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 assessment he has made of the reasons for the rate of raising grievances in 2020-21 being higher for (a) staff from Black, Asian and other Ethnic Minority Communities compared with White staff, (b) disabled staff compared with non-disabled staff, (c) non-Christian staff compared with Christian staff and (d) Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual staff compared with heterosexual staff.

The reasons for the higher rates of grievance for (a) staff from Black, Asian and other Ethnic Minority Communities compared with White staff, (b) disabled staff compared with non-disabled staff, (c) non-Christian staff compared with Christian staff and (d) Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual staff compared with heterosexual staff in HMPPS are routinely reviewed by our HR team and HMPPS senior leaders.

The extensive work HMPPS has done to encourage staff to report concerns or inappropriate behaviour on the grounds of race, disability, religion or sexuality is likely to be driving the increased grievance rates.

Interventions like the HMPPS’s Tackling Unacceptable Behaviour Unit (TUBU), established in August 2020, are actively demonstrating that there is no place for any form of unacceptable behaviour in HMPPS, and such behaviour is contrary to its core values and will not be tolerated. All allegations of unacceptable behaviour are taken seriously, investigated and, where appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken. Furthermore, work continues to simplify our HR policies and strengthen guidance and supporting information to make sure staff feel safe to “speak up”.