Access to Justice

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his Brexit Minister responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 3:00 pm on 22 January 2020.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 3:00, 22 January 2020

I thank the Member for that important supplementary question. I know that he will share my dismay that the withdrawal agreement Bill no longer contains the protection on EU-derived workers' rights that was in the previous Bill, without any rational or reasonable case being made for that change. In the context of a UK Government seeking to press ahead with a radical deregulatory agenda, I know that he will share my concerns about what that means in practice. He mentions the Supreme Court, we saw of course the decision in the Unison case where the UK Government sought to limit access to employment tribunals, and I was very pleased with the Supreme Court decision in relation to that.

On the specific question that he raises of legal aid and legal advice, the Thomas commission proposes, very interestingly, I think, that the funding for legal aid and for third-sector advice should be brought together in Wales in a single fund under the strategic direction of an independent body. I think that's a very significant recommendation for the commission to make. Obviously, as with many other of those recommendations, we will be giving that careful thought in terms of how we present our position to the UK Government.