Access to Legal Advice 2024-01-09
2024-01-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about constituents seeking timely and affordable legal advice, highlighting the importance of early legal intervention.
What steps are being taken to increase early access to legal advice for vulnerable individuals? The constituent issues range from welfare benefits to housing problems. Citizens Advice supports many but cannot cover all cases, leading to a need for more accessible legal aid services.
Last year we spent £1 billion on civil legal aid, launching a £10 million housing loss prevention advice service. Since 2015, over £25 million has been invested to support litigants in person, including current grant funding of around £10.4 million for improving outcomes to legal support grants.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about increasing early access and affordability was not directly addressed with a new commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP acknowledges the work of Citizens Advice in providing legal support to constituents but seeks confirmation that timely and affordable advice is a government priority.
Citizens Advice does excellent work supporting my constituents with legal issues, but what specific measures are being taken by the government to ensure timely and affordable legal advice for all?
We agree that investing in early legal advice has benefits, hence we have invested over £25 million since 2015 for litigants in person and currently fund around £10.4 million grants to improve outcomes, supporting 59 organisations across England and Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about timely and affordable advice was not directly addressed with a new commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Law Society has proposed reforms to legal aid, including early advice for more people. The MP seeks confirmation of discussions with the Treasury about potential increases in the legal aid budget.
Following the Law Society's Green Paper on legal aid reforms, can you confirm what discussions have been had with the Treasury regarding budget increases and that Scotland will receive its share through Barnett consequentials?
Following the Bellamy report, we have invested over £141 million in the legal aid system. I am in constant dialogue with the Law Society on improving legal advice for citizens. However, specific details about discussions with the Treasury and Scotland's share are not provided.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about budget increases and Scotland's share was not directly addressed with a new commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy