Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Vince Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)]

I welcome this question and the important point raised by the hon. Lady. I welcome the work that the Justice Committee is doing in this space to look at the prevention of future deaths reports to see what more we can do to ensure they are enforceable, responded to and acted upon. The Government are determined to ensure accountability at all levels on prevention of future deaths reports, and I look forward to laying out my position to the Committee soon.

[Chris Vince (Harlow) (Lab/Co-op)]

T9. Probation officers like those who work at Harlow probation office do crucial work rehabilitating those who are released from prison and ensuring that our communities are safe. What is the Minister doing to ensure that we recruit more probation officers and to ensure that they have the skills needed to do that vital work?

[Catherine McKinnell]

I pay tribute to our hard-working and dedicated probation staff, including those who bravely intervened yesterday at Manchester magistrates court to tackle an individual with a knife. Probation staff perform vital work in our communities, we owe them a debt of gratitude, and we need more to come and join the team. While we continue to exceed our recruitment targets with almost 1,400 recruited last year and a target of 1,300 in 2026-27, my message is, “Come and join this important service to protect the public and keep communities safe.”