Closing summary
The justice secretary, David Lammy, defended his controversial jury reform plans which are facing a significant backbench rebellion in the Commons as the Courts and Tribunals Bill goes through its second reading.
Thousands of lawyers have called on the government to drop the proposals to abolish some jury trials, describing them as poorly evidenced and untested.
Critics also say the plans risk worsening racial bias within the criminal justice system and won’t be that effective at clearing the backlog.
The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said Treasury policies are always “under review” when asked about the planned fuel duty hike which opposition parties want her to reverse in light of the economic turmoil being caused by the escalating US-Israeli war with Iran.
A second British ship could be sent to the eastern Mediterranean if the war continues. Landing ship RFA Lyme Bay is being prepared for a potential deployment to the region.
Nigel Farage was accused of making a U-turn after he said Britain should not get involved in Donald Trump’s war with Iran.
Rural households that rely on heating oil to warm their homes and provide hot water are facing a “sudden and frightening” surge in their bills, with prices almost trebling since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran eleven days ago.
We are closing the blog now. Thanks for following along. You can read more about the proposed court reforms in this story, in which the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, urges fellow MPs to back measures to scrap some jury trials as she reveals she is a victim of the crown court backlog herself. You can read all our political coverage here.
Updated
Worst parts of courts bill will be defeated, Labour MP says as he condemns 'unworkable and unjust' proposals
Karl Turner, the veteran Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East who seems to be leading efforts to defeat the proposals, has said the government’s jury changes are “unworkable, unjust, unpopular and unnecessary”.
The former barrister said he would abstain from voting and believes parliamentary scrutiny of the bill will lead to it being changed. Turner told The Times earlier that had at least 67 names of MPs willing to vote against the government line if the justice secretary, David Lammy, did not offer concessions.
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Turner said:
Jury trial curtailment, the extended powers for sentencing in the magistrates, the removal of the right to elect jury trial for less than three years’ tariff, doing away with the automatic right, which is essentially what it is for appeal from the magistrates, is concerning.
I am more confident now than ever I was that the worst parts of this Bill, will be defeated at amendment stage, and I ask sincerely to my honourable and right honourable friends to let this have a second reading today, and let us make progress to get rid of the bits of this bill which are completely unworkable, unpopular, unjust and unnecessary.
I remain firmly opposed to any erosion of trial by jury. I will abstain at 2nd Reading and work to amend the Bill to remove its worst parts. Today isn’t the moment to defeat the Government, but as the Bill progresses I’m confident we can win the argument. Watch my speech below. pic.twitter.com/Lmv9wTlc7s
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) March 10, 2026
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