BOLTON MP Yasmin Qureshi has accused the government of wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers cash on consultants’ fees.

The Labour justice spokeswoman made the claim when the House of Commons discussed the digitisation of the courts.

The Bolton South East MP told junior justice minister Paul Maynard: “The Government made a huge fanfare about its female offenders strategy but announced only £5m for it.

“ Recently, legal aid was increased by £8m, but that pales into insignificance compared with £67m spent on consultants to provide cuts to our courts. Instead of throwing money at the consultants, surely there should be a proper debate ion the government’s disastrous court closure programme.”

Mr Maynard replied: “When I speak to sensible people across the justice system, there is a recognition it has to modernise. If we do not modernise the system, it will become increasingly unsustainable and will deliver a progressively worse service.”