Labour pledged during the election campaign to use vacant rooms and buildings on crown court sites to fast-track rape cases and reduce the numbers awaiting trial.

In its manifesto, Labour said specifically it would “fast-track rape cases through specialist courts at every crown court location in England and Wales”, suggesting it was an urgent priority and a key element of its commitment to tackle violence against women and girls.

Just 2.6% of rape cases in England and Wales result in a charge.

When asked what had happened to the pledge and whether any new rape courts had been set up in the first six months of the Labour government, an MoJ spokesperson said: “The government has committed to halving violence against women and girls. We are carefully considering how to fast-track rape cases through the system as part of this work.”

The spokesperson added: “Since July, we have begun work to deliver swifter justice for victims. We have funded 2,500 extra sitting days in the crown courts, taking our courts to their highest capacity in a decade.

“We have also doubled magistrates’ sentencing powers, freeing up time in the crown courts to hear the most serious cases. And we have commissioned Sir Brian Leveson to recommend once-in-a-generation reform of our criminal courts, reporting in spring this year.”

Government sources said ministers were now “carefully considering” how to move forward, with any decisions waiting until after Leveson’s findings.

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The sources also made clear that ministers would work “with the judiciary to do this” rather than impose solutions from the top.

Labour ministers have already announced funding will be provided for 2,500 more sitting days in crown courts and have extended magistrates’ sentencing powers from six to 12 months to allow crown courts to handle more of the most serious cases.

While increases in funding for ­justice announced in last November’s budget were welcomed, they are not seen as being sufficient on their own without radical changes to the court system.

Rogers said a separate sentencing review being conducted by former Tory justice secretary David Gauke was also welcome but emphasised it would not happen quickly. In the meantime, he added, victims were being let down every day as the backlog increased and were pulling out of one in three crown court trials.

Source: www.theguardian.com