Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of prisoners completed GCSE English courses in the last (a) year, (b) two years and (c) five years.

Data is collected in respect of participation and achievement in Level 2 English courses (equivalent to GCSE standard). These can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/576930/feandskills-OLASS-participation-and-achievement.xlsx

These data refer to English courses funded by the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) in English prisons. Historically, data specific to the completion of GCSE English courses is not collected. In Wales responsibility for learning and skills in prisons is devolved to the Welsh Government and this specific data breakdown is not routinely held centrally, but is held locally at specific sites.