Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to help prisoners develop new skills before leaving prison.

We are delivering a new Prisoner Education Service, focused on work-based training and skills, which will help to improve prisoners’ employability ahead of release. This will help to cut crime and bring us safer streets by reducing reoffending, while helping to fill skills shortages in the economy.

As part of this work, we changed the law in September this year so that prisoners who are assessed as safe for Release on Temporary Licence can undertake apprenticeships. The first prisoner apprentices have started work on highway maintenance and in hospitality.

We are also building stronger links with employers, including through our prison Employment Advisory Boards. Chaired by local business leaders, they will provide challenge and advice on how to align the training delivered in prisons with the skills our labour market needs. Chairs have now been appointed to 72 Employment Advisory Boards.