Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to use contracts it has with G4S to improve the tagging performance of that company; and if he will make a statement.

G4S provide electronic monitoring hardware (tags and home monitoring units) under contract, to the Ministry of Justice, having ceased delivery of field services and monitoring operations in early 2014, when the contract was transferred to Capita. On 27 June 2017 G4S were awarded preferred bidder status for the next generation electronic monitoring hardware contract, with Capita continuing to provide the field services and monitoring operations. The contracts are subject to stringent specifications and the equipment has been rigorously tested to exacting performance standards. The Department has robust processes in place to monitor and manage contractors and will not hesitate to take action when standards fall short.