Oral Answers to Questions

Matt Western Excerpts

Tuesday 18th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Frazer]

We are concerned about the injury that is suffered, not the person’s profession. As I said, this measure will help people to access courts. The small claims limit for other money claims is £10,000, not £2,000, and people will still be able to get justice.

[Matt Western (Warwick and Leamington) (Lab)]

2. What estimate he has made of the number of people who become homeless immediately after being released from short prison sentences.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

11. What estimate he has made of the number of people who become homeless immediately after being released from short prison sentences.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Rory Stewart)]

Far too many people on short sentences—almost 35%—struggle to find suitable accommodation. That is why we are now focusing on a pilot in Bristol, Pentonville and Leeds. We not only want to get ex-offenders into accommodation, but are putting £6.4 million into ensuring that they have right kind of support, with up to five hours a week on life skills and financial management skills, and access the right services.

[Matt Western]

I thank the Minister for his response. A study done by the charity Revolving Doors estimates that there was a 25-fold increase between October 2016 and June 2018 in the number of prisoners sleeping rough who have served less than six months. Does that information embarrass the Government and the Minister?