Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Legal Aid

Tuesday 28 March 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Osamor inquired about the lack of legal aid coverage for damages and the recognition of law centres as exempt professional bodies.
  • The Minister responded that an additional 10 million has been invested to boost legal aid for housing matters.
  • Afzal Khan asked for clarification on how individuals affected by the Illegal Migration Bill can access legal advice and aid within the limited timeframe.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the accessibility of legal aid for constituents facing housing issues. The local law centre reports that it cannot cover damages claims with legal aid, and clients are unable to purchase after-the-event insurance due to not being recognised as exempt professional firms.

Question

I thank the Minister for his response. My office regularly refers constituents to the local law centre for housing issues relating to disrepair. The law centre is concerned that it is largely not covered by legal aid on damages for clients. Law centres are also not recognised as exempt professional firms so they are unable to purchase after-the-event insurance, meaning that clients are exposed to costs if they lose their case. Will the Minister consider extending access to legal aid in housing cases and recognising law centres as exempt professional firms?

Answer from Mike Freer

On the exemption issue, if the hon. Lady would like to write to me, I will certainly investigate that. She will be pleased to know that in the last two months we have invested an additional £10 million to boost the amount of legal aid available on housing matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Recognition of law centres as exempt professional firms

How: If The Hon. Lady Would Like To Write To Me, I Will Certainly Investigate That

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

In England and Wales, there are 54 constituencies with no legal aid providers. Only 20% of the population have access to welfare legal aid providers in their local authority. The current legal aid system is facing criticism for not following Bellamy's recommendations.

Question

Legal aid is the backbone of our criminal justice system, and it is running on empty. In England and Wales, 54 constituencies have no legal aid providers at all, and 80% of the population do not have access to welfare legal aid providers in their local authority. The current legal aid system is not just a postcode lottery but a regional lottery. The Government have kicked the civil legal aid review into the long grass and are still not following Bellamy's recommendations. When will the Lord Chancellor meet Bellamy's recommendations in full?

Answer from Mike Freer

I do not recognise spending more than £2 billion a year as “running on empty”. Spending an extra £4 million on section 28 fees, an extra £10 million on housing legal aid, an extra £5.6 million on special guardianship legal aid, and an extra £3.3 million on special and wasted preparation legal aid is not “running on empty”. In terms of representation across the UK, the Legal Aid Agency regularly ensures that all areas of the UK are covered by duty solicitors and legal aid firms.

Not addressed: Meeting Bellamy's recommendations in full

How: I Do Not Recognise Spending More Than £2 Billion A Year As “Running On Empty”

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Immigration NHS
Context

The Illegal Migration Bill restricts people impacted by the bill to just eight days to make an application and seven days to appeal against removal on grounds of serious and irreversible harm, all while in immigration detention. There are concerns about how these individuals will secure access to legal advice and legal aid.

Question

During yesterday's debate on the Illegal Migration Bill, I sought clarity on how people impacted by the Bill will be able to secure access to legal advice and legal aid. Those people—be they an Afghan fighter pilot or an LGBT person who has fled Uganda—will have just eight days to make an application and seven days to appeal against removal on the grounds of serious and irreversible harm, and all that will happen while they are in immigration detention. So let me try again: how will access to legal advice be secured for such people, and will legal aid be available to them?

Answer from Mike Freer

If I may, as it is such a technical issue, I will happily meet the hon. Gentleman or write with a detailed answer.

Not addressed: How access to legal advice and legal aid will be secured for individuals impacted by the Illegal Migration Bill

How: If I May, As It Is Such A Technical Issue, I Will Happily Meet The Hon. Gentleman Or Write With A Detailed Answer.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email