72

31st March 2024

97

31st March 2023

32

31st March 2022

36

31st March 2021

16

Notes to table 1:

Information on the number of staff who have left the department is published in the Civil Service Statistics but not broken down by the leaving reason "Discharged Probation". Therefore, we have used leavers data from the MOJ’s central HR system, SOP, to answer this PQ.

Data for MoJ staff (excluding HMPPS) includes only on-strength payroll leavers, whereas data for HMPPS includes all leavers.

Information for the second part of this question, relating to the number of staff that had their probationary period extended in each of the last 5 years, is not published and is not held in the central HR system. Therefore, this information cannot be provided.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2025 to Question 83161 on Prisoners’ Release: Reoffenders, when this data will be included in statistical releases \p Jake Richards: The next proven reoffending statistics publication where SDS40 releases will fall within the overall cohort is currently scheduled for 30 July 2026. The content of this release, as with all future statistical releases, remains under review.
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Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the value is of Prison Education Service Core Education contracts between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026. \p Jake Richards: The value of the Prisoner Education Service Core Education contracts between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026 is £51 million. This figure excludes Lot 10 (West Midlands prisons), where existing contracts under the Prison Education Framework have been extended while a re-procurement process is ongoing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_380

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many performance reviews were undertaken for staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years; in how many cases performance was rated as unsatisfactory or below; how many staff left as a result of such a rating; and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff this represented. \p Jake Richards: The Ministry of Justice operates a continuous performance management approach based on a rolling cycle of regular performance conversations between line managers and staff members. The Department does not operate a set reporting year for performance reviews and does not use performance ratings or box markings. As such, the Ministry of Justice does not hold the data requested.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_381
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_381

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps have been taken at HMP Garth to help prevent drones bringing drugs into the prison. \p Jake Richards: His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the use of drones that deliver contraband into prisons.

Owing to operational sensitives, we are not able to discuss the measures used by HMP Garth to disrupt drones, as that would aid serious and organised criminals. However, HMPPS uses a multi-faceted approach to tackle this threat which includes a variety of physical security countermeasures, intelligence led operations and legislation. As part of this work, we conduct drone vulnerability assessments to understand and mitigate risk and we are investing £40 million in new security measures to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars, including £10 million on anti-drone measures such as exterior netting and reinforced windows.

HMPPS is also working with UK and global partners to understand the tactics used abroad and identify opportunities to strengthen our response to illicit drone activity.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_382
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_382

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners detained beyond their release date in 2024-25. \p Jake Richards: Release inaccuracy is yet another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. While the overwhelming majority of offenders are released correctly, we are clamping down on those errors that do occur, and this includes unlawful detentions. As the Deputy Prime Minister set out to the House, immediate measures have been introduced to strengthen release checks across prisons – making them the strongest release checks to ever be in place and an independent inquiry will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_383
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_383

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's webpage entitled Prisons data, Additional data, how many of the 262 prisoners released in error in 2024-5 were returned to custody. \p Jake Richards: Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government.

While the overwhelming majority of offenders are released correctly, we are clamping down on those releases in error that do occur – including through improved staff training and establishing a new specialist unit. A joint protocol between HMPPS and NPCC is in place, to ensure effective and timely communication between partner agencies when an individual is released in error to rearrest them as quickly as possible.

We have gripped this chaos – by building more prison places, ending the last Government’s early release scheme, being transparent with the public, immediately making changes to sentences to ease pressure on the system and now, taking landmark reforms through our Sentencing Bill to make sure that prisons never run out of places again.

Annual totals for releases in error are published each July in the HMPPS Annual Digest, available via Prison and Probation Performance Statistics - GOV.UK, and provide data up to March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_384
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_384

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what data his Department holds on the (a) number of convictions for crimes committed against (i) churches and (ii) other Christian places of worship in Northern Ireland since 2010 and (b) proportion of religious premises offences that represents. \p Jake Richards: Data centrally held by the Ministry of Justice covers convictions in England and Wales and does not contain any information regarding Northern Ireland. Offences committed against places of worship in Northern Ireland is a devolved issue for the Executive in Northern Ireland.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_385
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_385

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the period of time within which a victims' family can appeal a sentence. \p Jake Richards: Through the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, a victims’ family (and members of the public) can request that the Attorney General refers a sentence to the Court of Appeal for review. Parliament intended the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme to be an exceptional power, and any expansion of the scheme must be carefully considered. While we understand calls for expansion, it is important for both victims and offenders that there is finality in sentencing.

The Law Commission is undertaking a review of the law governing criminal appeals. They launched a public consultation which invited views on a range of reforms to criminal appeals, including the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. They are now reviewing those responses and expect to publish their findings and recommendations in 2026.

The Government will carefully and holistically consider the Law Commission review’s final recommendations.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_386
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_386

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff in his Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability, broken down by grade. \p Jake Richards: In the Ministry of Justice (including its executive agencies: HMCTS, CICA, LAA, OPG, and HMPPS), along with the wider Civil Service, information about a disability or long-term condition, including mental health conditions, is completed by staff on a voluntary basis, on HR systems. Data on mental health conditions is only available as a subset of those who have voluntarily indicated they considered themselves to have disability or long-term condition. As there is no single category for physical disability, we have provided data on all those who have indicated a disability or long-term condition.

The data provided covers the Ministry of Justice, including its executive agencies: MoJ HQ, HMCTS, CICA, LAA, OPG, and HMPPS.

The table below shows data for the number of staff in post in the department who have self-reported a disability or long-term condition, broken down by grade, as of 31 March 2025.

Grade

Number of self-reported disabled staff

SCS

39

G6

132

G7

389

SEO

1,023

HEO

1,231

EO

1,626

AO

3,798

AA

1,088

Unknown

4,780

Total

14,106

The total will not exactly match that used in Civil Service Statistics as we have used a different methodology applicable to internal data in order to answer this question.

The table below shows data for the number of staff in post in the department who have self-reported the HR data management systems category mental health conditions, broken down by grade, as of 31 March 2025.

Grade

Number of self-reported disabled staff with mental health conditions

SCS

Less than 10

G6

12

G7

39

SEO

111

HEO

151

EO

171

AO

427

AA

118

Unknown

658

Total

1,691

*Data includes those who have selected a single category mental health conditions. We do not capture those who may have multiple conditions or include information provided as free text.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_387
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_387

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff left his Department in each of the last 5 years, broken down by grade. \p Jake Richards: Information on the number of civil servants leaving each government Department and organisation by responsibility level for the years 2021 to 2025 is published annually through the ‘Civil Service data browser’ as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Information can be accessed through the Civil Service data browser for 2021 through 2025 at the following web address: Civil Service Statistics data browser.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_388
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_388

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that people who have been charged with sexual assault attend court in person. \p Sarah Sackman: The Government is committed to ensuring that defendants charged with serious offences, including sexual assault, attend court so that justice is delivered effectively, and victims can see accountability upheld.

We recognise the distress caused when offenders refuse to attend court, and in particular, for sentencing hearings. That is why we are legislating through the Victims and Courts Bill to give judges express statutory powers to order attendance and impose additional penalties for refusal, ensuring victims and their families see justice delivered in person.

Any decision to order attendance is a matter for the judiciary, who act independently and apply the law in each case.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_389
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_389

Sarah Pochin:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the (a) Courts and Tribunals Service on ensuring (i) the adequacy of the judicial process for cases involving child sexual abuse and (ii) welfare of child sexual abuse victims and (b) Sentencing Council on ensuring the adequacy of prosecutions for those crimes. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Ministry of Justice continues to work across Government to strengthen court processes and sentencing, ensuring they are effective and responsive in all cases, including those involving child sexual abuse.

HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) staff support fair hearings led by independent judges. Special measures are available to enable vulnerable witnesses to give their best evidence, including the option to attend remotely and/or give evidence from witness suites located in court buildings or designated remote sites, designed to provide a supportive environment. Judges also take steps to help child victims feel more at ease, such as meeting them before trial or removing traditional court attire like wigs and gowns. Familiarisation visits can be arranged to help vulnerable witnesses become more comfortable with the court setting and process. Recent reforms include powers to compel offenders to attend sentencing and enhanced training to ensure victims are treated with dignity.

We continue to work across Government to ensure victims receive the support they require and need. Victims are supported by Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) during proceedings. The Ministry of Justice funds the CSA Centre to provide training and resources, and invests in specialist services via the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund. Additionally, The Home Office has invested £1.6 million in the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund and an extra £1.6 million for national services for adult victims.

Charging decisions are a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service. Where an offender pleads guilty to or is convicted of an offence, the independent judiciary determine the appropriate sentence in individual cases within the maximums set by Parliament, and in line with any relevant sentencing guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council.

The Sentencing Council has issued a package of guidelines on sexual offences, including child sexual offences. These provide the Court with guidance on factors that should be considered, which may affect the sentence given. They set out the different levels of sentence based on the harm caused and how culpable the offender is. The guidelines also include non-exhaustive lists of aggravating and mitigating factors which can result in an upward or downward adjustment in the sentence.

Parliament is responsible for setting the overall sentencing framework and the Government has legislated for strong custodial sentences; through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are introducing measures to make grooming an aggravating factor in sentencing for child sexual offences.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_390
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_390

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the number of court cases that (a) did not progress and (b) were delayed due to the non-attendance of professional witnesses by the profession of those witnesses in Greater Manchester in the last 12 months. \p Sarah Sackman: The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of cases which did not progress or were delayed due to non-attendance of professional witnesses split by witness profession.
wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_391
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-05 conversation_391

Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many courts hear First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) appeals; and how many are fully funded to operate throughout the year. \p Sarah Sackman: The First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber (FtTIAC) has 83 tribunal hearing rooms across the United Kingdom and has access to shared court rooms in other jurisdictions. Utilisation of this space is dependent on a number of factors including the volume of ‘in person’ versus ‘remote’ hearings scheduled, budgetary allocations, the requirement for judges to sit at satellite venues and available staffing and judicial resource.

The FtTIAC is currently funded to sit to maximum levels based on available judicial capacity.