Starmer vows to push ahead with cuts to jury trials despite backlash

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the government is pushing ahead with plans to halve the number of jury trials in England and Wales because he had given his word to crime victims that he would tackle delays to justice.

The government is facing a rebellion by Labour MPs over the proposals, which are aimed at cutting the huge backlog in cases that built up during the Covid pandemic.

Opponents argue that judge-only trials for less serious cases would undermine public trust and have little impact on the backlog.

Asked if he will bow to pressure and reverse the plans or water them down, the PM said it was a "point of principle" for him as a former prosecutor to reduce court delays.

Speaking to reporters en route to Beijing, where he is due to hold talks with President Xi Jinping, Sir Keir said: "I've been working with victims of crime for a very long time, and they have to wait too long for justice.

"And I'm not just talking about a Covid problem."

He added: "I have given my word to campaigners on violence against women and girls and to victims that I will do everything within my power to make sure they get justice.

"And they have to wait so long they're not getting justice, so many of them fall away, pull out because they're waiting too long, and I'm not prepared to allow that to happen for any longer, which is why we're taking these measures."

He also pointed out that only 3% of criminal cases went to a jury trial, adding "there will be a slightly lesser percent after these changes, but that's the change that we're talking about."

Latest Ministry of Justice figures showed more than 79,600 criminal cases were caught in the courts backlog in England and Wales - a record high since early 2023 - and the figure is projected to hit 100,000 by 2028.

The delays mean that for some serious crimes charged in 2026, victims and suspects could be left waiting years for justice as they are unlikely to see the case come to trial before 2030.

Justice Secretary David Lammy has said he believes the backlog can be cleared by the mid-2030s under his proposals and that it will start to fall by 2029.

The MoJ has estimated that just under half of trials currently put before a jury could instead by heard by magistrates or a judge sitting alone.

Defendants who are likely to receive a sentence of three years or less would no longer be able to choose a jury trial under Lammy's proposals.

The ability to appeal against a magistrates' court verdict to a crown court would also be limited - but the most serious cases, such as murder, robbery and rape, would continue to be eligible for a jury trial.

Lammy has launched a recruitment drive for more volunteer magistrates to help tackle the backlog but he has yet to draw up legislation to limit crown court trials.

Dozens of Labour MPs have expressed concern about the plan and it is also likely to be resisted by all of the main opposition parties.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said it "risks fairness, undermines public trust, and erodes the very foundation of our justice system".

Karl Turner, a former criminal barrister who was the only Labour MP to vote for a Conservative motion opposing the plans, has claimed the proposed changes are all about "saving money".

"David Lammy has no backbone and Keir Starmer should be utterly ashamed of himself for allowing Lammy to fall for this civil servant's trick," he told Sky News.

He added: "They need to U-turn immediately, just as they U-turn on everything else."

The Institute for Government think tank has argued that Lammy's plans would only result in a "modest" reduction in the time taken to deal with cases and the government should instead focus on improving productivity in the courts.

It points to a shortage of criminal lawyers, poor administration and a longstanding lack of investment in court buildings and technology.

Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.