The MP questioned why it takes four years for rape cases to come to court and asked about the progress towards reducing backlog in rape prosecutions, as well as the timeframe for section 28 roll-out.

The MP inquired about measures to assist victims and witnesses involved in serious crime trials, particularly regarding costs associated with travel to attend court hearings.

Criticises Government's inaction over the past decade regarding court backlogs and victims' confidence. Emphasises need for rapid implementation of section 28 and highlights poor statistics, including a doubling of victims dropping out and low conviction rates for rape cases.

Welcoming the statement, Bob Neill highlighted the need for sustained financial investment in courts to improve conditions and ensure proper funding of judges and legal professionals. He noted that the current settlement is the best for decades but emphasised its application to maintain courts' physical condition and support quality judges, barristers, and solicitors.

Peacock raised the case of Jackie Wileman, who was killed by joyriders with a history of convictions. She asked how Johnny, the victim's brother, would benefit under these proposals.

Buckland commended the minister's statement and asked about prelegislative scrutiny of the proposed changes.

Gwynne welcomed the minister's statement on improving criminal justice for victims but questioned why there was no specific strategy to tackle gender-based violence.

Butler welcomed the statement on victims being at the heart of the criminal justice system, emphasising transparency regarding sentencing.

Efford discussed issues with recorders and qualified barristers in Woolwich Crown Court, as well as funding for covid-related measures.

Hollobone congratulated the minister on his work on the new victims Bill and asked about localised support for victims in Kettering, Corby, and Wellingborough.

Chamberlain discussed concerns over section 28 pilot implementation, asking about its impact on the roll-out.

I very much welcome this statement. On Tuesday, my hon. Friend said that the consultation was imminent, and he has been true to his word. Does he share my concern, however, that the definition of “victim” within the victims’ code is pretty restrictive, unlike the situation in other jurisdictions? Will he ensure that as we go through this consultation process the voices of those who have not traditionally been regarded as victims are heard and that as the code moves into statute we do much better by them, so that their situation, and the trauma and tragedy that they go through, through no fault of their own, is mitigated?

I welcome the Minister’s statement today and I hope that we are able to deliver more justice for victims, because being a victim is for life. It is important to bring personal circumstances to the House, in order for people to understand the situation. In my case, the person who was responsible for the death of my daughter in a hit-and-run accident was sentenced to prison, and so got a custodial sentence, but of course they are eligible for home detention curfew. So this is not just about what happens before and after; it is about what happens throughout the whole process. We got a phone call from the probation service about this home detention curfew process, but it was transactional. I am not criticising the people involved or the system per se, but it was a transactional process. We got no guarantee that we would be listened to, as we were in relation to a victim statement—we got no guarantees that we would be taken into account at all. So it is important that that point is incorporated in this: that victims do have the formal right to be heard even after the actual court process itself.

As my hon. Friend will be well aware, child sexual exploitation is, sadly, an undeniable problem in my constituency. So I am very pleased that the Government are launching this consultation, on a Bill that puts supporting victims of these horrific, horrendous crimes at its heart. Will he explain what further support the Government plan to provide to victims of these horrific crimes, particularly via the independent sexual violence advisers and other services that help those who have experienced child sexual exploitation?

I very much welcome my hon. Friend’s statement, particularly the commitment to providing additional means by which victims can present their evidence in the courtroom. Does he agree, however, that we need to cast the net a little wider, in order to ensure there are additional means for certain victims to report crimes in the first place? I recall from my time many years ago in local government the success of third-party reporting centres, which were there to ensure that crimes that may otherwise, for a whole number of reasons, go unreported do get into the system.