Shabana Mahmood comments on the record high courts backlog

Shabana Mahmood MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, commenting on the record courts backlog, said:

“Another record high courts backlog – and a new low for this failing Government.

“The Conservatives’ abysmal mismanagement of the criminal justice system has led to a new record of 66,547 outstanding cases in the Crown Court.

“While the Government continues to outdo its own failures, it is victims up and down this country that are suffering because of this inept leadership.

“It is a basic requirement in a democracy that justice is delivered, and the law enforced – in a timely way. So it’s no wonder people have lost faith in the system when it takes years to even go to trial in some of the most serious offences, including rape.

“Labour will drive down the courts backlog by increasing the number of crown prosecutors to put criminals behind bars and by opening specialist rape courts.”

Ends

Notes

• Criminal court statistics quarterly: April to June 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)