Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress has he made on implementing the recommendations contained in A Voice for the Voiceless: The Victims’ Commissioner’s Review into the Provision of Registered Intermediaries for Children and Vulnerable Victims and Witnesses, published in January 2018.

The Ministry of Justice responded to the Victims’ Commissioner’s comprehensive review of the provision of Registered Intermediaries, making these commitments: to review governance of the Witness Intermediary Scheme; to consider whether to appoint a National Lead Registered Intermediary; to publish an annual report; and to promote the role of Registered Intermediaries.

The department have delivered on these commitments and introduced improvements to governance, including the introduction of Regional Coordinator roles for exceptional Registered Intermediaries – which are more appropriate for the scheme than a National Lead. An annual report is due to be published in the summer, the scheme now has a page on Gov.uk and work is ongoing to promote the role of Registered Intermediaries.