Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken (a) to monitor and (b) improve compliance with the Under 10s Protocol since it was reissued.

This Government is committed to ensuring that very young witnesses receive the support they need through the criminal justice system in an adequate and timely manner. We reviewed the Protocol in 2018 in conjunction with the CPS, HMCTS, Police and Judiciary. Following its publication, briefings and updated training materials have been issued to practitioners and users to ensure the process from first report of a crime to the charging decision and case coming to court for young witnesses under 10 years old is expediated. We expect the relevant agencies to review compliance of the Protocol.