Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the CPS annual report 2019-20, how many (a) additional prosecutors have been recruited, (b) operational delivery staff have been recruited and (c) offers of employment have been made to new lawyers since 2019.
Answered by Michael Ellis
As of 2nd February 2021, the CPS has recruited:
(Source data – CPS HR Recruitment records)
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, how many and what proportion of CPS staff have had to self-isolate as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and what the (a) role and (b) staffing grade of those staff is.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) holds data on staff who have been absent due to COVID-19 and received Special Leave with Pay. The Table below summarises that data, with the column labelled ‘Special Leave With Pay – Other reasons’ including those who have self-isolated. This column shows that 253 staff (approximately 3.8% of the workforce) fall within this category. However, in general, those who have self-isolated will predominantly have continued to work remotely and will not have needed to take time away from the workplace.
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Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what steps she has taken to ensure the CPS can operate (a) effectively and (b) to the same standard when prosecuting international crime in the context of no longer being a member of Eurojust.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) has worked with other prosecutors, law enforcement, the courts and the Home Office to ensure the CPS continues to have access to the capabilities it needs and that effective international cooperation with EU Member States on extradition, gathering of evidence and asset recovery continues. The CPS has also engaged extensively with EU counterparts in order to safeguard existing cases using EU tools as well as operate the new arrangements effectively.
As well as providing for streamlined extradition arrangements, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides for cooperation between the UK and Europol and the UK and Eurojust to facilitate multilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation. The UK remains fully operational at Eurojust with a Liaison Prosecutor Desk which was up and running from 1 January 2021. In December 2020, the CPS was participating in 33 out of 41 Joint Investigation Teams involving the UK and the CPS remains equally involved in all of these today.
The TCA equips operational partners on both sides with the capabilities that help protect citizens and bring criminals to justice – promoting the security of all our citizens.
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, how many outstanding cases the CPS were working on as a part of EuroJust in December 2020.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) has worked with other prosecutors, law enforcement, the courts and the Home Office to ensure the CPS continues to have access to the capabilities it needs and that effective international cooperation with EU Member States on extradition, gathering of evidence and asset recovery continues. The CPS has also engaged extensively with EU counterparts in order to safeguard existing cases using EU tools as well as operate the new arrangements effectively.
As well as providing for streamlined extradition arrangements, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides for cooperation between the UK and Europol and the UK and Eurojust to facilitate multilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation. The UK remains fully operational at Eurojust with a Liaison Prosecutor Desk which was up and running from 1 January 2021. In December 2020, the CPS was participating in 33 out of 41 Joint Investigation Teams involving the UK and the CPS remains equally involved in all of these today.
The TCA equips operational partners on both sides with the capabilities that help protect citizens and bring criminals to justice – promoting the security of all our citizens.
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the Victims Commissioner's annual report 2019/20, what steps the Attorney General is taking with the Lord Chancellor to promote the changes to the review into the unduly lenient scheme to ensure victims are aware of their right to request a challenge.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Law Officers promote the unduly lenient sentence scheme and its extension, including in Parliament and on social media.
The AGO has also worked with the Ministry of Justice to take steps to raise awareness of the scheme as part of the revised statutory Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, which was published in November 2020 following consultation. The revised Code will come into force on 1 April, and now includes a requirement for the Witness Care Unit to inform victims of the unduly lenient sentence scheme promptly once sentencing has taken place. This will help to improve awareness of the scheme and also understanding of when cases may be eligible.
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, following the recent HMCSPI inspectorate report on victim communication, what steps she is taking to implement the recommendations in that report.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The latest HMCPSI report on the Victim Communication and Liaison (VCL) scheme was published on 22 October 2020. The report suggested the CPS should fundamentally review at national level how the VCL scheme is being delivered.
The CPS accepts the need for a radical review of their communications with victims, and the need to make quick progress. The CPS is therefore planning to undertake an evidence-based assessment of victims’ needs, including conducting user research to inform the review. The CPS are taking a phased approach to this work so that early, targeted improvements can be made at the same time as developing a longer-term programme of more impactful change.
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the UK withdrawing from participation in (a) the European Arrest Warrant, (b) membership of Europol and (c) membership of EuroJust on the work of the CPS in prosecuting international crime.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’) has worked with other prosecutors, law enforcement, the courts and the Home Office to ensure the CPS continues to have access to the capabilities it needs and that effective international cooperation with EU Member States on extradition, gathering of evidence and asset recovery continues. The CPS has also engaged extensively with EU counterparts in order to safeguard existing cases using EU tools as well as operate the new arrangements effectively.
As well as providing for streamlined extradition arrangements, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides for cooperation between the UK and Europol and the UK and Eurojust to facilitate multilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation. The UK remains fully operational at Eurojust with a Liaison Prosecutor Desk which was up and running from 1 January 2021. In December 2020, the CPS was participating in 33 out of 41 Joint Investigation Teams involving the UK and the CPS remains equally involved in all of these today.
The TCA equips operational partners on both sides with the capabilities that help protect citizens and bring criminals to justice – promoting the security of all our citizens.
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, how many CPS staff were employed and (a) in what role and (b) at what grade those staff were employed in each year from 2010 to 2020.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The number of staff employed by the Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’), broken down by grade, between 31/03/12 to 31/03/20, can be found in the tables below. To retrieve data for years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, and the detail for roles across all years, would represent a disproportionate cost to the CPS.
31/03/2020 |
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ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE | |
AA/AO | 1351 | 1226.88 | |
EO | 1217 | 1115.80 | |
G6/G7 | 2656 | 2447.11 | |
HEO/SEO | 886 | 849.75 | |
SCS | 82 | 80.71 | |
Grand Total | 6192 | 5720.26 | |
31/03/2019 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1392 | 1263.23 |
EO | 1175 | 1069.66 |
G6/G7 | 2589 | 2384.21 |
HEO/SEO | 791 | 757.75 |
SCS | 78 | 77.10 |
Grand Total | 6025 | 5551.95 |
31/03/2018 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1436 | 1309.02 |
EO | 1186 | 1084.08 |
G6/G7 | 2472 | 2274.88 |
HEO/SEO | 810 | 775.08 |
SCS | 76 | 75.38 |
Grand Total | 5980 | 5518.44 |
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31/03/2017 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1536 | 1409.30 |
EO | 1199 | 1094.03 |
G6/G7 | 2399 | 2206.89 |
HEO/SEO | 780 | 745.46 |
SCS | 70 | 69.38 |
Grand Total | 5984 | 5525.04 |
31/03/2016 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1527 | 1398.90 |
EO | 1223 | 1112.19 |
G6/G7 | 2354 | 2170.88 |
HEO/SEO | 743 | 710.50 |
SCS | 68 | 67.78 |
Grand Total | 5915 | 5460.26 |
31/03/2015 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1683 | 1549.14 |
EO | 1298 | 1189.95 |
G6/G7 | 2445 | 2258.48 |
HEO/SEO | 789 | 754.83 |
SCS | 65 | 65.00 |
Grand Total | 6280 | 5817.40 |
31/03/2014 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 1882 | 1726.96 |
EO | 1381 | 1267.24 |
G6/G7 | 2558 | 2362.03 |
HEO/SEO | 777 | 744.30 |
SCS | 65 | 65.00 |
Grand Total | 6663 | 6165.54 |
31/03/2013 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AO/AA | 2061 | 1877.40 |
EO | 1551 | 1422.82 |
G6/7 | 2801 | 2592.40 |
HEO/SEO | 850 | 807.52 |
SCS | 66 | 66.00 |
Grand Total | 7329 | 6766.14 |
31/03/2012 | ||
ONS Grade | Headcount | FTE |
AA/AO | 2087 | 1896.94 |
EO | 1601 | 1468.00 |
G6/G7 | 2961 | 2740.09 |
HEO/SEO | 932 | 887.29 |
SCS | 67 | 66.80 |
Grand Total | 7648 | 7059.12 |
*Data is as at 31st March each year | ||||||||
This data is taken from the Trent and Oracle HR Database. | ||||||||
The data is compiled to ONS specification – it excludes career break, unpaid loans, fee paid and non-salaried staff. | ||||||||
The data excludes no pay staff which are derived from the CIS file provided to us. | ||||||||
Data shows HC and FTE to ONS Grade | ||||||||
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate's report entitled Charging Inspection 2020, published in September 2020, what steps he is taking to improve communication to victims about the Victims’ Right to Review scheme.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The CPS Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme provides an important safeguard for victims. Following a request for a review, a new prosecutor not previously involved in the original decision will conduct a review of the case. If they decide that the original decision was wrong that decision will be overturned and proceedings reinstituted, where possible.
The HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s ‘Charging Inspection 2020’ report notes that in 84.7% of the cases where there was a decision to take no further action that qualified for the VRR scheme, there was enough information for the police to explain the decision to the victim.
The CPS are actively engaged in the development of the revised Victims’ Code which sets out victims’ rights to receive services from Criminal Justice agencies, including information about the VRR scheme. The CPS is committed to delivering its responsibilities under the Code to ensure that victims have the information they need to exercise their right to review CPS decisions.
Asked by: Ellie Reeves (Labour - Lewisham West and Penge)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate's report entitled Charging Inspection 2020, published in September 2020, what steps she is taking to improve the timings for communications in respect of (a) Victim Communication and Liaison letters being issued and (b) those victims who are entitled to an enhanced service.
Answered by Michael Ellis
The CPS offers an enhanced service to victims of rape or serious sexual offences and the bereaved families of homicide victims. This includes writing to victims or relatives within one day informing them of a decision not to charge a case.
I note that the recent Charging Inspection found 75% of appropriate VCL letters were sent within set enhanced service timescales. The CPS is committed to delivering an excellent service to victims, including working with the Ministry of Justice on revisions to the Victims’ Code, and continues to consider ways to further improve communication with victims, including timeliness.