14 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2026 to Question 123532, when his Department expects to equip up to 10,000 staff with protective body armour.
ReplyHM Prison & Probation Service is committed to equipping up to 10,000 staff with protective body armour by March 2027. Work is continuing to support delivery against this commitment, ensuring it is implemented in a controlled and proportionate manner, with appropriate governance and oversight in place.
14 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were (a) convicted for theft from a vehicle other than a motor vehicle for each year in 2020-2024 and (b) did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for theft from a vehicle other than a motor vehicle, where the number of occasions was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9+ previous convictions.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:(a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types); and,(b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.To note, figures from 2020 and 2021 have been affected by measures taken to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic and the subsequent effect this has had on the court backlog. Additionally, figures from 2022 will have been affected by the Criminal Bar Association strikes.
14 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were (a) convicted for aggravated taking of a vehicle for each year in 2020-2024 and (b) did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for aggravated taking of a vehicle, where the number of occasions was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9+ previous convictions.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:(a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types); and,(b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.To note, figures from 2020 and 2021 have been affected by measures taken to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic and the subsequent effect this has had on the court backlog. Additionally, figures from 2022 will have been affected by the Criminal Bar Association strikes.
14 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were (a) convicted of theft of a pedal cycle for each year in 2020-2024 and (b) did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for theft of a pedal cycle, where the number of occasions was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9+ previous convictions.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:(a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types); and,(b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.To note, figures from 2020 and 2021 have been affected by measures taken to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic and the subsequent effect this has had on the court backlog. Additionally, figures from 2022 will have been affected by the Criminal Bar Association strikes.
14 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were (a) convicted for theft of a motor vehicle excluding aggravated vehicle taking for each year in 2020-2024 and (b) did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for theft of a motor vehicle excluding aggravated vehicle taking, where the number of occasions was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9+ previous convictions.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:(a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types); and,(b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.To note, figures from 2020 and 2021 have been affected by measures taken to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic and the subsequent effect this has had on the court backlog. Additionally, figures from 2022 will have been affected by the Criminal Bar Association strikes.
14 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were (a) convicted of theft from a motor vehicle for each year in 2020-2024 and (b) did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted of theft from a motor vehicle, where the number of occasions was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9+ previous convictions.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:(a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types); and,(b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.To note, figures from 2020 and 2021 have been affected by measures taken to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic and the subsequent effect this has had on the court backlog. Additionally, figures from 2022 will have been affected by the Criminal Bar Association strikes.
13 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were convicted for (a) criminal damage and (b) arson in each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did not receive an immediate custodial sentence by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for (i) criminal damage and (ii) arson from 2020 to 2024.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.
13 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were convicted for stealing from the person of another for each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did not receive an immediate custodial sentence by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for stealing from the person of another.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.
13 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were convicted for possession of knives for each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did tot receive an immediate custodial sentence by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for possession of knives.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.
13 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were convicted for possession of firearms for each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for possession of firearms.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.
13 Apr 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many people were convicted for production, supply and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs for each year from 2020 to 2024, and how many people did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for production, supply, or possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
ReplyThe information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.
24 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedIf he will list the organisations authorised to send religious and welfare packs to prisons in England and Wales for (a) Ramadan and (b) Eid.
ReplyDecisions on whether any external materials may be provided are taken by individual establishments. They are subject to governor approval, national policy on faith and pastoral care, security requirements, and extremism safeguards. All proposed materials are assessed by chaplaincy teams in conjunction with prison security staff, including scrutiny against the Inappropriate Materials Guidance and oversight by Prevent Leads and Chaplaincy headquarters, and may be refused or withdrawn where concerns arise.HMPPS chaplaincy teams do not request or use materials from the Islamic Human Rights Commission in prisons.
24 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many religious chaplaincies have permitted the Islamic Human Rights Commission to send religious materials to prisons in England and Wales.
ReplyDecisions on whether any external materials may be provided are taken by individual establishments. They are subject to governor approval, national policy on faith and pastoral care, security requirements, and extremism safeguards. All proposed materials are assessed by chaplaincy teams in conjunction with prison security staff, including scrutiny against the Inappropriate Materials Guidance and oversight by Prevent Leads and Chaplaincy headquarters, and may be refused or withdrawn where concerns arise.HMPPS chaplaincy teams do not request or use materials from the Islamic Human Rights Commission in prisons.
24 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of meat served in prisons has been (a) halal and (b) kosher in each year since 2020, broken down by individual prison.
ReplyAs this data is not held centrally the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.The Food in Prison Policy Framework requires that prisoners are provided with meals that meet an individual’s religious, cultural, and medical dietary needs. Prisons provide a multi-choice, pre-select menu for the lunchtime or evening meal which must reflect the diverse needs of the establishment’s population. When a Halal meat or poultry menu choice is offered, an alternative meat or poultry choice which is not Halal must be provided at the same meal.All prisons across England and Wales provide prisoners with a choice of at least five meal options at both lunch and the evening meal. As a minimum, these options include: one meat dish, one vegan dish, one vegetarian dish, one Halal dish, and one additional alternative option.
24 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many stab vests have been issued to prison officers since 5 July 2024, broken down by individual prison.
ReplyFollowing a serious incident at HMP Frankland in April 2025, the Department acted quickly to review the use of protective body armour (PBA) across the estate. As a result, we have introduced a significant expansion in provision, with PBA now mandated for staff working in the highest-risk areas of the long-term high security estate, including Close Supervision Centres, Separation Centres and Segregation Units.This builds on existing use in high-risk operational contexts such as planned use of force and national tactical deployments. Our approach is risk-based and evidence-led, ensuring that protective equipment is prioritised for those staff facing the greatest threat, while remaining practical and effective in operational environments.We are committed to delivering the Deputy Prime Minister's pledge to equip up to 10,000 staff with PBA. As of 26 March, we have issued protective body armour to 514 named staff members and 264 spare sets for cross deployment. Information about the provision of PBA broken down by prison is shown in the table below. PrisonPersonal IssueSpareBelmarsh2212Frankland7136Full Sutton7336Garth1312Gartree1512Isle of Wight1312Long Lartin2612Lowdham Grange1912Manchester5124Swaleside1912Wakefield5024Whitemoor4824Woodhill9436Total514264
24 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many weapons have been confiscated by prison officers since 5 July 2024, broken down by individual prison.
ReplyAs data on the distinct number of weapons confiscated is not held centrally, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.Statistics on the number of incidents of weapon finds in prison, which could include multiple weapons per incident, are, however, published. Information on finds of contraband, including weapons, are included as part of the HMPPS Annual Digest. The ‘Finds in Prison – Incidents Data Tool’ can be used to show the number of incidents of weapon finds by prison broken down by calendar month. The most recent release includes data to March 2025. The next publication will also include the period April 2025 to March 2026.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmpps-annual-digest-april-2024-to-march-2025Prisons in England and Wales have a range of specialist staff and equipment to tackle the smuggling of drugs, mobile phones, weapons and other contraband into prisons. This includes X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security, X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and other specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on a range of items and materials
24 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many (a) chaplains, (b) rabbis, (c) imams, (d) other religious ministers have been attached to each prison in England and Wales in each year since 2010.
ReplyHis Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) recognises that faith and belief can support rehabilitation and may act as a protective factor in reducing re-offending.The statutory duties of prison chaplains are set out in the Prison Act 1952 and reflected in the Prison Rules 1999 and Young Offender Institution Rules 2000. They include visiting prisoners on reception; when held in segregation or residential healthcare; and before release.HMPPS does not hold a complete historical record, by establishment and year, of the number of chaplains since 2010, as there is no operational requirement to do so. Chaplaincy provision is arranged locally according to operational need, and includes employed, sessional and voluntary chaplains, totalling over 1,200 people.
24 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedWhether the costs arising from his role as Deputy Prime Minister are being met from the department’s budget.
ReplyAs outlined on gov.uk, the Deputy Prime Minister acts on behalf of the department and also deputises for the Prime Minister. Engagements completed on the Prime Minister's behalf, including international visits, are generally paid for by the Cabinet Office.
23 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow much funding has been provided to legal aid providers to represent appellants in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber in each year since 2020, broken down by (a) ethnicity, and (b) nationality of the appellant.
ReplyLegal aid expenditure in respect of cases before the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) broken down by ethnicity is set out in the annexed table. Data is self-reported to the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) by applicants or their legal aid solicitor, it is not verified by the LAA. It is not mandatory for applicants to complete the Equality and Diversity section of an application. Where this has been left blank ethnicity is recorded as ‘unknown’.Legal aid funding is not paid directly to the individual in receipt of legal aid. Legal aid is only paid to legal providers for the provision of legal advice and representation. Data in the annexed table therefore reflects expenditure relating to bills submitted by legal aid providers.Information relating to nationality of applicants is not centrally held.
23 Mar 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedHow many legal aid providers have represented appellants in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber in each year since 2020.
ReplyInformation about the number of distinct provider offices completing at least one case in the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) in each financial year since 2020 can be found in the table below:Financial Years Number of provider offices 2020-212522021-222352022-232272023-242172024-25224Legal aid for immigration and asylum services, including proceedings before the First Tier Tribunal is subject to both a legal merits test and an assessment of the individual’s financial circumstances.