The government has announced a further 12% rise in criminal legal aid rates. An additional funding boost of up to £92m will take the total uplift to 24% over this parliament, lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood said last night.
‘Today’s news builds on the decision last month to increase fees for solicitors who work in police stations and youth courts by £24m,’ sad Mahmood. ‘Taken together it is a significant investment to reflect the valuable and tough work that is undertaken by those who work in the criminal justice system, helping them to make sure justice is served and that victims get the resolution they need.’
Following consultation there will be a 6% rise, with an additional 6% over the rest of the parliament.
Law Society president Richard Atkinson hailed the latest increase as ‘a welcome step forward that gives solicitors hope that there is a future in providing this vital public service’. But he added: ‘It is only a step. While this means solicitors will have received more than the 15% recommended by the Bellamy Review [of 2021], years of inflation means further progress is needed to deliver a sustainable future.’ Chancery Lane took the previous government to court for failing to implement Bellamy, winning a partial victory.
Atkinson also called on ministers to commit to regular reviews of criminal legal aid funding, once the minimum levels have been achieved, as well as increases for prison law work. He added: ‘Since we won the judicial review, we have been working hard to ensure the Ministry of Justice acted on the stark warnings from the court. It is heartening that our warnings are finally being heard, but it will be vital that the government continues to invest and commits sufficient resources to make criminal legal aid work truly sustainable.
’The latest figures show duty solicitor numbers continue to decline, leading to a real danger that people will not be able to get legal representation when they need it and heightening the risk of miscarriages of justice. Today’s announcement may at least slow the exodus, but it remains to be seen whether it is enough to turn the tide.’
