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Probation: Northumbria

Volume 471: debated on Wednesday 30 January 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effect of budget reductions on the support provided for offenders as a result of budget cuts in the Northumbria probation area. (182342)

The Northumbria probation area, in conjunction with the regional offender manager for the North East will determine the quantity and quality of services to be provided in the forthcoming year. This will be through service level agreements between the board and the regional offender manager. Northumbria’s budget will increase from £25,484 million to £25,995 million, by 2.01 per cent. between 2007-08 and 2008-09. In addition, its three-year corporate plan includes a programme of cash savings of up to £1.3 million from its non-staffing budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will take steps to prevent reductions in the budget for Inventory of Offenders programmes in the Northumbria probation area. (182343)

Any reduction in budget for Inventory of Offenders programmes in the Northumbria area will be with agreement with the regional offender manager for the North East, through service level agreements and the board will look to deliver against the targets set both nationally and through the regional offender manager. Northumbria’s budget will increase from £25,484 million to £25,995 million by 2.01 per cent., between 2007-08 and 2008-09. In addition, its three year corporate plan includes a programme of cash savings of up to £1.3 million from their non staffing budget.