§ Lord LLOYD of HAMPSTEADasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to raise the financial limits of eligibility for legal aid, advice and assistance.
§ The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Elwyn-Jones)To keep in line with increases in social security benefits, I propose, with effect from 15th November:
- (i) to raise the lower disposable income limit for legal aid from £570 to £665 a year;
- (ii) to raise the upper disposable income limit for legal aid from £1,790 to £2,085 a year;
- (iii) to raise the lower disposable income limit for legal advice and assistance from £16 to £20 a week; and
- (iv) to raise the upper disposable income limit for legal advice and assistance from £30 to £35 a week. At the same time I propose:
- (v) to raise the lower disposable capital limit for legal aid and the disposable capital limit for legal advice and assistance from £250 to £300; and
- (vi) to raise the discretionary upper disposable capital limit for legal aid from £1,200 to £1,400.
In addition, when in due course I give effect to the proposals which I described to the House on 15th June about the restriction of legal aid in undefended 390WA divorce cases, I propose to make a further increase in the upper disposable income limit for legal advice and assistance from £35 to £42 a week so as to bring it into line with the corresponding limit for legal aid. The increases will be embodied in Regulations which (except in the case of the lower disposable income limit for legal advice and assistance) must be approved by resolutions of each House before they can come into force.