Andy Burnham has signalled he will scrap plans to curtail jury trials in England and Wales, walking back one of the most significant justice proposals from Keir Starmer's government, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Andy Burnham has indicated he will scrap plans to curtail jury trials in England and Wales, the Guardian reported.
- The move would abandon one of the most significant overhauls from Keir Starmer's government.
- Burnham said he had concerns about the proposals.
- He said his instinct was to keep juries at the heart of the justice system.
- The Guardian refers to Burnham as prime minister in its report.
- Reported by the Guardian on 31 July 2026.
Andy Burnham has indicated he will scrap plans to curtail jury trials in England and Wales, according to the Guardian. The move would abandon one of the most significant overhauls from Keir Starmer’s government.
The Guardian, which refers to Burnham as prime minister, reported that he said he had concerns about the proposals. He added that his instinct was to keep juries at the heart of the justice system.
The plans to curb jury trials were described by the Guardian as among the most significant proposals from Keir Starmer’s government. Burnham’s comments suggest those plans are now likely to be dropped.
The Guardian reported the development on 31 July 2026 as part of its coverage of UK politics. The outlet did not detail, in the material provided, the specific scope of the earlier proposals or a timeline for any formal decision.
Burnham’s remarks frame juries as central to the justice system, indicating a preference for preserving the existing role of jury trials rather than restricting them.
Further details on how and when any decision will be confirmed were not included in the reporting.
Why it matters
Jury trials are a long-standing feature of the justice system in England and Wales, and changes to their scope would affect how serious criminal cases are heard. A decision to keep them intact would signal a shift away from a major reform that had been under consideration.
Frequently asked questions
What has Andy Burnham said about jury trials?
According to the Guardian, Burnham indicated he will scrap plans to curtail jury trials, saying he had concerns about the proposals and that his instinct was to keep juries at the heart of the justice system.
Whose plans were these originally?
The Guardian reports the proposals were one of the most significant overhauls from Keir Starmer's government.
Where do these plans apply?
The proposals to curtail jury trials concerned England and Wales, according to the Guardian.