Contributions
215 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewWe are taking adoption cases out of the means test, so that is a change. I have already addressed points about special guardianship orders and unaccompanied minors, so there are…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewFirst, on the matter of a whole-day debate—it sounds as if this were a continuation of business questions—the hon. Gentleman has made his point. I know that the Under-Secretary of…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewAs I have said, the change that we have announced today in the context of unaccompanied minors is an important step. I am grateful to the hon. Lady for welcoming that. We do spend…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewFor rural areas as a whole, this review underlines the need to ensure that we are prepared to look at technology and innovation so that access to justice is greater and we have…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewFirst, I pay tribute to the hon. Lady, who is among those who have worked tirelessly in this policy area and who, as ever, brings great expertise to this matter. In respect of…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewLet me highlight a couple of points in the review. I have already mentioned the proposals on unaccompanied minors in immigration cases. It is also worth pointing out that with…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewOf course, we have to keep this matter constantly under review to ensure that citizens are not misled or taken down a wrong approach. Innovation and competition should be part of…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewMy hon. Friend is of course right. I believe that the process we have undertaken in the past year has been a thorough engagement with stakeholders from throughout the country, and…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewI very much look forward to receiving that report. I thank the hon. Gentleman for the work he does in this policy area, which he and I have discussed in the past. As he says, he…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewI pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his work in this area. We are changing the process for the funding for exceptional cases to make it easier to apply. Fundamentally, I believe…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewThe technology pilots could apply to any area of law, so that certainly does not preclude their applying to the areas the hon. Gentleman mentions. The early intervention pilot is…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewAs I said a moment ago, we announced reforms to the AGFS last year, which see the biggest increase for some time in those fees. Let me make a point about the wider issue of access…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewWe have had a welcome from Young Legal Aid Lawyers, which said it would look positively at what has been set out and look to engage with it. I share the hon. Lady’s desire to…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewI thank the Chair of the Justice Committee for his characteristically thoughtful comments. It is worth pointing out that the means test was not fundamentally changed by LASPO, as…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement to inform the House that we have concluded our post-implementation review of parts 1 and 2 of the Legal Aid,…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewI hope it will be helpful to the House if I put this debate in a little context. A significant rise in the cost of legal aid took place over a number of years, a point recognised…07 Feb 2019HANSARDLegal Aid: Post-Implementation ReviewMy right hon. and learned Friend raises an important point. It is important that we have a strong and vibrant criminal Bar and I want to do everything I can to support that. I…07 Feb 2019HANSARDProbation ServiceWith your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer Questions 2 and 19 together.05 Feb 2019HANSARDProbation ServiceI, too, pay tribute to the work of that not-for-profit CRC and its focus on rehabilitating offenders. The expertise and commitment of not-for-profit organisations are vital in…05 Feb 2019HANSARDProbation ServiceI have already met a number of police and crime commissioners to talk about this very issue, but I should be happy to meet Mr Hogg, as well as other PCCs, to discuss these matters…05 Feb 2019