Oral QuestionMinistry of Justice

What steps she is taking to increase access to legal aid in rural areas.

Tabled: 8 April 2025Answered: 22 April 2025

Asked by

Steff Aquarone

Liberal DemocratNorth Norfolk

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Justice

Answer from Hansard

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Sarah Sackman)

Wherever they are in England and Wales, people should benefit from equal access to legal support and legal aid. Remote technology and provision of online advice present the opportunity both to democratise legal advice and to deliver it to all who need to access it. We are investing an additional £92 million to support the sustainability of the criminal legal aid sector, and we are consulting on fee increases totalling £20 million for housing and immigration to increase access to civil legal aid. All of this will support legal aid across the country, including in rural areas.