Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many swimming pools are local authorities required to operate in their area.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Local authorities are not required by statute to operate swimming pools; provision is made on a discretionary basis in recognition of the significant health, wellbeing and community benefits swimming facilities provide. Local government remains the largest public funder of sport and leisure services in the country, and the Government continues to engage with the sector on sustaining these facilities.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that victims of rape and serious sexual offences receive accurate and timely information about the progress of criminal investigations, as set out in the Victims’ Code.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Government is committed to ensuring that victims of rape and serious sexual offences receive the information they are entitled to under the Victims’ Code. The Code requires criminal justice agencies to keep victims informed about the progress of their case, including key decisions and developments, such as the arrest or charge of a suspect. These updates must normally be provided within five working days, but victims of the most serious crimes, including rape and serious sexual offences, are entitled to Enhanced Rights and should receive updates within one working day.
We recently consulted on a draft new Victims’ Code and sought views on measures to improve the quality and timeliness of communication with victims, the right points and methods to communicate routine updates and more sensitive updates, and on innovative communication options. The consultation closed on 30 April, and we are considering nearly 200 responses ahead of publishing a Government response and bringing a new Code into force.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 also creates a framework to monitor certain criminal justice agencies’ compliance with the Victims’ Code, with duties on those agencies to collect and share information on compliance. Once commenced, the framework will introduce local scrutiny and national oversight of compliance with the Victims' Code. The Victims and Courts Act 2026 strengthened the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner within the framework by requiring the Commissioner to produce their own report on Code compliance, to enable independent oversight of criminal justice agencies’ compliance with the Code.
The Government has also announced a pilot of a single point of contact for victims of rape and sexual offences during the court process, due to begin in 2027, to help ensure they receive information and support as their case progresses. This is part of a wider package of measures to improve the experience of victims of rape and serious sexual offences, including introducing specialist courtrooms, trauma informed training for HMCTS court staff, and the prioritisation of rape and serious sexual offence cases by the judiciary.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what the process is for obtaining export control licences for nuclear-related goods, technology and services.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Controls on nuclear-related exports help ensure that civil nuclear trade can take place while preventing the proliferation of sensitive goods, technology and knowledge that could contribute to nuclear weapons programmes.
Export licences for civil nuclear goods and technology are applied for and processed through SPIRE. The Export Control Joint Unit assess every application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC), which have been laid before Parliament: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, how many cases involving allegations of rape and serious sexual offences were administratively finalised by the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last five years because requested evidence had not been supplied by the investigating police force; and how many of those cases were subsequently reopened.
Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.
The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.
A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.
The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.
The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.
| |||||
PRFI : Action plan or rejection sent pending response | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
Rape Flagged | 444* | 894* | 1,605 | 2,092 | 2,544 |
All Sexual Offences excluding Rape Flagged | 914* | 1,325* | 1,948 | 2,205 | 2,357 |
In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.
The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.
Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.
The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.
The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.
At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of communication failures between police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service on delays in rape and serious sexual offence investigations; and what steps are being taken to improve the tracking of outstanding evidence requests.
Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.
The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.
A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.
The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.
The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.
| |||||
PRFI : Action plan or rejection sent pending response | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
Rape Flagged | 444* | 894* | 1,605 | 2,092 | 2,544 |
All Sexual Offences excluding Rape Flagged | 914* | 1,325* | 1,948 | 2,205 | 2,357 |
In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.
The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.
Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.
The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.
The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.
At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what procedures are in place for reopening cases involving allegations of rape and serious sexual offences that have been administratively closed by the Crown Prosecution Service following a failure by the investigating police force to provide outstanding evidence.
Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.
The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.
A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.
The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.
The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.
| |||||
PRFI : Action plan or rejection sent pending response | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
Rape Flagged | 444* | 894* | 1,605 | 2,092 | 2,544 |
All Sexual Offences excluding Rape Flagged | 914* | 1,325* | 1,948 | 2,205 | 2,357 |
In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.
The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.
Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.
The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.
The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.
At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what guidance the Crown Prosecution Service follows when administratively closing cases involving allegations of rape or serious sexual offences where further evidence has been requested from the investigating police force but has not been received.
Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.
The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.
A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.
The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.
The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.
| |||||
PRFI : Action plan or rejection sent pending response | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
Rape Flagged | 444* | 894* | 1,605 | 2,092 | 2,544 |
All Sexual Offences excluding Rape Flagged | 914* | 1,325* | 1,948 | 2,205 | 2,357 |
In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.
The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.
Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.
The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.
The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.
At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what arrangements exist for identifying responsibility where failures in communication between the police and Crown Prosecution Service result in substantial delays or the administrative closure of cases involving allegations of rape and serious sexual offences.
Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.
The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.
A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.
The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.
The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.
| |||||
PRFI : Action plan or rejection sent pending response | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
Rape Flagged | 444* | 894* | 1,605 | 2,092 | 2,544 |
All Sexual Offences excluding Rape Flagged | 914* | 1,325* | 1,948 | 2,205 | 2,357 |
In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.
The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.
Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.
The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.
The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.
At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, whether the Crown Prosecution Service is required to ensure that victims of rape and serious sexual offences are informed when cases referred by the police are administratively finalised without a charging decision.
Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.
The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.
A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.
The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.
The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.
| |||||
PRFI : Action plan or rejection sent pending response | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
Rape Flagged | 444* | 894* | 1,605 | 2,092 | 2,544 |
All Sexual Offences excluding Rape Flagged | 914* | 1,325* | 1,948 | 2,205 | 2,357 |
In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.
The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.
Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.
The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.
The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.
At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what changes have been made to the export control licensing regime for nuclear-related exports following the Nuclear Regulatory Review and the Government’s response, Building our Nuclear Nation.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This department took an action from the Nuclear Regulatory Review to where appropriate, issue longer term licences and to nominate a single point of contact. We have completed both of these actions.
HM Government takes its export control responsibilities seriously and operates a robust, transparent regime supporting UK prosperity and national and global security.
The Nuclear Regulatory Review did not alter the UK’s international obligations on nuclear non-proliferation or controls governing specified nuclear-related goods, software and technology. The Government’s response recognised the importance of maintaining an effective and proportionate regulatory framework.
Accordingly, the Department committed to issuing longer-term licences where appropriate and nominating a single point of contact for exporters. Both actions have been completed, supporting civil nuclear growth while maintaining the UK’s high standards of safety, security, non-proliferation and regulatory oversight.