Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that offenders convicted for offences related to child sexual exploitation and grooming are not considered for early release under the earned progression scheme.

The grooming gang scandal was one of the worst of our time, and this Government is determined to get to the truth behind years of systemic failure in the response to the appalling crimes which gang members committed. Prosecutions and convictions are now at their highest ever levels, and we have made grooming an aggravating factor so that the horrific impact of this offending on victims and survivors is recognised in sentencing.

Around 18,000 prisoners are entirely excluded from the release point changes being introduced by the Sentencing Act.

The changes to release points do not apply to Sentences for Offenders of Particular Concern (including rape or assault by penetration of a child under 13), Extended Determinate Sentences and Life sentences.