Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to HM Prison and Probation Service annual staff equalities report: 2020 to 2021, published on 25 November 2021, what comparative assessment he has made of the reasons for the rate of awards of special bonuses in 2020-21 being higher for (a) men compared to women, (b) white staff compared to staff from Black, Asian and other Ethnic Minority Communities, (c) disabled staff compared to non-disabled staff and (d) staff with non-Christian religious affiliations compared to staff with Christian or no religious affiliation.

Special Bonuses are payable to HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) staff, under Reward and Recognition policies, to recognise and reward in-year performance and staff who go above and beyond their normal duties. The Reward and Recognition policies apply, and are available equally, to all HMPPS staff. Nominations for in-year awards are subject to approval by panel. On the basis that reward and recognition payments are paid on merit it is to be expected that payments, year to year, may vary across different demographics within the workplace.

It should also be noted that a number of Special Bonuses under other arrangements – particularly as part of Covid-19 overtime schemes – were paid during 2020-2021 and these could possibly skew figures depending on the level of take up across the prison and probation estates and the demographics of staff within those prisons or approved premises.