Contributions
1,107 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAccess to Criminal JusticeI am very pleased that the hon. Lady has highlighted that we have already committed to doing a review of the threshold for legal aid across the board, not just in relation to…23 Apr 2019HANSARDWelfare Benefits: Legal AdviceIn the most recent Legal Aid Agency civil tender, the number of offices providing legal aid services on welfare benefits increased by 188%. In February, we set out our legal…23 Apr 2019HANSARDWelfare Benefits: Legal AdviceLegal aid is available in welfare cases on points of law to the upper tribunal and the higher courts. A wide variety of considerable support is also available from some fantastic…23 Apr 2019HANSARDWelfare Benefits: Legal AdviceThe hon. Gentleman mentions housing. It is right that, across the country, some areas are quite sparsely populated, but people can always get advice on the telephone gateway.…23 Apr 2019HANSARDWelfare Benefits: Legal AdviceThis party and this Government would like to support all people who need support, but we need to provide it in a way that is efficient, provides a good service and uses taxpayers’…23 Apr 2019HANSARDHousing Cases: Legal AdviceThere is already funding available, as I have mentioned. In 2017-18, we also spent £3.6 million on the housing possession court duty scheme—in other words, on-the-day advice. The…23 Apr 2019HANSARDHousing Cases: Legal AdviceThe hon. Gentleman mentioned immigration, and people can already get legal aid for asylum cases. We are committed to ensuring that people know when legal aid is available to them.…23 Apr 2019HANSARDAccess to Justice: Criminal Case DelaysUnnecessary delays can always cause distress for all parties. Some cases are moving more quickly through the criminal courts, but due to the complexity of cases, impacts on the…23 Apr 2019HANSARDAccess to Justice: Criminal Case DelaysOf course, the Attorney General has done a review in relation to disclosure more broadly. I am very happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss any ideas that she would like to put…23 Apr 2019HANSARDAccess to Justice: Criminal Case DelaysWe are in the process of a £1 billion court programme—one of the most ambitious across the world in relation to how we transform our justice system—and it is appropriate that we…23 Apr 2019HANSARDEnforcement Agents: RegulationThere is no excuse for aggressive tactics by bailiffs. I know that the hon. Lady has worked very hard to highlight the issues that have occurred in her constituency, and I was…23 Apr 2019HANSARDEnforcement Agents: RegulationAs the hon. Lady will know, regulation is one of the questions that we are asking in the call for evidence. We will look at the evidence—we have had quite a lot of evidence…23 Apr 2019HANSARDEnforcement Agents: RegulationSometimes it is appropriate for the public sector to provide services; sometimes the private sector does it just as well, and sometimes better. It is appropriate to ensure that in…23 Apr 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am happy to answer the hon. Gentleman’s question. I met the previous Minister for Disabled People twice to talk about how the DWP can get decisions right first time, and I have…23 Apr 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsOf course, when people suffer economic crime it is as devastating for them as it is with any other crime. As my hon. Friend will know, we put out a call for evidence and we are…23 Apr 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThere are a number of developments relating to the use of technology to ensure that people do not have to attend court or fill in lengthy, unwieldy documentation. People can now…23 Apr 2019HANSARD Legal Aid for InquestsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Main. I congratulate the hon. Member for Barnsley East (Stephanie Peacock) on securing a debate on this important subject.…10 Apr 2019HANSARD Legal Aid for InquestsI hope that I have identified a number of measures that we are putting in place that may help the hon. Lady’s constituent. We are making sure that the process is easier. The Legal…10 Apr 2019HANSARD Legal Aid for InquestsWe wanted to publish the review at the same time as the legal aid review. In addition, we have committed to look subsequently at a key part that will affect inquests in relation…10 Apr 2019HANSARDDraft Jurisdiction and Judgments (Family) (Amendment Etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Jurisdiction and Judgments (Family) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019. It is a pleasure to serve under…14 Mar 2019