Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of relations between trade unions and (a) HMPPS and (b) HMCTS.

The MoJ has well-established, robust employee relations frameworks in place within HMPPS and HMCTS to ensure regular and meaningful engagement with all our recognised trade unions at the appropriate level, both nationally and regionally.

Relations between both HMPPS and HMCTS and its recognised trade unions continue to be professional and constructive; a strong example of this is the continuing collaborative working to support safe operational delivery during the pandemic in prisons, probation and courts. The size and complexity of the HMCTS Reform Programme presents some challenges, but both sides continue to work together to seek swift resolution to issues.

I have recently had positive introductory meetings with representatives of their respective recognised trade unions as has the Minister for Probation. Additionally, both the MoJ Permanent Secretary and Chief People Officer have also had positive introductory meetings with the relevant senior HMCTS national trade union officials.