Written questions by Pochin.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels across the prison estate.

Awaiting answer.

How many court hearings were postponed in England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the impact of court backlogs on victims of crime.

Awaiting answer.

How many assaults on prison staff were recorded in prisons in England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Awaiting answer.

How many prison officers left the prison service in each of the last five years.

Awaiting answer.

How many prisoners were released early under emergency release schemes in each of the last five years.

This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe.Without the changes this Government made, courts would have had to halt trials, and the police canc...

How many foreign nationals are currently serving custodial sentences in prisons in England and Wales.

A breakdown of foreign national offenders (FNOs) by custody type is regularly published as part of the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly series. The latest published data can be found within table 1.Q.10 of the prison population tables, showing a s...

How many people have been prosecuted under section 25 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in each of the last five years, broken down by the recorded ethnicity of the defendant.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on prosecutions and convictions for a wide range of criminal offences including those under section 25 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in England and Wales within the Outcomes by Offences data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics. Data within the published tool can be disaggregated by ethnicity and sex.The data specific to offences under section 25 of The Sexual Offences Act 2003 is available by selecting the HO offence filter and using the following codes02304 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02305 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02306 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - no penetration02307 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - no penetration02314 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02315 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged under 13 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02316 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 - offender aged under 18 - no penetration02317 - Sexual activity with a male child family member - offender not 18 or over at time of offence and victim under 1302322 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over - no penetration02323 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over - no penetration02324 – Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 – offender aged 18 or over – no penetration02325 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged under 13 - offender aged 18 or over - no penetration02330 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 - offender aged under 18 – penetration02331 - Sexual activity with a male child family member under 13 - offender under 18 - penetration of anus, vagina or mouth by penis or other part of body02332 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - penetration of anus, vagina or mouth by penis or other part of body02333 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - penetration of anus, vagina or mouth by penis or other part of body

How many convictions for incest under section 25 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 have been recorded in each of the last five years, disaggregated by the ethnicity and gender of the offender.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on prosecutions and convictions for a wide range of criminal offences including those under section 25 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in England and Wales within the Outcomes by Offences data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics. Data within the published tool can be disaggregated by ethnicity and sex.The data specific to offences under section 25 of The Sexual Offences Act 2003 is available by selecting the HO offence filter and using the following codes02304 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02305 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02306 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - no penetration02307 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - no penetration02314 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02315 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged under 13 - offender aged 18 or over – penetration02316 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 - offender aged under 18 - no penetration02317 - Sexual activity with a male child family member - offender not 18 or over at time of offence and victim under 1302322 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over - no penetration02323 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged 18 or over - no penetration02324 – Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 – offender aged 18 or over – no penetration02325 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged under 13 - offender aged 18 or over - no penetration02330 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged under 13 - offender aged under 18 – penetration02331 - Sexual activity with a male child family member under 13 - offender under 18 - penetration of anus, vagina or mouth by penis or other part of body02332 - Sexual activity with a female child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - penetration of anus, vagina or mouth by penis or other part of body02333 - Sexual activity with a male child family member aged 13 to 17 - offender aged under 18 - penetration of anus, vagina or mouth by penis or other part of body

What actions are being taken to improve compliance with the Victims’ Code for survivors of child sexual abuse, in the context of the recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

The Government accepted recommendation 14 from the Inquiry to commission a joint inspection of compliance with the Victims’ Code in relation to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. The Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates have confirmed that the inspection will take place in 2026-27.Additionally, the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 introduces a new duty on criminal justice Inspectorates to consult the Victims’ Commissioner in developing their individual and joint inspection programmes. This measure was commenced in December 2025. This will support a clearer and sharper focus on how victims and survivors are treated across the system, allowing issues to be identified and solved.The Government is committed to ensuring that victims can access the information and support they need. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 created a framework to monitor criminal justice agencies' compliance with the Victims' Code, including legislative duties for agencies to collect and share information on Code compliance. The framework has not yet been commenced but preparatory work is underway with criminal justice agencies on the underlying data that will support the development of the framework.We will begin consulting on a new Victims’ Code shortly to ensure that we get the foundations for victims right. Part of the consultation will specifically look at how the Code can better support child victims.

What timetable has been set for establishing a single national redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse in England and Wales, in the context of the recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

The Government recognises the importance of victims and survivors being able to seek redress from institutions for sexual abuse suffered during childhood and that redress can take several forms.The Government is not currently taking forward any further steps on the IICSA proposal for a separate, national financial redress scheme for all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse with a connection to state or non-state institutions.To support victims in seeking redress, we are removing the three-year limitation period for civil claims in cases of child sexual abuse. The Government is also working to improve awareness of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme through campaigns and consultation.The Home Office published a Progress Update on Tackling Sexual Abuse in April 2025, where further information can be found.

When legislation will be brought forward to prohibit the use of pain compliance techniques in custodial settings where children are detained, in the context of the recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

The Government has been undertaking work to determine the most suitable registration framework for the youth custody estate. A final decision on this had been planned, as set out in the Tackling Child Abuse Progress Update, for March 2026. Since the Progress Update was published in April 2025, I commissioned a wider review of safeguarding in youth custody to be undertaken by a panel, led by the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families. Ensuring the correct safeguards are in place and that staff are properly equipped to be working with children, is all within remit of the panel and it is right we let this conclude. The panel will finalise its recommendations by June 2026. We will respond to its recommendations and this IICSA recommendation in autumn 2026.The Government rejected recommendation 5 from the Inquiry and will not be introducing legislation. Where physical safety of all children and staff in custody is concerned, it is important that trained staff are able to use these techniques, as a last resort in an emergency, to bring an incident to a safe conclusion.The Government recognises the particular vulnerabilities of children in custody, which is why staff in the Youth Custody Service continue to be appropriately trained and that there is independent oversight and transparency over all use of these techniques through an Independent Restraint Review Panel.

Whether he is taking steps to introduce professional registration for staff working with children in (a) young offender institutions and (b) secure training centres.

The Government has been undertaking work to determine the most suitable registration framework for the youth custody estate. A final decision on this had been planned, as set out in the Tackling Child Abuse Progress Update, for March 2026. Since the Progress Update was published in April 2025, I commissioned a wider review of safeguarding in youth custody to be undertaken by a panel, led by the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families. Ensuring the correct safeguards are in place and that staff are properly equipped to be working with children, is all within remit of the panel and it is right we let this conclude. The panel will finalise its recommendations by June 2026. We will respond to its recommendations and this IICSA recommendation in autumn 2026.The Government rejected recommendation 5 from the Inquiry and will not be introducing legislation. Where physical safety of all children and staff in custody is concerned, it is important that trained staff are able to use these techniques, as a last resort in an emergency, to bring an incident to a safe conclusion.The Government recognises the particular vulnerabilities of children in custody, which is why staff in the Youth Custody Service continue to be appropriately trained and that there is independent oversight and transparency over all use of these techniques through an Independent Restraint Review Panel.

On what statutory basis compensation was paid to Fuad Awale; and what the criteria are for such payments.

Compensation and legal costs were paid in order to comply with an order of the High Court. Failure to do so would have constituted a breach of the court order.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to early release schemes on the accuracy of release date calculations.

On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps to address issues including release in error and unlawful detention. This includes the establishment of an Urgent Warrant Query Unit supported by court experts so prisons can escalate queries to reduce the risk of release in error. We have also stood up a digital rapid response unit to reduce human error with cutting-edge technology. We will provide up to £10 million over the next 6 months to deliver AI and technology-based solutions to support frontline staff, helping to avoid mistakes and calculate sentence accurately. We are also simplifying release policy; one of the aims of the Sentencing Bill is to standardise how cases are treated.

What estimate he has made of the number of prisoners who were held beyond their lawful release dates but did not submit claims for compensation.

Release inaccuracy is yet another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. While the overwhelming majority of offenders are released correctly, we are clamping down on those errors that do occur, and this includes unlawful detentions.On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps which includes an independent inquiry which will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies. The Government is determined to fix release inaccuracies and ensure the public is properly protected.The data requested comes from internal management information and is not centrally collected. It is not quality assured and does not meet the standard required for publication.

What steps he is taking to reduce the number of prisoners who are held in custody beyond their lawful release dates.

Release inaccuracy is yet another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. While the overwhelming majority of offenders are released correctly, we are clamping down on those errors that do occur, and this includes unlawful detentions.On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps which includes an independent inquiry which will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies. The Government is determined to fix release inaccuracies and ensure the public is properly protected.The data requested comes from internal management information and is not centrally collected. It is not quality assured and does not meet the standard required for publication.

What the average sum of compensation paid per day is to prisoners who have been held in custody beyond their lawful release dates.

Release inaccuracy is yet another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. While the overwhelming majority of offenders are released correctly, we are clamping down on those errors that do occur, and this includes unlawful detentions.On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps which includes an independent inquiry which will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies. The Government is determined to fix release inaccuracies and ensure the public is properly protected.The data requested comes from internal management information and is not centrally collected. It is not quality assured and does not meet the standard required for publication.

What steps he is taking to improve the (a) accuracy and (b) oversight of prison release date calculations.

On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps to address issues including release in error and unlawful detention. This includes the establishment of an Urgent Warrant Query Unit supported by court experts so prisons can escalate queries to reduce the risk of release in error. We have also stood up a digital rapid response unit to reduce human error with cutting-edge technology. We will provide up to £10 million over the next 6 months to deliver AI and technology-based solutions to support frontline staff, helping to avoid mistakes and calculate sentence accurately. We are also simplifying release policy; one of the aims of the Sentencing Bill is to standardise how cases are treated.

How many prisoners were held in custody beyond their lawful release dates in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what the total compensation paid was.

Release inaccuracy is yet another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. While the overwhelming majority of offenders are released correctly, we are clamping down on those errors that do occur, and this includes unlawful detentions.On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps which includes an independent inquiry which will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies. The Government is determined to fix release inaccuracies and ensure the public is properly protected.The data requested comes from internal management information and is not centrally collected. It is not quality assured and does not meet the standard required for publication.