Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to reduce the cost of court transcripts for victims.

We currently offer free transcripts of the judge’s sentencing remarks in some circumstances and are piloting extending this to victims of rape and serious sexual offences.

I understand transcripts may help individuals obtain closure on traumatic events.

Transcripts must be 100% accurate. Anyone who has used voice dictation technology will know mistakes can be made. I will continue to keep this under review but have to balance costs against many other competing priorities within the court budget.