Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Florence Eshalomi and Lucy Frazer

Tuesday 3rd November 2020 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lucy Frazer)]

I would like to thank all the staff who have been working so hard at this particularly challenging time. We have started to routinely test staff, and we are providing personal protective equipment, including medical-grade face masks.

[Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall) (Lab/Co-op)]

  Access to justice is under threat. In my constituency, we have just lost one of our most established independent legal advice centres. As Members will know, access to that service is vital; we see it in our casework. It is important for citizens to have access to free legal advice. The sector has faced so many cuts over the years, and since lockdown, demand has grown—demand from people facing debt and people facing employment issues. If these centres are to close, it will cause unimaginable stress. Can the Secretary of State outline what steps he is taking to ensure that these vital services are available for citizens?