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1455269

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	War Crimes: Russia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with lawyers at the International Criminal Court on investigations into Russian war crimes.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	149255
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>Further to the request for assistance from States Parties to the Rome Statute, issued by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 2 March, my right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister, met with the Prosecutor, Mr Karim A.A. Khan QC, twice.</p><p> </p><p>The first meeting, on 14 March, was focused on how the UK can best support the ICC’s investigation into war crimes in Ukraine.</p><p> </p><p>The second meeting, on 24 March, took place in the context of a meeting of other States Parties, convened and chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, to discuss international support for the court. This included an announcement of the UK’s offer of a financial contribution of £1 million from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), as well as a range of technical, military and police expertise.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 06/04/2022 14:28:22 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1455271

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Terrorism: Sentencing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make it his policy to increase sentences for terror offences.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	149257
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>The Counter Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 marked a major overhaul of terrorist sentencing, including measures to strengthen the sentencing options available, improve monitoring in the community, and remove early release for the most serious offenders. Central to these measures was the introduction of a new ‘Serious Terrorism Sentence’ for dangerous offenders with a 14-year minimum prison term and up to 25 years on licence.</p><p> </p><p>This Act built upon the emergency legislation passed in February 2020, the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) (TORER) Act which retrospectively ended automatic early release for terrorists serving standard determinate sentences. We have also introduced new measures to strengthen the management of terrorist offenders in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.</p><p> </p><p>We keep this vital area under constant review in order to ensure that our courts are able to impose strong penalties for those who threaten our national security.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 06/04/2022 09:42:01 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1455272

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Crimes of Violence: Females
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending prison sentences for perpetrators of violence against women and girls.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	149258
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>Sentencing is entirely a matter for our independent courts, taking into account all the circumstances of each case.</p><p> </p><p>In April 2020, the Government changed the law to prevent the automatic release at the halfway point of offenders given a standard determinate sentence of 7 years or more for a serious violent or sexual offence with a maximum penalty of life, such as rape. Instead, such offenders will be released at the two-thirds point of the sentence. Provisions in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill extend this to offenders serving sentences of 4 years or more for certain violent and sexual offences. This will ensure victims and the public are protected for longer.</p><p> </p><p>In July 2021, the Government published its Violence against Women and Girls Strategy, with a Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan published on 30 March 2022, which will help drive a step-change in the response to these crimes and build on the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 06/04/2022 09:44:02 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1455273

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Domestic Abuse: Victim Support Schemes
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to victims who must take time off work during domestic abuse cases being heard in court, and who do not want to inform their employers of the details of their case, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing financial support to victims through the court process.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	149259
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>It is incredibly important that victims of domestic abuse get the support they need to access justice through the court process. The Government does not provide financial support aimed specifically at victims who are having to take time off work to attend court but encourages employers to develop and implement policies to support domestic abuse victims in their workforce. We continue to work closely with employers, businesses and expert groups such as the Employer’s Initiative on Domestic Abuse, to encourage them to consider what more they can do to provide workplace support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Employees are entitled to paid annual leave and may request unpaid leave and are not obliged to disclose the reasons why leave is being requested. Some employers also set their own internal policies to offer employees other forms of time off, for example for victims of domestic abuse.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 06/04/2022 09:45:49 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1455274

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Criminal Proceedings
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to reduce delays in hearings concerning historical allegations of sexual abuse.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	149260
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting the recovery of the courts for all court users, including those who face delays in accessing justice where there is an accusation of sexual abuse.</p><p> </p><p>We are increasing funding for victim and witness support services from over £150 million in 2021/22 to over £185 million by 2024/25. This will fund more than 1,000 Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Advisors as well as 24/7 crisis helplines and is an 85% increase on funding in 2019/20.</p><p> </p><p>In December 2021, the Government announced that Section 28 for sexual violence and modern slavery complainants, the legislation that allows vulnerable witnesses to pre-record evidence, will be rolled out nationally for this cohort.</p><p> </p><p>We have extended 30 Nightingale courtrooms beyond the end of March 2022 and we removed the limit on the number of days the Crown Court can sit in the 2021/22 financial year. To secure enough capacity to sit at the required levels in 2022/23 and beyond we are expanding our plans for judicial recruitment.</p><p> </p><p>These measures are already working, and as a result we expect to get through 20% more Crown Court cases in the 2022/23 financial year than we did pre-Covid. Following an increase in funding as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Spending Review settlement, we aim to reduce the number of outstanding cases in the Crown Court to 53,000 by March 2025. This will help all court users, including those cases concerning historical allegations of sexual abuse.</p><p> </p><p>The listing of cases is a judicial function and judges continue to work to prioritise cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses, such as serious sex cases.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 06/04/2022 15:07:51 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1455364

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Cost of Living: Prison Officers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to support prison officers with the cost of living.
tabling member constituency	Richmond Park
tabling member printed	Sarah Olney
uin	149317
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>In October 2021, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that public sector pay will return to a normal pay setting process.</p><p>Prison Officer pay is governed by the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB). We submitted our evidence to the PSPRB on 23 February.</p><p>Our pay proposals for 2022/23 provide at least a 2% increase in pay for all prison officers with targeted increases for our lowest paid staff, with a proposed £1,500 increase in base pay for Operational Support Grades and a c.10% increase in the starting salary for new prison officers.</p><p> </p><p>The evidence will now be considered by the PSPRB. Following their recommendations, the Government will announce the 2022/23 pay award later in the year.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 06/04/2022 10:01:13 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4591 label Biography information for Sarah Olney

1455367

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Courts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to tackle the backlog in court cases that involve juvenile defendants.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	149181
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2022 answer text <p>Throughout the pandemic, youth cases have continued to be prioritised and regularly reviewed to ensure they are being listed as expeditiously as possible, especially cases that involve youths in custody and those where a child is almost 18. The listing of cases is a judicial function and judges continue to work to prioritise cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses.</p><p>The Government is committed to supporting the recovery of the courts. We have extended 30 Nightingale courtrooms beyond the end of March 2022 and we removed the limit on the number of days the Crown Court can sit in the 2021/22 financial year. To secure enough capacity to sit at the required levels in 2022/23 and beyond we are expanding our plans for judicial recruitment.</p><p>To provide additional capacity in the Crown Court we are extending magistrates’ court sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months’ imprisonment for a single Triable Either Way offence to allow more cases to be heard in the magistrates’ court and help to drive down the backlog of cases over the coming years.</p><p>These measures are already working, and as a result we expect to get through 20% more Crown Court cases this financial year than we did pre-Covid. Following an increase in funding as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Spending Review settlement, including £477m for recovery in the criminal courts, we aim to reduce the number of outstanding cases in the Crown Court to 53,000 by March 2025. This will help all court users including those involved in cases with juvenile defendants.</p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 19/04/2022 10:17:36 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1455368

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Courts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to tackle the backlog in court cases that involve defendants who are parents or caregivers.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	149182
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2022 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting the recovery of the courts to reduce the backlog of cases and improve timeliness for all court users, including defendants who are parents or caregivers.</p><p> </p><p>Listing is a judicial function and judges continue to work to prioritise cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses, to seek to ensure that domestic abuse, serious sex cases and those with vulnerable witnesses (including youth cases) are listed at the first available opportunity, as well as custody time limit cases.</p><p> </p><p>We have extended 30 Nightingale courtrooms beyond the end of March 2022 and removed the limit on the number of days the Crown Court can sit in the 2021/22 financial year. In the magistrates’ court, we are taking a flexible approach to the listing of cases so that we use our court estate as efficiently as possible. To secure enough capacity to sit at the required levels in 2022/23 and beyond we are expanding our plans for judicial recruitment: we plan to recruit 102 Circuit Judges, 105 Recorders, and 4,000 new magistrates over the three-year Spending Review period (2022-25).</p><p> </p><p>These measures are already working, and as a result we expect to get through 20% more Crown Court cases this financial year than we did pre-Covid. Following an increase in funding as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Spending Review settlement, including £477m for recovery in the criminal courts, we aim to reduce the number of outstanding cases in the Crown Court to 53,000 by March 2025.</p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 19/04/2022 10:20:56 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1455370

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Courts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to tackle the backlog in court cases where there has been an accusation of rape or sexual assault.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	149183
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2022 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting the recovery of the courts for all court users, including cases where there has been an accusation of rape or sexual assault.</p><p> </p><p>Listing is a judicial function and judges continue to work to prioritise cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses, such as serious sex cases.</p><p> </p><p>In December 2021, the Government announced that Section 28 for sexual violence and modern slavery complainants, the legislation that allows vulnerable witnesses to pre-record evidence, will be rolled out nationally for this cohort.</p><p> </p><p>We are increasing funding for victim and witness support services from over £150 million in 2021/22 to over £185 million by 2024/25. This will fund more than 1,000 Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Advisors as well as 24/7 crisis helplines and is an 85% increase on funding in 2019/20.</p><p> </p><p>We have extended 30 Nightingale courtrooms beyond the end of March 2022 and removed the limit on the number of days the Crown Court can sit in the 2021/22 financial year. To secure enough capacity to sit at the required levels in 2022/23 and beyond we are expanding our plans for judicial recruitment.</p><p>These measures are already working, and as a result we expect to get through 20% more Crown Court cases this financial year than we did pre-Covid. Following an increase in funding as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Spending Review settlement, including £477m for recovery in the criminal courts, we aim to reduce the number of outstanding cases in the Crown Court to 53,000 by March 2025.</p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 19/04/2022 10:24:26 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1455392

registered interest
date	29/03/2022
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Alternatives to Prison
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of adults who were remanded in custody pending sentencing received a non custodial sentence, in the most recent year for which data is available.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham West and Penge
tabling member printed	Ellie Reeves
uin	149332
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2022 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has published information on custodial remands and sentencing outcomes found in the ‘Remands: Magistrates’ Court’ and ‘Remands: Crown Court’ data tools, up to December 2020. The data is in tools available at:</p><ul><li><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1063882/remands-magistrates-court-tool-2020-revised.xlsx" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1063882/remands-magistrates-court-tool-2020-revised.xlsx</a>.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1063884/remands-crown-court-tool-2020-revised.xlsx" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1063884/remands-crown-court-tool-2020-revised.xlsx</a>.</li></ul><p> </p><p>*To avoid double counting individuals dealt with at Crown Court, in the remands magistrates court tool, deselect outcomes ’06: Sent to Crown Court for trial’ and ’07: Committed to Crown Court for sentencing’ in the ‘Outcome’ filter.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 06/04/2022 09:40:54 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4620 label Biography information for Ellie Reeves