Asked by: John Whitby (Labour - Derbyshire Dales)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2025 to Question 74400 on Juries: Childcare, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the amount jurors can claim for childcare to ensure that it remains in line with those costs.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Jurors can claim allowances to help cover additional costs arising from jury service, including the full additional cost of childcare within the overall daily financial loss allowance cap. Informal childcare can also be reimbursed at a set hourly rate, subject to the same allowance cap. Jurors can apply for a deferral or excusal based on childcare issues. These allowances are kept under review to ensure support remains appropriate and accessible. At present, there are no plans to increase the juror childcare allowance rate.
Asked by: John Whitby (Labour - Derbyshire Dales)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the amount jurors can claim for jury service in the context of trends in the level of childcare costs in the last five years.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government keeps under review all support provided to jurors throughout their service. Jury service is an important civic duty, and we want to ensure jurors feel supported as they undertake this important role. Jurors can claim childcare expenses for additional costs incurred due to jury service, as well as allowances for travel to and from court and subsistence during attendance. Additionally, expectant or new parents, including breastfeeding mothers, may request to be excused from jury duty if their caring responsibilities prevent them from serving within the next twelve months.