Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Criminal Court Backlog: Bolton

Tuesday 18 October 2022 · 4 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 outstanding case load in Bolton was 528 at the end of June 2022.
  • The Government has invested 477 million into the criminal justice system over the next three financial years.
  • Pilots for specialist sexual offences courts have taken place in Leeds, Newcastle, and Snaresbrook Crown court.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP asked about the size of the backlog in Bolton, citing concerns over managed decline of legal system.

Question

What recent estimate has been made of the size of the backlog of criminal court cases in Bolton. In Bolton, the backlog stands at 500—more than 10% greater than six months ago and includes 20 rape cases among other serious criminal cases.

Answer from Gareth Johnson

The outstanding case load in Bolton was 528 at end of June 2022. We have taken action to deliver swifter access to justice, including £477 million investment into the criminal justice system over next three financial years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifically avoided addressing why the backlog has been allowed to grow by more than 10% in Bolton and legalised criminal activity.

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Q2 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP raised issues about the backlog in Bolton, specifically mentioning sexual offences.

Question

Why has the Government effectively legalised criminal activity by overseeing managed decline? In Bolton, the backlog includes 20 rape cases among other serious criminal cases.

Answer from Gareth Johnson

We have put in measures including Nightingale courts sitting until 2024-25, increasing the cap on sitting days, and raising judges' retirement age. We are also looking at pilots for specialist sexual offences courts but need to consider pros and cons carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why legalised criminal activity or specifically why backlog has grown in Bolton with 20 rape cases included.

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Q3 Rehman Chishti Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP pushed for pilot projects in Leeds, Newcastle and Snaresbrook Crown court for specialist sexual offences courts.

Question

Has the pilot project taken place and what further steps have been taken to ensure that those pilot project results are taken forward?

Answer from Gareth Johnson

The pilots in Leeds, Newcastle and Snaresbrook Crown court have taken place. We are considering the matter but need to carefully look at pros and cons of specialist courts for sexual offences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete details on results or future steps from pilot projects.

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Q4 Alex Cunningham Lab
NHS
Context

The MP welcomed the engagement with criminal Bar but raised concerns about roll-out of Common Platform preventing staff from doing their jobs effectively and holding up justice.

Question

Will he now do what his managers and predecessors have refused to do and pause the further roll-out of this system until it is fixed?

Answer from Gareth Johnson

I reject the argument that Common Platform is responsible for backlog; it increased due to covid and strike action. We have resolved the issue now.

Not addressed: Did not commit to pausing roll-out of Common Platform.

How: Rejecting The Argument, Blaming Other Factors

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