Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Brandon Lewis

Tuesday 18th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. The reality is that all lawyers, barristers and solicitors want to be working for the benefit of their clients and to ensure that victims are able to see cases come to justice. Speedy justice is good justice, with positive and proper outcomes through the right processes. Following the publication of the criminal legal aid independent review, we will be investing a further £135 million in criminal legal aid per year, the biggest increase in many decades, and setting out further plans for all parts of the profession as part of our response to CLAIR at the end of November.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State mentions solicitors, so can he say why solicitors have received only a 9% increase in fees, prompting the Law Society to say that they may not undertake criminal defence work?

[Brandon Lewis]

I am not sure many people would class 9% as “only”, but that also does not reflect some of the other investments that solicitors will benefit from, particularly the substantial investment in youth courts, for example. As I said, we will respond more widely to CLAIR for the whole profession at the end of November and work with the relevant societies and associations.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Brandon Lewis

Monday 29th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

Yes.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

What assessment has the Minister made of land throughout the country that already has planning permission for housing that could help the affordable housing programme?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Brandon Lewis

Monday 21st October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

10. What recent assessment he has made of the availability of local authority recycling sites.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis)]

We do not hold that information centrally, but I was pleased that the recent ICM poll for the BBC, which the Secretary of State has mentioned, showed that resident satisfaction with both recycling and refuse collection has risen while council tax has been kept down.

[Valerie Vaz]

The main recycling facility at a supermarket in my town centre has been removed by the council, so my constituents have to drive to Aldridge or Bloxwich to recycle paper, cardboard and bottles. What steps can the Minister take to support the council to return the facility to the town centre?

[Brandon Lewis]

As the hon. Lady knows, we are very keen on weekly waste collection. I was pleased to see the satisfaction with recycling go up. I am sure that, with her efforts, a good local consensus will be found. I am delighted that she is singing from the same hymn sheet as the Secretary of State.