Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violent and Sexual Offences: Processing Times

Tuesday 21 February 2023 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister highlighted the priority of delivering swifter justice for victims of violent and sexual offences.
  • Department is increasing court capacity by removing limits on sitting days in the Crown court and recruiting more judges.
  • Government reported increases in rape reports to police, referrals by police to CPS, charges, and Crown court receipts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Western Lab Stretford and Urmston
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the delays in processing cases involving violent and sexual offences, impacting justice delivery for victims.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to improve processing times for cases involving violent and sexual offences. The question highlights the need for swifter justice and recognises ongoing efforts but seeks specific actions being taken by the department.

Answer from Edward Argar

It remains our priority to deliver swifter justice for victims. We are increasing court capacity by removing the limit on sitting days in the Crown court, recruiting up to 1,000 more judges across all jurisdictions in 2022-23, tackling the Criminal Bar Association strike that added to delays, and implementing a £1.3 billion court reform programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not directly address specific steps for improving processing times specifically for violent and sexual offences cases.

How: We Are Increasing Court Capacity By Removing The Limit On Sitting Days In The Crown Court For The Second Financial Year In A Row.

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Q2 Andrew Western Lab Stretford and Urmston
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about low charging rates and inadequate sentences for rape cases, advocating for minimum seven-year sentences for convicted rapists.

Question

Under this Government, just 1.5% of recorded rapes result in a charge. When charges are made, sentences are often woefully inadequate. That is why Labour has proposed minimum seven-year sentences for rapists. Why do the Government not support that?

Answer from Edward Argar

Reports to the police are up, referrals by the police to the CPS are up, and charges and Crown court receipts for such crimes are up. The Government will take no lessons from Labour about being tough on sentencing; that party voted against measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 to give judges the power to increase sentences.

Not addressed: The response does not address the specific proposal for minimum seven-year sentences.

How: We Will Take No Lessons From Labour About Being Tough On Sentencing

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