Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in court expenditure on (a) court efficiency and (b) case resolution times.

We are investing at record levels in the courts, including a landmark settlement of £2.78 billion for courts and tribunals in 2026/27.

We are also investing in uncapped Crown Court sitting days, court buildings and technology, and in legal professionals with a significant funding uplift in legal aid.

But the Independent Review of Criminal Courts is clear that investment alone, whilst important, is not enough. Only by pulling every lever we have – investment, efficiency and reform – can we reduce the backlog to acceptable levels and begin to deliver faster and fairer justice.