Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reform the pay of probation staff.

We recognise the significant role that probation officers play within the criminal justice system, implementing the orders of the courts, rehabilitating offenders and protecting the public.

Officials from HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) have held constructive and exploratory talks on pay with the National Association for Probation Officers (NAPO) (the trade union for probation officers), Unison and GMB SCOOP over pay and working conditions. However there have not been the substantive talks which can result in agreement at this stage.

We are working to progress a case, consistent with the Government’s approach to public sector pay, which can be agreed with HM Treasury Ministers at the earliest opportunity.