Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many hearings and trials involving a video link or similar technology in the last year experienced problems related to that technology; and what the estimated cost was of those disruptions.

Video links were operational and available in courts at an average of 99.54% per month over the last year. No data is available for the cost associated with non-availability.

We have a world-leading legal system and are investing over £1 billion to reform and digitise our courts to deliver swifter justice.

Technology is at the forefront of our reforms and telephone and video hearings as well as online solutions, will make access to justice easier and reduce dependence on the court estate.