Oral Answers to Questions

Connor Naismith Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Alex Davies-Jones]

I want to place on the record my thanks to all the victims of Russell Brand for speaking out so bravely, some of them at huge personal cost as well—that is important for this House to recognise. The right hon. Gentleman is right to raise the issue of super-injunctions, injunctions and SLAPPs, as we have previously heard, being used by powerful perpetrators to hide their abuse in plain sight. I am keen to work with him and anyone else in this House to ensure that these are not abused or taken for granted. He will know, however, that some of these injunctions are independently assessed; it is not for the Government to comment on them. However, I am clear that any action we can take to prevent violence against women and girls should be taken.

[Connor Naismith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

T10. Many victims of domestic abuse are unfortunately still falling through the cracks of our justice system as a result of capital means-testing of legal aid. Will the Justice Secretary look to move forward with the recommendation of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to remove capital means-testing for all victims of domestic abuse going through family court proceedings?

[Sarah Sackman]

I understand that my hon. Friend is due to meet the Secretary of State to discuss this very issue. It is vital that we support domestic abuse victims with legal aid through the court process. We have already taken steps to extend the equity disregard in the legal aid means test, which means that £100,000-worth of the value of a victim’s home is not considered as part of that eligibility test. It is also the case that the Legal Aid Agency can discount the value of capital that cannot realistically be accessed because of that very abuse. I look forward to discussing this matter with him further.