Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on preventing convicted sex offenders from working as personal fitness instructors.

The UK has some of the toughest powers in the world to deal with sex offenders and those who pose a risk, and we are committed to ensuring that the system is as robust as it can be.

Civil orders are available to the police (on application to the court) to manage the risk posed by registered sex offenders and those who pose a risk of sexual harm. Sexual Harm Prevention Orders can be applied to anyone convicted or cautioned for a sexual or violent offence, including where offences are committed overseas; and Sexual Risk Orders can be applied to any individual who poses a risk of sexual harm in the UK or abroad, even if they have never been convicted. Both orders can place a range of restrictions and/or requirements on individuals depending on the nature of the case, such as prohibiting offenders from engaging in certain kinds of employment. For both, breach is a criminal offence punishable by a maximum of 5 years’ imprisonment

We are further strengthening the regime for managing registered sex offenders through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, and we continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the right powers are available for the authorities to tackle sexual crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.