Effective and Accountable Justice 2021-09-16
2021-09-16
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Questions & Answers
Q1
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The question arises from the need for an effective and accountable criminal justice system.
What steps is she taking with the Secretary of State for Justice to ensure an effective and accountable criminal justice system?
Together with colleagues in the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Justice, we have developed a criminal justice action plan to drive system recovery as we rebuild after the pandemic. Progress against the action plan will be measured by a set of criminal justice scorecards, which will be published quarterly from this autumn.
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Q2
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Craig Murray, a Scottish journalist, has been jailed for eight months without appeal.
Is the Attorney General able to make any representations to ensure that the European convention on human rights and other protocols are followed when they apply to such rights and powers?
We must ensure that all journalists have the right to express themselves and work in a free society. We are incredibly proud of that tradition in this country and our human rights regime rightly protects freedom of expression. I am happy to discuss this vital matter further with the hon. Gentleman.
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Q3
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The need to have effective funding and a fully joined-up plan for all parts of the justice system.
Does the Attorney General agree that it is important to have not only a fully joined-up plan but effective funding for all parts of the justice system? What steps is she taking to ensure a joint approach?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the need for resources as we rebuild after the pandemic. We need to ensure that the court backlog, which we all accept exists, is dealt with. That is why we have been working across Government, with the sector and with local bodies to ensure that comprehensive support is available for victims and witnesses.
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Q4
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The court backlog is at a record high, with victims waiting years for their day in court. The CPS budget has been cut by 33% in real terms over the past decade.
What specifically will the Attorney General say to the Treasury? What does she say specifically to the millions of victims who have lost faith in the system?
The Chancellor has been clear that there will need to be tough choices as we come out of the pandemic. The public expect us to deliver the highest-quality services at the best value, ensuring that every pound is well spent. The CPS has received funding uplifts in the past three spending rounds, including £85 million to allow it to recruit more than 350 new prosecutors to boost capacity and support court recovery.
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Q5
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In rape cases, 44% of victims are pulling out before their case gets to court. The latest Crown Prosecution Service data shows it would take the Government 22 years to reach their own target of returning to 2016 rape prosecution levels.
What does she plan to do to ensure that the Government meet their target, or will she sit on her hands and oversee further decriminalisation of rape?
The assertion that there has been a decriminalisation of rape is simply not backed up by the facts and is a very damaging narrative to proffer. The special measure allowing vulnerable victims, including rape victims and those who are witnesses in those cases, to pre-record their cross-examination evidence to reduce waiting times, which is under section 28, has been rapidly rolled out to cover all 82 Crown courts as of 23 November last year.
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Q6
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The question addresses the need for timely case processing within the criminal justice system, prompted by a £50 million announcement from the Scottish Government aimed at clearing court backlogs.
I welcome the Attorney General back to her place and wish her growing family all the very best. Does the Attorney General agree that any effective criminal justice system must ensure that cases are brought in a timely manner? Will she join me in welcoming the £50 million announced by the Scottish Government to clear the court backlog, and outline any advice that she has given to her Cabinet colleagues to ensure that victims can access effective and prompt justice through the court system?
There has been a real focus on dealing with the backlog and ensuring a better flow of cases right from reporting at the police station through to conviction. That was most pertinently highlighted in the recent rape review published by this Government with a particular focus on those victims. There have been a huge number of changes implemented by the CPS with cross-system partners to assist the criminal justice response to covid. As I have mentioned, it includes the interim charging protocol, which is designed to be clear that the high-harm crimes and covid-related crimes, such as spitting and assaults on essential workers, are prioritised. That will be and has been an effective step forward in dealing with the backlog.
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The specific advice given to Cabinet colleagues was not addressed.
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