Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Victim Support: Offender Release Helpline, if he will publish (a) the total cost of establishing it, (b) the number of staff employed to operate it, (c) the annual salary band of each of the staff employed to operate it, (d) the cost incurred to operate it to date, (e) the expected annual cost of operating it, and (f) how many victims have contacted the helpline to date.

The Government is committed to ensuring that victims and others affected by offender release can access timely information, support and guidance when they need it. That is why the Ministry of Justice has commissioned Victim Support to deliver the Victim Support: Offender Release Helpline, a dedicated telephone and live chat service available across England and Wales.

The helpline provides a single point of contact for individuals affected by, or concerned they may be affected by, offender release. Specialist advisers can provide emotional support, practical guidance, safety planning, signposting and referrals to other services where appropriate. The service is also available to family members, carers, supporters, witnesses and professionals seeking information about available support.

Funding for the helpline forms part of the Government's wider £18.9 million package of support for victims affected by the Progression Model. Of this, £1.56 million has been allocated to the national helpline. The Helpline is delivered through a grant agreement with Victim Support and launched on 1 October 26. A final assured figure for expenditure to date is not yet available.

The grant is designed to provide Victim Support with the capacity and flexibility to deliver on specified outcomes and meet demand, rather than specifying the number of posts, salary bands or volume of calls. Management information relating to the delivery of the grant will be monitored by the Ministry of Justice throughout the lifetime of the agreement.