Topical Questions 2026-02-03
2026-02-03
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
As a survivor of rape, Josh Newbury highlights the issue of court backlogs delaying justice for victims of serious crimes. He references delays in court processes that discourage reporting or continuing cases.
When people talk about changes to jury trials being justice denied, I understand their concerns, but I do not think it is always appreciated that, for victims of horrendous crimes, backlogs mean justice is already being slowly and painfully denied. Could the Minister assure me that, while hard decisions are made on the speed and rigour of justice, the Ministry will keep in mind those brave survivors who have come forward and are being let down by the system as it is?
I thank my hon. Friend, who has spoken on a number of occasions about his horrific experience, and I think I speak for all in this House when I say that that takes a lot of courage. What he says about the impacts on people of delays in our courts and how knowledge of that is putting off people reporting or continuing with their cases—and we know witnesses and victims pull out of their own cases—means not only that that is a torment for them, but that justice is not even being served and people are walking away. That is why we must pull every lever, and why we are bringing forward these reforms.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Referring to the Jogee ruling on joint enterprise, Kim Johnson highlights continued racial disproportionality in group convictions under this law.
It has been 10 years since the Jogee ruling on joint enterprise, and I would like to pay tribute to the Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association campaigners, who are in the Gallery today, for the amazing work they have done in this area. However, new Crown Prosecution Service data identifies continued racial disproportionality, with more black defendants swept into group convictions, so can the Justice Secretary confirm that meaningful law reform remains a priority and assure campaigners that this is not going to be a broken promise?
First, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for continuing to champion this issue, and I also pay tribute to the work of JENGbA. I have met the chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission—which has referred, I think, three cases to the Court of Appeal—to look closely at the issue. I am of course taking an interest in this issue, and I look forward to meeting campaigners in the coming months to discuss what more we may be able to do.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Mr Rand raises concerns about victims being treated as secondary thoughts, left in limbo without knowing their rights or having input on bail and sentencing decisions.
For too long, victims in Altrincham and Sale West and across the country have been treated as secondary thoughts in the criminal justice system—left in limbo, not knowing their rights and feeling voiceless when decisions are made on bail and sentencing. What reassurances can the Minister give that victims will be at the heart of the justice system following the Government’s reforms?
I thank my hon. Friend for that vital question about putting victims back at the heart of our criminal justice system. That is exactly what this Government are doing by providing free court transcripts for criminal cases, introducing new restriction zones in the Sentencing Act 2026, and consulting on a brand-new victims code to enshrine victims’ rights and ensure they have the ability to request information on parole and offender management.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Mr Blackman highlights the importance of stable housing, employment opportunities, and social networks to prevent reoffending after release from prison.
T5. To discourage ex-offenders from reoffending, it is crucial that on leaving prison they have a stable home, the opportunity of a job, and a stable network around them to stop them reoffending. However, with the advent of early release, there is a risk that those leaving prison are not given that support before they leave the prison gates. What action will the Minister take to ensure that those leaving prison after completing their sentences actually do not reoffend?
This is utter nonsense, Mr Speaker—the hon. Gentleman completely misunderstands how our legal system works. The Government understand that lawyers have to represent all sorts of people all the time, and we will stand by that. I gently say to the hon. Gentleman that the shadow Attorney General, while serving on the Tory Front Bench, is currently representing Roman Abramovich, a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not address the question about reoffending and support for ex-offenders but instead commented on legal representation.
Redirecting To Another Issue
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Mr Lavery raises concerns about the ban on industrial action for prison officers, noting that this leaves them unable to protect themselves and others in dangerous workplaces.
Prison officers face appalling levels of violence at work every day, but their hands are tied because of the Tory ban on any kind of industrial action—they cannot resist. Does the Minister agree that prison officers should have the legal right to withdraw their labour and to take industrial action to protect themselves and others while at work in what is an extremely dangerous workplace?
I recognise the seriousness of the issue my hon. Friend raises. I met prison officer unions just two weeks ago to discuss these very issues. My judgment is that, with the prison capacity crisis as it is and the pay increases we have been able to make to prison officers, this would not be the right time to explore changes in the practices he underlines.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister acknowledged the issue but did not provide a direct commitment on granting rights for industrial action.
Acknowledging The Issue Without Committing
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Mr Campbell discusses a legal case that has been ongoing for over six years due to an appeal regarding the transparency of legal aid costs.
A transparency campaigner who availed himself of legal aid to take a case against the Government 17 years ago has appealed and reviewed my attempts to have the total cost of legal aid he received made public and, ironically, transparent. The case is still ongoing six and a half years later. Will the Justice Secretary have discussions with the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland to stop this attempt to prevent transparency?
The hon. Gentleman will know that justice is a devolved matter. I am content for him to write to me, and I will look into this specific case. However, justice is, of course, a devolved matter.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not commit to any action but suggested the issue was outside her remit due to being a devolved matter.
Redirecting Responsibility
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Mr Leishman highlights the issue of increasing violence against prison staff, noting a doubling in assault cases over the past decade.
Violence against prison staff is at intolerable levels, with more than double the number of assaults today than a decade ago, all while prison officers are expected to work until they are 68 years of age. Does the Minister agree that this is unfair and unrealistic, and if so, what are the Government going to do about it?
My hon. Friend is right that we are expecting a lot of our prison officers. I was staggered at the state of what we inherited from the Conservatives. I met the prison officer unions a couple of weeks ago to discuss these issues and we are in a good dialogue about pay, work and conditions.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister acknowledged working conditions but did not provide specific actions or commitments.
Acknowledging The Issue Without Committing
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Mr Smith questions the government's plans for a new mega-prison near HMP Grendon, highlighting concerns about traffic management.
Will the Secretary of State instruct his officials who are putting together construction plans for a new mega-prison adjacent to HMP Grendon to actually listen to local voices, rather than insisting from a distance on traffic management plans that will put thousands of heavy goods vehicles down totally inappropriate rural roads?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right; when we are building new prisons, we have to think about the local area and ensure that we listen to local people’s views.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister acknowledged the need for local input but did not provide specific instructions or commitments.
Acknowledging The Issue Without Committing
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Ms Maskell raises concerns about a constituent who was re-incarcerated after a minor breach of conditions post-release.
The Government were making great strides on imprisonment for public protection sentences, yet after my constituent, who was held for nearly two decades, had a minor infringement—he missed an appointment—he ended up back inside. That cannot be right. We need to ensure that people get proper support outside. Will the Government review what happens to IPP prisoners post release?
I was looking at these issues just yesterday with one of the leading campaigners on IPP. We are making progress with the action plan, but I am happy to arrange a meeting with my hon. Friend and the Prisons Minister to discuss these issues in a bit more detail.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister acknowledged the issue and offered to meet but did not commit to an immediate review or specific action.
Offering To Meet Without Commitment
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Q10
Partial Answer
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The Secretary of State will shortly make a statement on violence in separation centres. Andy Slaughter noted the increase in assaults on staff by children, referencing Sir Jonathan Hall KC's report.
The Secretary of State will shortly make a statement on violence in separation centres. I apologise that I will not be here for it as the Select Committee has a long-planned court visit, but I will read Sir Jonathan Hall KC’s report carefully. Will the Secretary of State also look at violence on the youth estate and the 44% year-on-year increase in assaults on staff by children? What are the Government doing about that?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to centre his comments on the youth justice system. We will bring forward an action plan on that area very shortly.
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Q11
Partial Answer
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His Majesty’s inspectorate of probation found weaknesses in risk assessment, information sharing, and planning that leave victims at greater risk of harm. The inspectorate highlighted issues across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.
His Majesty’s inspectorate of probation found that weaknesses in risk assessment, information sharing and planning in domestic abuse cases are leaving victims at greater risk of harm and without consistent safeguarding across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Will the Secretary of State set out what steps his Department will take to ensure that the changes identified in the report are implemented and that victims of domestic abuse receive effective support through the criminal justice system?
I will look at that report and personally make sure that we consider what the recommendations are and how they can be implemented. This Government have put record investment into our probation services. We are also harnessing technology to ensure that probation officers can do what they are trained and want to do, which is to work with offenders to rehabilitate them, rather than be bogged down in paperwork. I will look at that specific case and come back to the hon. Lady.
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Q12
Partial Answer
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In their manifesto at the last election, the Government promised to set up specialist rape courts in every Crown court location. There is a need for these courts to ensure swift justice for victims of rape.
My hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley (Anneliese Midgley) asked about the two-year parole cycle when she raised the appalling case of James Bulger. James’s dad, Ralph, is now a constituent of mine, which is why I am following up. Will the Secretary of State consider changing the rules around the two-year system, given the family’s re-traumatisation when reliving what happened to James every two years?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this issue on behalf of Ralph Bulger. I know that he is meeting Baroness Levitt today. I too am happy to meet to discuss these issues in the coming weeks, notwithstanding my important role in this context.
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government promised to set up specialist rape courts in every Crown court location as per their manifesto at the last election. There is a need for these courts to ensure swift justice for victims of rape.
In their manifesto at the last election, the Government promised to set up specialist rape courts in every Crown court location. Will the Minister update the House on how many have been set up to date?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for highlighting the brilliant Labour party manifesto, which we are delivering in government. He is right to highlight the need for specialist rape courts. We are working with the Courts Minister on that and looking to see how we can push this forward to ensure that rape victims who have been languishing, waiting for justice, are not waiting too long. That is why we are implementing Sir Brian Leveson’s recommendations to ensure that there is swifter justice for victims.
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The new judicial finding of domestic abuse in the Sentencing Act 2026 will help identify domestic abusers in the criminal justice system. There is a need for proper training and implementation to ensure effective use.
The new judicial finding of domestic abuse in the Sentencing Act 2026 will help us better identify domestic abusers in the criminal justice system. Will the Minister explain when that element of the Act will commence? What additional training will be given to judges and magistrates to make sure that they can implement it effectively?
We will update the House when that is ready for implementation. The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the importance of training when it comes to domestic abuse cases. Judicial training is an independent function run by the Judicial College. Domestic abuse training, and particularly a trauma-informed approach to evidence, is a mandatory part of that training, as it must be.
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