Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Elizabeth Truss

Tuesday 1st November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

Plans to rebuild Sunderland’s courts complex have been on hold since 2010. Despite raising this issue on numerous occasions with the Courts and Justice Minister’s predecessors, we still have not had a decision. Will the current Minister meet me and my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland Central (Julie Elliott) as a matter of priority to see whether we can make any progress?

[Elizabeth Truss]

My right hon. and learned Friend will be extremely happy to meet the hon. Lady.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Elizabeth Truss

Tuesday 6th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

3. What recent assessment she has made of safety in prisons.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Elizabeth Truss)]

In the last year, assaults have risen by 31% and those on prison staff have risen by 40%. That is totally unacceptable and I am determined to tackle it. Reforming prisons will be possible only if they are made safer places for staff and offenders alike.

[Bridget Phillipson]

As the Secretary of State’s response makes clear, prison safety continues to deteriorate. That significant problem puts both prisoners and staff at risk, but a major issue that must be tackled is the retention of staff. Will she set out exactly what she will do to make that a priority and how she will succeed where her predecessors have failed?