Oral Answers to Questions

John Milne Excerpts

Tuesday 16th December 2025 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[John Milne (Horsham) (LD)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate provision of legal aid.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)]

We are making significant investments in legal aid: we have announced additional funding of up to £34 million a year for criminal legal aid advocates and an additional £92 million a year for criminal legal aid solicitors. We are also uplifting housing and immigration legal fees by £20 million a year—the first major increase since 1996.

[John Milne]

My constituent Steve is currently being denied access to justice because he cannot afford to take action against a publicly funded body under Competition and Markets Authority legislation. His only other option is to proceed on a no win, no fee basis. Will the relevant Minister agree to meet me and Steve to discuss possible solutions?

[Mr Lammy]

I ask the hon. Gentleman to write to me first, as it sounds like there is some technical detail in that case. If necessary, I will then ask the relevant Minister to meet him.