London prison leavers 'are untapped pool of talent' for employers but 'discrimination is rife'

Prison leavers are an "untapped talent pool" for employers but London's rising housing costs are a "huge issue", the London Assembly has been told.

Around a sixth of ex-offenders in London - 17.1 per cent - are employed within six weeks of release from custody, rising to 27.9 per cent after six months.

This is lower than the national average, however, of 19.3 per cent and 31.1 per cent respectively.

Major businesses and employers told the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee on Tuesday (September 2) that a lack of employer education, negative stereotypes and soaring costs of accommodation played a factor in the capital's underperformance.

Darren Burns of the Timpson group, of which 12 per cent of the workforce are prison leavers, said anyone who has been behind b