asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prison staff have accepted the interim measures under the fresh start scheme; and what proportion of prison staff will be on the fresh start pay structure from 1 November.

Over half—53 per cent.—of prison staff in the unified grades were on fresh start working on 25 October, including 17 per cent. working under transitional local agreements. We remain firmly committed to a cut off date of 1 November for introducing fresh start at all establishments. The extent to which this is achieved depends on the outcome of local discussions. The position is not yet clear.