Written question asked by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 April 2009. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 May 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Children: Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the effect on child protection of proposed reductions in funding for legally-aided family cases.

Answer: [holding answer 30 April 2009]: The Government are fully committed to safeguarding vulnerable children and I am clear that it is important we secure the right level of support for these children within the family justice system. Officials from the Department, the Legal Services Commission (LSC), the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) have already had discussions about how to achieve this. Further discussions are planned in the light of the consultation responses, following the MOJ/LSC consultation on Family Legal Aid Funding 2010.

Secondary information