Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Reoffending: Young Offenders

Tuesday 3 June 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Webb raised concerns about the link between deprivation and youth crime in Blackpool, highlighting the need for early intervention and prevention.
  • Alex McIntyre thanked the Minister for acknowledging the importance of local organizations working with young offenders and invited the Minister to visit Gloucester.
  • Sarah Dyke drew attention to the "requires improvement" rating of Somerset Youth Justice Service and asked what steps the Department is taking to support young offenders in Somerset.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Webb Lab Blackpool South
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

A recent survey found six in ten respondents were worried about children becoming involved in crime or antisocial behaviour due to the cost of living, highlighting a link between deprivation and crime.

Question

In a recent survey on the impact of the cost of living on childhood in Blackpool, six in 10 respondents told me that they were worried about children in their care becoming involved in crime or antisocial behaviour. The link between deprivation and crime is clear, and it highlights the urgent need for a dedicated cross-Government strategy to improve the lives of young people in Blackpool and across the country. What steps is the Minister taking, alongside other colleagues in Government, to ensure co-ordinated action to tackle youth crime and reoffending rates in vulnerable communities such as Blackpool?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

We are working across Government to tackle the root causes of youth offending. We are also creating the Young Futures programme, which will have prevention partnerships so that we can intervene earlier. The child poverty taskforce will soon publish a cross-Government strategy for reducing child poverty.

Answered
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Q2 Alex McIntyre Lab Gloucester
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

The Minister was asked about steps taken to reduce youth crime and reoffending rates in Gloucester, where there are organisations like Young Gloucestershire and the Nelson Trust providing support.

Question

I thank the Minister for his response. It is so important that we break the cycle of reoffending, particularly for young offenders. In Gloucester, we are really lucky to have amazing organisations working with young offenders, including Young Gloucestershire and the Nelson Trust, which offers holistic trauma-informed support for women of all ages. Will the Minister join me on a visit to the Nelson Trust to see the great work being done in my city of Gloucester?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the importance of essential organisations such as Young Gloucestershire and the Nelson Trust. I am grateful for the invitation, and ask him to please write to me about the organisations. We will see what my diary can do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to a specific visit but offered to look into it based on written communication from the MP.

How: Ask Him To Please Write To Me

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Q3 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Justice & Courts
Context

The Somerset Youth Justice Service recently received a 'requires improvement' rating from HM Inspectorate of Probation, which could be damaging to young offenders’ rehabilitation prospects.

Question

Somerset Youth Justice Service recently got a “requires improvement” rating from His Majesty’s inspectorate of probation. The situation is clearly damaging young offenders’ chances of rehabilitation, so what steps is the Department taking to improve SYJS and support young offenders in Somerset?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

The hon. Lady draws attention to an important issue. Inspections are significant in identifying where additional support and effort are needed. The Department will do everything it can to give proper support to Somerset Youth Justice Service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister acknowledged the issues but did not provide specific steps or timeline for improvement.

How: Will Do Everything It Can

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Q4 Alex Easton Ind North Down
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The Minister was asked about the extent of duties performed by probation services in North Down and across the UK, with a focus on providing support for substance abuse treatment.

Question

Does the Minister agree that probation services in North Down and across the UK often exceed their duties, providing extensive support to individuals in need? Furthermore, does he agree that it is essential to allocate resources for substance abuse treatment, so that young offenders have access to personalised services?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Sir Nicholas Dakin)

I agree wholeheartedly. It is very important that substance abuse is properly tackled. Probation services and youth offending teams do a lot of work in that space.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister agreed on the importance but did not provide specific actions or funding details for substance abuse treatment.

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