Suella Baverman tells @CommonsJustice she supports "extending the court day."

"Speaking of my experience as a barrister ... I would have jumped at the chance of any work, especially in my early days, regardless of the time of day at which it was being held."

Does she support increased legal aid work?

"The legal aid agency has produced a range of measures and there are lots of options in the pipeline. ... I'm not able to comment [if there will be an increase in legal aid rates]."

Are there plans to uplift fees to prosecution counsel (asks @neill_bob)?

"The Bar Council would pay tribute to prosecution lawyers in terms of the funding that was given to them ... [blah blah. ... reading from her brief] are there plans for more? I can't answer that."

Asked about the drop in rape prosecutions. She disagrees with the Victims Commissioner that rape has been "decriminalised." More recent figures show there has been an "uptick" in rape prosecutions recently.

Paula Barker (?) asks about so called "digital strip searches."

It is essential that victims have the confidence to come forward. "Must be a balance between reasonable lines of inquiry and respecting a victim's privacy," A delicate balance to strike.

Paula Barker (?) asks about the government's "end to end review". When will this be completed?

Mustn't be rushed. We want to ensure we emerge with concrete conclusions and recommendations asap.

Can't give a firm date as to when it will be completed. COVID has slowed things down, but there should be recommendations later this year.

Richard Burgon now asking about Vera Baird's latest report suggesting no, of rape prosecutions halved between 2016 and today. Has austerity played a role in the decline in rape prosecutions?

SB: "CPS has received £`18M (?) from Govt, a real injection of resources -

It has made the CPS a "beacon."

Sorry, she said it was £85M injection, not £18M.

Burgon points out that CPS staff have been cut from 7700 to 5500 staff between 2011 and 2019. Has that led CPS to be less able to prosecute serious cases including rape?

SB: I don;t dispute there were cuts under the coalition, but we are beginning to reverse them. Conviction rates have remained the same or gone up. CPS Direct is an exceptional service of which we should be very proud.

Outcomes for victims overall mean that CPS has delivered a very effective service, says SB.

. @neill_bob comes on to disclosure now. How positive has the feedback been on changes to the guidelines inmeeting the balance between a fair trial and appropriate privacy to victims?

This is a priority of mine, says Suella Braverman. Refers to earlier reports by @commonsjustice and CPS Inspectorate. Disclosure must be regarded as a core duty, better use of technology. She will be producing revised guidelines & has engaged with wide range of practitioners

Bob Neill asks about disconsinuance of digital data consent forms. What';s the position as far as that's concerned?

"I welcome the ICO report, and importance of protecting victims and complainants data. Guidelines will produce balnce.

Asked for a quick suimmary of scrutiny of SFO, Suella Braverman says there is a "refreshed framework agreement." Holding the director to account for running the organisation, and I chair a regular board where we challenge the director on performance and strategy.

Does she get a breeakdown of SFO's recovery of proceeds of crime. Yes. It cpontinues to perform well, says the Attorney General. Over £10.1M orders obtained in 2017 - in 2019 over £17M obtained. Gives amounts recovered, which are less, but still rising.

Bob Neill asks if the CPS ministerial board is continuing? Yes it is, says SB.