Information between 28th September 2025 - 8th October 2025
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Written Answers |
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Sexual Offences: Criminal Proceedings
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer) Monday 29th September 2025 Question to the Ministry of Justice: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of lengthy court delays on victims of sexual offences. Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice) This Government inherited a record court backlog, and we recognise the impact that long waits for trials may have on victims of sexual violence. We are committed to tackling the outstanding caseload to improve timeliness: we have already doubled magistrates’ sentencing powers, so that Crown Courts can focus on the most serious cases and this year we have funded a record-high allocation of 110,000 Crown Court sitting days to tackle the outstanding caseload and delays. The record number of sitting days we have funded will mean more rape and other sexual offence cases can be heard. We recognise victims are impacted when trials do not proceed as planned. The National Witness Service provides support on the day of trial. This may include giving explanations for any delays. Pre-trial, victims can receive support from Victim Liaison Officers, or from Ministry of Justice funded victim support services, throughout the criminal justice journey. Judicial initiatives to expedite rape and other sexual offence cases are already taking place at a local level, for example, in Bristol and Guilford. The judiciary already prioritise cases involving vulnerable victims and witnesses, which includes victims of rape. However, it is clear that we must go further and do things differently if we are to deliver swifter justice and long-lasting change for victims. That is why the Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to chair an Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, to propose once-in-a-generation reform to deliver swifter justice for victims across the board - including for victims of rape and other sexual offences. Part one of the Review has been published. We will carefully consider Sir Brian’s proposals before setting out the Government’s full response in the Autumn. |
Criminal Proceedings: Evidence
Asked by: Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative - Life peer) Monday 29th September 2025 Question to the Ministry of Justice: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the problems caused by lengthy court delays on the availability of witnesses and the reliability of evidence. Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice) Official Statistics (www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-court-statistics) show that in the period between the end of June 2024 and the end of June 2025, of the 29,341 trials in the Crown Courts, 573 were ineffective due to witness unavailability. This number is down from 673 trials the previous year (June 2023 - June 2024). This Government inherited a record and rising courts backlog. It is unacceptable that victims and witnesses are waiting years for justice. We are committed to creating a more stable and sustainable criminal justice system, in which victims and the public can have confidence. That is why we took immediate action, funding a record-high allocation of 110,000 Crown Court sitting days this financial year. We have also committed to investing up to £92 million more a year in criminal legal aid solicitors and boosted Magistrates’ sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months. However, fundamental reform is necessary. That is why the previous Lord Chancellor asked Sir Brian Leveson to propose once-in-a-generation reform that will improve timeliness in the courts and deliver swifter justice for victims. Part one of the Independent Review of Criminal Courts has now been published. We are carefully considering Sir Brian’s proposals and will publish a government response in due course, then introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows. Part two of the Review, considering how the criminal courts can operate as efficiently as possible, is expected to be finalised later this year. |
Rape: Criminal Proceedings
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer) Monday 29th September 2025 Question to the Ministry of Justice: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made (1) to establish specialist courts for fast-tracking rape cases, and (2) to appoint legal advocates to provide free legal advice and support to rape survivors. Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice) This Government has funded a record number of court sitting days, so that prosecutions, including of rape and other sexual offences, can be heard more efficiently. We commissioned Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts to improve timeliness for victims, and we continue carefully to consider how we can deliver our manifesto commitment to fast-track rape cases. Alongside this, judicial initiatives to expedite rape and other sexual offence cases are already taking place at a local level – for example, in Bristol and Guildford, and the judiciary already prioritise cases involving vulnerable victims and witnesses, which will include victims of rape. The Government also continues work on our manifesto commitment to introduce free independent legal advice for adult rape victims. |
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Asked by: Baroness Coffey (Conservative - Life peer) Monday 29th September 2025 Question to the Ministry of Justice: To ask His Majesty's Government how many officials (1) in total, and (2) in number of full-time equivalent staff, have been involved in supporting the promoters of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the Ministry of Justice since November 2020. Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice) The number of full-time equivalent staff involved in providing technical drafting support and workability advice to the Sponsors of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has fluctuated since January 2025. As of 1 September 2025, there were 3.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) officials in the Ministry of Justice. Where required, contributions on specific issues may have been sought from other teams; however, the FTE cannot be accurately quantified for these issues. |
Rents: Appeals
Asked by: Lord Carter of Haslemere (Crossbench - Life peer) Monday 29th September 2025 Question to the Ministry of Justice: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time for the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber to consider, process and rule upon rent appeal cases brought by tenants. Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice) HM Courts & Tribunals Service does not hold the requested information centrally. To obtain this data would require a detailed analysis of the individual case records, which could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. |
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Asked by: Baroness Coffey (Conservative - Life peer) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Justice: To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings ministers in the Ministry of Justice have had with promoters of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill since November 2020. Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice) Ministers in the Ministry of Justice have had 12 meetings with the Sponsors of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Kim Leadbeater MP and Lord Falconer of Thoroton). |
Petitions |
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Mandate a lifetime driving ban for causing death by dangerous driving Petition Open - 205 SignaturesSign this petition 29 Mar 2026 closes in 5 months Change the minimum penalty so anyone convicted of death by dangerous driving faces a lifetime driving ban. Dangerous driving includes drinking/drugs, using mobile phone, excessive speeding. This selfish behaviour endangers lives and we think it must have severe, permanent consequences. |
Reinstate capital punishment for rape or for serious sexual assault Petition Open - 116 SignaturesSign this petition 1 Apr 2026 closes in 5 months, 1 week Every day another person is raped or sexually assaulted resulting in physical and emotional trauma, in some cases transmission of diseases or unwanted pregnancy. |
Review court system to address trial delays for rape and sexual abuse Petition Open - 269 SignaturesSign this petition 6 Apr 2026 closes in 5 months, 2 weeks We want the Government to review the court system in order to better prioritise and protect victims of rape and sexual abuse by preventing postponements of trial start dates. Victims can be left in limbo for months or years, which can cause further trauma and deny timely justice. |
Review time limits for work injury claims Petition Open - 47 SignaturesSign this petition 29 Mar 2026 closes in 5 months We urge the Government to review time limits for work injury claims which considers extending limits. We believe when someone is injured, their priority is recovery, not filing a claim. People may not realise the injury's severity and could be misdiagnosed. |
Ban serving or former police officers from working on/advising the OPCC Petition Open - 47 SignaturesSign this petition 6 Apr 2026 closes in 5 months, 2 weeks The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is meant to hold police forces accountable. Yet we feel its current structure allows serving or former officers, and elected officials with close ties to law enforcement, to oversee misconduct investigations involving their own colleagues |
Department Publications - Transparency |
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Monday 29th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Welsh Justice Data: Annual Release 2025 Document: (Excel) |
Monday 29th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Welsh Justice Data: Annual Release 2025 Document: Welsh Justice Data: Annual Release 2025 (webpage) |
Department Publications - Consultations |
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Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2026 Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2026 Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2026 Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2026 Document: Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (webpage) |
Department Publications - Statistics |
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Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Proven reoffending statistics by index disposal ad hoc, Wales Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Proven reoffending statistics by index disposal ad hoc, Wales Document: (Excel) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Proven reoffending statistics by index disposal ad hoc, Wales Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Proven reoffending statistics by index disposal ad hoc, Wales Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Proven reoffending statistics by index disposal ad hoc, Wales Document: Proven reoffending statistics by index disposal ad hoc, Wales (webpage) |
Department Publications - Policy paper |
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Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Independent Public Advocate: policy statement and statutory guidance Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Independent Public Advocate: policy statement and statutory guidance Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Independent Public Advocate: policy statement and statutory guidance Document: (PDF) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Independent Public Advocate: policy statement and statutory guidance Document: Independent Public Advocate: policy statement and statutory guidance (webpage) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Independent Public Advocate: policy statement and statutory guidance Document: (PDF) |
Department Publications - Guidance |
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Thursday 2nd October 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Control of communicable disease in prisons policy framework Document: (PDF) |
Thursday 2nd October 2025
Ministry of Justice Source Page: Control of communicable disease in prisons policy framework Document: Control of communicable disease in prisons policy framework (webpage) |
Written Answers |
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Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Asked by: Lord Harper (Conservative - Life peer) Monday 29th September 2025 Question to the Department of Health and Social Care: To ask His Majesty's Government how many full-time equivalent officials have been working on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (1) in total, and (2) in each Department. Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care) The number of officials providing technical drafting support and workability advice to the Sponsors of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has fluctuated since January 2025. As of 1 September 2025, there were 11.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) officials in the Department of Health and Social Care. Additionally, 3.1 FTE officials from the Ministry of Justice, 3.2 FTE officials from the Government Legal Department, and 1.8 FTE officials from Cabinet Office were supporting this team, also counted as of 1 September 2025. The total FTE for officials working on the Bill as of 1 September 2025 was 19.9. Where needed contributions on specific, individual, technical issues have been sought from other teams, but the FTE cannot be accurately quantified for these issues. |
National Audit Office |
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Oct. 01 2025
Home Office overview 2024-25 (PDF) Found: cross-government working group to support collaboration, including, but not limited to, the Ministry of Justice |
Sep. 30 2025
Financial management in government: reporting for decision-making (PDF) Found: Joan Lewis, Deputy Director, Management Accounting and Synergy Finance Programme Director, Ministry of Justice |
Department Publications - Policy and Engagement |
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Wednesday 1st October 2025
Department of Health and Social Care Source Page: Restricting volume price promotions of HFSS products Document: (PDF) Found: A full justice impact test for this proposal will be conducted and agreed with Ministry of Justice. |
Department Publications - Transparency |
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Monday 29th September 2025
Northern Ireland Office Source Page: NIO Statutory Equality and Good Relations Duties Annual Progress Report for 2024/2025 Document: (PDF) Found: NIO HR policies are aligned with MOJ HR policies, all of which are screened & assessed |
Department Publications - Statistics |
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Sunday 28th September 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: New Towns Taskforce: Report to government Document: (PDF) Found: Work and Pensions • Department for Science, Innovation and Technology • Ministry of Defence • Ministry of Justice |
Non-Departmental Publications - News and Communications |
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Oct. 07 2025
Accelerated Capability Environment Source Page: A new tool to help separating families avoid the stress of court Document: A new tool to help separating families avoid the stress of court (webpage) News and Communications Found: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is determined to change the justice system to support families to resolve |
Non-Departmental Publications - Transparency |
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Sep. 29 2025
HM Prison and Probation Service Source Page: Welsh Justice Data: Annual Release 2025 Document: (Excel) Transparency Found: address data, all dates and categories provided in this release correspond directly to those used in the MOJ |
Scottish Government Publications |
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Wednesday 1st October 2025
International Trade and Investment Directorate Source Page: Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill Final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment Document: Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill (PDF) Found: Bill, contributed to several meetings of the ERG, and with Ministry of Justice. |
Scottish Parliamentary Debates |
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Substance Misuse in Prisons
80 speeches (73,581 words) Wednesday 24th September 2025 - Committee Mentions: 1: Constance, Angela (SNP - Almond Valley) We are asking the Ministry of Justice to be a sponsor and to make a recommendation to the Civil Aviation - Link to Speech 2: None We still have to get a clear sense of timescales, because the MOJ and other colleagues have existing - Link to Speech |
Welsh Committee Publications |
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PDF - Explanatory Memorandum Inquiry: Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill Found: The Welsh Government submitted a Justice System Impact Identification Form to the Ministry of Justice |
Welsh Senedd Debates |
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2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery
None speech (None words) Tuesday 7th October 2025 - None |
2. Stage one scrutiny of the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill: evidence session 5
None speech (None words) Monday 29th September 2025 - None |
Welsh Senedd Speeches |
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No Department |
No Department |