Oral Answers to Questions Debate
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Ben Maguire
Main Page: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)Department Debates - View all Ben Maguire's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(1 day, 11 hours ago)
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Ben Maguire (North Cornwall) (LD)
I welcome the Solicitor General to her place. Domestic abuse survivors face serious barriers to accessing legal aid in the family courts. The current legal aid means test takes the abuser’s income into account when assessing a victim’s eligibility, unless the survivor can prove economic abuse, which is extremely difficult, or prove that they no longer live with the abuser. Abusers typically control finances and can withhold documentation, disqualifying victims from receiving the support that they need. Will the Solicitor General consider the recommendation of the Bar Council and make an exemption for domestic abuse survivors from the means test?
The Solicitor General
I know the hon. Gentleman is a big champion on this issue. Victims of economic abuse face real challenges in getting justice, and he is right to draw attention to that issue. Legal aid is a matter for the Ministry of Justice, but I will commit to speaking with my ministerial colleagues on this issue and providing the hon. Gentleman with a full written response.