Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Prison Workforce Update

26 March 2026 · Ministry of Justice

Proposed by David Lammy Lab Tottenham

EmploymentJustice & Courts

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • Government accepts Prison Service Pay Review Body's recommendations for prison staff pay rise
  • Pay rise of at least 3.5% of base pay for eligible prison staff
  • Funding from existing budgets with payment by end of June 2026 backdated to April 1, 2026

Issue summary

This statement confirms the government's decision on the pay award for prison staff in 2026/27.

Action requested

The government is accepting the Prison Service Pay Review Body’s recommendations to provide a pay rise of at least 3.5% of base pay for eligible prison staff, with funding from existing budgets and payment by the end of June backdated to April 1, 2026.

Key facts

  • The Government accepted in full the Prison Service Pay Review Body’s recommendations for all prison staff.
  • The pay rise is at least 3.5% of base pay for eligible prison staff between Operational Support Grade and Governors (Bands 2-11).
  • Payment will be made by the end of June, backdated to April 1, 2026.
  • Funding comes from existing budgets within the Ministry of Justice.
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