Topical Questions 2024-03-26

2024-03-26

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Tan Dhesi Lab
Slough
Context
The MP criticises the government for failing to deliver on promised prison places, leading to early release of prisoners.
The Government have achieved only 5,900 of the promised 20,000 new prison places, resulting in them having to release prisoners up to 60 days early to alleviate overcrowding. How does the Secretary of State reconcile this with the Conservative promise of being tough on crime?
We have opened Five Wells, Fosse Way prisons and Millsike is under construction. New houseblocks are being added in various locations to increase capacity. The rapid deployment cells provide additional space for offenders serving short sentences. This addresses the challenge of prison overcrowding.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on meeting 20,000 new prison places by 2025
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The MP inquires about Resolution's vision for family law and its inclusion in mediation pilot schemes.
I wonder whether my right hon. and learned Friend is familiar with that vision, particularly the importance placed on early legal advice in family disputes. Is there scope to add Resolution's proposed scheme to the mediation pilots?
Resolution does important work, and an additional £55 million of support for separating parents is announced. A new pilot with £12 million funding will launch in September 2023 to implement Resolution's vision on early legal advice in family disputes.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Shabana Mahmood Lab
Birmingham Ladywood
Context
The MP questions the Justice Secretary's management of prison capacity, highlighting his failure to deliver on promised places.
This Conservative Government promised 20,000 prison places by 2025, but so far they have only delivered under 6,000. The Justice Secretary is letting violent offenders out up to two months early because of capacity issues. Will he level with the public about this crisis?
There are pressures in our prisons, but capacity is higher than under Labour's watch. We will have 10,000 places by next year. The Opposition would have let out up to 16,000 people during covid and got rid of jury trials.
Assessment & feedback
Current capacity crisis and early release issues
Comparing With Labour'S Past Actions
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Shabana Mahmood Lab
Birmingham Ladywood
Context
The MP raises probation officers' fears about the early release of violent offenders affecting public safety.
Probation officers have told me that they genuinely fear not being able to keep the public safe, because they are being forced to rush through the early release of violent men in order to free up space. He will have heard the same concerns, so what is he going to do about it?
Early release does not apply to life sentences, IPPs, extended determinate sentences, sex offenders, terrorism offenders or serious violent offenders. Our scheme allows governors discretion to block release; the Opposition's would have removed this discretion.
Assessment & feedback
Addressing probation officers' concerns directly
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
The MP asks the Secretary of State to make representations against the parole release of a serial offender who is applying.
This monster was a regular offender before and, to add insult to injury, his whole-life sentence has been quashed and he is now applying for parole. Police psychologists and other professionals have deemed this attacker to be a high risk to society, so will my right hon. Friend make similar representations?
I did enter an overarching view opposing release and he will not be recommended for release. The Victims and Prisoners Bill introduces a safeguard to order a second check on the release of serious offenders to keep the public safe.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Resolution Foundation research shows that employment tribunals are heavily relied upon to enforce workers' rights for all.
The Government's plans to introduce employment tribunal fees suggest that users should pay towards running costs, implying that only those using the system benefit from it. However, does the Justice Secretary not appreciate that any action to deter lower-paid workers from bringing forward cases will be to the detriment of the system as a whole?
We do not believe that a £55 claim issue fee will be a deterrent. The tribunal system costs the taxpayer £80 million a year, and we do not think it is unreasonable that those who use it should pay a small contribution. To answer the question, we do not think it is a deterrent.
Assessment & feedback
Specific concerns about deterrence were not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q7 Direct Answer
Context
90% of victims in cases of intimate partner murder are women.
What progress have the Government made since the Wade review on ensuring that justice is done in these cases?
We are increasing sentences by introducing statutory aggravating factors for murders that are preceded by coercive or controlling behaviour, that involve overkill or that are connected with the end of a relationship. For manslaughter involving sexual conduct, we intend to target cases where death occurs in the context of abusive or degrading sexual conduct.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Florence Eshalomi Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Context
85% of vulnerable women are unable to access civil legal aid due to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
Does the Minister think it is right that these women are being left without basic access to justice?
The hon. Lady raises an important point and I would be happy to meet her and take representations on that specific point.
Assessment & feedback
Details of progress or action were not provided
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
Colin Pitchfork, the double child rapist, has had problems bouncing in and out through the Parole Board system.
What can he do in upcoming legislation to ensure that we have the protections for our communities to make sure they are safe and that reoffenders are not released?
In the Sentencing Bill, we have a proposal such that people who commit crimes of murder involving sexual and sadistic conduct will not be released, because they will be expected to serve a whole-life order.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Chris Evans Lab Co-op
Caerphilly
Context
The number of outstanding cases before Gwent magistrates courts has risen by 21% in the last year alone, and the number of magistrates is now 20% lower in south Wales.
What are the Government doing to ensure that hard-to-reach people are offering their services as magistrates, including ethnic minorities and younger people?
The hon. Gentleman raises a good point. A piece of work is already under way on how we can increase the diversity of the magistracy and ensure that we recruit from those hard-to-reach groups.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments or timelines were not provided
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Andrew Rosindell Con
Romford
Context
The ancient principle of innocent until proven guilty should be upheld and restored.
Does the Secretary of State for Justice agree that in England and across the United Kingdom, the ancient principle of innocent until proven guilty should be upheld and restored, and that the punishment should never be the process?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I was asked about my priorities when I was appointed to this role, and I said that the guilty should be convicted, that the innocent should walk free and that the public should be protected.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to uphold principle was not provided
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Ruth Jones Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Context
Since 27 February, there have been six sudden deaths at HMP Parc in Bridgend, and it appears that at least four of those tragic deaths were drug-related.
What are the Government doing to ensure that inmates at Parc are kept safe and walk out of prison safe and well at the end of their sentence?
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for highlighting a serious and important issue. I am happy to meet her to discuss it further, if she wishes.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Christopher Chope Con
Christchurch
Context
The National Crime Agency estimates that between 550,000 and 800,000 serious sexual offenders are at large in the country.
What are the Government doing to identify them? How many more prisons will we have to build to accommodate them?
Since 2010, the number of people prosecuted for rape is up 32%, sentences are around 40% longer and the proportion of those sentences spent in custody has increased.
Assessment & feedback
Number of prisons to be built was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Alex Davies-Jones Lab
Pontypridd
Context
The Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill is intended to address lawsuits aimed at silencing journalists and campaigners. However, it faces criticism for two key deficiencies: an overly subjective test and a narrow definition of public interest.
The hon. Friend's bill seeks to tackle lawsuits that silence journalists and campaigners, but due to the overly subjective test and narrow public interest definition, anti-SLAPP campaigners say they cannot support it in its current form. Ahead of Committee stage, will the Lord Chancellor commit to looking at an amendment suggested by the News Media Association and meet me to address concerns so the Bill becomes fit for purpose?
I am grateful to raise this important issue. I am aware of raised issues. There is a delicate balance to strike regarding individuals' access to courts for remedy in appropriate cases. We will carefully consider the proposed amendment, as done with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. If the hon. Lady wishes to make representations, I will listen very carefully.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to a specific meeting or detailed amendment consideration timeline
Will Consider With Care
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
A man who murdered Pauline Quinn was released after serving time for a double murder, and the probation service admitted to making mistakes.
Does the Minister agree that although all information cannot always be public due to confidentiality, the probation service should seek maximum transparency in giving communities as much information as possible?
I am grateful for raising this issue. It is important that there is maximum transparency, though all information cannot always be made public due to confidentiality constraints. If it would be helpful, I am happy to meet to discuss the matter further.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or timeline for increased transparency
If It Would Be Helpful
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Keir Mather Lab
Selby
Context
Selby is classified as a legal advice desert for housing, education, and family legal aid.
What are the Minister's plans to address Selby being a legal advice desert for housing, education, and family legal aid?
The Legal Aid Agency keeps provider locations under review. We have invested an additional £10 million recently for housing, education, and family legal aid. If the hon. Gentleman writes to me, I can provide details of spending in his local area.
Assessment & feedback
Concrete plan or timeline to address desert status
If He Writes
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
Joshua Rozenberg has presented “Law in Action” on Radio 4 for over 20 years, but today marks the last broadcast.
Why is “Law in Action,” a programme that shed light on important areas of our justice system, being cancelled after 20 years? Will the Secretary of State pay tribute to Joshua Rozenberg?
I am grateful for raising this point. Joshua Rozenberg has made a profound contribution, required reading by many. I share regret over his programme's cancellation and echo sentiments about his work.
Assessment & feedback
Reasons behind the cancellation or future plans
Profound Regret
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Rupa Huq Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Context
Women nationwide face daily intimidation from the anti-choice group 40 Days for Life outside abortion clinics.
Why are women facing daily intimidation from 40 Days for Life outside abortion clinics, despite MPs voting by a ratio of 3:1 in 2022 for safe access zones? Will section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 be commenced this spring?
It is unacceptable that anyone should feel harassed or intimidated. Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 will be commenced no later than spring, with a consultation on guidance published by the Home Office.
Assessment & feedback
Details about safe access zones implementation
Balance Needs To Be Struck
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Chi Onwurah Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Context
The probation service is overworked, overstretched, and undervalued due to the expansion of early release schemes.
What are the Minister's plans this year to support probation staff facing increased workload from expanded early release schemes?
Probation officers do an important job. We have accepted every penny of the Prison Service pay review body recommendations, injected extra funding of over £155 million annually into probation, and recruited about 4,000 people in three years.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans for this year to support probation staff facing increased workload
Support Every Step Of The Way
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Context
Families are waiting weeks for funeral slots, with crematorium fees ranging from £408 to £1,400.
Do we have enough crematoriums in the UK given that many families must wait weeks for a slot? Why is there such a disparity between the cheapest and most expensive crematorium charges?
Challenges facing crematoriums, burial space, and the whole funeral sector are being reviewed by the Law Commission. The commission is investigating and bringing forward proposals.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or timeline to address capacity issues or fee disparities
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Andrew Slaughter Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Context
Fees for civil legal aid have halved since 1996, leading to a 40% reduction in service providers over the past decade.
The fees for civil legal aid are half what they were in 1996 and the number of providers has fallen by 40% in the past 10 years. If the Minister actually wants to do something about civil legal aid, why has he kicked the civil legal aid review into the long grass?
Legal aid is always under constant review and I will always take advice from those closest to it. That is why I engage with, for example, the Bar Association, the Law Society and the judiciary on what we need to do.
Assessment & feedback
Delaying the civil legal aid review
Under Constant Review Engaging With Stakeholders
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Debbie Abrahams Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Context
There are 67,000 criminal cases in the backlog, affecting victims such as those involved in historical child sexual exploitation.
The Justice Secretary did not quite answer my question on where the 67,000 criminal cases in the backlog are, and how they are being prioritised and communicated. I do not want another historical child sexual exploitation victim to be told by a Crown court that her case has been cancelled twice because it is not a priority.
The point I was endeavouring to make, although I perhaps did not do so well, is that listing is a judicial function. We have seen the senior presiding judge make a decision that certain sex cases and those most serious rapes, for example—all of them are serious, of course—will be given an early listing.
Assessment & feedback
Prioritizing backlogged criminal cases
Judicial Function Senior Presiding Judge Decision
Response accuracy