Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to promote the practice of restorative justice for all levels of crime, with a view to reducing custodial sentences and re-offending.

I refer the honourable member to the answer given to PQ HL5791 on 8 March 2018.

The Ministry of Justice supports the provision of good quality, victim-focused restorative justice as one of a range of measures to help victims cope and recover from crime. The Ministry of Justice also supports the availability of restorative justice to offenders because of its potential to reduce the frequency of reoffending and so contribute to their rehabilitation.

We continue to work with prison and probation services and Police and Crime Commissioners to provide a supportive environment to deliver restorative justice to achieve these ends.