Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to create a dedicated fund for the legal needs of the affected community arising from the Grenfell Tower fire.

The Government is keen to ensure that the bereaved, survivors and affected residents of the Grenfell Tower tragedy can receive appropriate help and support in a timely manner. Legal aid is available for civil legal aid services as set out in Schedule 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, subject to means and merits tests. Additionally, legal aid may also be available under Exceptional Case Funding, where not providing it would breach or carry a serious risk of breaching the European Convention on Human Rights.

Ministers have met recently with representatives from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) and the Law Society, and understand that RBKC has put in place a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation offer, which extends to all residents of Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk. The Government will continue to work with bodies such as RBKC and the Law Society to assist people in claiming what they are entitled to.