Contributions
428 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChildren in Care: Family CourtsDelays in decision making during care proceedings can have a significant impact on children, and we recognise that there is more to do to address that challenge. That is why last…26 Mar 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Legal Aid Agency keeps the location of providers under constant review. We have invested an additional £10 million over the last few months in those specific types of legal…26 Mar 2024HANSARDChildren in Care: Family CourtsIf there is a lever that I have not pulled, I invite the shadow Minister to let me know what it is, and I will address it. This Government are spending more money on attracting…26 Mar 2024HANSARDChildren in Care: Family CourtsThe hon. Lady raises a very serious point. The impact on the child and the wider family is appreciated. We have invested in capacity, with more money for Cafcass, judges and…26 Mar 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady raises an important point and I would be happy to meet her and take representations on that specific point. I will also discuss it with Lord Bellamy, who, alongside…26 Mar 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsLegal aid is always under constant review and I will always take advice from those closest to it. That is why I engage with, for example, the Bar Association, the Law Society and…26 Mar 2024HANSARDLegal Aid: Immigration CasesThe Legal Aid Agency monitors the provision of immigration legal aid and takes whatever actions are operationally available to it to ensure a supply of providers.26 Mar 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman raises a good point. I lead on diversity in the Department, and a piece of work is already under way on how we can increase the diversity of the magistracy and…26 Mar 2024HANSARDCremation: LegislationThe law on cremation has been updated when needed. For example, the 2008 cremation regulations are currently being amended as part of the ongoing death certification reform.…26 Mar 2024HANSARDLegal Aid: Immigration CasesIn fact, the Government spent £44 million on immigration legal aid in 2022-23. We have increased the hourly rate for those undertaking this kind of work, and we are looking at…26 Mar 2024HANSARDCremation: LegislationMy hon. Friend makes a very good point. The Department has already started work on a call for evidence on where we go with the regulation of the funeral director sector; that will…26 Mar 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe challenges facing crematoriums, and in fact the whole funeral sector, are being reviewed by the Law Commission. This is about not just crematoriums, but burial space. There…26 Mar 2024HANSARD Child Trust FundsThe shadow Minister pre-empts me. This is a regular communication strategy: TISA will continue to notify those who are heading towards maturity of what they need to do to access…19 Mar 2024HANSARD Child Trust FundsI have to say to the right hon. Gentleman that I am happy to have an ongoing conversation. In fact, this is the first time we have discussed the matter face to face since I took…19 Mar 2024HANSARD Child Trust FundsI am always happy to discuss with any provider and certainly the provider I have spoken to. No provider has beaten a path to my door saying, “We think you have got it wrong and…19 Mar 2024HANSARD Child Trust FundsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Elliott. I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Sir Jeremy Quin) for securing the debate and continuing the…19 Mar 2024HANSARD Presumption of Parental Involvement in Child ArrangementsI congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Kate Kniveton) on securing this important debate. I sincerely commend the bravery she has shown by sharing her story and using…13 Mar 2024HANSARDDuty Solicitor SchemeIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Torbay (Kevin Foster) for securing this debate, and for his focus on this…13 Mar 2024HANSARDDuty Solicitor SchemeMy hon. Friend, being a practising solicitor, has greater knowledge of the intricacies than I do, but I will take that point on board. I assure him that the provision of duty…13 Mar 2024HANSARDDuty Solicitor SchemeIf I can break it down by region, I will give my hon. Friend a full response. I will happily share the figures I have available, and I will place a copy of them in the Library. On…13 Mar 2024