Common Platform dispute

Early day motion 519, tabled 31 October 2022 by Liz Saville-Roberts (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 20 members.

That this House supports members of the Public and Commercial Services union employed as legal advisors and court associates by His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service who are taking strike action in a dispute over the roll-out of the Common Platform; notes that the Common Platform is supposed to be a shared interface between all criminal justice process users, where cradle-to-grave details of a case can be entered, recorded and accessed as appropriate by each agency, becoming an integral part of the criminal justice system; is aware that PCS members have raised numerous concerns regarding the roll-out of the digitalised system, including warrants not reaching prisons, defendants being released from custody in error and protective orders not reaching the police; is concerned by reports that HMCTS had indicated to staff representatives that it would pause the roll-out until the new year but have since reneged on this offer, instead continuing to roll-out the failing system; and calls on the Government to intervene urgently to ensure that the justice system is served by a properly functioning system that is supported by staff and serves victims and defendants effectively.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Plaid Cymru 3, Independent 2, Scottish National Party 2, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.