Contributions
1,152 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysThe shadow Secretary of State asked, “How did we get here?” I will tell him how we got here—his Administration and the 14 years they had in power, and the absolute mess they made…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysWe are talking about the highest ever funded allocation in the Crown courts, and 110,000 sitting days, which is a record. The hon. Gentleman says that is small beer; I wonder…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the availability of lawyers. That is why the Government have already increased criminal legal aid by up to £92 million and increased…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysWith permission, I will make a statement on capacity in the Crown court. When this Government took office eight months ago, we received an inheritance from the Conservative…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysI would be happy to write to the hon. Member with the specific figures for Kent. However, he will know that the criminal justice system as a whole is under tremendous pressure and…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysI can absolutely give my hon. Friend that reassurance. This Government will deliver 13,000 extra neighbourhood police officers, because we are absolutely clear that we need…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysI am very happy to fight the shadow Lord Chancellor—woman to man—any time he likes. Conservative Members should own up to the failure of the previous Administration and…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysWe are speeding up the planning process. The courts Minister is in regular conversation with the planning Minister. The issue of Crown court capacity is less one of planning and…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysAs I informed the House earlier today, each financial year the Government and the judiciary seek to agree a number of sitting days, within an overall budget for His Majesty’s…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysMy hon. Friend makes an incredibly important point on productivity. That is why the second phase of Sir Brian Leveson’s work is so crucial. He will know that we have expanded our…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysMy hon. Friend makes an important point. We are keeping the situation in relation to Nightingale courts under review. Where they are making a contribution that is assisting with…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysIt is always a pleasure to respond to the hon. Gentleman, and I thank him for his remarks welcoming today’s announcement. A Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will be meeting…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysMy hon. Friend raises a very important point. It is my job as Lord Chancellor to make sure that the overall settlement for Crown court sitting days is sufficiently big to help…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysI am listening very carefully and taking under advisement all these lobbying requests, including from the Speaker himself, about courts in Members’ areas. I thank both you, Mr…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysThe right hon. Member will know that it would be inappropriate for the Lord Chancellor to comment on individual judgments. On some of the decisions in the immigration chamber,…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysThe Texans had similar problems to those we face today, but they had theirs 20 years or so ago. Their system of good behaviour credits incentivises offenders to engage in…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysMy hon. Friend is absolutely right: the figure that he notes is a damning indictment of the last Conservative Government. The announcement we have made today will bear down on the…05 Mar 2025HANSARDCourts and Tribunals: Sitting DaysI absolutely understand the hon. Gentleman’s frustration and that of his constituents. I understand that the problems at Harrow relate to RAAC, and that the delays are due to…05 Mar 2025HANSARDProbation Service: PrioritisationThe Probation Service is an essential part of our criminal justice system. Keeping our streets safe and cutting crime depends upon the vital work of probation officers and staff.…12 Feb 2025HANSARDCrown Court BacklogThe Chair of the Justice Committee is tempting me to pre-empt what the reviews will find. Those findings will, of course, dictate the pace at which change can then occur. He will…28 Jan 2025