Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Crown Court Backlog

Tuesday 10 December 2024 · 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

  • Labour MP Luke Myer raised concerns about the Crown court backlog in his region, stating there were over 9,000 backlogged cases last year.
  • The Minister acknowledged the backlog issue and noted steps taken, such as funding 106,500 Crown court sitting days and increasing magistrates' sentencing powers.
  • Liberal Democrat MP Gideon Amos questioned the Minister about increasing sitting days in Taunton and Somerset courts, citing daily cancellations despite no shortage of judges.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Myer Lab Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Justice & Courts
Context

There is a significant Crown court case backlog, with more than 9,000 cases in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland last year.

Question

I am concerned about the Crown court backlog inherited from the Conservatives. This backlog of cases has increased instead of being reduced as promised. With over 9,000 cases backlogged in my region this time last year, will the Minister take action to reduce the backlog and ensure offenders are brought to justice?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

The Crown court backlog was dire when we took over. Instead of reducing cases waiting to be heard, it exploded under the Conservatives. We have taken steps such as funding 106,500 Crown court sitting days this year and increasing magistrates' sentencing powers, but more is needed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments to reduce the backlog were not provided

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Q2 Luke Myer Lab Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Justice & Courts
Context

There is a backlog of over 9,000 cases in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland last year, causing the entire criminal justice system to struggle.

Question

I am campaigning for more police on our streets. However, this court backlog means that justice is being delayed. Last year there were over 9,000 backlogged cases in my region. Will the Minister ensure this chaos is addressed and offenders face justice?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

The situation is indeed Conservative court chaos, with demand outpacing actions we can take. We will publish Crown court data later this week and are ready for fundamental reforms necessary to tackle the problem.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or commitments on addressing the backlog were not provided

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Q3 Gideon Amos Lib Dem Taunton and Wellington
Justice & Courts
Context

A tribunal judge from Taunton and Wellington constituency wrote to the MP, stating that tribunals are being cancelled due to a lack of judges. People are waiting months for their benefit appeals.

Question

The Minister mentioned court chaos. A judge and a court worker in my constituency said there is no shortage of judges but cancellations happen daily because of limits on sitting days. What will the Minister do to increase sitting days in Taunton and Somerset courts?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

We are investing in court capacity, recruiting 1,000 judges and tribunal members, and increasing Crown court sitting days. However, simply increasing sitting days is not enough; fundamental reform is necessary to address the backlogs inherited.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions for Taunton and Somerset courts were not detailed

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