Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the secure colleges for under-18s will be providing education at the target rate of 30 hours per week in the new contract by the end of (1) 2015, (2) 2016, and (3) 2017.

The first Secure College will open in the East Midlands in 2017. This will be the first of a new generation of secure educational establishments which will put education at the heart of youth custody. If successful, it will inform our vision for the future of the youth custodial estate across England and Wales.

The Government has recently completed a public consultation on our plans for Secure College Rules. These Rules will provide the statutory framework for the effective operation of Secure Colleges. We have proposed a Rule on education which would set out a requirement for Secure Colleges to establish a minimum of 30 hours of educational activities for young people each week. This, in addition to wider activities, will help to equip young people with the skills, qualifications and self-discipline they need to lead lives free from crime. We will respond to the consultation in due course.