Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State on 28 March 2023, Official Report, column 811, whether the Fair Deal pensions policy will apply to the (a) commissioning and (b) bidding process for the Prisoner Education Service.

Fair Deal Pensions policy is a matter for HMT. As part of the procurements for the Prison Education Service, MOJ will apply the HMT guidance on the application of Fair Deal Pensions policy and this will be reflected in the tender documents when issued.