Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to recommendation 3 of the HM Prison & Probation Service's Action Plan of 30 June 2020, published in response to the Independent Review of the Case of Joseph McCann, for what reason the HM Prison & Probation Service has only Partly Agreed to ensure that there is sufficient capacity in the approved premises estate to accommodate all high risk of harm offenders who require a placement.

The crimes committed by Joseph McCann were appalling and our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims and their families. We recognise that there were failings and we apologise unreservedly for our part in this. We are committed to doing everything we possibly can to learn from this terrible case.

The Action Plan in response to the Independent Review of the case of Joseph McCann, Action 3 is partly agreed on the basis that as full funding for the Expansion Programme has yet to be secured.

However, the Approved Premises Expansion Programme (APEX) is well underway, seeking to create a minimum of 200 additional bed spaces in Approved Premises (AP) nationally, to meet demand for AP residency and in support of the ministerial commitment. An additional 40 bed spaces were secured in 2019/20 and it is anticipated that at least a further 40 places will be secured in 2020/21.