Asked by: Kelvin Hopkins (Independent - Luton North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
If he will make it his policy to return the probation service to the public sector.
Answered by Rory Stewart
We have been clear that probation needs to improve and have taken decisive action to end current CRC contracts and develop more robust arrangements to protect the public and tackle re-offending.
We have seen examples of good and innovative work from CRCs. In Cumbria, adapting probation to a rural setting and in London, working with the Mayor’s Office on programmes to rehabilitate offenders involved in knife crime.
I still believe that public, private and voluntary organisations all have a role to play. The reforms we are making are crucial to better integrate the system so that different providers can work more effectively together. We will set out our proposals later this year.
Asked by: Kelvin Hopkins (Independent - Luton North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals in relation to access rights to grandchildren by grandparents; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The Government is keen to take steps wherever possible to reduce conflict within families when relationships come to an end. In that context, the Government’s current priority is to reform the law on the process for obtaining a divorce.
I am separately considering what measures Government could take to help more grandchildren maintain contact with grandparents following parental separation and will make an announcement about the Government’s plans in due course.
Asked by: Kelvin Hopkins (Independent - Luton North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential risks associated with privatising waking night cover in approved premises.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The new arrangements for night cover will promote the health and safety of those who live and work in Approved Premises and of the community at large. Under previous arrangements in some Approved Premises, only one member of staff was required to be awake during the night hours. The new contracts require two staff to be on duty and awake during the night in all Approved Premises. This model has been in operation for many years in certain parts of the country and has provided an effective service.
The new contracts make appropriate provision to protect the health and safety of staff, service users and members of the public. Services must be delivered in full compliance with statutory obligations and the Health & Safety Executive’s Approved Codes of Practice. Suppliers must be able to provide professional advice to their own staff, sub-contractors and the client where required.
The National Probation Service is monitoring the contracts carefully. It is working with contractors to address issues that arise and to consolidate the processes to ensure effective delivery of night cover.
Asked by: Kelvin Hopkins (Independent - Luton North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the effect of changes in tribunal fees in people with protected characteristics.
Answered by Oliver Heald
We routinely publish Equalities Statements alongside consultation papers and Government responses to consultation on changes to courts and tribunals fees, which set out our assessment of the impact of those changes in relation to characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010.