Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Lamb Excerpts

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) (LD)]

15. What steps he is taking to reduce backlogs in the criminal justice system.

[Peter Lamb (Crawley) (Lab)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to reduce the length of time for cases to go to trial.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)]

Mr Speaker, it is nice to be back on my old beat.

This Government inherited a record courts backlog. We have taken immediate action by funding a record high allocation of 110,000 Crown court sitting days this year. Fundamental reform is of course necessary, which is why the previous Lord Chancellor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Ladywood (Shabana Mahmood), commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to propose bold reforms, which we are now considering.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Lammy]

I am always happy to do anything—I did it in my last role and I will do it in this role—to ensure that anyone terrorising is convicted. That is quite properly a matter for law enforcement and prosecutors, but I will examine the detail of what the hon. Gentleman says.

[Peter Lamb]

I have met constituents who have been victims of some of the most serious offences and were waiting for years before the general election to have access to justice. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how I can ensure that my constituents have timely access to justice?

[Mr Lammy]

My hon. Friend is right. We have to ensure that the system works for victims. Under the previous Government, half of all magistrates courts closed, and in December 2023, the Crown court backlog had increased by 77%. We are dealing with that—we have to do so as swiftly as possible. I will of course ensure that he meets with the appropriate Minister.