Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Pochin Excerpts

Tuesday 19th May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Gregory Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) (Con)]

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

[Sarah Pochin (Runcorn and Helsby) (Reform)]

20. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of restricting the right to trial by jury in some circumstances on levels of public confidence in the criminal justice system.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)]

We inherited a justice system in crisis, with a backlog of over 80,000 cases—double what it was in the pre-covid era—and with victims, witnesses and defendants waiting years for justice. That is what truly undermines confidence in our justice system. Justice delayed is justice denied. Only by pulling every lever—investment, efficiency and reform—can we turn the tide.

[Mr Lammy]

If the hon. Gentleman were serious, he would get on top of the detail. We are not scrapping juries; juries remain a cornerstone of our system. Just as Margaret Thatcher made changes to the jury system, and just as the Blair Government made changes to the jury system, we are making changes to bring down the backlog.

[Sarah Pochin]

On Saturday, the Secretary of State promised extra court time for anyone arrested at the “Unite the Kingdom” march, yet there are grooming gang survivors who have waited more than 20 years for their cases to come to court. How is it that he is able to find court time to arrest protesters, yet some victims of vile sexual abuse are waiting decades to have their cases heard in court?