Written questions by Roberts.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to employer national insurance contributions on the financial sustainability of the prison and probation service.

The settlement agreed for Ministry of Justice through Phase 1 of the Spending Review provides funding of £13.8 billion in 2025-26. The settlement is an increase of £1.3 billion compared to 2023-24 and ensures an above inflation pay rise for prison and probation staff, helping with recruitment and retention, whilst meeting demand increases across prisons, courts and probation.The impact of the rise in employer National Insurance Contribution for 2025/26 on public sector organisations is being met by public funds, independently of the investment to be allocated to HM Prison and Probation Service by the Ministry of Justice.

How many people were released and later recalled to prison under the (a) End of Custody Supervised Licence, (b) Home Detention Curfew , and (c) SDS40 scheme (i) since the scheme was implemented and (ii) in the most recent period for which data is available.

The number of people released under the End of Custody Supervised Licence scheme (ECSL) that have been recalled since the scheme was first implemented forms a subset of data on recalls intended for future publication.The number of people released under ECSL that have been recalled in the most recent period for which data is available could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.The Home Detention Curfew scheme (HDC) has been in operation since 1999. HDC recall data is available from 2002 onwards. The relevant annual releases tables for 2002-2014 can be found at the tab Table 3_leg_12:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66293eaa3b0122a378a7e727/Prison-releases-2002-to-2015.ods.Data for 2015-2022 at the tab Table 3_A_17:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66293e533b0122a378a7e725/Prison-releases-2023.ods.Data for 2023 at the tab Table 3 Q17:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67218b7b3aa14203d06ef452/prison-releases-Apr-to-June-2024.ods.Data on SDS40 recalls forms a subset of data intended for future publication.

How many people released under the End of Custody Supervised Licence scheme have been (a) recalled, (b) released homeless, (c) died under supervision and (d) committed a serious further offence (i) since the scheme was first implemented, and (ii) in the most recent period for which data is available.

On 31 October 2024, we published a full set of data showing the number of prisoners released on End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/end-of-custody-supervised-licence-ecsl-detailed-data.Recall data is published quarterly and data on deaths and homelessness are published annually. We are working to ensure further updates are provided in due course.The disclosure of Serious Further Offences (SFO) conviction figures beyond 31 March 2023 is prohibited by the Statistics and Registration Services (SRS) Act 2007 and the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order 2008. SFO conviction figures form a subset of data on general SFO figures intended for future publication.Overall, SFOs are rare. Fewer than 0.5% of offenders under statutory supervision are convicted of SFOs. Nonetheless, every single SFO is taken extremely seriously, and in all cases a review is carried out to identify any improvements that need to be made in the management of future cases.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the Welsh National Opera.

I have held a series of very productive meetings with the Wales Office, Welsh Government, Arts Council England, and Welsh National Opera to understand the issue in more detail and to see how, within the parameters of the arm’s length principle, I can best help ensure a strong and secure future for the WNO.The core point of commonality across all these meetings and across all partners was a recognition of the value of the Welsh National Opera and its work - for the people of England as well as for the people of Wales. It was clear that all partners are keen to achieve a positive long-term future for the organisation, and are working towards that goal.I was pleased that this series of meetings was able to reassure everyone that all partners wanted to see a positive future for Welsh National Opera, that the funding bodies across the border will work more collaboratively in future and that the new leadership at the WNO have a clear idea of how to progress. Everyone wants to burnish and sustain the WNO so that as many people as possible in Wales and England have a chance to enjoy world class opera close to home. Funding decisions are for the Welsh Arts Council and Arts Council England, but I am confident that the WNO is in a strong place to succeed.

Whether she plans to establish (a) Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme provision and (b) an alternative programme.

This Government has set an ambitious mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. We have committed to using every tool available to target perpetrators and address the root causes of abuse. It is essential that we prevent reoffending and ensure there is comprehensive approach to managing perpetrators, from early intervention to targeting the most prolific and repeat offenders. We acknowledge there is a gap in the family courts’ ability to refer perpetrators onto Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programmes. A cross-sector steering group has been established to address this – including for those cases going through the family courts in Wales. All decisions on funding remain subject to the Spending Review process.

If he will publish the (a) job description for the Envoy for the Nations and Regions and the (b) framework which describes how the Envoy for Nations and Regions will work with the (i) Welsh Government and (ii) Wales Office.

The terms of reference for the Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role, including how the Envoy will work with Cabinet Ministers and devolved counterparts to support the Government’s efforts to reset relations across the UK.

How many prisoners with a home address in Wales were released under the Early Release Scheme on 10 September 2024.

Data on SDS40 releases forms a subset of data intended for future publication. The number of prison places projected to be saved by SDS40 releases are set out in the Impact Assessment (between 4,600 and 5,900 prison places for the male estate)

What assessment she has made of the impact of the Early Release Scheme on probation services in Wales since 10 September 2024.

Probation teams play a crucial role across Wales. The impact of further changes was carefully considered, and concrete action has been taken to mitigate pressures including the recruitment of additional probation officers.

How many prisoners were released from each prison in Wales under the Early Release Scheme on 10 September 2024

Data on SDS40 releases forms a subset of data intended for future publication. The number of prison places projected to be saved by SDS40 releases are set out in the Impact Assessment (between 4,600 and 5,900 prison places for the male estate)

When she plans to respond to the letter of 23 July 2024 from the Rt hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd on the establishment of a women’s residential centre in Wales.

The Lord Chancellor is meeting with the Rt hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd on 29 October to discuss this issue, as such no written response to the letter has been sent.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) old and (b) new State Pension recipients are equally financially supported.

We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. Under both the old and new State Pension systems, the amount people receive varies according to their National Insurance record. Over the course of this Parliament we expect over 12 million pensioners are likely to see their new State Pensions increase by £1700 as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock.