Local MP outraged as coalition admit we have not thought about effects closures

Dudley North MP Ian Austin has continued his fight to save local magistrates courts by heaping pressure on the Government ministers responsible for the cuts.

Austin grilled Justice ministers on their plans to close local magistrates courts demanding they make clear what effect the cuts will have on the time it takes local criminals to be brought to justice and how many of the current staff at magistrates courts will lose their jobs.

In response to Austin’s questions the coalition Government has admitted that ‘no estimate has been made of the effect on average case completion times of the courts estate proposal’ and that courts will be closed without any estimate being made.  The Government also stated that it has yet to finalise its plan for staff at the courts.

Austin also asked the Secretary of State if he will make a statement to the House of Commons on his decision to close 103 magistrates court, allowing MP’s to question him in greater detail about the effects the cuts will have on the service.  As yet the Secretary of State has refused to answer this question.

Ian Austin MP said:

“I am horrified to find out that the Government have not even bothered to look into the effects of their cuts.  It shows how desperate they are to cut public services to the bone that they will close courts without even looking into the effect on the justice system and its staff.”

“I'm worried that when these closures go ahead fewer victims of crime will get justice and it's really important that justice is administered locally so that residents can see local criminals are being punished.”

“I am also concerned that the victims of crime and their families will have to wait longer before they get justice.”