PQ: 11 February 2025

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2025-02-03.28403.h

Courts: Interpreters and Translation Services

Ministry of Justice written question – answered at on 11 February 2025.

Rupert Lowe Reform UK, Great Yarmouth

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much was spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation in courts in 2024.

Sarah Sackman The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice

This question has been interpreted to mean spend for all language services, both translation and interpretation provided in a court setting, and for printed materials available in HMCTS buildings.

Information is not held disaggregated as (a) translation and (b) interpretation but has been provided in total.

In 2024/25 financial year, total spend to date (Apr-24 to Dec-24) by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service on translation and interpretation is:

Financial Year to Date (Apr-24 to Dec-24)	2024-25
Total Cost	£10,049,422

These year to date figures for the current financial year are provisional and remain subject to change until the 2024-25 financial year concludes and the annual report and accounts have been audited.

It is vital that victims, witnesses and defendants understand what is happening in court to ensure justice is done, and we will always take steps to ensure a qualified interpreter is provided when needed.