Hiring ex-offenders – an employers’ perspective
In 2023-24, 17.1 per cent of ex-offenders in London were employed six weeks after release from custody, rising to 27.9 per cent after six months.1 This is lower than the national average, with 19.3 per cent of ex-offenders nationally employed after six weeks, rising to 31.1 per cent after six months.2
Prisons serve an important role as places for people who are serving custodial sentences to learn new skills, gain practical experience and prepare for life in the community.3
The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee will meet tomorrow to speak with organisations about the challenges and opportunities of hiring ex-offenders, and whether the current training provided in prisons is adequate.
The guests are:
- Tehmina Khan, Business Manager, Ringway Hounslow Highways
- Darren Burns, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Timpson Group
- Jessica Mellor-Clark, Head of BeOnsite, Lendlease
- Lynne Kennedy, Social Mobility Manager, Greene King
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 2 September 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Ministry of Justice, Offender Employment Outcomes – Statistical Summary, 17 February 2025
- Ministry of Justice, Offender Employment Outcomes – Statistical Summary, 17 February 2025
- UK Government, Prison life
- Full agenda papers.
- Hina Bokhari OBE AM, Chair of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 251727 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.