Fifty-Second Report - Key challenges facing the Ministry of Justice
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 1190
24 March 2021
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Fifty-second report from Session 2019-21 · published 2 Sep 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
10
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Government has also committed additional funding to support the court system to reduce the backlogs,...
Conclusion
Government has also committed additional funding to support the court system to reduce the backlogs, including by making court rooms safe through the installation of plexiglass and introducing 40 Nightingale courts, with plans to increase this by a further 20 …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government reiterates the Lord Chancellor's commitment to run Crown Courts to the fullest extent possible with no limit on sitting days and describes ongoing work to maximize hearings. HMCTS and the senior judiciary have published a plan to restore Magistrates' Court listing and timings to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021.
HM Treasury
View Details
12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We have previously reported on HMCTS’s £1.2 billion programme to modernise courts, a very ambitious...
Conclusion
We have previously reported on HMCTS’s £1.2 billion programme to modernise courts, a very ambitious programme aiming to change how people access justice using more technology, closing courts and centralising customer service. We were concerned that HMCTS was at risk …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about the HMCTS modernisation programme, confirming the reform is still due by December 2023 without extension despite pandemic adjustments. It details an additional £8 million investment in data infrastructure and management, and the publication of an evaluation framework for the reform programme in May 2021, with a further update planned for autumn 2021.
HM Treasury
View Details
15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We have previously reported that the Ministry and HMPPS’ management of the prison estate has...
Conclusion
We have previously reported that the Ministry and HMPPS’ management of the prison estate has resulted in a staggering backlog of maintenance work.21 The backlog in maintenance is now estimated at £1 billion. The recent spending review included £315 million …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concern about the maintenance backlog by confirming £315 million in capital funding for 2021-22 to extend critical refurbishment projects and begin tackling it. It also reiterates its commitment to developing a robust long-term strategy for the prison estate.
HM Treasury
View Details
16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We received evidence from the Bar Council raising concerns around the safety of court staff...
Conclusion
We received evidence from the Bar Council raising concerns around the safety of court staff during the pandemic. A recent survey they conducted showed 84% of barristers who attended court in December 2020 had concerns about their safety and wellbeing.23 …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of staff and describes existing support measures, including increased visibility of senior leaders and an extensive program of support services and wellbeing events. It commits to continue focusing on staff support as it adapts to easing restrictions.
HM Treasury
View Details