Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Bob Blackman Excerpts
Tuesday 5th June 2018

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lucy Frazer Portrait Lucy Frazer
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I know that my hon. Friend is concerned about this issue. I was pleased to meet him and neighbouring MPs before Easter. He has campaigned diligently on this issue on his constituents’ behalf and I look forward to meeting him later this week to discuss it. I should also let him know that officials from Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service have arranged a review meeting on 13 June with the principal agencies affected by the change. I know that my hon. Friend has submitted evidence for that meeting.

Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
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11. What assessment he has made of the role of employment and education in reducing rates of reoffending.

Iain Stewart Portrait Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)
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21. What steps the Government are taking to improve access for offenders to education and employment.

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Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman
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I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer, and for his earlier mention of my Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the duty to ensure that ex-offenders get a decent house when they leave prison, which comes in in October. More widely, will he review education training and reward ex-offenders for participating in such programmes so that they do not reoffend when they leave prison?

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his work on the Homelessness Reduction Act, which was a significant achievement. In respect of making sure that the incentives in the system are right, my hon. Friend absolutely hits the nail on the head. I am determined to ensure that we have the right incentives in the system to reward good behaviour and to bring down reoffending.