Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Legal Advice

Tuesday 9 January 2024 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Last year 1 billion was spent on civil legal aid, including a 10 million housing loss prevention advice service.
  • Over 25 million has been invested since 2015 to support litigants in person, with current grant funding of around 10.4 million.
  • Discussions are ongoing with the Law Society to improve legal advice for citizens, though details about Treasury discussions and Scotland's share are not provided.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jack Brereton Con
Justice & Courts Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about constituents seeking timely and affordable legal advice, highlighting the importance of early legal intervention.

Question

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.

Answer from Mike Freer

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about increasing early access and affordability was not directly addressed with a new commitment or timeline.

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Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Justice & Courts Benefits & Welfare
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Mike Freer

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about timely and affordable advice was not directly addressed with a new commitment or timeline.

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Q3 Allan Dorans
Scotland Benefits & Welfare
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Mike Freer

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about budget increases and Scotland's share was not directly addressed with a new commitment or timeline.

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