§ Lord Lucasasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the policy of the Offenders' Learning and Skills Unit of the Department for Education and Skills towards the employment by them of ex-offenders. [HL2883]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)The DfES policy on recruitment is not to discriminate against ex-offenders in employment decisions. Every case is decided on individual merit.
The department will consider employing people currently serving a period of rehabilitation provided they do not fall into the excepted classes of employment and offices covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and they meet the recruitment criteria covering skills and/or qualifications, health and nationality.