Oral Answers to Questions

Karl McCartney Excerpts

Tuesday 27th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Alex Chalk]

We have already taken important steps to recalibrate disclosures so that they have to take place only when absolutely necessary, but the hon. Gentleman is right about employment. A prisoner who gets into employment is 10% less likely to commit an offence. I am delighted to see, through the huge efforts of employment advisory boards, employment advisers and employment hubs in custody, that the proportion of offenders in employment six months after release has doubled in the past year. A lot of work has been done, but of course there is further to go.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

Earlier, the Minister was asked about the backlog of criminal court cases and answered at length regarding Crown courts. On behalf of magistrates and magistrates court staff, can we have an update on the situation with magistrates courts, please?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mike Freer)]

The magistrates have continued to make good progress in reducing the backlog, and that is a testament to the work they do on our behalf.