§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of the prison population in(a) HMP Brixton and (b) England and Wales are non-literate or at severe disadvantage as a result of their literacy skills; what measures are being taken to address this disadvantage; and what targeting is in place to address those groups disproportionately affected by non-literacy. [57204]
§ Beverley Hughes40 per cent. of prisoners screened for basic skills at Brixton prison last year were found to be non-literate, and a further 43 per cent. were found to have serious literacy problems. This compares with 24 per cent. of non-literate prisoners nationally and a
Asylum appeals and removals in the United Kingdom, for nationals of Slovakia1,2 Principal applicants Appeals sent to the IAA Total appeals determined Allowed Appeal outcomes Dismissed Withdrawn Removals3 1997 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 120 1998 90 125 5 80 40 240 1999 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 20004 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 20014,5,6 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 25 n/a = not available 1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5. 2 Removals do not necessarily relate to appeals dismissed in the same period. 3 Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, and may include some persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. 4 Provisional figures, subject to change. 5 April to September. 6 Removals figures for April to September are estimated. 270W
Asylum appeals and removals in the United Kingdom, for nationals of Slovakia1,2 Principal applicants Appeals sent to the IAA Total appeals determined Allowed Appeal outcomes Dismissed Withdrawn Removals3 1997 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 110 1998 105 130 5 100 25 170 1999 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 20004 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 20014,5,6 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 425 n/a = not available 1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 2 Removals do not necessarily relate to appeals dismissed in the same period. 3 Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, and may include some persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. 4 Provisional figures, subject to change. 5 April to September. 6 Removals figures for April to September are estimated. further 56 per cent. with serious needs. In addition to screening tests we will be introducing a diagnostic assessment for basic skills, and will fund purpose built or modified accommodation in local prisons to support assessment. We will then expect prisons to ensure that identified needs are addressed in an appropriate way, including support for prisoners with learning difficulties. Our basic skills strategy, which includes the widening of education targets at national and establishment level, is ensuring that we can address needs at all levels. New funding for classrooms adjacent to workshops will help to integrate basic skills into other prison activities. And we will ensure that teachers and trainers in prisons have the same access to training as their mainstream colleagues including in the new curriculum standards for English for Speakers of Other Languages.