The Timms Review, the first ever full review of PIP, seeks to ensure we have a system that supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.

The Review is being co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, carers, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. It has adopted a mix of approaches combining lived experience, expert insight, existing research, new quantitative data and workshops across the UK to gather evidence. The findings from this engagement will build a strong evidence base to inform policy analysis and the Review's recommendations.

The Timms Review Call for Evidence was open to anyone who wished to contribute and received over 38,000 responses. The response form did not ask participants to provide information about whether or not they currently received PIP. Therefore, we do not hold the data requested.

The Ministry of Justice is investing £550 million in victim support services over the next three years – the biggest investment in victim support services to date.

This funding includes:

- Funding for Police and Crime Commissioners who ensure victims can access local support that is best suited for them, including ring-fenced funding for community domestic abuse and sexual violence services

- The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF) which funds 60 local specialist support services for sexual violence victims and survivors

- A national 24/7 sexual violence helpline

- The National Homicide Service

- The National Witness Service

In addition to the £550 million for support services in England and Wales, the Government is also investing £6 million over the next two years to deliver free, Independent Legal Advisers (ILAs) for victims of adult rape and assault by penetration to help them to understand their legal rights and navigate the legal system.

This work forms part of the wider cross-government VAWG strategy, with activity being undertaken across a number of departments to deliver a coordinated approach to preventing and responding to violence against women and girls.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also announced it is providing £499 million over the next three years to ensure vital support in domestic abuse safe accommodation is available to all victims when they need it.

In addition, the Ministry of Justice ran a consultation on a new Victims’ Code to make sure we get the foundations right for victims. The consultation sought the view of sector experts, criminal justice practitioners, young people and victims themselves on a number of proposals to ensure victims needs are met, and how to raise awareness and understanding of the Code. We are now taking time to consider responses, and we will issue a public response ahead of finalising the new Code and bringing it into force.

HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) has a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure all our users are treated fairly and that we do not discriminate against people with protected characteristics.

HMCTS will provide reasonable adjustments for court and tribunal users with disabilities. Court and tribunal users are encouraged to get in touch with HMCTS to discuss any particular adjustments they may need. HMCTS staff will sensitively ask those needing reasonable adjustments what support they require in order to be able to provide reasonable adjustments and will aim to list cases at suitable venues when there are access needs.

The Equal Treatment Bench Book, published by Judicial College (https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/diversity/equal-treatment-bench-book/) contains guidance on fair treatment, equality issues and general information on disability issues and religion for judges.

Witnesses are eligible to apply for special measures to support them to give their best evidence during criminal proceedings.

Special measures, under the YJCEA, include:

• Screens to prevent the witness seeing or being seen by the defendant
• Video link to enable the witness to give live evidence from outside the trial courtroom
• Evidence given in private
• Removal of wigs and gowns to make proceedings less intimidating
• Video-recorded interviews used as evidence-in-chief
• Pre-recorded cross-examination
• Intermediaries to assist with communication
• Communication aids such as symbol boards

Special Measures play an important role in facilitating access to justice for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. The Crown Prosecution Service will support witnesses by making an application for the most beneficial special measures when it is appropriate to do so.

David Ormerod was appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice as an Expert Advisor on the future of criminal courts for children via the Direct Ministerial Appointments process. As set out in the published Terms of Reference, the Expert Advisor will be supported by a panel of independent experts and a dedicated Secretariat. The estimated total cost of this work, including salary and expense arrangements of everyone involved cannot be confirmed until the composition of the panel and the Secretariat have been finalised. However, the remuneration arrangements for the Expert Advisor are confirmed and are available here. The evidence gathering phase of this work will involve consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. It will be for the Expert Advisor and the panel members to determine which specific individuals and organisations they intend to consult in due course.

David Ormerod was appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice as an Expert Advisor on the future of criminal courts for children via the Direct Ministerial Appointments process. As set out in the published Terms of Reference, the Expert Advisor will be supported by a panel of independent experts and a dedicated Secretariat. The estimated total cost of this work, including salary and expense arrangements of everyone involved cannot be confirmed until the composition of the panel and the Secretariat have been finalised. However, the remuneration arrangements for the Expert Advisor are confirmed and are available here. The evidence gathering phase of this work will involve consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. It will be for the Expert Advisor and the panel members to determine which specific individuals and organisations they intend to consult in due course.

David Ormerod was appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice as an Expert Advisor on the future of criminal courts for children via the Direct Ministerial Appointments process. As set out in the published Terms of Reference, the Expert Advisor will be supported by a panel of independent experts and a dedicated Secretariat. The estimated total cost of this work, including salary and expense arrangements of everyone involved cannot be confirmed until the composition of the panel and the Secretariat have been finalised. However, the remuneration arrangements for the Expert Advisor are confirmed and are available here. The evidence gathering phase of this work will involve consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. It will be for the Expert Advisor and the panel members to determine which specific individuals and organisations they intend to consult in due course.

David Ormerod was appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice as an Expert Advisor on the future of criminal courts for children via the Direct Ministerial Appointments process. As set out in the published Terms of Reference, the Expert Advisor will be supported by a panel of independent experts and a dedicated Secretariat. The estimated total cost of this work, including salary and expense arrangements of everyone involved cannot be confirmed until the composition of the panel and the Secretariat have been finalised. However, the remuneration arrangements for the Expert Advisor are confirmed and are available here. The evidence gathering phase of this work will involve consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. It will be for the Expert Advisor and the panel members to determine which specific individuals and organisations they intend to consult in due course.

David Ormerod was appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice as an Expert Advisor on the future of criminal courts for children via the Direct Ministerial Appointments process. As set out in the published Terms of Reference, the Expert Advisor will be supported by a panel of independent experts and a dedicated Secretariat. The estimated total cost of this work, including salary and expense arrangements of everyone involved cannot be confirmed until the composition of the panel and the Secretariat have been finalised. However, the remuneration arrangements for the Expert Advisor are confirmed and are available here. The evidence gathering phase of this work will involve consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. It will be for the Expert Advisor and the panel members to determine which specific individuals and organisations they intend to consult in due course.

The Government inherited a justice system in crisis, with a record and rising caseload. We know that some victims are waiting years for justice – justice delayed is justice denied. This is why the Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to make recommendations for how to restore stability and confidence in the criminal courts. Sir Brian’s report set out a blueprint for pragmatic structural reform in our criminal courts and made clear that it is only by pulling every lever we have – investment, efficiency and reform – that we can we turn the tide on the backlog and begin to swifter justice for all. The Courts and Tribunals Bill is the first step to putting the reform blueprint into law.

For vulnerable witnesses, through the Courts and Tribunals Bill, we are also strengthening access to special measures, including a measure to enable vulnerable witnesses to be accompanied by a supporter when giving evidence.

For children - the listing of cases is a judicial function, but all cases in the magistrates’ and Crown courts that involve child witnesses are prioritised and regularly reviewed to ensure they are being listed as expeditiously as possible. Special measures may also apply to allow the child to pre-record their evidence. Later this year, the Lady Chief Justice plans to issue a revised practice direction, which should, amongst other things, make the prioritisation of cases requiring hearing more effective, consistent and predictable.

The Ministry of Justice does not routinely collect the information requested. However, an impact evaluation of section 28, published by the Department in March 2025, provides relevant data for the period January 2019 to September 2022. This evaluation found that in section 28 cases, pre-recorded cross-examinations occurred an average (mean) of 193.3 days earlier than the first trial hearing date. The evaluation did not include data on the maximum time for this interval.

The listing of cases, including decisions as to the court centre at which a case is heard, is a judicial responsibility and function. As things currently stand, the Criminal Practice Directions 2023, made by and under the authority of the Lady Chief Justice, provide that all cases are brought to a hearing or trial in accordance with the interests of justice, that resources available are deployed as effectively as possible and with minimum delay.

The transfer of cases between court centres is subject to agreement of the relevant leadership judges and guidance of the Presiding Judges of the relevant circuit or circuits.

The Criminal Practice Directions 2023 sets out the key principles of listing practice. This includes that priority should be accorded to the trial of young defendants and cases where there are vulnerable or young witnesses.

Later this year, the Lady Chief Justice plans to issue a revised practice direction, which should, amongst other things, make the prioritisation of cases requiring hearing more effective, consistent and predictable.

On 18 May 2026, the Government announced the appointment of Professor David Ormerod CBE, KC (Hon) as Expert Adviser to examine the future of criminal courts for children. This work will begin in June 2026 and is expected to report by August 2027.

The Terms of Reference for this work has been published: Future of criminal courts for children: Terms of Reference - GOV.UK. As set out in these Terms, the work will include looking at what can be learned from approaches in other jurisdictions and international comparators. It will be a matter for Professor Ormerod to determine which specific jurisdictions and international comparators in due course.

On 18 May 2026, the Government announced the appointment of Professor David Ormerod CBE, KC (Hon) as Expert Adviser to examine the future of criminal courts for children. This work will begin in June 2026 and is expected to report by August 2027.

The Terms of Reference for this work has been published: Future of criminal courts for children: Terms of Reference - GOV.UK. As set out in these Terms, the work will include looking at what can be learned from approaches in other jurisdictions and international comparators. It will be a matter for Professor Ormerod to determine which specific jurisdictions and international comparators in due course.

The specific information requested regarding delays to hearings and trials is not held. However, data on trials that have been ineffective or vacated is published in the Criminal Courts Accredited Official Statistics. The latest available data including reasons for trial outcomes can be found in the ‘Trial Effectiveness at the Criminal Courts tool’ here: Criminal court statistics quarterly: October to December 2025 - GOV.UK.

Police Witness Care Units (WCUs) are integral to the criminal justice system which is reflected in their statutory obligations under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims’ Code). The Victims’ Code is clear that WCUs must inform victims of the time, date and location of any hearing. Right 8.1 sets out that WCUs must do this within 1 working day of them receiving the information from the court.

The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 created a framework to monitor criminal justice agencies' compliance with the Victims' Code, including legislative duties for agencies to collect and share information on Code compliance. Alongside this, we are exploring digital and data improvements to strengthen data sharing cross the criminal justice system in order to streamline and improve victim experience.

This Government is committed to ensuring victims and witnesses have the information and support they need to navigate court proceedings. That is why we are consulting on a new Victims’ Code to ensure we get the foundations right for victims.

The Government values the independent and robust oversight which the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) provides. The Justice and Security Act 2013 (JSA2013) was designed to ensure the ISC has the necessary access to highly classified material while protecting national security. The Government remains confident current arrangements remain fit for purpose.