Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brian Leishman and Catherine McKinnell

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Catherine McKinnell]

My hon. Friend is an avid campaigner, and with her health background, she is well placed to understand the value of the allied health professionals right across our society. That applies to prison in the same way. Obviously, there is a commitment that any person in prison will have the same access to treatment as they would if they were on the outside, which is vital if we are going to achieve the outcomes we want: reducing reoffending by giving people purposeful activity, education opportunities and the ability to gain skills, so that they can lead a more fulfilling life on the outside. I will certainly take away my hon. Friend’s suggestion about what more we can do.

[Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Lab)]

Earlier today, I heard from the head of the Prisoners’ Education Trust about the chaos and cuts caused by new education contracts. In Scotland, scandalously, all prison education is delivered by a private company owned by a US-based venture capitalist. Surely it is time that we take that service in-house for prisons across the United Kingdom and prioritise rehabilitation, not private sector profits.

[Catherine McKinnell]

My hon. Friend is right that education in prison is vital to rehabilitation; it provides hope for an alternative future, and engagement with education is proven to reduce reoffending by up to nine percentage points. We are determined to modernise the prison education, skills and work system. We want a joined-up system that maximises opportunities to support prisoners to progress. We recognise that there have been challenges with rising costs, and we are working at pace to ensure we deliver an education system that works for all.