Hate Crime Prosecution 2025-02-06
2025-02-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
February marks LGBT History Month, during which many people gathered to discuss progress in tackling hate crime against the LGBT community. The question specifically addresses concerns about trans individuals feeling safe and perpetrators being brought to justice.
Why has many people come together in Speaker's House to hear about the progress made in tackling hate crime against the LGBT community? Will the Solicitor General outline what steps have been taken to ensure that trans people feel safe, and that perpetrators of hate crimes towards trans people are brought to justice?
The CPS prosecutes all cases that are referred to it, provided they meet the full code test for Crown prosecutors. There is more work to be done regarding incidents involving trans people. The CPS and police national hate crime leads are committed to joint working to increase the number of police referrals to the CPS for hate crime offences.
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Assessment & feedback
The Solicitor General did not provide specific steps or actions taken to ensure that trans people feel safe, nor did they outline concrete measures for bringing perpetrators of hate crimes against them to justice.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The criminal legal aid advisory board has requested that the Government raise fees in rape and serious sexual offences cases to address a shortage of advocates. Prosecutors earn significantly less than defence barristers in similar cases, leading to delays and adjournments.
Does the Solicitor General think she should look at fees to ensure there is not a shortage of advocates, particularly in these serious cases?
My hon. Friend is right to identify this as a problem; discussions with RASSO charities in my constituency indicate that the shortage of counsel contributes directly to case adjournments and delays, leading to an unfortunate slow pace of justice and victim attrition. Ministers in the Ministry of Justice have committed to work with the Bar leadership via the criminal legal aid advisory board, and to look at longer-term reform of legal aid.
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Assessment & feedback
While acknowledging the problem, the Solicitor General did not commit to reviewing or increasing fees directly but indicated ongoing discussions for longer-term reform.
Response accuracy