Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of providing HM Courts and Tribunal Service cleaning and security services in-House; whether trade union recognition will form part of the tendered contracts; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that employees are paid the living wage as recognised by the Living Wage Foundation.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has undertaken an assessment of the merits of providing services in-house but has determined that continued outsourcing of these services is the most efficient model and provides best value for the taxpayer. For such contracts, service providers are expected to observce Cabinet Office Guidance that "service providers should actively communicate and, where appropriate, seek to build good relations with trade unions".

Rates of pay for employees delivering outsourced services are determined by their respective employers. All employers must comply with statutory legislation and pay at least the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage.