New figures from the Chief Coroner’s Annual Report reveal that in 2024 a total of 422 coroner cases on the Isle of Wight were over 12-months old.
The data, published in the Chief Coroner’s Annual Report to the Lord Chancellor for 2024 on Thursday, shows that the Isle of Wight recorded the 2nd highest numbers of long-running cases in England and Wales.
The figures cover the period between 1st January and 31st December 2024.
- Devon, Plymouth and Torbay – 555 cases
- Isle of Wight – 422 cases
- Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton – 318 cases
- Grimsby – 283 cases
- Inner South London – 264 cases
Nationally, delays have been attributed to factors outside of coroners’ control, including ongoing police investigations, health and safety inquiries, prison ombudsman reviews and accident investigation bodies. The report highlights that many of these external processes can take several years to conclude, forcing coroners to pause their own investigations.
In addition, the Chief Coroner noted the challenge posed by under-funding of local authorities, which impacts staffing levels and resources within coroner services.
Her Honour Judge Alexia Durran, Chief Coroner of England and Wales, has said:
“While many delays are due to external investigations beyond a coroner’s control, I will work closely with jurisdictions to better understand and anticipate where delays are likely and to understand where support can be provided.
“I aim to ensure that our engagement is both proactive and tailored to local challenges.”
Article continues below this advertisement
A significant part of the reporting period was under the leadership of previous Chief Coroner His Honour Thomas Teague KC.
I wonder how many over paid government
employees are still shirking from home since
the pandemic.
Work output when shirking from home is not
very effective, time to bet back into the office and
do some real work.
It’s about time many of these shirkers were replaced
by A.I
A.I can churn out work much quicker and much cheaper.
Please provide your evidence for the assertion that working at home is less productive. You make a very bald statement butdo not qualify it with either evidene or a disclaimer tha this is just your view. As I understand it, the morale difficulties within the office may have led to staff shortages which have reduced output. If the staff are working effectively from home, surely that is better than them leaving because they find the office environment toxic.