Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the current average waiting time is for evidence submitted to Digital Forensics Units to be processed; how many cases are currently awaiting processing; and how many criminal cases have been delayed as a result of backlogs.

The Home Office does not hold the information requested, but we recognise that digital forensic backlogs remain a significant challenge. Increasing numbers of seized devices, growing data volumes, rapid technological change and workforce pressures can contribute to delays in digital examinations. Police reform will enable the creation of national governance in the National Police Service, which will provide a national service to policing and ultimately benefit victims and the criminal justice. We have appointed a dedicated Director of Forensic Services to lead this transformation.