Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The recently published end-to-end rape review outlines the Government's ambition to improve justice for victims, but Labour has called for more immediate action on CPS targets.
What steps are being taken to implement the end-to-end rape review's recommendations for the CPS? The review includes setting CPS targets of getting rape prosecutions up to 2016 levels. Labour says this should happen by next year, not by the end of the next Parliament, which was dismissed as 'constitutionally illiterate'. Will the Attorney General confirm whether the Government intends to stick to these targets or has already changed their mind?
The CPS is committed to delivering actions under the rape review, including improved joint working between police and prosecutors. The matter of setting CPS targets is for the Ministry of Justice, but speed is important alongside handling complexities with highly trained lawyers. New rape legal guidance was published in May, following public consultation.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment to stick to CPS targets or changing them was not directly addressed.
Raised The Matter Is For The Ministry Of Justice
Emphasized Complexities And Need For Highly Trained Lawyers
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Attorney General dismissed Labour's call to return CPS targets to 2016 levels by next year as 'constitutionally illiterate'. The review includes setting these targets, but there is no clear commitment on timeline.
Labour has said the Government should return CPS rape prosecution targets to 2016 levels by next year, not by the end of the next Parliament. Will the Attorney General confirm if the Government intends to stick to these targets or have they already changed their mind?
The matter is for the Ministry of Justice, but cases involving rape and serious sexual offences are challenging. The CPS published revised rape legal guidance in May with new content on challenging rape myths and stereotypes, ensuring complex cases are handled by highly trained prosecutors.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment to the timeline for returning targets was not addressed.
Emphasized Complexities Of Handling Rape Cases
Referred To Ministry Of Justice
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Attorney General criticized the Prime Minister for dismissing dire rape conviction statistics as 'jabber', and Labour believes the Government's end-to-end rape review has been inadequate.
The Government's end-to-end rape review offers only piecemeal pilots, tinkering around the edges, with no new funding. The Attorney General said victims are being failed by this Government. When the Prime Minister dismissed dire rape conviction statistics as 'jabber', Labour demands an apology. Will the Attorney General apologize on behalf of the Prime Minister?
The hon. Lady is mischaracterising what was said last week. The rape review includes key actions, such as returning case volumes to pre-2016 levels by the end of this Parliament and launching pathfinder projects for police and CPS approaches. Increased support for victims through ISVAs is important.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific apology request was not addressed directly.
Claimed Mischaracterization Of What Was Said
Emphasized Actions In The Rape Review
Response accuracy