Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the backlog in prison maintenance (a) on 24 October 2019, (b) in October 2018, (c) in October 2015 and (d) in October 2010.

Information for October 2015 and October 2010 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. I refer the Hon Member to PQ 165647 for repairs outstanding in 2010

As of October 2019 the current priority maintenance backlog totals approximately £900m. This is most up to date estimate we have of the costs associated with the maintenance backlog, inclusive of resource costs. This has increased from around £750m in 2018. The cost of the backlog increases each year owning largely to degradation of an aging estate.

This government has invested an additional £156m in 2020/21 to improve the conditions of existing prisons across the estate and underpin our commitment to a system that is decent, safe and secure.