Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 07 Jan 2026 Jury Trials
"It will be quite tough to follow that, but here we go.
This has been a very useful debate. Every single contribution, including those from Conservative colleagues, has commented on the crisis in our courts that we inherited from the Conservatives after 14 years. We have heard some suggestions; the …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"As ever, I am happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this or many of the other issues he raises in the House.
Let us be very clear that, as my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Pam Cox) has set out, this is a modest change to jury …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"It is a small number of cases, but they take an inordinate amount of time. That is the whole point of what Sir Brian Leveson has put forward, and in due course, when this legislation comes before the House and the impact assessments are put before it, the hon. Gentleman …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"We treat all cases the same. The hon. Gentleman can make that point in a debate on that subject at another time.
Let me end where I began. The crisis that this Government inherited has no doubt given rise to a heightened need to deliver a more modern, resilient and …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"We absolutely have to drag the criminal justice system into the 21st century by modernising its structures, but the context in which we operate clearly has an effect on that programme. The fact that we have inherited an unprecedented backlog in our criminal court system affects the urgency and radicalism …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"My noble Friend the Minister of State for Justice, Lord Timpson, has today made the following statement:
Today, I am announcing that the Government will table an amendment to the Sentencing Bill to broaden the starting point for sentencing for the murder of a police or prison officer in the …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"Prison security is a top priority. We constantly update our countermeasures to keep pace with criminals who try to undermine them. This year, the Government are investing over £40 million in physical security. That includes £10 million on anti-drone measures. Prisons also have X-ray body scanners, airport-style enhanced security and …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"We have extended the period of time that certain prisoners on standard determinate sentences are eligible for moves into open conditions. We know that open conditions can lead to better outcomes for offenders and confront reoffending. That is because open prisons give offenders better opportunities to find work and re-establish …..." Jake Richards - View Speech
"We have already made it clear during this Justice Question Time that we will not be giving a running commentary on the numbers. This Government are taking action to deal with this problem in our criminal justice system, which, by the way, the Conservatives did nothing about over their 14 …..." Jake Richards - View Speech