Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that appeals of benefit decisions can continue to be heard during the covid-19 lockdown announced on 5 January 2021.

Throughout the pandemic, appeals have continued to be decided on the papers, or heard using telephone and other remote technology. Additionally, HM Courts & Tribunals Service has introduced safety measures, so that face-to-face hearings can be held for any cases, which cannot be decided on the papers or heard remotely.

The decision as to how a hearing is conducted is a matter for the judge, who will determine how best to uphold the interests of justice.