Digital Working

Oral Answers to Questions — Attorney-General – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 11 February 2014.

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Photo of Simon Burns Simon Burns Conservative, Chelmsford 11:30, 11 February 2014

What assessment he has made of the effects of increased digital working by the Crown Prosecution Service; and what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse as a result of that increase.

Photo of Oliver Heald Oliver Heald The Solicitor-General

The CPS has led progress in implementing digital working with other criminal justice agencies. It is estimated that most police forces are now transferring 90% of case files electronically and that savings of £30 million a year can be achieved by 2015-16.

Photo of Simon Burns Simon Burns Conservative, Chelmsford

Are the other parts of the criminal justice system being as proactive as the CPS in developing and increasing digital working?

Photo of Oliver Heald Oliver Heald The Solicitor-General

Yes, all parts of the criminal justice system are embracing digitalisation, with Essex and Chelmsford playing a key role. Essex police lead on the development of the Athena digital police system—the largest ever collaboration on a police IT project, taking a case from report to court—and Chelmsford is piloting court wi-fi and clickshare video.