fair, in the sense of how we use is fair, in the sense of how we use something or the administrative earnings threshold, the expectation that we put on people that can work to work, and that's an important part of making sure the system is fair and ensuring long—term sustainability. is it your assumption that the triple lock should be in place for the entire period of the next parliament? m0 the entire period of the next parliament?— the entire period of the next parliament? ,, l, ,, ~ ,, parliament? no chandler talked about this at the weekend, _ parliament? no chandler talked about this at the weekend, i _ parliament? no chandler talked about this at the weekend, i don't _ parliament? no chandler talked about this at the weekend, i don't think - this at the weekend, i don't think there is anything further to add to what he said. —— the chancellor talked about this. that does not necessarily apply for the whole of the rest of the next parliament, what is your position on that? if thatis what is your position on that? if that is your position, do you genuinely think that is affordable? i do, because the track record of the government is that we make priorities, and making sure that if you have worked hard all your life

you have worked hard all your life you have worked hard all your life you have the dignity that you deserve in retirement is important to me and the government, and the triple lock is an expression of that, so i am actually proud that as a result pensioners are much less likely to be in poverty, they will see an almost £900 increase in the state pension in a couple of weeks. that comes on top of significant support of wintry support. it speaks to the end of country we believe in and the society we believe in and making sure we look after people at that stage of their lies. the triple lock was introduce by the previous conservative government, and be protected and will continue to do so. , , ., . , ., ., so. given the pro'ected profile of sendin: so. given the pro'ected profile of spending on — so. given the projected profile of spending on three _ so. given the projected profile of spending on three things, - so. given the projected profile of spending on three things, state | spending on three things, state pension, working age benefit and the nhs over the next five years, do you think there's something in what the iss said about living in a conspiracy of silence between the two main party frontbenchers about

just how constrained the public finances will be over the next forecast period. we finances will be over the next forecast period.— finances will be over the next forecast period. finances will be over the next forecast eriod. ~ �* ,, .,~ ., forecast period. we can't speak for other parties. _ forecast period. we can't speak for other parties. i _ forecast period. we can't speak for other parties, i can _ forecast period. we can't speak for other parties, i can speak- forecast period. we can't speak for other parties, i can speak for- forecast period. we can't speak for other parties, i can speak for the l other parties, i can speak for the conservative party and the government. we set out plans that continue to have public spending growing in real terms as i outlined yesterday. then it is the work of spending to divvy that up. i do think it is right that we focus on productivity to get more out of the investment we are putting into public services. public services. public sector productivity is around 5% lower than it was today before the pandemic. no one is asking for anything heroic, just return to where we were. obviously the private sector has managed that. just to return to where we were is worth £20 billion a year, and that is a figure that the comptroller general has suggested that as billions of pounds

to get. the overall sector is 5% less productive than it was in 2015. we have got to focus on getting more of the money that we put in, so that we can responsibly cut people's taxes, because i think that is the right thing to do. i believe in working hard and having that hard working hard and having that hard work rewarded, so cutting national insurance by the four points that we have done, £900 tax cut, we want to go further. that includes welfare, getting pro tharupathi so we can continue cutting people's taxes. idols? continue cutting people's taxes. now we move to — continue cutting people's taxes. now we move to the _ continue cutting people's taxes. now we move to the justice committee. prime _ we move to the justice committee. prime minister, would you agree with the proposition that an efficient and effective justice system is fundamental to a civilised society?

yes. �* ., , , ., , yes. and that depends on it being ro erl yes. and that depends on it being properly funded. _ yes. and that depends on it being properly funded, doesn't - yes. and that depends on it being properly funded, doesn't it? - yes. and that depends on it being properly funded, doesn't it? of i properly funded, doesn't it? of course. properly funded, doesn't it? of course- at _ properly funded, doesn't it? of course. at the _ properly funded, doesn't it? of course. at the moment - properly funded, doesn't it? of course. at the moment we - properly funded, doesn't it? 0f| course. at the moment we have properly funded, doesn't it? of - course. at the moment we have record levels of delay — course. at the moment we have record levels of delay in _ course. at the moment we have record levels of delay in our— course. at the moment we have record levels of delay in our criminal - levels of delay in our criminal courts and record numbers of people in prison, to the the extent the justice secretary is having to take emergency measures to manage them. the two are clearly links. what is being done to unblock that? i think it is worth remembering _ being done to unblock that? i think it is worth remembering the - being done to unblock that? i in “if. it is worth remembering the pandemic and its impact. we made a decision during the pandemic to protectjury trials, which i know is something the committee, you, in fact everyone was supporting. during a pandemic, that flow of justice loud inevitability, and that has meant that there has been something like a 50% increase in the remand population of people awaiting trial

or sentencing. that actually counts for the biggest increase in the prison population over that time. i think it is reasonable to say that we shouldn't have persevered with jury we shouldn't have persevered with jury trials, and that was a mistake. i don't believe anyone at a time ever thought that was the right thing to do, and it is therefore unsurprising that you had this increase of the population. at the same time we are in the process of the largest prison building programme since the victorian age, something i sign off as chancellor. we are investing in expanding prison capacity, that was signed off some time ago, and it has been delivered. but there has been this particular issue of what can we do to the remand population of prison. the roblem remand population of prison. the problem is. _ remand population of prison. the problem is, the backlog has not returned to pre—covid levels. the lady chiefjustice gave evidence to our select committee earlier this

year and said it would not be possible to achieve the government has mac target of reducing the backlog to 30 cases per annum without radical change, it can't be done on the system as it stands. isn't it because the ministry of justice is an unprotected department? it is picking up people coming to the system because if there is an education, there is an health care, in mental health, in drug treatment, and in children services. all of those account for a large number of entries into the system are not protected. what is being done to take a joined up approach to funding these issues rather than let all fall upon a damaging unprotected department? we damaging unprotected department? - are absolutely committed to reducing the caseload in the crown court. i have met with the lady chiefjustice to discuss this on a couple of occasions and we are working closely before and the judiciary and other criminaljustice partners to speed up criminaljustice partners to speed up justice and improve the speed of

court cases. a few specific things i would point to. one is that we have funded over 100,000 sitting days this financial year, and again next financial year. we have committee to keep the use of the 20 nightingale court rooms, which in the next financial year have made a difference and we are in the process of recruiting 1000 extra judges. all of recruiting 1000 extra judges. all of that is on track and is helping to ease the pressure is. i complete there are pressures and the backlog as a result of covert is higher than it was. but we are doing what we can to bring it down.— to bring it down. there is about 100 on planned — to bring it down. there is about 100 on planned courtroom _ to bring it down. there is about 100 on planned courtroom closures - to bring it down. there is about 100 | on planned courtroom closures every week because of poor maintenance in the crown courts. about 600 on average cells are unusable during the course of an average year because of maintenance backlogs in the prisons. is it not time we

looked again and help maintenance contracts are preferred for these parts of the justice system? they seem to be rigid, inflexible and very slow to get the work done. isn't that something at the government needs to be looking out at a joined up fashion? and government needs to be looking out at a joined up fashion?— at a joined up fashion? and less for much of the — at a joined up fashion? and less for much of the contract _ at a joined up fashion? and less for| much of the contract arrangements. at a joined up fashion? and less for i much of the contract arrangements. i would be happy to get more information from you on that. i do recall that we have put more money into court room maintenance. it was something the new lord chancellor rays, as did the previous chief justice. i think that was signed off some time ago. so there is extra funding going into court maintenance. but your precise concern about how lump that is being spent in the contracting... it is the contact _ spent in the contracting... it is the contact framework - spent in the contracting... it is the contact framework suggested to us by experts in the field are very clunky. despite the best endeavours, the money takes a long time to get

spent and has a knock on any delays in the system. i spent and has a knock on any delays in the system-— in the system. i will happily take that away and — in the system. i will happily take that away and discuss _ in the system. i will happily take that away and discuss that - in the system. i will happily take that away and discuss that with i in the system. i will happily take i that away and discuss that with the justice secretary. the that away and discuss that with the justice secretary.— justice secretary. the final part i was auoin justice secretary. the final part i was going to _ justice secretary. the final part i was going to raise _ justice secretary. the final part i was going to raise is _ justice secretary. the final part i was going to raise is on - justice secretary. the final part i was going to raise is on a - justice secretary. the final part i l was going to raise is on a separate aspect, the importance of a function of civil justice system aspect, the importance of a function of civiljustice system to businesses. are you aware that at the moment is small business which may have, say, a £95,000 money claim can be waiting up to 70 plus wait for that case to be resolved if it goes to trial? that is 17 weeks more thanit goes to trial? that is 17 weeks more than it was about four or five years ago. that can't be good for the british economy, that level of delayed pairs i'm not familiar with that statistic, but i am very happy to look more into it.— that statistic, but i am very happy to look more into it. generally i do not a . ree to look more into it. generally i do not agree with _ to look more into it. generally i do not agree with you _ to look more into it. generally i do not agree with you -- _ to look more into it. generally i do not agree with you -- disagree - to look more into it. generally i do | not agree with you -- disagree with not agree with you —— disagree with you that there is an economic benefit to having smooth and swift justice system. the

benefit to having smooth and swift justice system-— justice system. the county courts which handle _ justice system. the county courts which handle 95% _ justice system. the county courts which handle 95% of _ justice system. the county courts which handle 9596 of civil- justice system. the county courts which handle 9596 of civil work- justice system. the county courts| which handle 9596 of civil work are which handle 95% of civil work are operating entirely on a paper—based system, which causes massive delays were stopped would you take away the proposition that considerable benefit could be achieved for some capital investment in improving the technology and support systems? i will will happily do that. we have invested money in digital transformation in courts. that is not apply to civil courts? plat transformation in courts. that is not apply to civil courts?- not apply to civil courts? not in the county _ not apply to civil courts? not in the county court. _ not apply to civil courts? not in the county court. we _ not apply to civil courts? not in the county court. we had - not apply to civil courts? not in the county court. we had been| not apply to civil courts? not in - the county court. we had been doing that, the last — the county court. we had been doing that, the last time _ the county court. we had been doing that, the last time | _ the county court. we had been doing that, the last time i check... - the county court. we had been doing that, the last time i check... it - the county court. we had been doing that, the last time i check... it is - that, the last time i check... it is the concern _ that, the last time i check... it is the concern of _ that, the last time i check... it is the concern of many _ that, the last time i check... it is the concern of many that we rightly think aboutjustice in terms of crime, because that makes the headlines. crime, because that makes the headlines— crime, because that makes the headlines. ~ , . headlines. prime minister, we are alwa s headlines. prime minister, we are always very _ headlines. prime minister, we are always very grateful _ headlines. prime minister, we are always very grateful when - headlines. prime minister, we are always very grateful when you - headlines. prime minister, we are i always very grateful when you follow up always very grateful when you follow up with _ always very grateful when you follow up with your letter on the topic you hevent— up with your letter on the topic you haven't been able to cover in

detaii — haven't been able to cover in detail. thank you, sir bob. them diana _ detail. thank you, sir bob. them diana johnson for the home affairs select_ diana johnson for the home affairs select committee. on diana johnson for the home affairs select committee.— diana johnson for the home affairs select committee. on your pledge to sto the select committee. on your pledge to stop the boats. _ select committee. on your pledge to stop the boats, you _ select committee. on your pledge to stop the boats, you told _ select committee. on your pledge to stop the boats, you told me - select committee. on your pledge to stop the boats, you told me last - stop the boats, you told me last time that considerable progress had been made. so i'm sure you will be disappointed by the figures for the first freemans of this year, a 10% increase compared to 22—20 free. i wanted to ask you about the safety for rwanda bill, which i think we were fairly clear bug at royal assent soon. have you now got an airline that will be able to send people to rwanda or are you going to use the raf? the people to rwanda or are you going to use the raf?— use the raf? the home office are makin: all use the raf? the home office are making all the _ use the raf? the home office are making all the appropriate - making all the appropriate arrangements, there are a range of options that they are considering. the details of those may well involve a commercial conversation. we know it costing £11,000 per individuals... the

we know it costing £11,000 per individuals...— individuals... the prepositions are all bein: individuals... the prepositions are all being made... _ individuals... the prepositions are all being made... you're - individuals... the prepositions are all being made... you're not - individuals... the prepositions are all being made... you're not able | individuals... the prepositions are i all being made... you're not able to say whether — all being made... you're not able to say whether that _ all being made... you're not able to say whether that is _ all being made... you're not able to say whether that is an _ all being made... you're not able to say whether that is an airline - all being made... you're not able to say whether that is an airline or - say whether that is an airline or not? , ., ., , ., ~ ., not? the preparatory work to finalise the _ not? the preparatory work to finalise the bill _ not? the preparatory work to finalise the bill has _ not? the preparatory work to finalise the bill has been - not? the preparatory work to finalise the bill has been in l not? the preparatory work to - finalise the bill has been in place for a while. finalise the bill has been in place for a while-— finalise the bill has been in place for a while. g; :: :: :: :: , .,, ., for a while. over 30,000 people have arrive in the — for a while. over 30,000 people have arrive in the uk _ for a while. over 30,000 people have arrive in the uk illegally _ for a while. over 30,000 people have arrive in the uk illegally since - arrive in the uk illegally since that came into force lastjuly. are you expecting to send all effectively thousand people to rwanda, because obviously they cannot make a claim for asylum in this countrymike neville has to get royal assent, then subsequent to that has to be put in force.- that has to be put in force. there will be choices _ that has to be put in force. there will be choices about _ that has to be put in force. there will be choices about which - that has to be put in force. there l will be choices about which cohorts to initially apply the policy too. there is a range of different options for that. that is all in at the planning work that has to be put in force. , . ., . , in force. there will be choices about which _ in force. there will be choices about which cohorts _ in force. there will be choices about which cohorts to - in force. there will be choices| about which cohorts to initially apply the policy to. there is a range of different options for that. that is all the planning work that is being done. currently 30 feet thousand in limbo. to be clear, is that group to group to go to the land? i that group to group to go to the land? ., �*.., ,

land? i wouldn't characterise it as bein: in land? i wouldn't characterise it as being in limbo. _ land? i wouldn't characterise it as being in limbo. anyone _ land? i wouldn't characterise it as being in limbo. anyone who - land? i wouldn't characterise it as. being in limbo. anyone who arrives illegally should not be allowed to stay. that is my very clear position and we'll do everything we can to remove them, either to their home country if it is safe to do so or a safe alternative. there is no limbo about it. our attention to macro intention is everybody who arrives illegally should be removed. at the moment they _ illegally should be removed. at the moment they cannot _ illegally should be removed. at the moment they cannot claim - illegally should be removed. at the moment they cannot claim asylum. illegally should be removed. at the - moment they cannot claim asylum. you cannot tell me how many of the 30,000 you expect to go to rwanda. the inn is to be condensed for it to be enforced. they still come under the rules of... be enforced. they still come under the rules of. . ._ be enforced. they still come under the rules of... no, these come under the rules of... no, these come under the rules of... no, these come under the rules of— the rules of... no, these come under the rules of the _ the rules of... no, these come under the rules of the illegal _ the rules of... no, these come under the rules of the illegal migration - the rules of the illegal migration act from the enactment injuly. these are 30,000 people in a lintel who cannot claim asylum, i assume they are waiting to be sent to rwanda. can you just explain like no 10 blocked the appointment of the independent inspector of borders and

immigration? i independent inspector of borders and immigration?— immigration? i don't believe that is the case. immigration? i don't believe that is the case- the _ immigration? i don't believe that is the case. the home _ immigration? i don't believe that is the case. the home secretary - the case. the home secretary addressed this in the house. the decision was made by the home office. it decision was made by the home office. , , ., , ., office. it seems to some people that david and it — office. it seems to some people that david and it was _ office. it seems to some people that david and it was actually _ office. it seems to some people that david and it was actually a _ david and it was actually a whistle—blower, that he took the action that he did because 15 of his reports were in the home office, never seen the light of day. i think he welcomes _ never seen the light of day. i think he welcomes when _ never seen the light of day. i think he welcomes when he _ never seen the light of day. i think he welcomes when he gave - never seen the light of day. i think. he welcomes when he gave evidence when he gave to your committee, the report is being published. i think the remaining two macro are to be published. the home secretary and his ministers have addressed this in detail in the house previously. [30 detail in the house previously. do ou detail in the house previously. do you agree that there is a moral case to support lord browne's and dedman to support lord browne's and dedman to the safety of rwanda bill to

ensure the afghans who helped our armed forces in afghanistan are not sent to afghanistan? yes armed forces in afghanistan are not sent to afghanistan?— sent to afghanistan? yes or no? we had an existing _ sent to afghanistan? yes or no? we had an existing scheme... _ sent to afghanistan? yes or no? we had an existing scheme... it - sent to afghanistan? yes or no? we had an existing scheme... it is - sent to afghanistan? yes or no? we had an existing scheme... it is not l had an existing scheme... it is not workin: , had an existing scheme... it is not working. though. _ had an existing scheme... it is not working, though, is _ had an existing scheme... it is not working, though, is it? _ had an existing scheme... it is not working, though, is it? yes, - had an existing scheme... it is not working, though, is it? yes, it - had an existing scheme... it is not working, though, is it? yes, it has brou:ht a working, though, is it? yes, it has brought a few _ working, though, is it? yes, it has brought a few thousand _ working, though, is it? yes, it has brought a few thousand people - working, though, is it? yes, it has brought a few thousand people to | working, though, is it? yes, it has i brought a few thousand people to the uk under different extremes. we have brought thousands of people fall safely from afghanistan to the uk to provide them with a sanctuary. that contributes to our overall numbers of around have known people that we have welcomed to the uk through safe and legal routes. the have welcomed to the uk through safe and legal routes.— and legal routes. the highs group within these _ and legal routes. the highs group within these small _ and legal routes. the highs group within these small boats - and legal routes. the highs group within these small boats are - and legal routes. the highs group within these small boats are from afghanistan at the moment. fin within these small boats are from afghanistan at the moment. on that, that does not — afghanistan at the moment. on that, that does not mean _ afghanistan at the moment. on that, that does not mean that _ afghanistan at the moment. on that, that does not mean that these - that does not mean that these schemes are not working, it might just mean there are many more people who would like to come to this country that we have the robot losses and capacity to safely look after. ~ , , . ~ , after. with respect, prime minister, i don't think— after. with respect, prime minister, i don't think there _ after. with respect, prime minister, i don't think there is _ after. with respect, prime minister, i don't think there is a _

after. with respect, prime minister, i don't think there is a view - after. with respect, prime minister, i don't think there is a view of - i don't think there is a view of people looking