Thangam Debbonaire
MP for Bristol West
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Yesterday I spoke in the debate of the Second Reading of the Courts and Tribunals Bill. This Bill aims to reform the judicial system, including reducing the number of courts across the country.
In my speech I raised some concerns about this. Fewer courts means people will have to travel further. One group seriously affected could be asylum seekers and refugees, who often attend courts for decisions about their legal status. For asylum seekers living on the government allowance of £5.39 a day, a taxi to another town is an immense cost.