Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Shastri-Hurst Excerpts

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Smith (South West Devon) (Con)]

10. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his proposed changes to jury trials on the criminal justice system.

[Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst (Solihull West and Shirley) (Con)]

11. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his proposed changes to jury trials on the criminal justice system.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

13. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his proposed changes to jury trials on the criminal justice system.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Lammy]

It was not un-British when the Callaghan Government made reforms at the end of the 1970s, and it was not un-British when Margaret Thatcher made changes in 1989. It is precisely because we are lifting the system, which was on its knees under the last Government, that it is absolutely the opposite of un-British to support victims, especially women, who find themselves in the criminal justice system.

[Dr Shastri-Hurst]

The Government’s case for curtailing trial by jury is based on an impact assessment that rests on assumptions, rather than hard evidence. Is it not the truth that the Government are asking Parliament to give up and weaken a fundamental safeguard on the basis of hearsay alone?

[Mr Lammy]

Sir Brian Leveson spent months delivering part 1 and part 2 of his reforms. We are building on that. I have set out that this is a 20% saving. If the hon. Gentleman was Health Secretary—I am not sure he ever will be, but if he were—and he was told that a 20% saving could get the waiting list down, he would take it in an instant; so am I.