Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the National Audit Office report of July 2026 on electronic monitoring, whether the risk identified by HM Prison and Probation Service in April 2026 that electronic monitoring processes and training might not be ready for the earned progression changes was closed before 1 October 2026; and whether he will publish the system-wide risk management approach and escalation thresholds the NAO recommended should be in place by September 2026.

The National Audit Office reported an HMPPS risk related to design questions being outstanding at the time which was impacting on preparation for digital tool and operational process implementation. The design questions were resolved, and the electronic monitoring service was ready for the implementation of the progression model from 1 October 2026.

The Department is working closely with partners to develop an approach to the management and escalation of electronic monitoring risks. Detailed internal risk tolerances and escalation arrangements are not routinely published since disclosure could prejudice the effective management of operational risks or the free and frank consideration of those risks.