Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Legal Aid

Tuesday 24 May 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Last year, the UK spent 1.7 billion on legal aid.
  • The government proposes spending 5 million to pilot early legal advice on social welfare matters including debt.
  • The Legal Aid Agency reviews market capacity constantly and takes immediate action where gaps appear.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Lewer Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP inquired about progress made on improving legal aid accessibility.

Question

What progress has the Department made on improving access to legal aid?

Answer from James Cartlidge

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.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Lewer Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP noted upcoming visit to Northampton Community Law Service, focusing on debt and employment law amid the cost of living crisis.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure sufficient funding streams for areas of specialist legal advice and support, particularly in debt and employment law?

Answer from James Cartlidge

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.

Answered
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Q3 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Context

The MP questioned whether there are areas of the country where people lack access to justice due to no legal aid providers.

Question

What is being done to ensure fair access to legal aid in every part of England?

Answer from James Cartlidge

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address 'fair access' specifically in every part of England, only mentioned actions taken generally.

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Q4 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Justice & Courts Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP highlighted legal aid deserts in the east midlands, denying justice to victims due to chronic underfunding.

Question

What details will be provided on a civil sustainability review regarding legal aid access?

Answer from James Cartlidge

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address civil sustainability review directly, only mentioned consultation and statutory instrument plans.

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Q5 Stuart McDonald SNP
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP suggested a link between access to legal advice and fixed penalty notices at events.

Question

During the consultation, will the Minister speak to junior Downing Street staff about the significance of access to criminal legal advice?

Answer from James Cartlidge

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.

Not addressed: Deflected by changing subject to crime measures instead of addressing legal aid access consultations.

How: Changed Subject

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