It is not possible to give a precise figure but the following table provides a broad estimate of the value of the unpaid work done by offenders since 1995. It takes no account of the costs to the probation service of managing the work. Orders that include unpaid work vary in length but the calculation is based on the average number of hours per order. An allowance has been made for the fact that not all offenders complete their orders. The estimated total number of hours has been multiplied by the national minimum wage for each year. (Because the minimum wage came into force in 1999, the introductory figure of £3.60 has been used for 1995 to 1998.)
Estimated total value (£ million) 1995 18.0 1996 17.5 1997 18.4 1998 19.2 1999 19.2 2000 19.0 2001 18.7 2002 21.1 2003 21.7 2004 24.4