Shadow justice secretary David Lammy
by Niall Christie
Scotland Editor
BRITAIN’S justice system is “besieged on all sides” and “huge” backlogs are causing “unacceptably long” delays for victims and the public, MPs have warned.
A report by Westminster’s public accounts committee (PAC) raises concerns that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) faces “significant risks” in the court, prison and probation systems, and does not have a clear sense of priorities.
The study said that the pandemic had exacerbated existing problems in the justice system which was now under “unprecedented pressure” and highlighted “clear signs of strain” on courts, prison and probation staff.
PCS members face dangerous working conditions in crumbling buildings while the Common Platform IT system obstructs rather than streamlines operations — and Labour’s promised wave of insourcing has not materialised, writes SHARON McLEAN
