Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Becky Gittins (Clwyd East) (Lab)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to maintain courtrooms.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

19. What steps he is taking to improve the court estate through restoration and renewal.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Sarah Sackman)]

For years, our court buildings under the last Government were left to crumble and decay. This Government have boosted capital funding from £120 million last year to over £148 million for this year. From Reading to Blackpool, we are building new courts and restoring old ones.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sarah Sackman]

My hon. Friend is right that the Prestatyn justice centre is a valuable facility for her community. We have a number of projects in the pipeline for Wales. Obviously we must prioritise those court buildings that are most in need and where there is most disrepair so that we can bring them back into use, but I am happy for her to write to me about that particular case.

[Cat Smith]

Since 2019 my constituents in Lancaster have had to look at a ring of steel fencing around the Lancaster courthouse in our city centre as it awaits maintenance work to make it more sightly. The fencing has been there since 2019, so how much longer will my constituents have to wait for this maintenance work?

[Sarah Sackman]

I understand that people in Lancaster have been using the Crown court in nearby Preston, which is a more modern and accessible facility. We are undertaking a consultation about the future of Lancaster Crown court, but I am happy to write to my hon. Friend in more detail about the timeline.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alex Davies-Jones]

We will be consulting on a new victims code in due course to make sure that all these crimes are captured, so that we can support all victims. I would be happy to discuss this matter further with the right hon. Gentleman.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

For six years, Lancaster courthouse has been surrounded by temporary fencing as it awaits maintenance. How much longer will my constituents have to wait?

[Sarah Sackman]

I am happy to meet my hon. Friend to address her point and to give her the details that she requires.