Andy Slaughter MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Minister, responding the government’s consultation on the closure of 91 courts and tribunals, said:

“It is right that the costs of our courts need to be reduced and we will engage fully with the consultation.

“The government must make sure that this doesn’t lead to people being denied justice. To suggest that an hour by car should be the benchmark is out of touch – many victims, witnesses and defendants in rural areas rely on public transport which is just not up to the job of getting them to court on time.

“Labour has long said that we should look at alternative ways of bringing justice closer to people so we welcome the fact that the government has listened to our proposals.

“Many of the courts closed by the last government sat empty for months, costing millions in upkeep. The government will need to ensure that any future courts closed will be disposed of expeditiously and provide value for money for the taxpayer.”