Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assistance the Government has provided to the residents of Grenfell Tower to enable them to access legal aid.

Where an application for legal aid is made, this will be assessed against the existing means and merits tests, as appropriate. The Government has changed the law so that payments made to victims of the fire to support them, including from the Government’s discretionary fund, can be disregarded in assessments of financial eligibility for legal aid.

The Government has worked collaboratively with the Law Society to design and issue guidance to legal aid providers so that they are best able to assist the residents.

The Legal Aid Agency also continues to liaise directly with key partners on the ground at Grenfell, including the North Kensington Legal Centre who are offering advice through legal help.