Today, Andy Burnham has become leader of the Labour Party and, on Monday, he will become Prime Minister.

His premiership comes at a crucial time for victims of crime, with the future of victims’ services commissioning uncertain, legislation to enforce victims’ rights gathering dust, and the criminal justice system in crisis.

Victims and survivors of crime are still facing long waits for justice, inconsistent access to support, and rights that too often exist only on paper.

Andy Burnham’s government has an opportunity to change that but, to deliver meaningful improvements for victims, action is needed from day one.

Here are three priorities that should top the new government’s justice agenda.

Get the future of victims’ services commissioning right

Support services for victims are a vital lifeline for many – with caseworkers by victims’ sides as they navigate the aftermath of crime, helping them feel safe, heard and able to move forwards.

These services are currently commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). However, at the end of last year, the government announced that PCCs will be abolished in 2028.

Victims and the organisations that support them are still waiting for answers about how services will be funded and commissioned in future.

The Burnham administration must urgently provide this clarity, and follow the key principles we have laid out for a new model:

  • Universal access to support that’s independent of the police
  • Support available to all victims of crime, without exception
  • Consistent service standards, to end the postcode lottery of support
  • Ringfenced and protected funding for services
  • Long-term multi-year funding, providing organisations, staff and victims with stability

Implement promised measures to turn victims’ rights into reality

Earlier this year, we revealed that millions of victims of crime may have missed out on their basic rights while crucial legislation designed to enforce them gathers dust.

Evidence clearly shows that, too often, victims do not receive their rights under the Victims’ Code. A 2023 Victim Support survey found that 60% of victims did not receive a clear explanation of what to expect from the criminal justice system after reporting a crime.

In May 2024, the Victims and Prisoners Act – which rightly sought to address this – became law. It placed a duty on criminal justice agencies to monitor and report on how well they deliver victims’ rights under the Victims’ Code.

But, more than two years on, the government is yet to implement these measures.

The new Prime Minister must urgently bring these provisions into force. Victims need rights that are upheld in practice, not just promises on paper.

Build a justice system that puts victims first

Tens of thousands of victims are still facing years of uncertainty waiting for their case to reach trial. These long delays, caused by the Crown Court backlog, can have a devastating impact on victims, causing significant stress and anxiety, and forcing them to put their lives on hold.

Measures in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, and the removal of the cap on sitting days, will help to reduce the backlog – but the Burnham government must do more.

Ministers urgently need to invest more money in court capacity and maintenance, focus on recruiting and retaining judges and lawyers, and roll out specialist sexual violence courts, as promised.

Reducing delays alone is not enough. Ministers also cannot forget the serious broader issues and failings victims experience when going through the justice process: inadequate information and updates, poor communication, and victim-blaming, to name just a few.

Victims deserve so much better – they deserve a justice system that actually puts them first. And the new government must deliver this.

Seize the opportunity

We can create a future in which victims have access to the support they need, their rights are respected, and they can seek justice with dignity. Andy Burnham must seize that opportunity – now.