Justice secretary says reforms are needed to tackle court delays as senior MP threatens by-election

JUSTICE SECRETARY David Lammy has defended plans to restrict the use of jury trials, arguing the changes are necessary to reduce growing delays and “save the criminal justice system”, as opposition mounts within Labour ranks.

The proposals, which would remove the automatic right to a jury trial for offences carrying a likely prison sentence of three years or less, have sparked a rebellion from backbench MPs and concern among parts of the legal profession.

Speaking on Monday (Jan 12), Mr Lammy said the Crown Court backlog in England and Wales — now standing at around 80,000 cases — could not be cleared without significant reform. He said the measures were designed to ensure the system was “fit for purpose” and capable of delivering justice more quickly for victims and defendants alike.

Mr Lammy recently visited Canada to examine its use of judge-only trials, where many criminal cases are heard without a jury. He said the approach had operated there for decades and was “very normal”, adding that in some cases defendants preferred being tried by a single judge.

He said he was open to a “sunset clause” that would make the changes temporary, allowing Parliament to review their impact. He said he hoped the backlog would be significantly reduced by 2029, ahead of the next general election, and cleared entirely by the mid-2030s.

However, the plans have triggered a fierce response from Labour MP Karl Turner, a former shadow attorney general and practising criminal barrister. Mr Turner has warned he would consider resigning from Parliament to force a by-election unless the proposals are dropped.

Breaking the Labour whip for the first time since entering the Commons in 2010, Mr Turner sided with the Conservatives in a protest vote against the reforms. He accused the Government of undermining a cornerstone of the justice system and told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, himself a former director of public prosecutions, that he “ought to be ashamed”.

In interviews with The Sunday Times and Times Radio, Mr Turner said he was “completely ashamed” of the proposals and claimed Mr Lammy had been misled by civil servants pushing for long-standing changes.

He also warned that a by-election in his Hull East seat, which he won with a majority of 3,920 in 2024, could be vulnerable to Reform UK.

Despite the growing unease on the Labour benches, the Government is expected to press ahead with legislation, insisting the reforms are essential to prevent further delays and restore confidence in the criminal courts.

Schools and colleges throughout Wales are gearing up for gold stars thanks to an additional £20 million funding allocation to support essential capital repairs and maintenance.

The funding, which is part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, will support large scale maintenance works such as the replacement of roofs, window systems, heating and ventilation systems, and electrical works.

The Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme has already rebuilt or refurbished 20% of the school estate over the last decade, and the funding for capital maintenance during 2025-26 now totals £50 million. 

The Welsh Government’s total 2025-26 investment allocation through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme is now £391 million – the highest annual investment since commencing in 2014. 

The programme also assists Wales’s climate goals as all maintenance works funded through this allocation must help reduce energy use and carbon emissions. The funding aids improvements such as better insulation, efficient heating and energy-efficient windows creating more sustainable learning environments that are cheaper to run and better for the environment. 

“Maintaining our schools and colleges in good condition is essential for providing the best learning environments for our young people,” commented the cabinet secretary for education, Lynne Neagle.

“Since 2018, we have invested £314 million  in maintenance for schools and colleges across Wales. This additional £20 million will help local authorities and colleges address maintenance needs and demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our education estate is fit for purpose whilst driving forward targets for a net zero carbon Education Estate in Wales.”

Call for closer partnership with business ahead of May elections

WITH just over 100 days to go until the Senedd elections in May, Institute of Directors Wales has published a new manifesto urging the next Welsh Government to work more closely with business and create the conditions needed for long-term, sustainable economic growth across Wales.

The manifesto draws on IoD Wales’ latest State of the Nation survey, which highlights the key pressures facing firms. Skills shortages remain the biggest concern for businesses in Wales, cited by 39 per cent of respondents. This is followed by policy uncertainty at 36 per cent, and the rising cost of labour and materials at 29 per cent — challenges the organisation warns could constrain investment, productivity and growth if left unresolved.

To unlock Wales’ economic potential, IoD Wales is calling on the next administration at the Senedd to simplify access to business support by improving the visibility of advice and funding, while investing in infrastructure that directly supports economic development and connectivity across sectors.

The manifesto also urges ministers to embed skills development at every stage — from education and vocational routes through to lifelong learning and professional development for directors — in order to address both current and future skills gaps. In addition, it calls for greater long-term certainty by aligning investment with sectors where Wales has clear strengths and adopting a more place-based approach to economic development.

Cross-border collaboration, particularly with England, is also highlighted as a priority to make better use of shared resources, talent and market opportunities.

Commenting on the launch, Richard Selby MBE DL, co-founder of Pro Steel Engineering and national chair of IoD Wales, said the manifesto was being published at a “pivotal moment” for the country.

He said: “With major economic choices ahead, the next Welsh Government must focus on creating a genuinely pro-business environment that supports entrepreneurship, encourages innovation and attracts investment across all parts of Wales.

“This manifesto sets out a positive and practical vision for how collaboration, strong governance and responsible leadership can help unlock sustainable growth.”

Marc Strathie, senior policy adviser for devolved nations at the Institute of Directors, said the document reflected extensive engagement with members and the realities facing firms on the ground.

He added: “From persistent skills shortages to ongoing policy uncertainty, these are real challenges for Welsh businesses. The manifesto sets out practical, deliverable recommendations, and directors across Wales stand ready to play their part in building a more confident, enterprising and prosperous nation.”

The IoD Wales manifesto is available online and can be accessed in both English and Welsh.