Access to Legal Aid 2022-05-24
2022-05-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquired about progress made on improving legal aid accessibility.
What progress has the Department made on improving access to legal aid?
Last year, we spent £1.7 billion on legal aid. We are consulting on changes that will result in an additional 2 million people in England and Wales having access to civil legal aid, with 3.5 million more at magistrates court. Additional funding includes up to £135 million for criminal legal aid, £7 million for housing, and £8 million for immigration.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP noted upcoming visit to Northampton Community Law Service, focusing on debt and employment law amid the cost of living crisis.
What steps are being taken to ensure sufficient funding streams for areas of specialist legal advice and support, particularly in debt and employment law?
We propose spending £5 million to pilot early legal advice on social welfare matters including debt this summer. In 2020, we provided £5.4 million of grant funding to not-for-profit providers supporting over 70 organizations; Northampton Community Law Service received more than £130,000.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned whether there are areas of the country where people lack access to justice due to no legal aid providers.
What is being done to ensure fair access to legal aid in every part of England?
The Legal Aid Agency keeps market capacity under constant review, taking immediate action where gaps appear by tendering for new providers and amending contractual requirements. Housing matters legal advice is available through Civil Legal Advice telephone service.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address 'fair access' specifically in every part of England, only mentioned actions taken generally.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted legal aid deserts in the east midlands, denying justice to victims due to chronic underfunding.
What details will be provided on a civil sustainability review regarding legal aid access?
We are consulting on increasing criminal legal aid rates by £135 million as recommended by Sir Christopher Bellamy. We look forward to introducing a statutory instrument later this year.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address civil sustainability review directly, only mentioned consultation and statutory instrument plans.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP suggested a link between access to legal advice and fixed penalty notices at events.
During the consultation, will the Minister speak to junior Downing Street staff about the significance of access to criminal legal advice?
Our focus is on bringing forward measures to tackle crime as per Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. This act will see violent and sexual offenders serving longer in prison, contrary to what the Labour party advocated.
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Assessment & feedback
Deflected by changing subject to crime measures instead of addressing legal aid access consultations.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy