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760 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, the Government can accept that there is a case for offering further support for jurors who have been through very distressing cases. I should perhaps observe that jurors…28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, lay participation in justice, whether through the jury, the magistracy or, I would add, membership of tribunals, is at the heart of the common-law system and the…28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, I do not think that I can add to my earlier Answer that the Government are currently considering all options. Roughly 100,000 people serve on a jury every year; most, as…28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, I am entirely in agreement with the noble Baroness that in most cases of this kind judges will warn jurors in advance. That should generally be done, and I think it is…28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, as I say, the Government are exploring options. Sometimes a judge will warn jurors in advance that it is distressing and ask whether any of them wish to be discharged.…28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, the latest research was done by Professor Cheryl Thomas in 2020: 81% of those who had served on a jury said that they would be “happy to serve again”; 78% found it…28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, research into the impact of jury service has found that most people enjoy their service and find the experience interesting and informative. We know that some people can…28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, I entirely accept that comment.28 Mar 2023HANSARDJurors: Mental Health ImpactMy Lords, how on earth is one supposed to answer that question? Fortunately, as far as I know, that does not arise—or it certainly does not arise yet.28 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, core education in prisons is delivered by four providers: three classified as public sector providers and one as a private sector provider. Wider, non-core prison…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationI thank the noble Baroness for her question. The Government entirely agree that prison education is vital for rehabilitation. In the Government’s view, it does not follow that…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, the Government currently spend about £125 million a year on the core programme and a further £30 million on special development strategies. In relation to the future, we…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationI agree with the noble Lord that the Prison Service needs to be equipped, and I respectfully suggest that it is. There are a whole range of things here. There is the core…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, there is a problem within the prison estate in relation to distance learning from external providers, because most prisons do not have external access to the internet.…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, the answer is yes. Prison governors are now specifically required to have regard to developing employment opportunities for those in prison, attendance rates at courses…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, I cannot give the noble Lord the information he rightly seeks, but I will see if I can. Attendance at classes is an ongoing issue. It is sometimes due to staff…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, the Government regard prison education with high priority and are working to improve its imaginative and innovative aspects all the time.23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationStaffing levels are a continuing problem, but full-time equivalent prison officers have increased by 3,677 between 2016 and December 2022; it now stands at 21,632. In the…23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, the Government are committed to improving the statistics in this area, and I will investigate whether we can publish that further information.23 Mar 2023HANSARDPrisons: EducationMy Lords, I entirely agree with my noble friend in paying tribute to Timpson. There are many other employers with which we are in close touch. The Prison Service has recently…23 Mar 2023