Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Lord Moylan, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
A Bill to make provision for a Foetal Sentience Committee to review current understanding of the sentience of the human foetus and to inform policy-making; and for connected purposes.
Lord Moylan has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Government has noted the EU’s announcement on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. In line with the provisions in Article 13(4) of the Protocol, as an act that falls within the scope of the Protocol, but which neither amends nor replaces a Union act listed in the Annexes to this Protocol, it is a matter for the Joint Committee to determine whether it should apply in Northern Ireland. The EU has informed the UK of its proposal, as required by the Protocol, and we will carefully consider its impact on Northern Ireland and the UK’s internal market, ahead of future discussions in the Joint Committee.
The UK has taken forward extensive work on and invested substantial sums in the operation of the Protocol since the beginning of the year. The total spend on the Trader Support Service through to May 2021 is £125m. In procuring the contract, the UK Government committed over £200m in trader support through the service, and as it stands the forecast is for around £360m in support over the full two years to the end of 2022.
Since launching in December 2020, the MAS has supported over 140 businesses with the cost of more than 11,400 certificates; the scheme is now confirmed to run until at least December 2023. We have already spent £25 million on the Digital Assistance Scheme and the forecast is that total spend in this area could run to up to £150 million.
There are weaknesses in the current business model of the construction sector, with low margins and a high level of reliance on subcontracting, which have contributed to poor productivity compared to other sectors. The Government is working with the construction industry to address these issues, including by investing £420m through the Transforming Construction Challenge in the development and commercialisation of innovations that will improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the industry. The Government has also published the Construction Playbook, which sets the objective of ensuring that the industry can make a fair profit on work undertaken, through a more strategic and collaborative approach to contracting and working with the industry. This will strengthen the financial position of firms in the industry, and incentivise investment by firms to improve their performance.
The Royal Parks charity manages Hyde Park on behalf of HM Government, and is responsible for decision-making about operational matters.
This is an operational matter for The Royal Parks. We understand, however, that South Carriage Drive has been closed since March 2020 as part of a trial to reduce through traffic in Hyde Park. Whilst the original trial was focused on weekend restrictions, the road has also been closed for safety reasons on weekdays during this period due to the introduction of a temporary cycle path, immediately outside the park, by Transport for London.
We understand that The Royal Parks is currently assessing evidence of the trial on the weekend restrictions, and plans to make an announcement about the closure later this year.
We want all higher education students, regardless of their background, to benefit from high quality, world-leading higher education. The letter of 8 February from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, sets out guidance to the Office for Students as the regulator for higher education, and strategic priorities for the next year and beyond. One of our highest priorities and an important manifesto commitment is to drive up quality and standards in higher education, which is a fundamental part of the levelling up agenda.
The letter of 8 February supports the Office for Students’s consultation on regulating quality and standards, which aims to introduce a more rigorous and effective quality regime and to raise the bar on quality and standards in higher education. The Office for Students has concluded the first stage of its consultation. The Office for Students will shortly consult on the detail of how the quality and standards framework will work, including on how it will identify and take action against poor quality provision.
The government has made it clear that we expect the Office for Students to make rapid progress to ensure that an enhanced regulatory regime is in place, supported by effective and meaningful enforcement action, as soon as possible.
The Department for Transport intends to carry out engagement on this issue early next year.
Decisions on the authorisation of temporary structures on the highway is entirely a matter for Westminster City Council as the local highway authority.
The Department is currently developing a framework to help local authorities monitor and evaluate the schemes that they will be delivering through tranche two of the Active Travel Fund. They will be asked to consider, among other things, congestion impacts before and after scheme implementation. All local authorities are required to consult with emergency services on changes to road layouts that require Traffic Regulation Orders as set out in the statutory guidance, and as a condition of funding for schemes delivered through the Active Travel Fund.
11 different companies are operating across the live trial areas. These are: Ginger, Spin, Lime, Beryl, Tier, Zwings, Voi, Bird, Neuron, Zipp, and Wind.
Many of these companies have their own model of scooter which meets the minimum requirements set by the Department. Trials include both short- and long-term rental. The range of trial areas provide a diverse range of local environments in which to assess e-scooter use.
The key areas we are seeking evidence of are the safety of e-scooters, what mode shift they cause, and what impacts they have on other road users. There is no minimum number of operators who need to participate in trials to assess this, but we will additionally seek to learn and share lessons on how different e-scooter providers operate.
The local authorities hosting the trials have selected the operators they wish to work with. They have undertaken their own procurement processes, ensuring that the operators meet both the Department’s and their own requirements for the trial. We have set out these requirements in our guidance for local authorities and have only approved trials where these are met. The requirements include that the operator has geofencing and driving licence checks in place, that local areas have engaged with local police and disability groups, and that data generated will be shared with the Department.
Many of the operators are going beyond these minimum requirements, including providing free helmets to users and offering online or in-person training to use the scooters.
11 different companies are operating across the live trial areas. These are: Ginger, Spin, Lime, Beryl, Tier, Zwings, Voi, Bird, Neuron, Zipp, and Wind.
Many of these companies have their own model of scooter which meets the minimum requirements set by the Department. Trials include both short- and long-term rental. The range of trial areas provide a diverse range of local environments in which to assess e-scooter use.
The key areas we are seeking evidence of are the safety of e-scooters, what mode shift they cause, and what impacts they have on other road users. There is no minimum number of operators who need to participate in trials to assess this, but we will additionally seek to learn and share lessons on how different e-scooter providers operate.
The local authorities hosting the trials have selected the operators they wish to work with. They have undertaken their own procurement processes, ensuring that the operators meet both the Department’s and their own requirements for the trial. We have set out these requirements in our guidance for local authorities and have only approved trials where these are met. The requirements include that the operator has geofencing and driving licence checks in place, that local areas have engaged with local police and disability groups, and that data generated will be shared with the Department.
Many of the operators are going beyond these minimum requirements, including providing free helmets to users and offering online or in-person training to use the scooters.
11 different companies are operating across the live trial areas. These are: Ginger, Spin, Lime, Beryl, Tier, Zwings, Voi, Bird, Neuron, Zipp, and Wind.
Many of these companies have their own model of scooter which meets the minimum requirements set by the Department. Trials include both short- and long-term rental. The range of trial areas provide a diverse range of local environments in which to assess e-scooter use.
The key areas we are seeking evidence of are the safety of e-scooters, what mode shift they cause, and what impacts they have on other road users. There is no minimum number of operators who need to participate in trials to assess this, but we will additionally seek to learn and share lessons on how different e-scooter providers operate.
The local authorities hosting the trials have selected the operators they wish to work with. They have undertaken their own procurement processes, ensuring that the operators meet both the Department’s and their own requirements for the trial. We have set out these requirements in our guidance for local authorities and have only approved trials where these are met. The requirements include that the operator has geofencing and driving licence checks in place, that local areas have engaged with local police and disability groups, and that data generated will be shared with the Department.
Many of the operators are going beyond these minimum requirements, including providing free helmets to users and offering online or in-person training to use the scooters.
11 different companies are operating across the live trial areas. These are: Ginger, Spin, Lime, Beryl, Tier, Zwings, Voi, Bird, Neuron, Zipp, and Wind.
Many of these companies have their own model of scooter which meets the minimum requirements set by the Department. Trials include both short- and long-term rental. The range of trial areas provide a diverse range of local environments in which to assess e-scooter use.
The key areas we are seeking evidence of are the safety of e-scooters, what mode shift they cause, and what impacts they have on other road users. There is no minimum number of operators who need to participate in trials to assess this, but we will additionally seek to learn and share lessons on how different e-scooter providers operate.
The local authorities hosting the trials have selected the operators they wish to work with. They have undertaken their own procurement processes, ensuring that the operators meet both the Department’s and their own requirements for the trial. We have set out these requirements in our guidance for local authorities and have only approved trials where these are met. The requirements include that the operator has geofencing and driving licence checks in place, that local areas have engaged with local police and disability groups, and that data generated will be shared with the Department.
Many of the operators are going beyond these minimum requirements, including providing free helmets to users and offering online or in-person training to use the scooters.
Clinicians are responsible for making prescribing decisions for their patients, considering best prescribing practice and appropriate national and local guidance.
In respect of the prescribing of unlicensed medicines, the National Health Service’s long-established practice is reflected in professional guidance. Individual patient needs should be fulfilled by, firstly, using a licensed medicine within its licensed indication, or if there is nothing suitable, using a licensed medicine outside its licensed indication. If there is still nothing suitable after this, the clinician can consider using an unlicensed medicine.
Thiamine tablets are available as a licensed medicine. Thiamine capsules are not a licensed medicine. Thiamine supplements can be purchased from pharmacies or shops. These include vitamin B complex tablets and multivitamin tablets where thiamine is listed as an ingredient. NHS guidance states that vitamins and minerals should not be routinely prescribed in primary care as there is insufficient high-quality evidence to demonstrate their clinical effectiveness. However, subject to funding, a clinician can prescribe any product on the NHS that they consider to be clinically necessary for the treatment of their patient unless it is listed in Schedules 1 or 2 of the NHS (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc.) Regulations 2004. Parts XVIIIA and XVIIIB of the NHS Drug Tariff list the drugs, medicines and other substance that may not be ordered, or may only be ordered on the NHS in certain circumstances under the above regulations.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that any decisions related to human embryo research are undertaken in accordance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended). The Government asked the HFEA to undertake a stakeholder dialogue to identify priorities for modernisation of the Act in 2021, and the report of this work is not expected to be completed until autumn 2023.
No assessment has been made. Decisions to prosecute in England and Wales are a matter for the independent Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). As with all criminal offences, in deciding whether to bring a prosecution the CPS will apply the two-stage test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors: whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction; and whether a prosecution is needed in the public interest.
Parliament voted to amend the Abortion Act 1967 to allow women in England and Wales to take one or both pills for early medical abortion at home. Women should be given the choice to either have an in-person consultation with a clinician or to have a virtual consultation, and if eligible, will be able to take both pills for early medical abortion at home. We have been clear that abortion providers should not move to a digital by default approach.
There are no plans to review or change abortion laws. As with other matters of conscience, abortion is an issue on which the government adopts a neutral stance.
The Government has no current plans to commission a review into the practice of sending pills for women to carry out early medical abortion at home.
No specific assessment has been made. However, last year, we did provide funding to the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards to undertake a programme of test purchasing using young people aged under 18 years old. They found a non-compliance rate of 33% for under 18 year old sales and 25% of the products purchased were non-compliant and should not have been on sale in this country.
The Government expects industry and vaping manufacturers to comply with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) requiring notification to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before a vape is sold in the United Kingdom. We hold regular conversations with the MHRA regarding the vaping notification system and to disseminate information about notified vapes to support local enforcement.
Where there is evidence of non-compliance to TRPR we work with the relevant enforcement authorities to ensure that this is remedied.
The Government consulted on the product categories in scope of the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 between 12 January 2019 and 6 April 2019. The advertising restrictions as referred to in the remarks of 4 February and 30 March are separate restrictions and have not come into force.
Following an open tender process, King’s College London (KCL) was appointed to undertake testing of a range of products to support the investigation into potential breaches of the prohibition of characterising flavours in tobacco products. KCL’s bid stated that they intended to subcontract the laboratory testing stage to Roswell Park, a world-leading tobacco research and testing institute.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities continues to work with KCL to ensure that all cigarette brands sent to Roswell Park for analytic destructive testing are exported in compliance with regulations. We expect outcomes from the testing to be available by the end of March 2022.
Following an open tender process, King’s College London (KCL) was appointed to undertake testing of a range of products to support the investigation into potential breaches of the prohibition of characterising flavours in tobacco products. KCL’s bid stated that they intended to subcontract the laboratory testing stage to Roswell Park, a world-leading tobacco research and testing institute.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities continues to work with KCL to ensure that all cigarette brands sent to Roswell Park for analytic destructive testing are exported in compliance with regulations. We expect outcomes from the testing to be available by the end of March 2022.
National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme audits on National Health Service healthcare services in England are commissioned and managed by the independent Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership on behalf of NHS England. It is a requirement of the NHS standard contract in England that all providers of NHS care in England participate in the programme which supports trusts in identifying necessary improvements for patients. Most of the audits involve services in England and Wales. Some also include services from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Public Health England had not been requested to research and publish detailed specific data on the numbers of COVID-19 cases related to place of worship and allied settings on outbreak investigation. This is now being performed.
The UK remains concerned about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, including arrests of, and violence towards, civil society and opposition activists. The British Embassy in Harare is in touch with Makomborero Haruzivishe's lawyers as we await the outcome of his appeal.
The UK regularly urges the Zimbabwean Government to meet its international and domestic obligations by respecting the rule of law and the freedoms and rights enshrined in the Zimbabwean Constitution, safeguarding human rights, and committing to genuine political and economic reform for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. The Minister for Africa most recently raised the human rights situation in Zimbabwe with Foreign Minister Shava on 9 June. We will continue to speak out, both privately and in public, where we have concerns, and work alongside the international community to support a better future for all Zimbabweans.
Our High Commissioner to Uganda has met Robert Kyagulanyi on a number of occasions and discussed our concern over human rights and democratic reform. We will continue to meet with Robert Kyagulanyi, but Kampala is a more likely location.
The Government remains committed to consulting on the impacts of this ruling, and will publish a consultation in due course.
The Government does not publish this information.
The total number of income taxpayers for those earning above £100,000 is published online in Table 2.5 of HMRC’s income tax liabilities statistics. For the 2022-23 tax year, this is estimated at 1,580,000. These statistics are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) consistent with OBR forecasts within the 2022 Spring forecast.
This table does not include a breakdown of the number of taxpayers with income between £100,000 and £125,140.
The Government does not publish this information.
For individuals with income above £100,000, the Personal Allowance (PA) is withdrawn gradually, with £1 of allowance lost for every £2 of income above the income limit of £100,000. This reduction continues until the PA is completely withdrawn for those with incomes above £125,140.
The total income tax liability for those earning above £100,000 is published online in Table 2.5 of HMRC’s income tax liabilities statistics. For the 2022-23 tax year, this is estimated at £123 billion, almost half of the estimated income tax revenue for this year.
As with all aspects of the tax system, the Government keeps the withdrawal of the PA under review and any decisions on future changes will be taken by the Chancellor in the context of the wider public finances.
It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including Community Protection Notices (CPN), depending on the specific circumstances. They are best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response. The Home Office do not hold any data on appeals.
The Home Office published statutory guidance to support local areas to make effective use of these powers. The guidance sets out the importance of focusing on the needs of the victim and the local community, as well as ensuring that the relevant legal tests are met. This guidance was updated in March 2023 to ensure a victim-centred approach to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) as well as stronger use of the powers and tools in the 2014 Act. The guidance is regularly reviewed and updated in line with stakeholder feedback on the powers to ensure greater and more consistent use.
On 27 March 2023, in parallel with publication of the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan, the Government launched a consultation on the ASB powers and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs). The consultation, which was referenced in the ASB Action Plan, was intended to garner views on strengthening powers, including CPNs, to tackle ASB; and strengthening the relationship between CSPs and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to give PCCs a greater role in CSP activity, including how they tackle ASB. A Government response to the findings in the consultation will be published in due course.
It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including Community Protection Notices (CPN), depending on the specific circumstances. They are best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response.
The Home Office published statutory guidance to support local areas to make effective use of these powers. The guidance sets out the importance of focusing on the needs of the victim and the local community, as well as ensuring that the relevant legal tests are met. This guidance was updated in March 2023 to ensure a victim-centred approach to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) as well as stronger use of the powers and tools in the 2014 Act. The guidance is regularly reviewed and updated in line with stakeholder feedback on the powers to ensure greater and more consistent use.
HMICFRS routinely collect data on CPNs and wider powers directly from police forces for the purposes of inspection activity. We will be publishing the latest statistics on use of ASB powers across England and Wales by the police, including Community Protection Notices, as part of a broader piece of research on police perception of ASB powers.
On 27 March 2023, in parallel with publication of the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan, the Government launched a consultation on the ASB powers and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs). The consultation, which was referenced in the ASB Action Plan, was intended to garner views on strengthening powers, including CPNs, to tackle ASB; and strengthening the relationship between CSPs and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to give PCCs a greater role in CSP activity, including how they tackle ASB. A Government response to the findings in the consultation will be published in due course.
It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including Community Protection Notices (CPN), depending on the specific circumstances. They are best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response.
The Home Office published statutory guidance to support local areas to make effective use of these powers. The guidance sets out the importance of focusing on the needs of the victim and the local community, as well as ensuring that the relevant legal tests are met. This guidance was updated in March 2023 to ensure a victim-centred approach to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) as well as stronger use of the powers and tools in the 2014 Act. The guidance is regularly reviewed and updated in line with stakeholder feedback on the powers to ensure greater and more consistent use.
HMICFRS routinely collect data on CPNs and wider powers directly from police forces for the purposes of inspection activity. We will be publishing the latest statistics on use of ASB powers across England and Wales by the police, including Community Protection Notices, as part of a broader piece of research on police perception of ASB powers.
On 27 March 2023, in parallel with publication of the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan, the Government launched a consultation on the ASB powers and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs). The consultation, which was referenced in the ASB Action Plan, was intended to garner views on strengthening powers, including CPNs, to tackle ASB; and strengthening the relationship between CSPs and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to give PCCs a greater role in CSP activity, including how they tackle ASB. A Government response to the findings in the consultation will be published in due course.
It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including Community Protection Notices (CPN), depending on the specific circumstances. They are best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response.
The Home Office published statutory guidance to support local areas to make effective use of these powers. The guidance sets out the importance of focusing on the needs of the victim and the local community, as well as ensuring that the relevant legal tests are met. This guidance was updated in March 2023 to ensure a victim-centred approach to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) as well as stronger use of the powers and tools in the 2014 Act. The guidance is regularly reviewed and updated in line with stakeholder feedback on the powers to ensure greater and more consistent use.
HMICFRS routinely collect data on CPNs and wider powers directly from police forces for the purposes of inspection activity. We will be publishing the latest statistics on use of ASB powers across England and Wales by the police, including Community Protection Notices, as part of a broader piece of research on police perception of ASB powers.
On 27 March 2023, in parallel with publication of the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan, the Government launched a consultation on the ASB powers and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs). The consultation, which was referenced in the ASB Action Plan, was intended to garner views on strengthening powers, including CPNs, to tackle ASB; and strengthening the relationship between CSPs and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to give PCCs a greater role in CSP activity, including how they tackle ASB. A Government response to the findings in the consultation will be published in due course.
Ahead of the commencement of section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service are updating relevant public order guidance and training to reflect the inclusion of the offence of interference with access to or provision of abortion services.
In accordance with human rights obligations, the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service are required to consider the rights provided under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), including the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which is an absolute right under Article 9 of the ECHR, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and directly linked to freedom of opinion in Article 10 of the ECHR. As an absolute right, there can be no legitimate justification on the part of the public authority to limit, interfere or otherwise penalise persons for their exercise of the right to freedom of thought. However, freedom to manifest religion or belief is qualified. It shall be subject only to such limitation as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interest of public safety, for the protection of the public order, health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Public bodies must also consider Article 10 (freedom of expression) and Article 11 (freedom of assembly and association) of the ECHR, recognising these are qualified rights, which can sometimes be infringed upon to uphold other rights.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry was established in 2015, to investigate undercover deployments conducted by police forces in England and Wales since 1968 and was expected to report within three years.
In May 2018, the Undercover Policing Inquiry published a Strategic Review which anticipated that the Inquiry would begin evidence hearings in June 2019 and that it would report to the Home Secretary before the end of 2023. In January 2019 the Inquiry published an update which explained that several issues, such as the significant complexity of documents and the difficulties presented by issues such as privacy and data protection, had led to a fresh look at the timelines. Evidence hearings subsequently began in November 2020 and will continue in 2021.
The Terms of Reference state the Inquiry will report to the Home Secretary as soon as practicable. It is important that the Inquiry gets to the truth and makes meaningful recommendations for the future. The Inquiry remains independent of the Home Office, which is crucial to its effectiveness and so, decisions and conduct in relation to the investigations are for the Inquiry to make.
The Inquiry cost, to the end of September 2020, is £32,286,400; this information is published by the Inquiry every quarter on its website. The Government is committed to giving the Inquiry the resources it needs to fulfil its important function of getting to the truth, exposing what has gone wrong in the past, and learning lessons for the future.
It is difficult to provide an expected final cost of the Inquiry at this stage, but this will be published in full, at the close of the Inquiry.
In November 2020, a £30 million ringfenced Compliance and Enforcement Grant was allocated to all district and unitary authorities in England to spend on COVID-19 compliance and enforcement related activities. In January 2021 MHCLG issued an activity and spend survey to all councils in receipt of the grant. The responses from this informed a review of how the grant was being utilised.
The Department have no plans to release the findings of the three-month review. Information was provided in confidence by local authorities during the grant period to support the development of Government policy. The information gathered as part of the review was used to inform successive iterations of the ‘Local authority COVID-19 compliance and enforcement good practice framework’, (attached) which was archived on 19 July 2021 but it still available for reference.
On 8 October, the Government allocated £30 million to local authorities in England to help them fund their Covid-19 compliance and enforcement work. There will be a three month review of the spending of that grant. Government's regular engagement with local authorities indicates they are working hard to help people comply with the rules, in partnership other local agencies such as the police.
Homes England’s strategic objectives include helping small builders grow into medium builders and to encourage new entrants into the market. The Home Building Fund specifically focuses on supporting SME builders who are unable to access suitable finance in the marketplace. It does this by providing development finance direct, as well as through lender frameworks designed to encourage and enhance the supply of liquidity in the market to the SME builder.
In addition, Homes England looks to ensure SMEs can access land through its Land Hub, and the agency’s standard building lease sets out a legal obligation for a proportion of homes to be built out by SMEs or Registered Providers.
Work to replace the current Delivery Partner Panel (DPP3) is focused on diversifying the housing market and increasing SME access to public land opportunities, in line with the agency’s strategic objectives.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee (JSC), published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The measures will make it quicker and easier to terminate an IPP licence (and therefore the IPP sentence as a whole) whilst balancing public protection considerations.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: The tariff-expired Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) prisoner population at least 10 years over tariff, 30 September 2023.
Time over tariff | Count |
From 10 years to less than 11 years | 132 |
From 11 years to less than 12 years | 117 |
From 12 years to less than 13 years | 128 |
From 13 years to less than 14 years | 128 |
From 14 years to less than 15 years | 94 |
From 15 years to less than 16 years | 62 |
From 16 years to less than 17 years | 21 |
From 17 years to less than 18 years | 1 |
From 18 years to less than 19 years | 1 |
Total | 684 |
Please note:
(1) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee (JSC), published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The measure will make it quicker and easier to terminate the IPP licence (and therefore the IPP sentence as a whole) whilst balancing public protection considerations.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence, while balancing public protection considerations.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: Number of people sentenced to DPP that were (1) in prison having never been released, (2) in prison having been recalled, in each of the most recent four quarters of available data.
| 31 Dec 2022 | 31 Mar 2023 | 30 Jun 2023 | 30 Sep 2023 |
(1) in prison having never been released | 41 | 36 | 37 | 36 |
(2) in prison having been recalled | 43 | 42 | 44 | 49 |
Table 2: (3) the number of people sentenced to DPP that were in the community on licence, in each of the most recent four quarters of available data.
| 30 Sep 2022 | 31 Dec 2022 | 31 Mar 2023 | 30 Jun 2023 |
(3) in the community on licence | 99 | 102 | 101 | 99 |
Table 3: Tariff-expired unreleased DPP prisoner population by original tariff length and time over tariff, 30 September 2023.
Time over tariff | Original Tariff length | Total | ||
Less than 2 years | 2 years to less than or equal to 4 years | Greater than 4 years to less than or equal to 6 years | ||
Less than 5 years | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
From 5 years to less than 6 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 6 years to less than 7 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 7 years to less than 8 years | 0 | * | * | 4 |
From 8 years to less than 9 years | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
From 9 years to less than 10 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 10 years to less than 11 years | * | * | * | 5 |
From 11 years to less than 12 years | * | * | * | 5 |
From 12 years to less than 13 years | 0 | * | * | 4 |
From 13 years to less than 14 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 14 years to less than 15 years | * | * | 0 | * |
15 years or more | * | * | 0 | 6 |
Total | 9 | 13 | 14 | 36 |
Please note:
(1) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
(2) An asterisk (*) has been used to suppress values of one or two. This is to prevent the disclosure of individual information. Further disclosure control may be completed where this alone is not sufficient.
Table 4: Number of people serving a DPP sentence that were recalled to prison, in each year since 2010.
Recall Year | Number of Recalls |
2010 | 1 |
2011 | 6 |
2012 | 4 |
2013 | 13 |
2014 | 9 |
2015 | 5 |
2016 | 16 |
2017 | 18 |
2018 | 22 |
2019 | 16 |
2020 | 20 |
2021 | 21 |
2022 | 14 |
2023 | 13* |
Please note:
(1) The table gives the number of recalls and not the number of individuals recalled in each year. Recording of unique IDs has not been complete throughout these years, so we are unable to give an accurate count of unique individuals recalled from 2010
(2) Processed data are available from 2010.
(*) Figures for 2023 are for the first two quarters only.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee (JSC), published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The measure will make it quicker and easier to terminate the IPP licence (and therefore the IPP sentence as a whole) whilst balancing public protection considerations.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence, while balancing public protection considerations.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: Number of people sentenced to DPP that were (1) in prison having never been released, (2) in prison having been recalled, in each of the most recent four quarters of available data.
| 31 Dec 2022 | 31 Mar 2023 | 30 Jun 2023 | 30 Sep 2023 |
(1) in prison having never been released | 41 | 36 | 37 | 36 |
(2) in prison having been recalled | 43 | 42 | 44 | 49 |
Table 2: (3) the number of people sentenced to DPP that were in the community on licence, in each of the most recent four quarters of available data.
| 30 Sep 2022 | 31 Dec 2022 | 31 Mar 2023 | 30 Jun 2023 |
(3) in the community on licence | 99 | 102 | 101 | 99 |
Table 3: Tariff-expired unreleased DPP prisoner population by original tariff length and time over tariff, 30 September 2023.
Time over tariff | Original Tariff length | Total | ||
Less than 2 years | 2 years to less than or equal to 4 years | Greater than 4 years to less than or equal to 6 years | ||
Less than 5 years | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
From 5 years to less than 6 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 6 years to less than 7 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 7 years to less than 8 years | 0 | * | * | 4 |
From 8 years to less than 9 years | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
From 9 years to less than 10 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 10 years to less than 11 years | * | * | * | 5 |
From 11 years to less than 12 years | * | * | * | 5 |
From 12 years to less than 13 years | 0 | * | * | 4 |
From 13 years to less than 14 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 14 years to less than 15 years | * | * | 0 | * |
15 years or more | * | * | 0 | 6 |
Total | 9 | 13 | 14 | 36 |
Please note:
(1) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
(2) An asterisk (*) has been used to suppress values of one or two. This is to prevent the disclosure of individual information. Further disclosure control may be completed where this alone is not sufficient.
Table 4: Number of people serving a DPP sentence that were recalled to prison, in each year since 2010.
Recall Year | Number of Recalls |
2010 | 1 |
2011 | 6 |
2012 | 4 |
2013 | 13 |
2014 | 9 |
2015 | 5 |
2016 | 16 |
2017 | 18 |
2018 | 22 |
2019 | 16 |
2020 | 20 |
2021 | 21 |
2022 | 14 |
2023 | 13* |
Please note:
(1) The table gives the number of recalls and not the number of individuals recalled in each year. Recording of unique IDs has not been complete throughout these years, so we are unable to give an accurate count of unique individuals recalled from 2010
(2) Processed data are available from 2010.
(*) Figures for 2023 are for the first two quarters only.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee (JSC), published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The measure will make it quicker and easier to terminate the IPP licence (and therefore the IPP sentence as a whole) whilst balancing public protection considerations.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence, while balancing public protection considerations.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
We have provided a breakdown of the incidents of self-harm that were recorded by people serving a sentence of Detention for Public Protection in each year since 2012 in the below table:
Number of self-harm incidents by prisoners serving a sentence of Detention for Public Protection 2012 to 2022
Year | Number of self-harm incidents |
2012 | 96 |
2013 | 137 |
2014 | 167 |
2015 | 183 |
2016 | 229 |
2017 | 226 |
2018 | 219 |
2019 | 348 |
2020 | 300 |
2021 | 339 |
2022 | 251 |
Data Sources and Quality
These figures have been drawn from the HMPPS Incident Reporting System. Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level.
(1) Figures include incidents within the youth estate and during contracted out escorts.
(2) In prisons, as in the community, it is not possible to count self-harm incidents with absolute accuracy. In prison custody, however, such incidents are more likely to be detected and counted. Care needs to be taken when comparing figures shown here with other sources where data may be less complete.
(3) Indeterminate sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) and Detention for Public Protection (DPP) were introduced in 2005. They were intended for high risk prisoners considered ‘dangerous’ but whose offence did not merit a life sentence. The number of prisoners held on these sentences increased initially and the increase was offset by reductions elsewhere.
(4) Sentence type information is only available for a small proportion of incidents prior to 2012, so it is not possible to provide a reliable breakdown by sentence type prior to then.
(5) The numbers provided in this table result from a matching between NOMIS data and Public Protection Unit Database (PPUD) data. A total of 13 prisoners identified in the PPUD data did not have an associated NOMIS identifier. Additionally, the figures in the table only includes individuals identified in NOMIS as serving IPP or DPP sentences, and also as serving a DPP sentence in PPUD data. The figures provided here are an estimate based on these two sources and as inconsistencies in recording between these two sources exist the figures should be treated with caution.
(6) Includes known DPPs in prison regardless of whether they are unreleased or have been recalled, or if they have subsequently been resentenced.
The total number of deaths that were recorded of people serving a sentence of Detention for Public Protection in each year since 2005 under the above classifications, was two or fewer. We cannot provide further specificity without a risk of breaching our confidentiality obligations by disclosing additional information about identifiable individuals who have died. Please also note that:
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee (JSC), published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The measure will make it quicker and easier to terminate the IPP licence (and therefore the IPP sentence as a whole) whilst balancing public protection considerations.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence, while balancing public protection considerations.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: Number of people sentenced to DPP that were (1) in prison having never been released, (2) in prison having been recalled, in each of the most recent four quarters of available data.
| 31 Dec 2022 | 31 Mar 2023 | 30 Jun 2023 | 30 Sep 2023 |
(1) in prison having never been released | 41 | 36 | 37 | 36 |
(2) in prison having been recalled | 43 | 42 | 44 | 49 |
Table 2: (3) the number of people sentenced to DPP that were in the community on licence, in each of the most recent four quarters of available data.
| 30 Sep 2022 | 31 Dec 2022 | 31 Mar 2023 | 30 Jun 2023 |
(3) in the community on licence | 99 | 102 | 101 | 99 |
Table 3: Tariff-expired unreleased DPP prisoner population by original tariff length and time over tariff, 30 September 2023.
Time over tariff | Original Tariff length | Total | ||
Less than 2 years | 2 years to less than or equal to 4 years | Greater than 4 years to less than or equal to 6 years | ||
Less than 5 years | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
From 5 years to less than 6 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 6 years to less than 7 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 7 years to less than 8 years | 0 | * | * | 4 |
From 8 years to less than 9 years | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
From 9 years to less than 10 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 10 years to less than 11 years | * | * | * | 5 |
From 11 years to less than 12 years | * | * | * | 5 |
From 12 years to less than 13 years | 0 | * | * | 4 |
From 13 years to less than 14 years | 0 | 0 | * | * |
From 14 years to less than 15 years | * | * | 0 | * |
15 years or more | * | * | 0 | 6 |
Total | 9 | 13 | 14 | 36 |
Please note:
(1) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
(2) An asterisk (*) has been used to suppress values of one or two. This is to prevent the disclosure of individual information. Further disclosure control may be completed where this alone is not sufficient.
Table 4: Number of people serving a DPP sentence that were recalled to prison, in each year since 2010.
Recall Year | Number of Recalls |
2010 | 1 |
2011 | 6 |
2012 | 4 |
2013 | 13 |
2014 | 9 |
2015 | 5 |
2016 | 16 |
2017 | 18 |
2018 | 22 |
2019 | 16 |
2020 | 20 |
2021 | 21 |
2022 | 14 |
2023 | 13* |
Please note:
(1) The table gives the number of recalls and not the number of individuals recalled in each year. Recording of unique IDs has not been complete throughout these years, so we are unable to give an accurate count of unique individuals recalled from 2010
(2) Processed data are available from 2010.
(*) Figures for 2023 are for the first two quarters only.
Where 10 years have elapsed since the Parole Board first directed the release of an offender serving a sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), the Secretary of State must by law refer that offender to the Parole Board, in order for the Board to determine whether to terminate the offender’s IPP licence. The minimum 10-year period is not paused or reset if an offender is recalled to prison or serves a subsequent sentence for further offences. Where the Board does not terminate the licence, the Secretary of State must by law re-refer the offender every 12 months. This ensures that every eligible offender is considered by the Parole Board annually and will enable the IPP licence, and the IPP sentence as a whole, to be brought to a definitive end for more offenders.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee’ (JSC) report, published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: Shows the number of offenders serving an IPP sentence under pre- and post-release supervision who are eligible to be considered for termination of their licence, at end of period, December 2020 to June 2023, England and Wales.
Period | Eligible |
2021 Q1 | 187 |
2021 Q2 | 237 |
2021 Q3 | 299 |
2021 Q4 | 391 |
2022 Q1 | 477 |
2022 Q2 | 571 |
2022 Q3 | 662 |
2022 Q4 | 769 |
2023 Q1 | 842 |
2023 Q2 | 945 |
Please Note:
(1) This table includes IPP offenders who have been returned to custody following a recall.
(2) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Table 2: Shows the number of cases referred to the Parole Board
Period | Referrals |
2021 Q1 | 2 |
2021 Q2 | 8 |
2021 Q3 | 3 |
2021 Q4 | 9 |
2022 Q1 | 46 |
2022 Q2 | 42 |
2022 Q3 | 72 |
2022 Q4 | 69 |
2023 Q1 | 83 |
2023 Q2 | 147 |
Please Note:
(1) Figures could contain cases where the offender became eligible for licence termination in previous quarter.
(2) Figures from Table 1 are snapshot figures and are not comparable to figures in Table 2
Table 3: Shows the outcomes of licence termination applications in each quarter since 2021.
Outcome Period | Terminated | Suspended/ Varied | Refused |
2021 Q1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2021 Q2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2021 Q3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
2021 Q4 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
2022 Q1 | 21 | 5 | 10 |
2022 Q2 | 25 | 7 | 12 |
2022 Q3 | 22 | 8 | 18 |
2022 Q4 | 28 | 6 | 46 |
2023 Q1 | 25 | 6 | 23 |
2023 Q2 | 38 | 14 | 72 |
Table 4: Shows the number of people serving an IPP sentence that were transferred from prison to a secure hospital, and held in a secure hospital, in each year, since 2009
Year | Number of transfers in the year | Population in Secure Hospital at end of year |
2009 | 54 | 472 |
2010 | 107 | 467 |
2011 | 100 | 438 |
2012 | 86 | 380 |
2013 | 90 | 326 |
2014 | 88 | 264 |
2015 | 72 | 274 |
2016 | 66 | 274 |
2017 | 59 | 278 |
2018 | 65 | 282 |
2019 | 59 | 276 |
2020 | 55 | 275 |
2021 | 39 | 287 |
2022 | 44 | 262 |
Please Note:
(1) We do not hold figures prior to 2009 as the data entry system which holds these data was implemented in 2009 and data prior to this period are not of sufficient quality to allow for the breakdown requested.
(2) The number of transfers is not the same as number of offenders transferred as there could be more than one transfer associated with an offender in a year.
(3) These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Consequently, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
The information requested for HL236 and HL237 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The information for HL238 is not held centrally.
Where 10 years have elapsed since the Parole Board first directed the release of an offender serving a sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), the Secretary of State must by law refer that offender to the Parole Board, in order for the Board to determine whether to terminate the offender’s IPP licence. The minimum 10-year period is not paused or reset if an offender is recalled to prison or serves a subsequent sentence for further offences. Where the Board does not terminate the licence, the Secretary of State must by law re-refer the offender every 12 months. This ensures that every eligible offender is considered by the Parole Board annually and will enable the IPP licence, and the IPP sentence as a whole, to be brought to a definitive end for more offenders.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee’ (JSC) report, published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: Shows the number of offenders serving an IPP sentence under pre- and post-release supervision who are eligible to be considered for termination of their licence, at end of period, December 2020 to June 2023, England and Wales.
Period | Eligible |
2021 Q1 | 187 |
2021 Q2 | 237 |
2021 Q3 | 299 |
2021 Q4 | 391 |
2022 Q1 | 477 |
2022 Q2 | 571 |
2022 Q3 | 662 |
2022 Q4 | 769 |
2023 Q1 | 842 |
2023 Q2 | 945 |
Please Note:
(1) This table includes IPP offenders who have been returned to custody following a recall.
(2) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Table 2: Shows the number of cases referred to the Parole Board
Period | Referrals |
2021 Q1 | 2 |
2021 Q2 | 8 |
2021 Q3 | 3 |
2021 Q4 | 9 |
2022 Q1 | 46 |
2022 Q2 | 42 |
2022 Q3 | 72 |
2022 Q4 | 69 |
2023 Q1 | 83 |
2023 Q2 | 147 |
Please Note:
(1) Figures could contain cases where the offender became eligible for licence termination in previous quarter.
(2) Figures from Table 1 are snapshot figures and are not comparable to figures in Table 2
Table 3: Shows the outcomes of licence termination applications in each quarter since 2021.
Outcome Period | Terminated | Suspended/ Varied | Refused |
2021 Q1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2021 Q2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2021 Q3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
2021 Q4 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
2022 Q1 | 21 | 5 | 10 |
2022 Q2 | 25 | 7 | 12 |
2022 Q3 | 22 | 8 | 18 |
2022 Q4 | 28 | 6 | 46 |
2023 Q1 | 25 | 6 | 23 |
2023 Q2 | 38 | 14 | 72 |
Table 4: Shows the number of people serving an IPP sentence that were transferred from prison to a secure hospital, and held in a secure hospital, in each year, since 2009
Year | Number of transfers in the year | Population in Secure Hospital at end of year |
2009 | 54 | 472 |
2010 | 107 | 467 |
2011 | 100 | 438 |
2012 | 86 | 380 |
2013 | 90 | 326 |
2014 | 88 | 264 |
2015 | 72 | 274 |
2016 | 66 | 274 |
2017 | 59 | 278 |
2018 | 65 | 282 |
2019 | 59 | 276 |
2020 | 55 | 275 |
2021 | 39 | 287 |
2022 | 44 | 262 |
Please Note:
(1) We do not hold figures prior to 2009 as the data entry system which holds these data was implemented in 2009 and data prior to this period are not of sufficient quality to allow for the breakdown requested.
(2) The number of transfers is not the same as number of offenders transferred as there could be more than one transfer associated with an offender in a year.
(3) These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Consequently, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
The information requested for HL236 and HL237 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The information for HL238 is not held centrally.
Where 10 years have elapsed since the Parole Board first directed the release of an offender serving a sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), the Secretary of State must by law refer that offender to the Parole Board, in order for the Board to determine whether to terminate the offender’s IPP licence. The minimum 10-year period is not paused or reset if an offender is recalled to prison or serves a subsequent sentence for further offences. Where the Board does not terminate the licence, the Secretary of State must by law re-refer the offender every 12 months. This ensures that every eligible offender is considered by the Parole Board annually and will enable the IPP licence, and the IPP sentence as a whole, to be brought to a definitive end for more offenders.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee’ (JSC) report, published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: Shows the number of offenders serving an IPP sentence under pre- and post-release supervision who are eligible to be considered for termination of their licence, at end of period, December 2020 to June 2023, England and Wales.
Period | Eligible |
2021 Q1 | 187 |
2021 Q2 | 237 |
2021 Q3 | 299 |
2021 Q4 | 391 |
2022 Q1 | 477 |
2022 Q2 | 571 |
2022 Q3 | 662 |
2022 Q4 | 769 |
2023 Q1 | 842 |
2023 Q2 | 945 |
Please Note:
(1) This table includes IPP offenders who have been returned to custody following a recall.
(2) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Table 2: Shows the number of cases referred to the Parole Board
Period | Referrals |
2021 Q1 | 2 |
2021 Q2 | 8 |
2021 Q3 | 3 |
2021 Q4 | 9 |
2022 Q1 | 46 |
2022 Q2 | 42 |
2022 Q3 | 72 |
2022 Q4 | 69 |
2023 Q1 | 83 |
2023 Q2 | 147 |
Please Note:
(1) Figures could contain cases where the offender became eligible for licence termination in previous quarter.
(2) Figures from Table 1 are snapshot figures and are not comparable to figures in Table 2
Table 3: Shows the outcomes of licence termination applications in each quarter since 2021.
Outcome Period | Terminated | Suspended/ Varied | Refused |
2021 Q1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2021 Q2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2021 Q3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
2021 Q4 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
2022 Q1 | 21 | 5 | 10 |
2022 Q2 | 25 | 7 | 12 |
2022 Q3 | 22 | 8 | 18 |
2022 Q4 | 28 | 6 | 46 |
2023 Q1 | 25 | 6 | 23 |
2023 Q2 | 38 | 14 | 72 |
Table 4: Shows the number of people serving an IPP sentence that were transferred from prison to a secure hospital, and held in a secure hospital, in each year, since 2009
Year | Number of transfers in the year | Population in Secure Hospital at end of year |
2009 | 54 | 472 |
2010 | 107 | 467 |
2011 | 100 | 438 |
2012 | 86 | 380 |
2013 | 90 | 326 |
2014 | 88 | 264 |
2015 | 72 | 274 |
2016 | 66 | 274 |
2017 | 59 | 278 |
2018 | 65 | 282 |
2019 | 59 | 276 |
2020 | 55 | 275 |
2021 | 39 | 287 |
2022 | 44 | 262 |
Please Note:
(1) We do not hold figures prior to 2009 as the data entry system which holds these data was implemented in 2009 and data prior to this period are not of sufficient quality to allow for the breakdown requested.
(2) The number of transfers is not the same as number of offenders transferred as there could be more than one transfer associated with an offender in a year.
(3) These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Consequently, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
The information requested for HL236 and HL237 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The information for HL238 is not held centrally.
Where 10 years have elapsed since the Parole Board first directed the release of an offender serving a sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), the Secretary of State must by law refer that offender to the Parole Board, in order for the Board to determine whether to terminate the offender’s IPP licence. The minimum 10-year period is not paused or reset if an offender is recalled to prison or serves a subsequent sentence for further offences. Where the Board does not terminate the licence, the Secretary of State must by law re-refer the offender every 12 months. This ensures that every eligible offender is considered by the Parole Board annually and will enable the IPP licence, and the IPP sentence as a whole, to be brought to a definitive end for more offenders.
On 16 October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced he would be looking at options to curtail the licence period to restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences in line with recommendation 8 of the report by the Justice Select Committee’ (JSC) report, published on 28 September 2022.
These changes are being taken forward in the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
The new measure will:
The Lord Chancellor was persuaded by the Committee’s recommendation to reduce the qualifying licence period from 10 years to 5 years and is going further: reducing the period to 3 years. These amendments will restore greater proportionality to IPP sentences and provide a clear pathway to a definitive end to the licence and, therefore, the sentence.
In addition to these changes, the actions this Government are taking are working; the number of prisoners serving the IPP sentence who have never been released now stands at 1,269 as of September 2023, down from more than 6000 in 2012.
Table 1: Shows the number of offenders serving an IPP sentence under pre- and post-release supervision who are eligible to be considered for termination of their licence, at end of period, December 2020 to June 2023, England and Wales.
Period | Eligible |
2021 Q1 | 187 |
2021 Q2 | 237 |
2021 Q3 | 299 |
2021 Q4 | 391 |
2022 Q1 | 477 |
2022 Q2 | 571 |
2022 Q3 | 662 |
2022 Q4 | 769 |
2023 Q1 | 842 |
2023 Q2 | 945 |
Please Note:
(1) This table includes IPP offenders who have been returned to custody following a recall.
(2) The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
Table 2: Shows the number of cases referred to the Parole Board
Period | Referrals |
2021 Q1 | 2 |
2021 Q2 | 8 |
2021 Q3 | 3 |
2021 Q4 | 9 |
2022 Q1 | 46 |
2022 Q2 | 42 |
2022 Q3 | 72 |
2022 Q4 | 69 |
2023 Q1 | 83 |
2023 Q2 | 147 |
Please Note:
(1) Figures could contain cases where the offender became eligible for licence termination in previous quarter.
(2) Figures from Table 1 are snapshot figures and are not comparable to figures in Table 2
Table 3: Shows the outcomes of licence termination applications in each quarter since 2021.
Outcome Period | Terminated | Suspended/ Varied | Refused |
2021 Q1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2021 Q2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2021 Q3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
2021 Q4 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
2022 Q1 | 21 | 5 | 10 |
2022 Q2 | 25 | 7 | 12 |
2022 Q3 | 22 | 8 | 18 |
2022 Q4 | 28 | 6 | 46 |
2023 Q1 | 25 | 6 | 23 |
2023 Q2 | 38 | 14 | 72 |
Table 4: Shows the number of people serving an IPP sentence that were transferred from prison to a secure hospital, and held in a secure hospital, in each year, since 2009
Year | Number of transfers in the year | Population in Secure Hospital at end of year |
2009 | 54 | 472 |
2010 | 107 | 467 |
2011 | 100 | 438 |
2012 | 86 | 380 |
2013 | 90 | 326 |
2014 | 88 | 264 |
2015 | 72 | 274 |
2016 | 66 | 274 |
2017 | 59 | 278 |
2018 | 65 | 282 |
2019 | 59 | 276 |
2020 | 55 | 275 |
2021 | 39 | 287 |
2022 | 44 | 262 |
Please Note:
(1) We do not hold figures prior to 2009 as the data entry system which holds these data was implemented in 2009 and data prior to this period are not of sufficient quality to allow for the breakdown requested.
(2) The number of transfers is not the same as number of offenders transferred as there could be more than one transfer associated with an offender in a year.
(3) These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Consequently, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
The information requested for HL236 and HL237 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The information for HL238 is not held centrally.