Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent progress his Department has made on the development of the Prisoner Education Service; and when he expects that service to be launched.

We set out plans in the Prisons Strategy White Paper to deliver a Prisoner Education Service that will raise levels of offender numeracy, literacy, skills and qualifications over the course of their custody, with the aim of securing jobs or apprenticeships after they leave custody.

As the first phase of this work, we are:

- Introducing new KPIs on education attendance and progress in English and maths to drive improved performance;

- Testing new Education Work and Skills Specialist roles and support managers for prisoners with additional learning needs in a small number of prisons with plans to roll out further over the next two years;

- Developing new digital content and expanding the use of secure laptops so more prisoners can study from their cells;

- Changing the law to enable prisoners to undertake apprenticeships for the first time.

On 22 March, we issued a Prior Information Notice on HMPPS’s public website to start the process of market engagement with a wide range of providers in preparation for new contracts to provide education services in prisons.