Ministry admits legal aid mistake
21st June 2011The Government has admitted a mistake over the impact proposed cuts to the legal aid budget would have on the justice system.
Initially, it was suggested the cuts would lead to around 45,000 fewer legal representations a year. But the Ministry of Justice confirmed that a new impact assessment found the figure is likely to be 66,200.
The plans to cut the £2.2 billion-a-year budget by £350 million had already proved controversial, with widespread concern expressed that they would prevent thousands from turning to the justice system for help.
And with the revised calculation suggesting an even greater impact, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has been urged to think again about going ahead with the proposals, which will also cost 500,000 instances of legal assistance.
Richard Miller, head of legal aid at the Law Society, expressed his surprise that the Ministry could make a mistake on a matter so crucial, adding: “Clearly the fact that over 66,000 people who have been helped with complex legal proceedings would get no help under the Government’s plans is an issue of major importance.”
The error was made in a calculation and an updated impact assessment will be published alongside the Justice Bill.
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