Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to manage the delivery of youth court hearings during a second wave of covid-19.

In consultation with Public Health England, and Public Health Wales, HMCTS has put in place arrangements for social distancing and mitigation of the risks associated with the pandemic. COVID-19: Update on the HMCTS response for Criminal Courts in England and Wales.

These arrangements have, since July, enabled youth courts to conclude more cases every week than have been received, with the safety of all those involved in these hearings being paramount.

We do not currently envisage that it will be necessary to revert to any contingency listing arrangements during a second wave of covid-19. The position will be kept under review.