Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Despite previous warnings, the Ministry and HMCTS do not yet have a firm grip on...
Conclusion
Despite previous warnings, the Ministry and HMCTS do not yet have a firm grip on the data they need to understand how effective the court reform programme is or its impact on users. Despite past delays, the Ministry says that the court reform programme was on track to deliver to its revised timescale. The pandemic accelerated plans to introduce more video hearings, and it says that delays to other areas of the reform programme are within planned contingencies. The Ministry recognises that collecting the right data consistently is key to understanding whether its reforms are working and how they are impacting users in the justice system. It has plans to publish the data it has collected on the impact of remote hearings, but we are disappointed that it does not yet have a better handle on what data it needs to assess the success of the court reform programme. This is particularly worrying given our past recommendations and those published in the 2019 Digital Justice Report the Ministry itself commissioned. The Ministry accepted all the recommendations, but it appears not to have made any tangible progress. Recommendation: In its Treasury Minute response, the Ministry should explain how it is managing the impact of the pandemic on the court reform programme, including its plans to respond to the recommendations set out in the 2019 Digital Justice report.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
agree with the conclusion that a centrally directed system was chosen because of a lack of confidence in local authorities. Councils are crucial partners in delivery of shielding support to clinically extremely vulnerable individuals and since July 2020, councils and supermarkets have been supporting access to food. The shielding framework (co-designed with councils) includes a clear set of expectations regarding delivery of shielding support. From the autumn, the government provided councils with funding at a rate of £14.60 per CEV individual per four weeks whilst Shielding guidance was in place. 4.3 Outcomes data from councils in the most recent period of shielding demonstrated good performance in triaging and meeting requests for support from CEV individuals (including those added in February 2021 as a result of the QCovid® coronavirus risk prediction model). Councils’ confidence in their ability to meet requests for support consistently remained high. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) also tracked spend patterns, which will inform future review of funding. 4.4 Shielding was paused on 1 April 2021. As part of contingency planning, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has tested future delivery confidence with nearly all upper tier councils across England, finding that councils are confident in their ability to stand up shielding support rapidly in future. MHCLG continues to work closely with councils and to keep funding under review so councils can support those who need it, whilst providing value for money.