Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what purpose his Department awarded a £3.5 million contract to Ernst & Young, published on 11 Nov 2021.

The Ministry of Justice awarded this contract to Ernst & Young for the provision of Consultancy and Professional Services to support the programme to deliver 3,000 new prison places through houseblock and Cat D construction. The contract award followed a competitive tendering exercise in accordance with MoJ’s Commercial Policy that best value for money is secured via competition.

Ernst & Young provided advice and assistance with programme initiation and are providing ongoing support including in specialist areas as required to deliver the programme outcomes on time.