Topical Questions 2025-12-16

2025-12-16

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Uma Kumaran Lab
Stratford and Bow
Context
A constituent is waiting nearly a decade for their day in court due to the backlog. The cost of delays results in high numbers of victims not proceeding to trial, leading to near-total impunity.
I thank my right hon. Friend for that clarification. By the time my constituent gets her day in court, she will have waited nearly a decade for justice. That is the cost of the Tories’ broken court system—unacceptable waits, contributing to a tragically high number of victims not proceeding to trial. The result is near-total impunity for the men who commit serious offences of sexual assault and domestic abuse. My right hon. Friend is working tirelessly to reduce the courts backlog. What is he doing to ensure that victims are put first, so that they do not have to face waiting a decade for justice?
I am truly grateful to my hon. Friend for once again raising the voice of victims in this House. I hope that over the coming months, as we debate our courts Bill, hon. Members will keep in mind those victims, and the voices that we often hear, via female Members of Parliament. The £550 million of multi-year funding that I have found for victims to give them certainty was essential, and we will continue to keep victims front of mind.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Evasion / No Answer
Robert Jenrick Con
Newark
Context
There were 12 prisoners mistakenly released, and two are still at large. The Conservatives faced similar issues with 800 erroneous releases.
Two weeks ago, the Justice Secretary appeared on Sky News and revealed that 12 more prisoners had been mistakenly released, and that two remained on the run. I have two very simple questions: since then, how many prisoners have been mistakenly released, and how many more remain on the run?
Utter nonsense! We do not take advice from the Conservative party on the operational challenges that we face when we encounter these issues; we engage with the police directly. We will not give a running commentary on this long-standing issue in a criminal justice system that is failing after 14 years of the Conservative party in government. We have set out a five-point plan, through which we are attempting to grapple with this problem, and Dame Lynne Owens will report back to the Government early next year. We look forward to hearing her recommendations.
Assessment & feedback
The number of prisoners mistakenly released and those still at large.
We Do Not Take Advice From The Conservative Party Engaging Directly With The Police
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Natalie Fleet Lab
Bolsover
Context
A constituent won an employment tribunal award for unpaid wages but has not been able to track down the company due to a shell address.
I want to raise the case of my constituent from Pinxton. They were awarded a substantial amount of money at an employment tribunal over two years ago for unpaid wages. They have not been able to track down the company since then—it is using a shell address and is not responding to any correspondence. My constituent has paid a private company to try to find the company, but it has got nowhere. It has been two years of hardship and mental health issues, so will the Secretary of State outline what steps are being taken to make sure hard-working people get the money that is owed to them?
Workers must receive the awards to which they are entitled. The case that my hon. Friend raises demonstrates the need to strengthen enforcement. The Government will take that up by transferring responsibilities to the new fair work agency. Working with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Insolvency Service, it will drive compliance and crack down on non-payments. That will help constituents like hers.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Jess Brown-Fuller LD
Chichester
Context
Andrew Turner has been campaigning for parents of disabled children to access their children’s trust fund when the child turns 18.
Andrew Turner has been fighting on behalf of parents of disabled children across the country who cannot access their children’s trust fund when their child turns 18, even though that money could provide support for the additional cost of living that comes from being a profoundly disabled young adult. Andrew has seen 10 Justice Ministers come and go since he started his campaign. Will the Minister assure me that the current Minister will be the last one Andrew has to meet before the situation is remedied?
I met Andrew Turner, who is a tireless campaigner; we were embarking on the work that is necessary to support families like his, and those that he represents. I have personally undertaken to ensure that this work continues, irrespective of which person is sitting in the chair. I will follow up not just with Andrew, but with his very dedicated MP, the hon. Member for Horsham (John Milne).
Assessment & feedback
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Q5 Partial Answer
Gregory Stafford Con
Farnham and Bordon
Context
The Justice Secretary’s plan has faced backlash from Labour Back Benchers, causing No. 10 to reassure that legislation will not be introduced until October next year, but the Justice Secretary's team insists it will come in February.
The questioner raised concerns about conflicting information regarding the timing of the courts Bill, asking for a confirmation on when the legislation is coming forward.
We are serious about bringing down the backlog, and that means we want to introduce our courts Bill in the early part of next year. There is no contradiction between No. 10's reassurance and the Justice Secretary’s team's insistence on February.
Assessment & feedback
The exact timing remains ambiguous despite assurances from both sides, and there are contradictions.
Working To Clarify
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Mark Sewards Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Context
There have been shocking cases of funeral directors failing to treat deceased bodies with respect, prompting a need for regulatory action.
The MP asked about cross-departmental work being done to regulate the funeral industry after a series of troubling incidents.
We are committed to taking action. The Department of Health and Social Care has published its interim review into the Fuller inquiry, which I look forward to reading. We will work with him and others to ensure that the recommendations are followed.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Direct Answer
Calum Miller LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Context
A female probation officer is concerned about her safety at work after a colleague was stabbed multiple times by someone on probation.
The MP requested the Minister to meet him and his constituent to discuss extending the Assaults on Emergency Workers Act 2018 to cover probation officers.
We will do everything we can to keep our probation officers safe. The Prisons Minister will meet him as requested.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab
Calder Valley
Context
Victims of sexual assault are facing significant delays with some trials not expected until 2029.
The MP asked what measures the Government is taking to reduce delays and ensure justice for victims.
Key measures include £550 million funding, passing the Victims and Courts Bill, implementing Sir Brian Leveson’s review, modernising the courts system, and more money for court improvements.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions are mentioned but not detailed.
Mentioning Multiple Measures Without Detail
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Steff Aquarone LD
North Norfolk
Context
There are concerns about legal aid deserts, particularly in North Norfolk.
The MP requested a Minister to meet him and discuss challenges faced by legal professionals in his constituency regarding the recent funding announcement.
Yes, we will ensure that the money reaches the hon. Member’s constituency and I will ensure that the Minister responsible meets him.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Kate Osamor Lab/Co-op
Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Context
Changes may impact prison officers who have migrated from countries like Nigeria, potentially destabilizing the prison system.
The MP inquired about conversations with the Home Office regarding exceptions or adjustments to visa thresholds for prison officers.
Discussions are taking place, particularly focusing on support from west African countries in the prison system. The Home Secretary is involved, and I hope to update the House shortly with a potential way forward.
Assessment & feedback
Details of ongoing discussions are vague and no concrete plans have been shared yet.
Vagueness In Sharing Details
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Seamus Logan SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Context
Ministers have responded to previous inquiries regarding the “68 is too late” campaign, indicating willingness to amend or review pension provisions.
The MP requested an update on a working group's proposals and Government intentions regarding earlier retirement ages for prison officers.
Government regularly meets trade unions and POA, thanking prison officers for their difficult work. Updates will be provided to the House in due course.
Assessment & feedback
Specific details of proposals or intentions are not shared.
Vagueness
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Lola McEvoy Lab
Darlington
Context
A man was convicted of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 and received a suspended sentence. The constituency is seeking justice and believes the sentence to be lenient.
Earlier this year, a man was convicted by a jury of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13. This vile perpetrator was given a suspended sentence, with his mental health cited as the reason. My constituents have sought justice, and I agree with them that the sentence is outrageously lenient. Will the Secretary of State please write to the Sentencing Council to stress that this Government believe that those found guilty of sexual crimes against children should go to prison, and that suspended sentences must only be granted in the rarest and most extreme mitigating circumstances?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her campaigning on this issue. She knows that I cannot comment on the individual case, which was subject to a review, but the Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley (Jake Richards), is meeting the chair of the Sentencing Council and will take forward her recommendations.
Assessment & feedback
Cannot Comment On Individual Case Case Under Review
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Gregory Campbell DUP
East Londonderry
Context
The issue of illegal drug smuggling into prisons has persisted despite efforts by previous governments to address it.
Both this Government and the previous Government tried to get to grips with the increasing problem of the smuggling of illegal drugs into prisons. Can the Secretary of State indicate that, this time, this Government will get to grips with the problem so that people can be reassured that it is not a continuing and escalating issue?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. That is why the £40 million that we are investing in drone technology in particular is important, but we are also investing in new X-ray machines across our prisons to drive down drug use.
Assessment & feedback
Investing In Drone Technology And X-Ray Machines
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Michelle Scrogham Lab
Barrow and Furness
Context
Forests With Impact is delivering a prisoner rehabilitation program at HMP Haverigg, focusing on skills training for employment post-release.
Forests With Impact is delivering innovative prisoner rehabilitation through horticulture, paid work and accredited training at HMP Haverigg, helping people to gain skills for employment on release while also contributing to environmental recovery. Would the Minister be willing to pay a visit and observe this work at first hand, and will he meet me to discuss how similar schemes could be supported more widely?
I thank my hon. Friend for her important question. That sounds like a really important initiative. A big swathe of this Government’s agenda is trying to tackle reoffending, which means improving rehabilitative services within our prisons. I look forward to meeting this service with my hon. Friend in the new year.
Assessment & feedback
Meeting Planned For Next Year
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
One in three rape trials are postponed, and many rape survivors report worsening mental health during the process.
One in three rape trials end up being postponed, in some cases more than six times, and 73% of rape survivors say that police treatment worsened their mental health during the process. What improvements will be made in how the police treat rape survivors?
The Criminal Justice Board, which brings all the justice partners together, met recently, and of course the police are represented on that board. However, I urge the hon. Lady to look closely at the Victims and Courts Bill, which provides for the reform that we need to reduce the backlog.
Assessment & feedback
Referencing Victims And Courts Bill
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Alison Bennett LD
Mid Sussex
Context
The Survivors' Network, which supports victims of sexual assault and abuse in Sussex, is facing financial difficulties due to rising costs.
Survivors’ Network supports all victims of sexual assault and abuse in Sussex. When my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester (Jess Brown-Fuller) and I met representatives of the network at the start of the month, they told us that, owing to the rising costs of national insurance contributions and inflation, £40,000 of its costs are now unfunded. Given the Government’s emphasis on driving down sexual violence, is this the right decision?
The hon. Lady may have missed the announcement that £550 million would be invested in victim support services, the biggest amount ever. I have met victim support services across England and Wales who have welcomed that announcement. The money will be transformational—it will change lives. However, victim support on its own is not enough, which is why we need to take every possible step to reform our criminal justice system, which this Government are doing.
Assessment & feedback
Large Investment In Victim Services Reform Of Criminal Justice System
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Euan Stainbank Lab
Falkirk
Context
The Hillsborough law aims to strengthen legal aid provision for bereaved families when there has been state involvement in the death of their loved ones.
The Hillsborough law will deliver a generational strengthening of legal aid, but does the Minister share my constituents’ concern about the fact that the Scottish Government have yet to confirm that similar non-means-tested legal aid will be available to bereaved families in Scotland?
I can confirm that we have had positive conversations with the Scottish Government about extending the provision to Scotland. This is a matter for them, but we are engaging in positive conversations, and they have shown willing in wanting to adopt the same model that we will be adopting to provide non-means-tested legal aid for all bereaved families when there has been state involvement in the death of their loved ones.
Assessment & feedback
Positive Conversations With Scottish Government
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Jim Allister TUV
North Antrim
Context
There is a looming crisis in criminal justice due to the planned strike by criminal barristers in Northern Ireland over legal aid rate issues.
Has the Ministry of Justice had any contact with the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland in relation to the looming crisis in criminal justice arising from the fact that on 5 January the criminal barristers will go on strike because there has not been an uplift in legal aid rates since 2005? If contact is made, will the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland be asked why, given her statutory duty to review the rates, she paused the last review in 2022, and why the interim uplift that she announced last year has never been paid?
The hon. and learned Member will know that this is a devolved matter. I met the Justice Ministers from all the devolved nations last week, and we continue to have that dialogue to ensure that justice is served across all four countries.
Assessment & feedback
Devolved Matter
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Andy Slaughter Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Context
There is a crisis in family mediation, with no confirmation of mediation vouchers extending beyond April and over half of legal aid providers having given up in the past eight years.
Is the Secretary of State aware that there is a crisis in family mediation, with no confirmation of mediation vouchers going beyond next April and over half of legal aid providers having been forced to give up in the last eight years? Does he agree that this is short-sighted, as mediation saves time, money and families, and will the Government work with the Family Mediation Council to rescue the sector?
Mediation is hugely successful, and I reassure my hon. Friend that we will continue to talk to the sector about this issue. I will update him in the coming weeks.
Assessment & feedback
Continuing Talks With The Sector
Response accuracy