Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
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 manage the prison population.41 The written evidence submitted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons also notes that some people awaiting sentencing are spending so long on remand that upon sentencing they are released from court having already served the length of their sentence while on remand.42 38 C&AG’s Report, para 3.4 39 CCB0008 40 CCB0003 41 Q 47 42 CCB0008, para 13 15 2 Understanding and managing the backlog Planning and adapting to increasing rates of new cases
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.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: October 2025 4.2 Judges are responsible for listing, and remand cases are being prioritised by judges in line with legislative requirements. The government is working hard to enhance the capacity of the criminal justice system to dispose of cases more efficiently, and to that end it has commissioned independent reviews which will report shortly. In light of those reports, the Lord Chancellor will continue to discuss with the Lord Chief Justice the importance of doing all we can, together with CJS partners, to expedite and appropriately prioritise the hearing of remand cases, with particular focus on the oldest cases. 4.3 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: April 2027 4.4 The MoJ is currently exploring several initiatives to address the question of time spent on remand. Based on current proposals, the MoJ anticipate being able to develop improved insights on time spent on remand by the end of March 2026. Any further work to understand the impact and outcomes of this will take additional time beyond that date. Once this data development is complete, MoJ will aim to include them in the relevant publication by April 2027. 4.5 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: October 2025 4.6 There is a close relationship between the outstanding caseload and the prison remand population. While the listing of cases is a matter for the independent judiciary, custody time limits mean that there is a statutory obligation to prioritise the hearing of remand cases. Listing data shows that these cases are being prioritised. 4.7 MoJ’s existing action to reduce the outstanding caseload – including extending magistrates’ court sentencing powers, increasing Crown Court sitting days, and the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts – should help expedite the trials and sentencing of those held on remand. 4.8 MoJ will consider further steps when it receives the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts’ recommendations.