Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2017 to Question 7534, on legal aid scheme, whether he has looked more widely at the impact of recent policy changes on access to legal aid; and whether his Department will be taking steps to ensure that people in all regions can access legal aid providers.

On 30 October, the Lord Chancellor announced the commencement of the post-implementation review of the legal aid changes made by, and following, the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The review will look at the impact of recent policy changes on access to legal aid.

The Legal Aid Agency regularly review the capacity of the legal aid market to cope with demand for legal aid and take action where a regional shortfall develops.