Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Crown Prosecution Service: Access to Justice

Thursday 19 October 2023 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are committed to ensuring that victims are treated fairly and compassionately.
  • The Attorney General wants victims to come forward and be investigated and prosecuted as well and as expeditiously as possible.
  • The Government have put in place about 800 independent sexual violence advisers to support victims.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Concern over the effectiveness of the CPS in ensuring justice for crime victims.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in ensuring access to justice for victims of crime?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Government are committed to ensuring that victims are treated fairly and compassionately. We know that joined-up working across the criminal justice system works, and we know that supporting victims makes a real difference.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of CPS effectiveness not provided

How: We Are Committed To Ensuring That Victims Are Treated Fairly

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Q2 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Justice & Courts
Context

Victims facing delays due to prison overcrowding, leading to criminals being bailed instead of jailed.

Question

There are victims who have waited years for their cases to come to court. What message does the Attorney General send to these victims now?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The message that I want to send to victims today is that they are very important to this Government. We want them to come forward and we want to investigate and prosecute the crimes of which they are the victims as well and as expeditiously as we can.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific message or action for victims not provided

How: We Want Them To Come Forward

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Q3 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Justice & Courts
Context

Over 6,400 Crown court cases waiting more than two years to be heard, causing victim attrition.

Question

According to the latest figures, over 6,400 Crown court cases have been waiting more than two years. What does the Attorney General say to victims experiencing delays?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Any attrition is too high, and we want to make sure that we support victims to enable them to continue to bring their cases. That is why we have put in place about 800 independent sexual violence advisers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures addressing delays not provided

How: Any Attrition Is Too High

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Q4 Andrew Selous Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Business Compliance
Context

A series of distressing break-ins in Leighton Buzzard High Street where the CPS's response was disappointing.

Question

Would it be possible to get the CPS together with business owners who were disappointed by their response?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Of course, either the Solicitor General or I would be delighted to meet our hon. Friend to discuss this further.

Answered
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Q5 Emily Thornberry Lab Islington South and Finsbury
Women & Equalities
Context

Report finding women disproportionately impacted by legal aid deserts.

Question

Will the Attorney General raise those findings with the Justice Secretary to address disproportionate impact on women?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I reassure her that the access of everybody to justice is very much at the top of my agenda and his.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions not committed to

How: The Access Of Everybody To Justice Is Very Much At The Top Of My Agenda

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