§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that the Probation Service provides an equal level of service in urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [51028]
§ Ms QuinThe funding formula used by the Home Office to allocate specific current grant to each of the 54 English and Welsh probation services takes account of demographic factors, including the sparsity of population. The formula is now subject to review, in consultation with the Association of Chief Probation Officers, Central Probation Council and the Local Government Association. Once the allocation has been made, it is for the responsible probation committee in each area to decide how its service's budget should be spent.