Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 10th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

4. What steps she is taking to equip prisoners with the skills they need to support their rehabilitation.

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

7. What steps she is taking to help ensure that prisoners are prepared for life outside of prison before they are released.

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

We are mandating careers advice in prisons and introducing a life skills curriculum. All released prisoners have access to an employment advisory board that can connect prisoners with work, and banking and ID administrators are preparing prisoners for life after prison.

[Paul Davies]

The UK faces a major labour shortage that is costing billions of pounds annually. Lacking prospects, many ex-prisoners return to a life of crime. Enhancing prisoner literacy and numeracy and providing vocational training can help equip them with skills for employment, leading to a reduction in reoffending rates. I welcome the “Get Britain Working” White Paper, which will address the issue. Does the Minister agree that failing to tackle the issue will not only cause a lifelong challenge for individuals, but create a significant problem for the state, including lost opportunities and increased crime?

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

I agree with my hon. Friend. We know that having a job and a home are the best ways to reduce reoffending. That is why we have employment hubs in all resettlement prisons, where prisoners can access job vacancies and support with their applications.