Written questions by Wild.

With reference to her oral contribution of 5 November 2024, Official Report column 164, and to the oral contribution of 14 January 2025 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Official Report column 170, what steps the (a) Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending and (b) Governor of HMP Garth have taken to tackle drone issues at that prison.

We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones to deliver contraband into prisons. HM Prison & Probation Service uses targeted countermeasures such as improvements to windows, netting and grills to stop drones delivering contraband such as drugs, mobile telephones and weapons.A vulnerability assessment has been conducted to assess the risk of drone incursions at HMP Garth, and an action plan has been developed and implemented to manage and mitigate this threat. Owing to the operational sensitivity, it would not be appropriate to disclose the exact countermeasures that have been put in place.

How many offenders have received a life sentence for causing death by dangerous driving.

Sentencing outcomes at court for offenders prosecuted for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving and other offences can be obtained through published data: Outcomes by Offence data tool: December 2023.Provisions in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 increased the maximum penalty from 14 years’ imprisonment to life for the offences of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, and causing death by dangerous driving. These measures came into force on 28 June 2022 and apply to offences committed on or after that date.The Sentencing Council has reflected these changes in the sentencing guidelines and the starting point for cases falling into the highest level of seriousness is now 12 years’ imprisonment, a significant increase from the previous 8 years’ starting point. The sentence range for the most serious instances is now 8 to 18 years’ imprisonment.Although the starting points and sentence ranges for this offence have increased, the courts still retain the discretion to sentence outside of this range and impose a life sentence where the seriousness of the offence is such that they consider it more appropriate.We continue to work alongside the Department for Transport to ensure sentencing law for driving offences is appropriate.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of giving judges the power to compel offenders to appear in court for sentencing hearing for offences (a) that are punishable with imprisonment for 14 years or more and (b) where a life sentence (i) could or (ii) must be imposed.

The Government is committed to legislating to enhance court powers to require offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. This precise measure will be included in the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill which the Government intends to introduce in the first parliamentary session. We are currently considering the policy options for delivering these measures. Further details will be made available as part of the Bill’s introduction into Parliament.