Speeches by Juss.

“I am just trying to understand what your definition of a high-risk offender is. My assumption is that it would be someone who is most likely to reoffend. Is that the same as your definition?”

“What about contingency plans? If you do not manage to recruit 7,000 magistrates, have you given any thought to perhaps recruiting district judges to sit in the magistrates court?”

“I have a couple more quick questions. First, magistrates will be dealing with more complex cases, with increased sentencing powers. Are you thinking of giving them any extra training to deal with those complex cases? Secondly, I am concerned about the shortage of magistrates. Can anything more be done to recruit them? …”

“Can I follow up on Pam’s questions? I understand that 80% of people in prison are reoffenders, so it seems quite obvious that if you reduce reoffending, you will reduce the prison population. When we did the inquiry on drugs in prison, I remember asking a witness—I cannot remember their name—the main reason why we have…”

“Once the measures in the Bill are in force, are you worried about some defendants not being eligible for legal aid and perhaps being unrepresented in court?”

“I thank the Chancellor for her condolences. I was at the site of the tragedy on Sunday laying flowers. It is very upsetting for everyone in my constituency. One of my favourite places for lunch is the Pomegranate Café, together with the Central Community Shop, in my constituency. It is a community-based social enterpri…”

“12. What steps she has taken to help support people with the cost of living in Wolverhampton West constituency.”

“Sir Brian Leveson recommended increasing the income thresholds for legal aid in the magistrates courts, in the same way that has been done in the Crown court. Is that something you are thinking of taking forward?”

“Good afternoon. I am Warinder Juss, Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton West. I am a solicitor, but am not practising at the moment. I am a member of the GMB executive council and various APPGs, as well as being an officer of the First Do No Harm APPG.”

“I have some questions about the criminal courts. The measures in the Courts and Tribunals Bill are supposed to come into force by March 2028. What operational and workforce changes will need to be implemented for that?”

“The impact assessment that accompanied the Bill suggested that the number of sitting days for magistrates courts would increase by about 8,500. The caseload currently is nearly 380,000. With that increase, do you think that there is a risk of Crown court work being transferred to the magistrates court? How do you feel …”

“On the eve of International Workers’ Memorial Day, this debate is highly appropriate. Does my hon. Friend agree that, as trade unionists and parliamentarians, we should commemorate that day tomorrow?”

“Good afternoon. I am Warinder Juss, Member of Parliament in Wolverhampton West. I am a solicitor with a practising certificate but I am not practising at the moment. I am a member of the GMB trade union executive council and a member of various APPGs.”

“Ofsted has said that there is a decade of declining quality in SEND support, but I think all three of you are saying that you are doing better in being able to have individual learning plans being followed in your establishments than is happening in the community.”

“I will move on to neurodiversity in your establishments, which we touched upon in the beginning. We understand that many children come to your establishments when they have undiagnosed neurodiversity conditions. Are you able to take any steps in your respective establishments in order to identify those needs, and how a…”

“With the STC, Mr Wragg, there is a statutory requirement to provide 30 hours of purposeful activity per week. Are you achieving that?”

“As regards the need to keep certain groups separate, you feel that you have done enough to make sure that they still get their hours of education?”

“Mr Scott, we are told that inspection reports suggest that some children are not able to attend classes because they have a difficulty in mixing with other children. Have you experienced that?”

“I think you mentioned earlier, Mr Scott, that you do not have an issue with recruitment and staff shortages?”

“What about Ms Ashurst and Mr Wragg; do you have any issue with staff shortages or not?”