Implementing the Employment Rights Act: February Consultation Package
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
This Government’s top priority is to grow the economy and improve living standards. We are clear that you cannot build a strong economy while having people in insecure work. For too long, employment law has failed to keep pace with fundamental changes in how, when and where we work. This has allowed some businesses to take advantage of loopholes in the current law via exploitative practices, fuelling a race to the bottom, undercutting responsible employers and eroding the living standards of working people. We are clear that unfair competition is bad for business, bad for workers and bad for growth.
Our plan to make work pay will modernise our employment rights legislation, extending the employment protections already given by the best British companies to millions more workers across the country. Strengthening this underlying framework will help build an economy based on fair competition between businesses, greater productivity in the workplace, job security for workers, and fair reward for hard work.
We are taking a phased approach to engagement and consultation on these reforms. This will ensure that all stakeholders have the time and space to work through the detail of each measure and to help us implement each in the interests of all. Today we are launching consultations on fire and rehire and on trade union recognition, with further consultations seeking views on tipping, flexible working and agency work to follow in the coming days. Alongside a programme of direct stakeholder engagement, these consultations will support us in determining how best to put our plans into practice.
Consultation 1: Fire and rehire
The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces important new protections to end unscrupulous fire and rehire practices. If an employer uses fire and rehire to change an employee’s contract in relation to core terms such as pay, hours, leave or specified changes to shift patterns, it will be an automatic unfair dismissal, unless they are in, and can evidence, severe financial difficulties that threaten the viability of the business. These are referred to as restricted variations.
Dismissals related to changes in non-core terms, such as location or job role, will not be automatically unfair but will be subject to enhanced protections. This means that for non-core terms certain factors must be taken into account, including whether any consultation has taken place with the employee or a recognised trade union, and whether the employer offered anything in return for the variation.
The Act provides delegated powers for the Secretary of State to set out in regulations which changes to shift patterns will be restricted variations, as well as to limit the scope of the restricted term on pay to exclude specified expenses and benefits in kind. The forthcoming consultation will seek views on these details and inform the regulations so that they strike an appropriate balance between protecting employees from being unilaterally forced into accepting disadvantageous terms and preserving employer flexibility to make reasonable and operational changes.
This consultation will run for eight weeks and will close on 1 April 2026.
Consultation 2: Code of practice on trade union recognition and unfair practices in electronic balloting
The Employment Rights Act makes several changes to the statutory trade union recognition process to ensure that workers have a meaningful right to organise through trade unions. This includes removing the requirement for a union to demonstrate at the application stage that it is likely that there will be a majority for union recognition, and the requirement for a union to have at least 40% of the workforce in the appropriate bargaining unit supporting union recognition.
We have revised the code to ensure that all parties, including employers, workers and unions, understand how these changes affect them.
The code is not mandatory but seeks to advise employers and unions on how they can comply with legal requirements in relation to access and unfair practices during a recognition or derecognition process. The code is admissible in employment tribunal proceedings and therefore can have some legal effect.
The consultation document explains that the draft code follows the settled policy in the ERA and asks questions in relation to the detail as to how changes in the ERA regarding access and unfair practices should be implemented in practice.
In our plan to make work pay, the Government committed to allow unions to use modern and secure electronic and workplace balloting for statutory ballots, bringing union participation into line with modern voting practices that political parties and listed companies already use. There is already a live consultation on the code of practice for electronic and workplace ballots that addresses hybrid and pure electronic ballot methods.
However, before pure electronic balloting is permitted for recognition and derecognition ballots, the Government want to ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place to prevent any interference in these ballots. Therefore, the consultation on the code of practice on access and unfair practices during the recognition and derecognition process seeks views on Government proposals to legislate for new unfair practices to prevent interference in electronic recognition and derecognition ballots.
This consultation will run for eight weeks and will close on the 1 April 2026.
Consultation 3: Tipping
The Government are consulting on our commitment to strengthen the law on tipping. The new requirements will build on the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which introduced the legal requirement for all tips, gratuities and service charges to be passed on to the workers who have earned them.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 goes further by protecting and enhancing the voices of those workers. The Act sets out that, prior to developing a written policy, employers will be required to consult with the representatives of recognised trade unions or worker representatives, or, where there are no such representatives in place, workers likely to be affected by the policy. The Act also sets out a requirement for the written policy to be reviewed at least once every three years.
When reviews take place, employers must follow the same process of consultation with workers. Employers will also be required to make available a written, anonymised summary of the views expressed in the consultation to all workers at the place of business.
This consultation will allow the Government to consider the views of all interested parties and groups about how we can most effectively implement the new requirements. It will also provide an opportunity to review how the existing legislation and statutory code of practice operate in practice, to identify where improvements could be made.
This consultation will launch shortly and will run for eight weeks.
Consultation 4: Improving access to flexible working
We are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Act to make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted, prompting employers and employees to think creatively about the types of flexible working that might be feasible and suitable in their circumstances.
These changes will require employers to accept flexible working requests where they are reasonably feasible. It will remain the case that employers can reject requests that cannot be accommodated given their specific ways of working.
If employers are considering rejecting a request, they will be required to follow a new process to first consult the employee, creating an opportunity to consider ways to overcome obstacles with the initial request, or explore potential alternatives.
This consultation will:
Gather feedback on a proposed new process for employers consulting with employees if they are minded to reject a flexible working request. By providing enough detail for employers to aid in compliance, without being overly rigid, we aim to help businesses more effectively to navigate the handling of flexible working requests.
Understand what training, resources and support can help businesses navigate flexible working requests, to help us shape future guidance and resources. It will also gather high-level insights on where respondents might like to see further policy development on flexible working.
This consultation will launch shortly and will run for 12 weeks.
Consultation 5: Modernising the agency work regulatory framework
The regulatory framework for the temporary recruitment sector in Great Britain consists principally of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003—the conduct regulations—and the Agency Workers Regulations 2010. The sector has evolved significantly in recent years, due to digitisation, new business models, and changes in the ways in which people work and hire. The emergence and rapid growth of umbrella companies—a type of payment intermediary—has created new opportunities but also challenges due to increasing non-compliance with employment law.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 amends the definition of an “employment business” in the Employment Agencies Act 1973 to bring umbrella companies into scope for regulation through the conduct regulations. This consultation contributes to the key objectives in our plan to make work pay on ensuring fair treatment for workers, as well as the wider Government commitment to reduce administrative burdens for businesses by 25%. The consultation therefore seeks views on updating the regulatory framework for the temporary recruitment sector to allow for the effective regulation of all involved in the modern-day recruitment sector, including umbrella companies. It focuses on ensuring security, transparency and choice for workers, while reducing administrative burdens for businesses. Depending on the responses to this consultation, we may consult further on specific proposals to reduce administrative burdens.
Alongside this consultation, we are publishing a post-implementation review of the requirement for employment businesses to provide work-seekers with a key information document before agreement to terms of employment. This review outlines the need to reform the requirements around information provision for workers to improve transparency, and the consultation is designed to aid the development of policy options to facilitate this.
This consultation will launch shortly and run for 12 weeks.
Next steps for consultation
This package of consultations sets out the next steps in delivering our plans. They are critical to shaping the practical implementation of this legislation, helping the Government to deliver reforms that are both effective and inclusive. It is in everyone’s interest to get the relationship between employer and worker right. These consultations will help us make work pay for both.
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Membership of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
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The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Nick Thomas-Symonds)
Lord Stirrup KG GCB AFC has been appointed as a full representative and vice-chair of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in place of Lord Ricketts GCMG GCVO.
The hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire (Mike Wood) has been appointed as a full representative of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in place of the hon. Member for Weald of Kent (Katie Lam).
The hon. Member for Chester South and Eddisbury (Aphra Brandreth) has been appointed as a full representative of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in place of the hon. Member for Leicester East (Shivani Raja).
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Fostering Reforms
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister)
Today I am setting out the Government’s plan to increase the number of foster care places in England and to renew fostering for modern family life. Foster families provide the stable, trusted relationships that children in care need, yet the number of foster carers has fallen by 12% since 2019. This shortage means that too many children live far from their communities, are separated from siblings, or are placed in residential care unnecessarily.
To address this, we will create 10,000 additional foster care places by the end of this Parliament, backed by £88 million over the next two years. Our plan will reverse the decline in foster carers, strengthen support around foster families, and put trusted relationships at the centre of decision making for children in care.
We will launch a national recruitment and awareness campaign, supported by improved digital tools and strengthened data collection. A £25 million capital programme will help existing carers expand or renovate their homes to care for more children, including sibling groups.
We will enhance regional collaboration by expanding fostering recruitment hubs, supported by £12.8 million, providing a single route into fostering with consistent assessment and post-approval support. A further £10.8 million will support new regional care co-operatives to increase placement availability and improve stability for children.
To encourage innovation, we will invest £12.4 million to test new models such as step-down care, weekend and short-break fostering, strengthened supported lodgings, and additional remand foster placements. We will also improve retention by investing £8.9 million in over 100 new Mockingbird constellations, and by strengthening training, support and the handling of allegations. We will also pursue greater transparency in foster care financial support.
Finally, we will simplify the fostering rulebook. We will update fostering standards and guidance, work with Ofsted to reshape inspection around trusted relationships, and set clearer expectations that the assessment and approval process should not exceed the six-month standard that we have for adoption. Foster carers will be empowered to make day-to-day decisions for children in their care, and we will strengthen support for kinship foster care, working hard to protect children’s links to trusted adults.
Alongside the publication of the Government’s action plan, we will launch a consultation and call for evidence, to ensure that our next steps are informed by foster carers and children with lived experience.
By simplifying the rules, improving support and acting both nationally and regionally, this Government will increase the number of children able to live in loving, stable homes and build the long-term relationships they need.
A copy of the consultation and the call for evidence will be placed in the Library of the House.
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Advanced Nuclear Framework
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The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)
Today we are publishing the “Advanced Nuclear Framework” for private projects, which reinforces the golden age of nuclear. The framework sets out our approach to enabling privately led advanced nuclear projects, including small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors.
Recent global events have highlighted the importance of energy security and the need for a resilient, clean energy system. Nuclear energy has a vital role in delivering stable, affordable, and clean baseload power. The UK is already progressing major projects such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, alongside Rolls Royce being confirmed as the preferred bidder following the Great British Nuclear small modular reactor technology selection process. We are now entering a new phase in the golden age of nuclear, one that harnesses private sector innovation to deliver advanced nuclear projects.
The framework explains how Government will create the enabling policy landscape for the private sector to initiate and deliver advanced nuclear projects. It is focused on supporting the development, commercialisation, and deployment of advanced civil nuclear private projects within the UK’s energy sector.
This policy direction is reinforced by the Government’s response to the nuclear regulatory taskforce, ensuring that regulatory reform keeps pace with the ambition of the framework. The Government accept the principle of all 47 of the taskforce’s recommendations. A full implementation plan will be published within three months, with reforms completed within two years, subject to legislation. Departments, regulators and industry should act now to support faster, lower-cost delivery of new nuclear and strengthen energy security.
The taskforce set out that these reforms could have a fundamental impact on the sector. They are intended to drive forward new nuclear in a safe, affordable way, save tens of billions from the cost of decommissioning legacy nuclear activities, and lower energy costs for consumers, industry, and public services.
This bold action will make nuclear energy more affordable, quicker to deploy, and will uphold high safety standards while boosting sector growth and investment. The strengthened regulatory framework will build a more agile, innovative, and collaborative environment, positioning the UK as a global leader.
The framework sets out a pathway for private sector participation in the delivery of advanced nuclear projects, specifically small modular reactors, advanced modular reactors and micro-reactors. It defines the principles, processes, and support mechanisms.
Key elements of the framework include:
The UK advanced nuclear pipeline and a project readiness assessment process to endorse viable projects and unlock private investment.
A suite of enabling measures across finance, planning, regulation, fuel supply, and skills including potential support through the National Wealth Fund, planning reforms, and targeted protections for high-impact, low-probability risks.
Projects that meet the relevant criteria will progress through the assessment process and join the pipeline, receiving early Government endorsement to boost investor confidence and helping developers unlock private capital.
The publication of this framework marks a significant step in delivering a secure, low-carbon energy future and supporting innovation and investment in this critical sector.
Alongside the “Advanced Nuclear Framework”, this Government have also published the “Statement on civil nuclear fuel use”. This statement outlines the Government’s expectation around fuel use in the UK, making sure we enable the highest standards of nuclear security, support industry planning, prevent delays, and foster a secure, sustainable nuclear sector that helps operators align with a consistent nuclear fuel policy environment.
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National Cancer Plan
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ashley Dalton)
The national cancer plan is published today, World Cancer Day. Building on the foundations set out in the 10-year plan for the NHS, it sets out how we will drive improvements in cancer care across England. One in two people in this country will get cancer in their lifetime, and this plan provides a clear and focused approach to deliver better outcomes for patients, focusing on earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and better survival rates. We will work to end the postcode lottery—everybody should have access to prompt and effective care and treatment no matter where they live or what their background is.
The plan includes actions and commitments which clearly show how we will achieve our goal of 75% of people surviving cancer for five years or more by 2035, making England a world-leader for cancer survival. Actions in the plan will cover a range of areas including:
Improving NHS cancer performance: We are committed to meeting the cancer waiting time standards by the end of this Parliament. By March 2029, 80% of patients getting a diagnosis or all-clear within 28 days of an urgent suspected cancer referral (faster diagnosis standard), 85% of patients will start their treatment within 62 days of referral, and 96% of patients will start treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat them. We will increase productivity in diagnostics by using digital pathways and the latest technology, and use innovation to speed up treatment decisions.
Early diagnosis, lung cancer screening and treatment: More people are surviving cancer than ever before, but progress has slowed over the last decade, and England remains behind other comparable countries. We need to catch cancer earlier and faster because we know early diagnosis is key to cancer survival. We will expand screening where evidence supports this—including completing the roll out of lung cancer screening by 2030. In addition, we will continue community testing to identify people at higher risk of cancer including fibro-scans for people with cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, as well as invest in the latest tech and AI to spot cancers earlier. We will also increase access to the best innovative cancer treatments as they become available.
Prevention: Many cancers are preventable, which is why we will stop as many cancers as we can by cracking down on illegal underage sunbed use, eliminating cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, as well as tackling obesity and creating the world’s first smoke-free generation. We will also complete a national roll-out of self-testing to women who have not otherwise taken up the offer for cervical screening by 2029. In addition, we will increase awareness of cancer risk factors, and of cancer symptoms.
Living well: Cancer care will be designed around patients’ lives, with every patient sitting down with their care team and getting a personalised cancer plan and named clinical nurse specialist or other named lead to support them through diagnosis and treatment. By 2028, patients will also be able to manage screening invitations, appointments and treatment plans through the NHS app. We will also move more cancer care out of hospitals and into local neighbourhood settings, with patients getting a named neighbourhood care lead to co-ordinate their care and support after treatment.
Children and young people with cancer and their families will get better support, with a guarantee that travel costs do not leave parents out of pocket and create a barrier to accessing NHS care and providing full wraparound care, including psychological support to children with cancer.
Ending the postcode lottery for cancer care: No matter where people live, they should have access to high-quality, specialist care, and also to all the incredible breakthroughs in cancer care we are seeing through the NHS, such as robotic surgery, using genomic testing to assess risk, create targeted treatments, and replace invasive biopsy with faster blood tests across the country.
Inequalities: We will tackle inequalities in cancer mortality. Some places in England, including Blackpool, Knowsley and Kingston upon Hull have an age-standardised premature cancer mortality rate twice as high as the best-performing area. People from poorer parts of the country are more likely to be diagnosed late and less likely to get the best care, while people with disabilities, LGBT+ people, and people from some ethnic groups are less likely to access screening and clinical trials. Solving this is a priority for this plan.
Research and innovation: We will provide strategic leadership across the lifetime of the plan to ensure we are world leaders in cancer research and innovation. Our priorities for research are aimed at increasing cancer survival, as well as achieving better performance and providing excellent quality of life. We will speed up implementation of technology proven to improve cancer outcomes, as well as accelerating access to new tech via our new national HealthTech access programme. We will also establish a cancer trials accelerator programme to increase the speed, scale and reliability of cancer clinical trials—more broadly we will make cancer trials more accessible by making it easier for people to join them locally, for example via their own GP.
Rare cancers: Patients with rare cancers will also benefit from a move to specialist multidisciplinary teams, that cover multiple providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and so access to the best evidence-based care. We will reduce the number of rare cancers, including brain tumours, being diagnosed in emergency settings. To hold us accountable, and to marshal progress, we will designate a new national lead for rare cancers with a mandate to provide clinical advice and support delivery of these goals.
This plan was developed in partnership with cancer charities, clinicians and most importantly patients who have shared their own experiences. Our call for evidence received over 11,000 responses, and the main messages we heard were that patients want quicker diagnosis; to know they are being offered the latest and most innovative treatment backed by the latest research; and to be supported to live well with cancer. Our plan sets out how we will deliver these improvements.
The national cancer plan will provide a basis for England being a world leader in cancer survival and improving quality of life for those with cancer in this country over the next decade. By focusing on patients and what they need, we can build on improvements of recent years and capitalise on new innovations to allow more people to survive cancer.
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Greater Cambridge Development Corporation: Consultation
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The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
I am today setting out the next steps the Government are taking to unleash ambitious and high-quality sustainable growth in Greater Cambridge as part of our plans to supercharge growth in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.
The economic growth of Cambridge over recent years has been a phenomenal success and the city and its environs are now home to the most intensive science and technological cluster in the world. We know that Greater Cambridge has the potential to make an even greater contribution to the UK economy and the Government are determined to make this happen.
While local partners share the Government ambition, there remain significant barriers to further growth. If we are to realise the full potential of Greater Cambridge, to the benefit of its existing communities and the country as a whole, we must tackle a range of challenges including infrastructure deficiencies, commercial accessibility and housing affordability.
These constraints are not new, and local leaders and institutions have worked hard to address them over many years. However, due to their nature, scale and complexity, overcoming these challenges in a way that enables the delivery of nationally significant growth in Greater Cambridge requires a delivery vehicle with the necessary powers, authority and access to finance.
I am therefore launching a consultation today on proposals to establish a centrally led urban development corporation for Greater Cambridge. This Greater Cambridge development corporation would align national capabilities with local expertise and insight to drive further growth across the area at the scale and pace required.
A centrally led approach would provide the stability, capability and capacity needed to co-ordinate complex infrastructure delivery across multiple local authorities, landowners, delivery partners and agencies, and to secure the significant public and private investment required to unlock growth at the desired scale.
Building upon the exceptional quality of place seen across much of Greater Cambridge, the objective of the development corporation would be to deliver exemplary development in the form of high-quality, well-designed, attractive, and sustainable homes and neighbourhoods.
The proposal to establish a centrally led urban development corporation for Greater Cambridge is intended to support the emerging Greater Cambridge local plan. In its initial phase, the proposed development corporation would build on the work of the Cambridge Growth Company, and work in close partnership with local authorities to increase both the pace and quantum of development at sites identified in that draft local plan. in the medium to long term, the development corporation would prepare a long-term spatial plan for Greater Cambridge, with a focus on providing major new strategic sites for growth.
The consultation invites general feedback on the Government proposal to establish a centrally led urban development corporation in Greater Cambridge. It also seeks views on a number of specific issues, including:
The proposed objectives and activities of the development corporation.
A proposed operational boundary for the development corporation that is aligned with the current combined administrative areas of Cambridge city council and South Cambridgeshire district council.
The proposed spectrum of powers that the development corporation could be granted, including plan making powers and development management powers for use in relation to sites of strategic importance.
The proposed approach to embedding local democratic representation in the governance of the development corporation.
I encourage all those with an interest in the future of Greater Cambridge to respond to the consultation and share their insights and knowledge. Your representations will help guide us as we work toward delivering high-quality sustainable growth in Greater Cambridge to the benefit of new and existing communities alike. The full consultation is available on gov.uk.
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Local Government Best Value
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The Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern)
This Government are committed to taking the action necessary to fix the foundations of local government. Today, I am updating the House on the steps we are taking to support Nottingham city council recover and reform.
Nottingham city council has been under intervention since January 2021. New directions were placed on the council in February 2024 and commissioners were appointed until February 2026.
I am today publishing the commissioners’ fourth report, received on 5 December 2025, which provides their comprehensive assessment of the council’s improvement journey to date. The commissioners have also set out their proposals for the approach that could be taken after February 2026 to ensure the council can continue its improvement. The council has also written outlining its requests.
Having carefully considered all the information, including the commissioners’ report and the council’s letter, the Secretary of State believes that there has been significant improvement in many areas of the council’s operation.
The council’s member and officer leadership is strong. They should be commended for their constructive and collaborative work with the commissioner team, and for their willingness to seek further support. Since the appointment of commissioners, and under the leadership of councillor Neghat Khan and chief executive Sajeeda Rose, we have seen the pace of improvement accelerate considerably.
The Secretary of State is satisfied that the council has made progress and is meeting its best value duty in most themes as described in the statutory guidance published in May 2024. The council has shown significant progress in its leadership, strengthened strategic direction and accountability. It has improved its financial management, governance and scrutiny, and member-officer relationships. However, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the council is not yet meeting its best value duty in the themes of continuous improvement and service delivery.
After nearly five years of intervention, it is critical that the council builds on its recent progress and addresses remaining challenges. Continued effort is needed to make sure the improvements are put in place across the whole council, its services and the outcomes experienced by residents, particularly in the context of potential local government reorganisation.
Some service redesign is in the early stages and implementation remains a key priority. This is especially the case for children’s and adults’ services, where the council is seeking external support. The Secretary of State considers that the council needs ongoing, but less intensive, support to ensure that momentum is maintained and that continuous improvement thinking is put in place across the organisation.
In recognition of the progress made, and the council’s strong leadership, the Secretary of State is minded to extend the intervention but reduce its scope.
The Secretary of State is minded to exercise powers of direction under the Local Government Act 1999 to issue new statutory directions to the council, overseen by two ministerial envoys, to be appointed by him. The envoys would work collaboratively with the council in an advisory and mentoring capacity. They would not hold powers to exercise any council functions. All decision making would return to the council. The council would be directed by the Secretary of State to establish a bi-partisan continuous improvement committee. This would be chaired by the leader and include the envoys and other sector experts, including the experts on adults’ and children’s services whom the council have requested. The committee would oversee delivery of a continuous improvement plan, which would be agreed with the envoys. The envoys would report on progress to the Secretary of State at six-monthly intervals.
I am now inviting representations from the council on the Secretary of State’s proposals, by 11 February. We want to provide the opportunity for members and officers of the council, and any other interested parties, especially the residents of Nottingham, to make their views known. Should the Secretary of State decide to act along the lines described here, he will make the necessary statutory directions under the 1999 Act.
I am committed to working with Nottingham city council to ensure their compliance with the best value duty and the high standards of governance that local residents expect. This Government are working to deliver a consistently fit, legal and decent local government sector that provides good-quality essential statutory services for all residents.
I will deposit in the House Library copies of the documents referred to, which are being published on gov.uk today. I will update the House in due course.
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Independent Review of the Criminal Courts: Part 2
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The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)
The Government inherited a justice system in crisis with a record and rising open caseload of nearly 80,000 criminal cases currently waiting to be heard in the Crown Court. Behind those case numbers are victims, many of whom are waiting years for justice.
That is why the Government commissioned Sir Brian Leveson, one of the country’s most esteemed former judges, to undertake an independent review and make recommendations for how to reform our criminal courts.
Sir Brian conducted his review in two parts, with the first part published on 9 July 2025. That set out a blueprint for structural reform in our criminal courts. Today, 4 February 2026, Sir Brian has published part 2 of his review.
The Government are extremely grateful to Sir Brian and his panel of expert advisers for their work and I will place copies of Sir Brian’s “Independent Review of the Criminal Courts: Part 2”—overview, and volumes 1 and 2—in the Library of the House.
Sir Brian’s second report makes 135 recommendations to improve the efficiency of the criminal courts. It is thorough and I welcome his ambition to see real improvements to the system. The report highlights many areas where existing process can be improved and where we can do more to deliver faster and fairer justice for all. It makes recommendations about new technologies, including AI, and sets out clear steps to help modernise the system.
As Sir Brian makes clear in his report,
“more money and efficiency measures alone will not be sufficient to allow the system to operate as it should”.
Efficiency can only be one part of our plan to deliver faster and fairer justice. On 2 December 2025, I set out why I agreed that structural reform is necessary, alongside investment and efficiency. We will bring forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.
We will urgently consider the proposals set out today, alongside Sir Brian’s remaining recommendations from part 1, and respond to them in the coming months. It is clear that we need to expand the use of technology in our courts and modernise the system to tackle the inefficiencies we inherited. Improving efficiencies alone is not a silver bullet to the crisis that victims are facing in our justice system, but it forms a key part of our plan. It is only the combination of pragmatic reform, investment and modernisation that will ultimately deliver faster and fairer justice.
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