Topical Questions 2025-09-16

2025-09-16

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Becky Gittins Lab
Clwyd East
Context
71% of people in the youth justice system have a speech and language need that impacts their ability to access justice, but only a tiny fraction receive support. The questioner highlights this issue.
Some 71% of people in the youth justice system have a speech and language need that may impact on their ability to access justice, but only a tiny fraction of those young people have received any speech and language support. How is he working across Government—particularly with the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education—to prevent those vulnerable young people from being disproportionately drawn into the youth justice system?
I remain very concerned, particularly about neurodiversity in young people and how they fare in the criminal justice system. I will look closely at the youth justice system, working closely with colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care and of course the Department for Education.
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Q2 Partial Answer
Robert Jenrick Con
Newark
Context
The number of foreign nationals in UK prisons is mentioned, with a specific figure of 10,772. The questioner refers to the European Convention on Human Rights and criticizes previous statements made by Labour.
I welcome the Justice Secretary to his place. The only one in, one out deal that is working in the Government is the one for Deputy Prime Ministers... In fact, there are 10,772 foreign nationals in our prisons, and that figure has gone up under Labour. The obstacle to so many of their removals is the European convention on human rights, which has morphed into a charter for criminals. The previous Justice Secretary pretended that we could reform the ECHR, but the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, has stated that that position is a “political trick”. Is it a trick that this Justice Secretary intends to play on the British public?
I know the right hon. Gentleman was a corporate lawyer, but he really needs to get into the detail. We are reforming through the Sentencing Bill so that we can get people out of the country by deporting them on sentencing. He needs to get into the weeds and look at the Bill—he can do better.
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Q3 Partial Answer
Mike Reader Lab
Northampton South
Context
An elderly woman in a care home reported sexual assault by a worker, who was already under investigation for similar assaults. The family has waited over a year to get into court and is now told they will have to wait until 2026.
I have to raise a harrowing case from my constituency... When this was reported, it was found that that care worker was already being investigated for a number of similar assaults. The family have waited over a year already to get into court, and they have now been told they will have to wait until 2026. Will the Minister meet me to review this case? Importantly, the family also ask, can we look at how we learn from this, to improve the system for other families?
I am deeply troubled by this case, and of course, I am happy to meet my hon. Friend. It is hard to think of a more graphic illustration of what we mean when we say that justice delayed is justice denied, and it is exactly why this Government are gripping the backlog in our courts, with record sitting days, increased sentencing powers for magistrates and by proposing once-in-a-generation, bold reform of our criminal courts.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Josh Babarinde LD
Eastbourne
Context
The questioner expresses concern about how domestic abusers are using the family court to continue their abusive behavior.
I would like to associate myself with the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments on the bravery of the Hillsborough families and pay tribute to them... Many of us across the House are deeply concerned that domestic abusers are weaponising the family court to perpetrate their abuse. Efforts to reform it have not yet been forthcoming from this Government, and we need change. Will the Deputy Prime Minister commit to legislating in the next King’s Speech for reform of the family court, so that it supports survivors and does not sabotage them any longer?
We are determined to look at this lacuna for victims of domestic violence, and if necessary, we will come forward with further amendments or, indeed, legislation.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Leigh Ingham Lab
Stafford
Context
The questioner raises concerns about the number of children whose mothers are incarcerated and how these children are being cared for.
May I associate myself with the Secretary of State’s remarks... Last week I met Soroptimist International members in Stafford, who raised concerns about mothers in Drake Hall Prison in my constituency. Every year, 17,000 children have their mothers go to prison, yet only 9% are taken care of by their fathers. Where do those 15,000 children go, and what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that children of women in prison are properly identified and taken care of?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her really important question. I worked with the amazing charity Children Heard and Seen prior to getting this role. I am determined to ensure that we do more to protect the children of prisoners. The Prisons Minister in the other place is already working with the Women’s Justice Board to look at better ways we can treat women prisoners to ensure that they are rehabilitated.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Ben Spencer Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Context
The questioner mentions the high success rate of appeals and severe delays in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities tribunal system.
My team and I support many families navigating the special educational needs and disabilities system, and one of the challenges is delays in getting access to tribunal justice. As the Secretary of State gets to grips with his new role, will he make shortening those delays one of his priorities, and can he update the House accordingly?
The hon. Member raises a very important point. We know that the success rate of appeals is high and the delays are severe in the SEND tribunal, which has a huge impact on children and families. We are close to the maximum number of sitting days across all our jurisdictions, to bear down on those delays, but I will certainly take his point on board as we look to reform the SEND system.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Laura Kyrke-Smith Lab
Aylesbury
Context
The formidable team at Aylesbury Women’s Aid report continued severe delays in the charging and prosecution of domestic abuse cases, causing a survivor to live in constant fear despite a warrant being out for her abuser's arrest.
I am concerned about the serious delays in prosecuting domestic abuse cases. A survivor is living with constant fear due to repeated visits from her abuser, even though there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest. What steps has the Minister taken to ensure that survivors are not left vulnerable while waiting for justice?
The Sentencing Bill includes important measures to protect victims of domestic abuse, ensuring they are at the heart of our criminal justice policy and probation services. These measures aim to address the concerns raised about delays in prosecuting such cases.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions taken by the Minister were not addressed
Redirected To Future Legislation
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Q8 Partial Answer
Luke Taylor LD
Sutton and Cheam
Context
A constituent's Crown court case is delayed until 2028, six years after the alleged offence occurred. The delay was due to court closures and a lack of capacity locally.
My constituent’s Crown court case has been delayed until 2028, with delays attributed to court closures and insufficient local capacity. What does the Minister have to say to my constituent about their long wait for justice?
The delays experienced by the hon. Gentleman’s constituent are unacceptable. We acknowledge this issue and have started a significant reform process, including record investment in criminal legal aid and sitting days. However, detailed reforms will be driven by Sir Brian Leveson's report.
Assessment & feedback
Immediate steps to address delays were not specified
Redirected To Ongoing Reform Process
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Clive Efford Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Context
A constituent has been waiting nearly three years for an inquest to be completed, contributing to a large backlog in coroners' courts.
What steps are being taken to alleviate the pressure on grieving families and speed up the process of inquests, which currently face significant backlogs?
I have had productive discussions with the chief coroner on how we can expedite the inquest process. The Hillsborough law, which is being laid before Parliament today, includes provisions aimed at improving this process and providing more powers to coroners. We are also exploring further reforms.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for immediate relief were not provided
Redirected To Ongoing Reform Efforts
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Steve Barclay Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Context
Prison officers at Whitemoor prison in North East Cambridgeshire have raised concerns about the effectiveness and bureaucracy of the recruitment process.
Prison officers at Whitemoor prison in my constituency have raised concerns that the recruitment process for staff is not working effectively and is unduly bureaucratic. Will the Secretary of State write to me with his assessment and look at what changes could be made?
Yes, of course, and I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for raising that point.
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Q11 Partial Answer
Andy Slaughter Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Context
Baroness Harman’s independent review was published last week highlighting troubling findings primarily for the Bar and judiciary to address.
I am sure the Lord Chancellor has read Baroness Harman’s independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar and on the bench, which was published last week. Its troubling findings are primarily for the Bar itself and for the judiciary to address, but do the Government support the report’s recommendations and what can they do to ensure that they are implemented?
In typical fashion, Baroness Harman has conducted a thorough review into our professions and the judiciary. The judiciary and the Bar are one of the prides of this country, but where there are unacceptable practices and behaviours, it is right that we shine a light on them and demand that we do much better.
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Q12 Partial Answer
Ben Obese-Jecty Con
Huntingdon
Context
The Government's prison places estate expansion programme has been downgraded from amber to red due to the key supplier entering administration.
The new Minister stated earlier that the Government have created 2,405 new prison places, but 1,468 of those are at HMP Millsike, which is part of the new prisons programme that was announced by the previous Conservative Government. The 10,000 additional prison places estate expansion programme—including the houseblocks and refurbishments programme, and the category D programme—has been downgraded from amber to red in the delivery confidence assessment, due to the programme’s key supplier entering administration. What steps is the Justice Secretary taking to put prison construction back on track?
The hon. Member seems to be the last person defending the last Conservative Government on prisons and law and order. The truth is that over 14 years, they built 500 prison places; in 14 months, this Labour Government have built 2,500 places. We are fixing the mess that they left behind.
Assessment & feedback
downgrade of prisons programme and steps being taken to address it
Changing The Subject
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The Voices charity has created a guide to help domestic abuse survivors navigate the family courts without legal representation.
Voices—a domestic abuse charity in Bath—has created a guide to family court proceedings to support survivors to navigate the family courts without legal representation. The pilot was rolled out in the south-west and in Yorkshire. Will the Government work with Voices to roll it out nationally?
I am happy to meet Voices to discuss that guidance. We have been working with organisations like the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and CAFCASS Cymru to ensure that victims and survivors have the best support available when they are navigating the family court process.
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Q14 Partial Answer
Danny Chambers LD
Winchester
Context
Current law does not address most cases of sexual abuse towards animals, despite the proven connection between animal abuse and child abuse.
Under current law, most instances of the sexual abuse of animals are not offences. Not only are those acts despicable in themselves, but given the proven link between animal abuse and child abuse, does the Minister agree that this dangerous gap is a missed opportunity to identify abusers before they go on to harm children?
I commit to look at that further.
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