Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

End-to-End Rape Review

Thursday 1 July 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The CPS is committed to delivering actions under the rape review, including improved joint working between police and prosecutors.
  • The CPS published revised rape legal guidance in May, focusing on challenging rape myths and stereotypes.
  • 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.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Michael Ellis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment to stick to CPS targets or changing them was not directly addressed.

How: Raised The Matter Is For The Ministry Of Justice, Emphasized Complexities And Need For Highly Trained Lawyers

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Q2 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Michael Ellis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment to the timeline for returning targets was not addressed.

How: Emphasized Complexities Of Handling Rape Cases, Referred To Ministry Of Justice

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Q3 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Michael Ellis

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific apology request was not addressed directly.

How: Claimed Mischaracterization Of What Was Said, Emphasized Actions In The Rape Review

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