Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the change in the number of full-time equivalent staff employed by private probation firms since 2016.

The contracts with Community Rehabilitation Companies require each CRC to ensure that it employs a sufficient level of staff, and that its workforce is competent and adequately trained. Our Contract Management Teams continually monitor and robustly manage providers on a local basis, taking into account the regional context, to make sure they fulfil their contractual commitments to reduce reoffending, protect the public and provide value for money to the taxpayer.

Public protection is our top priority and we will take all necessary action to make sure the probation system is reducing reoffending and preventing future victims.