Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and Rebecca Smith

Tuesday 5th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Smith (South West Devon) (Con)]

17. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent changes to the early release scheme on the demand for housing provided by local authorities.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)]

With this Government’s scheme, unlike the previous Government’s rushed scheme, we are giving our excellent staff time to work with national and local housing partners to minimise any impact on local authorities.

[Rebecca Smith]

Given that secure housing on release has a proven positive impact on the recidivism rate of ex-offenders, which is something we all welcome, how many prisoners released early by this Government are being housed in hotels?

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

Fewer than 20.