Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the number of beds available in probation hostels.

The number of beds available within probation hostels (Approved Premises) for each year since 2010 are:

2010-11 - 2,188

2011-12 - 2,196

2012-13 - 2,165

2013-14 - 2,179

2014-15 - 2,175

2015-16 - 2,180

2016-17 - 2,181

2017-18 - 2,190

The above data have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the possibility of inaccuracy inherent in any large-scale recording system.

Demand for placements in Approved Premises is monitored and the need for additional capacity is kept under review. An initial demand analysis in September 2016 indicated a need for a 10 per cent expansion of beds by the end of 2018-19. That demand analysis is being reviewed to support development of a business case for expansion. This will include consideration of additional provision for women.