As the Parliamentary term came to a close for the year, Members of Parliament have departed Westminster for the Christmas break. Just before the two-week recess, the Government released a slew of data and announcements, a tradition to sneak out unfavorable news on the final day of term.
This year was no exception, with a range of documents containing negative information such as speed camera fines and concerning court statistics. Furthermore, Keir Starmer’s team at No10 caused controversy among political reporters by abruptly canceling afternoon press briefings for the upcoming year.
The Mirror meticulously combed through the quietly released negative news to ensure it did not go unnoticed. Downing Street made the decision to discontinue its daily afternoon press briefing, a move criticized by journalists for potentially hindering Government scrutiny. Instead, Number 10 plans to offer occasional press conferences with ministers or technical briefings to enhance accessibility for content creators and journalists beyond the traditional lobby.
While Number 10’s communication director cited the changing media landscape as the reason for the shift, the lobby’s chairs expressed concern about restricted access and transparency. In a separate development, National Highways disclosed that over 2,600 wrongful speed camera activations occurred on English motorways and A roads due to technical issues. Transport minister Simon Lightwood assured affected drivers of refunds and removal of penalty points.
Additionally, official data unveiled on the last day of Parliament indicated a record-high backlog in the courts. The Ministry of Justice reported a significant increase in open caseloads for crown courts, with a substantial rise in cases lasting over a year. The announcement of potential changes to jury trials for criminals facing shorter sentences has sparked opposition from Labour MPs.
Moreover, the Government’s expenditure on the Covid Inquiry during the first half of the year surpassed £20 million, with significant costs related to staffing and legal expenses. The pause in trials of the Army’s new Ajax armored vehicle due to soldier injuries and the announcement of police force funding variations were also highlighted.
Lastly, an evaluation of adult gender clinics in England revealed extensive waiting times and inadequate patient outcome data, prompting calls for improvements in service quality. As ministers depart for the Christmas break, concerns persist in the farming sector, with calls for policy changes to support profitable farming practices and environmental stewardship.