Ellie Reeves

Ellie Reeves

Labour — Lewisham West and East Dulwich

Speaking in the House of Commons on 19 March 2026

Debate

Courts and Tribunals Bill

Contribution

I am sure the hon. Gentleman listened to what the Deputy Prime Minister had to say at Justice questions two days ago. The reality is that the last Conservative Government left the justice system on its knees, with a backlog of 80,000 cases, which, without both investment and reform, will simply go up. That is why we are funding unlimited sitting days, increasing spending on criminal defence lawyers and investing in the crumbling courts that the last Government left behind. But Sir Brian was clear that investment alone would not tackle the backlog sufficiently, and that is why radical reform is also needed.

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