Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what steps her Department is taking to improve the services provided by her Office and its superintended agencies to victims of crime.
Answered by Michael Tomlinson - Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
Improving the experience of victims is a priority for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and is an important part of building public confidence. In 2021, the CPS commissioned independent research to better understand victims’ needs and have since committed to transforming the service they provide to every victim. The CPS also published its commitment to transform how they communicate with victims under a long-term Victim Transformation Programme, and is now considering detailed design options for what a new service for victims could look like. The Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) work in supporting victims and witnesses has been positively recognised in two HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) inspection reports in the past two years. The 2022 report specifically praised the positive working relationships of the Victim and Witness Care Team with case teams, which have resulted in a better understanding across the SFO of how the organisation can best consider the needs of victims. |
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, how many referrals were made under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme in 2022.
Answered by Michael Tomlinson - Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
To date, the Law Officers have referred the cases of 135 offenders sentenced in 2022 to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. |
Of those cases referenced, 120 have so far concluded. The Court granted leave to refer in 93 (77.5%) and the sentence was increased in 80 (67%). These figures are accurate as of 25 January 2023.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, how many sentences were increased under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme in 2022.
Answered by Michael Tomlinson - Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
To date, the Law Officers have referred the cases of 135 offenders sentenced in 2022 to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. |
Of those cases referenced, 120 have so far concluded. The Court granted leave to refer in 93 (77.5%) and the sentence was increased in 80 (67%). These figures are accurate as of 25 January 2023.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what assessment she has made of the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service in the West Midlands.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) published a report on CPS West Midlands on 12 October 2021.
The report found that the Area added significant value and excelled in making good prosecutorial decisions. In addition, the report found that the Area’s RASSO casework was particularly strong, and its handling of victim and witness care issues was also praised by inspectors.
However, there were some aspects of performance that require improvement, such as the quality of case strategy at both the pre and post charge stages.
HMCPSI will conduct a follow-up inspection of CPS West Midlands next year to assess whether improvements have been made.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what steps he taking to ensure a joined-up response to the evolving threat of economic crime; and what plans he has to involve prosecutors in that work.
Answered by Robert Buckland
The Government is committed to tackling economic crime. We know this requires a multi-agency response and that is why both the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) play their part, alongside others, including through their support of the new multi-agency National Economic Crime Centre (NECC).
The NECC, which has been operational since October 2018, will drive the tasking and coordination of the UK's response to economic crime. It will access the full range of capabilities available to ensure the right tools are used by the right agencies at the right time - ensuring that economic crime is tackled in the most effective and impactful way.