Prisons: Education

(asked on 5th February 2019) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether companies that gain contracts to provide prison education will be required to recognise trades unions; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
 Portrait
Rory Stewart
This question was answered on 14th February 2019

The new Prison Education Framework contracts do not require suppliers to recognise trades unions.

Officials continue to meet regularly with the University and College Union (UCU) to discuss prison education matters, with the current Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) providers represented too. The new Prison Education Framework contracts commence on 1 April, and we expect those meetings with the UCU to continue, and that the suppliers will continue to be represented. In the meantime, incoming suppliers are discussing a range of issues with staff and their trade union representatives, both to ensure transition and to ensure the important legal duties concerning staff rights on transfer are met. My officials will monitor these staff transfer arrangements closely.

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