House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Contingencies Fund Advance
28 April 2026 · Ministry of Justice
Proposed by Sarah Sackman Lab Finchley and Golders Green
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Ministry of Justice seeks an advance of 1.7m from the Contingencies Fund to support the development of a digital system for legal aid.
- Parliamentary approval for the 1.7m is to be sought through a Main Estimate.
- The advance will be repaid from the Ministry of Justice upon Royal Assent of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill in Autumn 2026.
Issue summary
The statement is about seeking an advance from the Contingencies Fund to support the development of a digital system for administering legal aid provisions under the upcoming Public Office (Accountability) Bill.
Action requested
The Ministry of Justice intends to seek parliamentary approval for £1.7m through a Main Estimate and will use a repayable cash advance from the Contingencies Fund pending this approval, with repayment upon Royal Assent of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill in Autumn 2026.
Key facts
- The Ministry of Justice seeks an advance of £1.7m from the Contingencies Fund.
- The expenditure is for developing a digital system to administer legal aid provisions under the Public Office (Accountability) Bill.
- Royal Assent of the Bill is anticipated in Autumn 2026.
- The Main Estimate will seek parliamentary approval for £1,700,000.