12th Report - Crown Court backlogs
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 348
5 March 2025
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Twelfth report from Session 2024-25 · published 16 May 2025
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
4
Conclusion
Deferred
Urgently reduce remand numbers to 2019 levels and publish granular remand population data.
Conclusion
The remand population is at its highest number for 50 years, and the length of time some defendants on remand wait for their cases to be heard is disrupting their lives and their families’ lives, and adding to prison overcrowding. …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees but deflects responsibility for reducing remand numbers to the independent judiciary and its existing actions. It will consider further steps only after receiving recommendations from the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts.
HM Treasury
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1
Conclusion
Deferred
Committee took evidence on reducing the Crown Court case backlog.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) about reducing the backlog of cases in the Crown Court.1
Government Response Summary
The government agrees but deflects responsibility, stating it will consider implementation plans for reforms from the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts once its recommendations are received.
HM Treasury
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9
Conclusion
Deferred
MoJ's ambition to reduce the Crown Court backlog is contingent on the Leveson Review.
Conclusion
When asked about its current ambition for the level of open Crown Court cases, MoJ said that the crucial factor in achieving a reduction in the backlog is the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts (the Leveson Review), which MoJ …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee's perspective, stating that work is already underway to prepare for a swift response and implementation of recommendations from the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts once received in July 2025, and that MoJ is actively considering implementation plans for proposed reform options.
HM Treasury
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10
Conclusion
Deferred
MoJ and HMCTS acknowledge numerous backlog issues but are deferring action pending the Leveson Review.
Conclusion
We heard of the many issues that MoJ and HMCTS know need addressing if they are to reduce the backlog, but which they are waiting for the Leveson review to report on: poor case preparation, defendants being absent or not …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion, outlining numerous ongoing actions to reduce the Crown Court backlog. However, it acknowledges these are insufficient for substantial reform and confirms its reliance on the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts (Leveson Review) which is due in Spring 2025, with work already underway to plan for implementing its recommendations.
HM Treasury
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11
Conclusion
Deferred
MoJ and HMCTS's excessive reliance on the Leveson Review risks further backlog growth.
Conclusion
The Leveson Review is expected to report in two parts: firstly, in late Spring 2025 on options for long–term reform, and then not until Autumn 2025 on efficiency and timeliness.22 Until those reports, MoJ told us that it expects the …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's concern, outlining extensive ongoing work to reduce the Crown Court backlog. However, it acknowledges that these actions are insufficient for substantial reform and confirms its anticipation of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts' recommendations in Spring 2025, with plans already being considered for swift response and implementation.
HM Treasury
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17
Conclusion
Deferred
Backlog directly correlates with remand population, increasing prison pressures and leading to 'time served' releases.
Conclusion
MoJ told us that there is a direct correlation between the number of cases in the backlog and the size of the remand population awaiting trial, and that this is adding to prison capacity pressures and making it harder to …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion, noting judges already prioritise remand cases and existing actions should help. However, it states the Lord Chancellor will continue discussions on prioritisation, the MoJ is exploring initiatives to address time spent on remand, and will consider further steps once it receives recommendations from the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts.
HM Treasury
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