Written questions by Hamilton.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the implementation of fixed release dates by the Parole Board.

Prisoners serving a determinate sentence are usually released automatically at a point fixed by legislation relating to their sentence. In contrast, indeterminate sentenced prisoners can only be released by the Parole Board after the expiry of their tariff. They must serve a minimum term, in full, in prison, at the end of which they can only be released if the independent Parole Board is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public for the offender to be confined. Therefore, introducing release dates fixed by the Parole Board would primarily affect indeterminate sentences.In accordance with legislation, an indeterminate sentenced prisoner must have a parole review to consider whether the release test is met and if not, to confirm further detention. Reviews take place just prior to tariff expiry and then at least every two years thereafter. The setting of fixed release dates would not be compatible with the need for release to be based on the current risk posed by offenders and whether they could be managed safely if released into the community on licence.During the passage of the Sentencing Act 2026, the House of Lords voted against an amendment to legislate for the Parole Board to fix a future release date for IPP prisoners.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 51809 on Enforcement Conduct Board, when he plans to set out his Department's approach to ensuring appropriate oversight of (a) enforcement firms and (b) agents operating under the Taking Control of Goods procedure.

The Government will strengthen the oversight of enforcement firms and agents that use the Taking Control of Goods procedure in England and Wales. On 9 June 2025, we launched a consultation on how to introduce an independent statutory regulator for enforcement firms. The consultation also asked whether a regulator should play any role in accrediting enforcement agents. The consultation closed on 21 July 2025. We will publish the Government’s response in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the quality of (a) education, (b) skills and (c) work provision in prisons.

The Ministry of Justice and HMPPS are committed to improving the quality of education, skills and work provision in prisons to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. We have introduced key roles such as the Head of Education, Skills and Work, and Neurodiversity Support Managers.We are supporting prisoners into skilled work while in custody through vocational training, complementing governor-commissioned vocational courses with an apprenticeship programme which can now be accessed in both the open and closed estates and a Future Skills Programme which provides sector specific training to prisoners nearing release resulting in guaranteed interviews with employers.We continue to work closely with the New Futures Network, the prison service’s specialist employment team, to expand job and training opportunities both in custody and on release. We are also prototyping a new ‘working week’ initiative which aims to increase the volume of work in prisons and strengthen community business links to boost employability.

If she will amend Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to prevent irrelevant previous disclosures being used as bad character evidence in sexual offence trials; and if she will issue guidance to the (a) CPS, (b) police and (c) judiciary on this.

This Government is absolutely committed to improving the experience of victims at court.The Law Commission has concluded its comprehensive review into the use of evidence in sexual offence prosecutions. This is a helpful report, and an important opportunity to consider how we can make changes to the criminal justice system, so that practitioners and juries do not rely on so-called rape myths and misconceptions when making decisions in court.The review has made recommendations on the admissibility of evidence related to previous disclosures, as well as the admissibility of other evidence – for example sexual behaviour evidence. We are carefully considering these recommendations and will set out our approach in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) making the Enforcement Conduct Board's voluntary accreditation scheme regulations for Bailiffs mandatory and (b) giving the Board the power to authorise or certify agents.

The Government supports the important work undertaken by the Enforcement Conduct Board to ensure that people facing enforcement action are treated fairly. We are actively considering whether further legislation is required to ensure appropriate oversight of enforcement firms and enforcement agents using the Taking Control of Goods procedure.The Government will set out its approach in due course.