Oral Answers to Questions

Tim Roca Excerpts

Tuesday 16th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Sackman]

I welcome the right hon. Member’s question. We are actively considering where we can further extend the definition of SLAPPs to those that range beyond economic crime. Obviously, the Solicitors Regulation Authority is independent of Government. I welcome its guidance reminding solicitors of their duties and of the consequences of breaches, and I hope that it upholds that guidance robustly.

[Tim Roca (Macclesfield) (Lab)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to provide adequate funding for victim support services.

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

Last week I announced record funding for victim support services: £550 million over the next three years—the biggest investment in victim support services to date. This Labour Government are putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

[Tim Roca]

I welcome the increased funding. Victim support and the commissioning of those services is incredibly important, and the operational independence of police and crime commissioners has been invaluable in that regard. What assurances can Ministers provide that, with the abolition of PCCs, victim support will not be led by forces themselves and that we will keep the important progress we have made over recent years?

[Mr Lammy]

We have committed to providing PCCs with £131.8 million for 2026-27 and £134 million for 2027-28 for their work on sexual violence and domestic abuse. It is really important that we ringfence that funding.