Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria will be used to award the education contract for the Secure College; and if he will publish those criteria.

Secure Colleges will be a pioneering approach to youth custody, with education at the centre. By moving away from the traditional environment of bars on windows and giving these young people skills, qualifications and self-discipline we can help them turn their back on crime and become productive members of society.

Education provision will form part of the overall operational contract for the Secure College. The Ministry of Justice expects providers to put forward innovative solutions that address the individual needs of young people in the Secure College. The criteria for awarding the operational contract are in development and there are no plans to publish the criteria.