Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Pawsey Excerpts

Tuesday 9th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

21. What steps the Government are taking to increase opportunities for prisoners to access work before they are released.

[Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con)]

23. What steps the Government are taking to increase opportunities for prisoners to access work before they are released.

--- Later in debate ---

[Robert Buckland]

I am delighted to say that large companies such as Greene King from the catering and hospitality sector and Wates from the construction sector are now working with the new futures network that was set up last year to bring more employers, large and small, into partnerships with prisons.

[Mark Pawsey]

Futures Unlocked is a charity in my constituency with a community café supported by Warwickshire police and crime commissioner Philip Seccombe. It gives work experience to people who have just completed a prison term and has just been awarded the Queen’s award for voluntary service. That is a great example of opportunities that can be offered after release, but what can be done beforehand?

[Robert Buckland]

I join my hon. Friend in supporting Futures Unlocked and extend my congratulations to it on receiving the Queen’s award, and my hon. Friend is right to talk about what can be done beforehand. It is about building confidence, and that is why the new futures network that I mentioned, which brokers partnerships with employers to provide opportunities before release, will be crucial if we are to extend the benefit of this scheme and reduce reoffending.