Crown Prosecution Service needs sustainable levels of funding to meet demands placed upon it, says FDA

16 Sep 2015 01:01 PM

Following media reports that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is on "the brink of collapse", FDA National Officer for CPS Jawad Raza said:

"The CPS continues to prosecute 600,000 cases each year across England and Wales, despite cuts of around 25% of employees and a third of offices closing since 2010. These reductions have meant that staff are working longer hours, dealing with greater numbers of cases and having less time per case. 

"Whilst the conviction rate remains around 85%, this belies the fact that the Service requires sustainable levels of funding to allow it to undertake the work expected of it. In addition, with the highest levels of reporting of serious sexual offences in a generation, the ubiquitous nature of social media and the existential threats posed by domestic and international terrorism, the Service cannot continue on the road of further cuts while also meeting these demands.

"A dedicated workforce, strong leadership and further efficiency cannot be achieved without comparable levels of investment. If the CPS does not receive funding commensurate with demands, the Service will have to look to what functions it will no longer undertake."

Notes for editors 

  1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 18,000 of the UK's senior public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, diplomats, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

  2. The FDA can be described as "the senior public servants' union" and should be referred to simply as "The FDA". 
  3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union and at www.fda.org.uk.
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