Inter-Ministerial Group for Justice (IMGJ) meeting summary: 3 July 2025
Published 30 July 2025
The Inter-Ministerial Group for Justice (IMGJ) met on Thursday 3rd July 2025 both in person and by videoconference. The meeting was hosted by the UK Government and chaired by Lord Ponsonby. The ministers who attended were:
- UK Government: Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice
- Scottish Government: Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
- Welsh Government: Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
- Northern Ireland Government: Naomi Long MLA, Northern Ireland Justice Minister
The meeting opened with the agreement of the revised Terms of Reference.
The IMGJ then discussed prison capacity, with each of the four governments recognising the mutual challenge facing the justice systems across the UK. Members appreciated the opportunity to discuss these experiences and to share learning from initiatives undertaken to manage the situation. The IMGJ talked about reduction of short-term custodial sentences and the challenge of high levels of remand. Members discussed female offender schemes and how to help those returning to the community.
The next item discussed was Court Case Loads and the overlap in experiences and challenges across jurisdictions. Attendees acknowledged the impact that improved digital innovations has and shared examples. They agreed to discuss digital innovation at subsequent meetings.
The next item discussed was Legal Aid. The group discussed the various reform initiatives across the jurisdictions. The group acknowledged the challenges of Legal Aid provision in more rural and remote locations in some areas. The IMGJ discussed the importance of getting information to those who are most vulnerable and to ensure they receive legal advice earlier in the process. The group discussed the impact of the recent cyber-attack on the England and Wales Legal Aid system and how this can be an area of shared learning.
The IMGJ agreed to discuss the addition of two new agenda items including a standing item on digital modernisation and innovation including Artificial Intelligence, and that violence against women and girls should be added to the agenda for the next IMGJ meeting.
The Chair brought the meeting to a close. Attendees commented that it had been a useful discussion and looked forward to the next IMGJ session.
The next meeting of the IMGJ will be in approximately four months’ time and the Welsh Government have agreed to host.