Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government is taking to protect vulnerable witnesses when they testify in court.

We are committed to helping vulnerable and intimidated witnesses give their best possible evidence so that offenders are brought to justice.

A range of measures exist to help reduce the anxiety of going to court. These include giving evidence away from the court room, from behind a screen or via an intermediary.

We announced on 15 September that the pre-recording of cross examination of vulnerable victims and witnesses away from the court room will be rolled-out to all Crown Courts from early 2017.

Options for improving protections for the vulnerable in the family justicy system are now being considered as part of work on wider family justice strategy.