The Ministry of Justice has not made a specific assessment of the effectiveness of the Our Family Wizard mobile application in supporting mediation, but we are aware that it is one of a number of digital applications that may support parents to effectively co-parent their children post-separation.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is currently consulting on how we can best support families resolve their disputes outside of court, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/supporting-earlier-resolution-of-private-family-law-arrangements. Specific feedback is being sought on the role that online tools can play in supporting separating parents.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-17T15:16:58.1Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Custody: Mediation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Our Family Wizard mobile application in facilitating mediation in child custody disputes.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4439", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alberto Costa"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Leicestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alberto Costa"} ], "uin" : "184111"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624742", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624742/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Ministry of Justice publishes information on prosecutions for various offences in the Outcomes by Offence data tool: June 2022. Offences under the provisions of the Equality Act 2020 governing a blind person\u2019s right to travel in licenced taxis with their guide dog are within 19599 \u2013 Other summary non-motoring offences.<\/p>
<\/p>
Between January to June 2022, there were no prosecutions related to this act. Prosecutions for 2022 will be available in the next annual Criminal Justice System Statistics publication.<\/p>
<\/p>
Details of licensing authority are not held centrally in the Court Proceedings database.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-09T15:47:22.513Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Taxis: Guide Dogs"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prosecutions each licensing authority has brought under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 governing a blind person's right to travel in licensed taxis with their guide dogs since January 2022, broken down by licensing authority.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewisham, Deptford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vicky Foxcroft"} ], "uin" : "183252"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624324", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624324/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This was a despicable crime. We have apologised unreservedly to Zara Aleena\u2019s family for the unacceptable failings in the management of this case.<\/p>
<\/p>
H M Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) has accepted all of the recommendations in the report and is in the process of implementing them. HMPPS will conduct reviews to measure progress in implementing the measures outlined in the resulting Action Plan, at the six-month and twelve-month points after publication.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have provided extra funding of more than £155 million a year to enable the Probation Service to deliver more robust supervision, reduce caseloads and recruit thousands more staff to keep the public safer. Better information-sharing arrangements between all sectors of the criminal justice system; improving the quality of court reports; and support for senior probation officers to manage complex teams and caseloads will strengthen probation practice and improve public protection. We have also updated mandatory training for new staff, to improve risk assessments, and are implementing new processes to guarantee the swift recall of offenders.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-09T10:17:31.297Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Probation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the HM Inspectorate of Probation report entitled Independent serious further offence review of Jordan McSweeney, published January 2023, what progress he has made on implementing each of the 10 recommendations in that report.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Reed"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Reed"} ], "uin" : "183068"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624325", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624325/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This Government is tackling the causes of reoffending to make our streets safer. We are investing in probation services and new initiatives to reduce reoffending and beat crime.<\/p>
Over the past 10 years, reoffending rates have been in general decline with the overall rate falling from 31.6% in 2010/11 to 24.4% in 2020/21.<\/p>
Since reoffending is measured over a 12 month follow up period, plus a six-month waiting period to allow offences to be proven in court, these latest offender cohorts have overlapped with national lockdowns and a period of on-going recovery for the courts. As a result, volatility continues to be seen in the reoffending figures. It is not possible to separately identify the impact of the backlog in court cases from other factors on reoffending rates.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-03T12:09:22.967Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Reoffenders"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the backlog in court cases on levels of reoffending.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Reed"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Reed"} ], "uin" : "183069"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624353", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624353/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Surveys were undertaken across the Court and Tribunal estate during 2021/22, during which a small minority - 6 buildings \u2013 were identified that may include the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.<\/p>
We are working rapidly to identify any instances where Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete may be in place across\u202fthe prison estate and any remedial action needed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-03T18:12:12.633Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Courts and Prisons: Buildings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April to Question 181017 on Courts and Prisons: Buildings, whether his Department has commissioned a survey to identify buildings within the (a) prison and (b) court and tribunal estate which may have been constructed with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1536", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emily Thornberry"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Islington South and Finsbury"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Emily Thornberry"} ], "uin" : "183039"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624370", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624370/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I refer the honourable Member for Croydon North to the answer I gave on 20 January 2023, to Question UIN 125451: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-01-17/125451<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-03T12:10:01.89Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Reoffenders: Convictions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many serious further offence notifications resulted in a conviction by each type of offence in each year since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4268", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Reed"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Reed"}
], "uin" : "183070"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624375", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624375/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " With the introduction of the online process for property and affairs applications the decision clearance time for a Court of Protection application has been reduced from 24 weeks to 8 weeks. In cases of emergency the court is able to provide a decision within 24 hours.<\/p> The online process for property and affairs applications was made available to all court users in February. We continue to review and revise the process and the court will continue to identify areas to simplify and remove duplication on court forms, including uploading to the online process many of the forms required for a property and affairs applications. To date, there have been no discussions between the Secretary of State and other Cabinet colleagues on allowing access to Child Trust Funds using DWP Appointee status as a proxy for approval as discussions have remained at policy official level.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "183062"}
, {"_value" : "183063"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-03T14:47:33.78Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Child Trust Fund: Disability"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on allowing access to Child Trust Funds using DWP Appointee status as a proxy for approval.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4244", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Ashworth"}
], "uin" : "183061"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624377", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624377/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " With the introduction of the online process for property and affairs applications the decision clearance time for a Court of Protection application has been reduced from 24 weeks to 8 weeks. In cases of emergency the court is able to provide a decision within 24 hours.<\/p> The online process for property and affairs applications was made available to all court users in February. We continue to review and revise the process and the court will continue to identify areas to simplify and remove duplication on court forms, including uploading to the online process many of the forms required for a property and affairs applications. To date, there have been no discussions between the Secretary of State and other Cabinet colleagues on allowing access to Child Trust Funds using DWP Appointee status as a proxy for approval as discussions have remained at policy official level.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "183061"}
, {"_value" : "183063"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-03T14:47:33.843Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Court of Protection"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the decision clearance time was for a Court of Protection application as of 27 April 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4244", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Ashworth"}
], "uin" : "183062"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624380", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624380/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " With the introduction of the online process for property and affairs applications the decision clearance time for a Court of Protection application has been reduced from 24 weeks to 8 weeks. In cases of emergency the court is able to provide a decision within 24 hours.<\/p> The online process for property and affairs applications was made available to all court users in February. We continue to review and revise the process and the court will continue to identify areas to simplify and remove duplication on court forms, including uploading to the online process many of the forms required for a property and affairs applications. To date, there have been no discussions between the Secretary of State and other Cabinet colleagues on allowing access to Child Trust Funds using DWP Appointee status as a proxy for approval as discussions have remained at policy official level.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "183061"}
, {"_value" : "183062"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-03T14:47:33.903Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Court of Protection"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department has taken to help simplify the court process for Court of Protection applications since the publication of the Mental Capacity: Small Payments Scheme Government Response in February 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4244", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leicester South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Ashworth"}
], "uin" : "183063"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624407", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1624407/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In March 2022, the Ministry of Justice consulted on several changes to the civil and criminal legal aid means tests to ensure that legal aid remains accessible to all who need it. When implemented, the changes will increase the number of people eligible for civil legal aid in England and Wales by an additional 2.5 million.<\/p> <\/p> At the Crown Court, the Government has also proposed removing the current £37,500 disposable income threshold; if implemented, this would mean that all defendants at the Crown Court would be eligible for legal aid and so would not have to pay privately, though a proportion may be required to pay a monthly income contribution towards their legal costs.<\/p> <\/p> Whilst the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) introduced changes to the scope of legal aid, legal aid services continued to be delivered following LASPO. The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) publishes statistics<\/a> regarding new cases completed and started in each period by legal aid scheme with additional breakdowns by region and by Controlled and Licensed Work at tables 9.1-5.<\/p> The LAA frequently reviews market capacity to make sure there is adequate provision of legal aid, in all categories of law, throughout England and Wales. The LAA moves quickly, where issues arise, to secure additional provision and to ensure demand for legal aid services, which may vary across different categories of law and across different geographic regions, is met. Legal advice on a range of civil matters including housing, debt, discrimination, and education is available, wherever people are, through the Civil Legal Advice telephone service.<\/p> The Ministry of Justice continues to consider the long-term sustainability of the criminal and civil legal aid market. Following publication of our full response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) on 30 November 2022, we have boosted the system with immediate investment to address the most urgent concerns, including uplifts of 15% to most legal aid fee schemes.<\/p> Our plans will put criminal legal aid on a sustainable footing and ensure there is a sustainable supply of practitioners. Criminal legal aid spend is expected to increase to £1.2 billion per year, which is the highest level since 2010.<\/p> We have also recently launched a review of civil legal aid to identify evidence-based options which will help inform our longer-term strategy for improving the sustainability and effectiveness of the civil legal aid system.<\/p> Concerning legal aid for housing matters, the 2019 Post Implementation Review of Part 1 of LASPO<\/a> found that individuals experiencing social welfare problems, especially related to housing matters, struggle to resolve their problems early, often leading to a clustering of problems. This in turn requires costly intervention at the courts and increases pressure on social services. In response, the MoJ is amending LASPO to expand the scope of legal aid for people facing the loss of their home to include early legal advice on housing, debt and welfare benefits from 1 August 2023 through the creation of the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS).<\/p> <\/p> It is hoped that the HLPAS will enable individuals to resolve matters before court proceedings take place, reducing homelessness and pressure on the courts. HLPAS will also support housing legal aid providers, providing payment for the early legal advice and improving renumeration rates for delivering the court duty service. Up to £10m in annual funding has been made available for HLPAS.<\/p> <\/p> In addition, since 31 October 2022 we have been piloting early legal advice on certain housing, debt and welfare benefits matters in Manchester and Middlesbrough to test the impact of early legal advice on resolving an individual\u2019s problem more quickly. The pilot ended on 31 March 2023 and a final evaluation report is expected in July 2023.<\/p> <\/p> Legal aid remains available for disrepair cases when there is a serious threat of illness or injury. Anyone in this position should contact the Civil Legal Advice helpline.<\/p> <\/p>