UK government to increase legal aid funding by 12%
updated on 20 December 2024
Reading time: one minute
On 19 December the UK government revealed plans to increase criminal legal aid rates for solicitors by a further 12% to improve access to justice. An initial 6% rise will follow a consultation in early 2025, with a further 6% committed by the end of parliament. This will result in a total boost of £92 million.
This increase in funding is in addition to the £24 million that was allocated in November to police stations and youth court fees, which came into effect on 6 December 2024.
The Law Society and practitioner groups have been campaigning for increased legal aid rates to help reduce the record-high court backlogs. This included taking the previous Conservative government to court after it failed to implement the 15% fee increase suggested by an independent review conducted by Lord Bellamy KC.
President of the Law Society Richard Atkinson praised today’s decision, stating that it may slow the decline in duty solicitors as they will now receive more than the previously recommended 15% fee increase in total.
He said: “The new government is demonstrating a commitment to rebuilding the ailing justice system and understands investment in criminal legal aid is a key part of a holistic solution to the current criminal justice crisis.”
However, he also warned: “Today’s announcement may at least slow the exodus, but it remains to be seen whether it is enough to turn the tide.
“The government has a golden opportunity to ensure such a perilous position for access to justice is averted. Ministers should commit to regular reviews of criminal legal aid funding, once the minimum levels have been achieved, as well as increases for prison law work.”
