Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for the probation service in England and Wales.

We understand that investment in the probation service is vital to reduce caseloads for our staff, ensure more consistent management and delivery of sentence plans and deliver effective behaviour change interventions and services to reduce reoffending and protect the public. This is why in 2021/22, we are investing an additional £155 million to strengthen the workforce, which includes supporting our target of recruiting 1,500 probation officers this year. Furthermore, we have also awarded contracts worth nearly £200 million to charities and companies delivering specialist rehabilitative and reintegrative services such as accommodation, training for employment and support for women. This significant investment will bolster the robust management of offenders in the community, helping to cut crime, reduce reoffending and protect the public.