Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to regularly publish data on prison (a) population and (b) changes.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Prison population figures are published weekly at Prison population figures: 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This publication also shows the operational capacity of the prison system as well as the weekly change.
The monthly reports at the same link also provide further population information broken down by prison.
Detailed quarterly statistics on offenders in custody (including offence groups, sentence lengths and nationalities) can be found at Offender management statistics quarterly: October to December 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners have been released between 35 and 60 days early under the end of custody supervised licence scheme since October 2023.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
End of Custody Supervised Licence began in October 2023. Analysis of its use will be based on at least one year’s worth of data, and published in line with the same approach we take for other statistical releases such as deaths of offenders in the community
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners have been released 70 days early under the end of custody supervised licence scheme since October 2023.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
End of Custody Supervised Licence began in October 2023. Analysis of its use will be based on at least one year’s worth of data, and published in line with the same approach we take for other statistical releases such as deaths of offenders in the community
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners were released 18 days early under the end of custody supervised licence scheme since October 2023.
Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
End of Custody Supervised Licence began in October 2023. Analysis of its use will be based on at least one year’s worth of data, and published in line with the same approach we take for other statistical releases such as deaths of offenders in the community
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Answered by Mark Spencer
Defra designs work and workplaces to adapt to the needs of the individual so far as is reasonably practicable.
Defra’s Health and Safety Policy, and Management System, focuses on the principles of prevention of all work-related harm. Work tasks and activities of the individual are risk assessed by the business using a framework of policies and good practice guidance (based on legislation and Health and Safety Executive legal guidance) to develop safe systems of work. Line managers are responsible for ensuring that work roles and tasks are suited to the individual and that employees are competent to carry out tasks and roles safely and without risk to physical or psychological health.
The majority of Defra workplaces provide a range of flexible workspaces, furniture and equipment to suit the work activity of the team or individual. Bespoke or specialist items are provided if an employee requires personal adaptations for health and safety purposes or workplace adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Answered by Julia Lopez
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) designs work and workplaces to adapt to the needs of individuals. Our primary headquarters and hub locations offer flexible and ergonomic work environments, which should accommodate most individuals’ requirements at the standard level. DCMS has a comprehensive framework of guidance and process materials to ensure individuals who may have any additional requirements are fully supported. The department offers flexible working, in line with Hybrid Working guidance and our dedicated Workplace Adjustments team and HR colleagues strive to ensure that staff with additional needs are not disadvantaged and have appropriate workplace adjustments in place.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The department is an inclusive employer that is committed to ensuring that any employee requiring an adjustment is treated fairly and has equal opportunities.
The department’s provision of workplace adjustments includes assessing individual needs on a case-by-case basis. These assessments lead to the provision of physical adjustments, such as chairs or desks, to neurodiversity adjustments such as coaching, to the provision of transport and to varying assessments that recommend tools or adjustments that can support individuals in their roles. In addition, the department provides flexible working approaches and encourages employees to utilise the department’s occupational health provider where required.
Where recommendations are received as a result of occupational health or other medical providers, the department works with employees and line managers to put in place all reasonable adjustments. In addition, the department follows the Government Workplace Guide where possible.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Shadow Financial Secretary (Treasury)
Regulation 4 paras 29 and 30(d) and the corresponding Schedule 1 (d) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 does not fully relate to the work of HM Treasury as it is an office-based department that is focused on policy delivery. HM Treasury do not use personal protective equipment to do their work..
However, HM Treasury do carry out principles of prevention including office design and ergonomically compliant workstations. Where risks are identified, work activity risk assessment are in place. Risks are evaluated and controlled if they cannot be fully removed.
All staff are provided with relevant workstation equipment. Where required, specific reasonable adjustments are in place to carry out their work. Office environment and workstation assessments are in place and compliant with Display Screen Equipment Regulations.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Department complies with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 through Joint Service Publications (JSPs) 375 and 912. JSP 375 sets out policy for managing the health and safety of personnel in defence including assessing and managing workplace and equipment safety. JSP 912 explains the requirement for human factors integration in defence systems and how to go about it.
Additionally, the Department provides a comprehensive framework of guidance and a dedicated Workplace Adjustment Service to ensure individuals who may have any additional requirements are not disadvantaged and have appropriate workplace adjustments in place.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Answered by Mike Freer
The MoJ customises its working conditions and processes to meet the needs and capabilities of all its staff. These include, but are not limited to, the physical layout and structure of the workplace, adjustable desks and chairs, providing equipment that is ergonomically designed, easy to use, and suitable for the tasks that workers need to perform, allowing flexibility in work schedules and reducing monotonous tasks, and ensuring that workers are not required to work at an excessively fast pace.