Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to help improve recruitment and retention of staff in London's Probation Service.

Recruitment and retention of probation staff remains a key priority and as a result, we have seen growth in the qualified probation officer workforce. We exceeded our commitment to onboard 1,300 trainee probation officers in 2025/26, successfully onboarding 1,389. We continue to deliver on our priorities to increase staffing and improve the quality of delivery, with a further commitment to onboard at least 1,300 trainees in 2026/27. The recruitment of most other probation roles is driven nationally through centralised recruitment to ensure a consistent approach. Since July this year, this is supported by a centralised forecasting model, which ensures targeted engagement with all regions, including London, to improve the service’s recruitment planning.

HMPPS addresses retention through a coordinated strategy, oversight process and evidence-based interventions. Exit interview insights, the retention toolkit and targeted deep dives at high-attrition sites help identify and address the drivers of attrition, while the Retention Delivery Committee supports nationally aligned action and the sharing of best practice.

Alongside national measures, London Probation has implemented a regional Recruitment and Retention Plan, supported by a wider London Plan, to address recruitment, retention and workforce sustainability challenges. Activity includes targeted recruitment campaigns, support for staff progression and professional development, measures to improve the recruitment process, and initiatives to retain experienced staff within the Probation Service.