Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Burrowes and Phillip Lee

Tuesday 7th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con)]

2. What progress her Department has made on reforming the youth justice system.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Dr Phillip Lee)]

On 24 February, we announced changes to improve governance of the youth justice system. We are creating a new youth custody service headed by a dedicated, experienced director who will lead on operational delivery, and we have appointed Charlie Taylor as the new chair of the Youth Justice Board.

[Mr Burrowes]

Young people in custody now have more complex needs, and more than three quarters of them have been excluded from school. How will we put high-quality education at the heart of the youth justice system, so that young people can have a second chance of getting the skills they need to break the cycle of reoffending?

[Dr Lee]

My hon. Friend is, as ever, spot on with regards to the importance of education. We are bringing forward plans on secure schools, and we are going to put health and education at the centre of that. I strongly believe that when people leave the youth justice system, they should be fit in body, fit in mind and fit to play a positive part in society.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Burrowes and Phillip Lee

Tuesday 1st November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con)]

6. What steps her Department is taking to address the specific needs of women in the justice system.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Dr Phillip Lee)]

Crime is falling and fewer women are entering the justice system, and the female prison population is now consistently under 4,000. Women who commit crimes are often some of the most vulnerable in our society, which is why we are developing a strategy for women to be set out in the new year. We want to see fewer women in custody and to promote a greater focus on early intervention, diversion and multi-agency approaches to ensure that the justice system can take proper account of the specific needs of women.

[Mr Burrowes]

There are many victims of domestic violence within the justice system with multiple complex needs—mostly women. What are the Government doing to address the concerns of Women’s Aid about the perverse impact of gender-neutral commissioning cutting women-only specialist services?

[Dr Lee]

I am committed to ensuring that victims of crime get the support they need. Specialist services for victims of domestic abuse are commissioned both locally by police and crime commissioners and nationally. It is important that a range of provisions are in place to meet the diverse needs of domestic abuse victims. The Government’s new strategy on ending violence against women and girls sets out an ambition that by the end of this Parliament all victims of abuse will get the support they need. We have pledged increased funding of £80 million for that between now and 2020.