Yasmin
Qureshi MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Minister, responding to the Government’s
announcement of a consultation into the HM Courts and Tribunals Service estate,
said:
“This
consultation should not be a smokescreen for yet more court closures and staff
losses which would further undermine local access to our justice system.
“Tory cuts
have already led to the closure of hundreds of courts and the axing of
thousands of court staff.
“There are
obvious fears that this consultation is just part of the Government’s plan to
cut hundreds of millions of pounds more from the Ministry of Justice budget by
2020.
“The
Government should not proceed with any further court closures until its promised
Courts Bill is published and its reforms can be subjected to full parliamentary
scrutiny.”
Ends
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