Shropshire to be badly hit by planned legal aid cuts

Shropshire will be the second worst-hit of 132 areas in England and Wales under the Government's proposed cuts to legal aid, a charity claimed today.

The Legal Action Group's new report claims the number of Shropshire cases eligible for legal aid will be cut by 77 per cent due to Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke's major overhaul of the judicial system.

The Government is aiming to save £350m from its £2.15bn legal aid bill by making reforms to the system, with a particular focus on reforming social welfare law.

But Steve Hynes, director of the Legal Action Group, said the proposed £392,000 cut in Shropshire's legal aid budget would have "disastrous" effects.

Mr Hynes said: "Shropshire will be particularly badly affected. It has probably worked out disproportionately bad for Shropshire as it has no metropolitan council, which in other places will fund some legal aid.

"It will affect people appearing in court for cases such as family law, housing benefit, and employment. These are the areas of law affecting ordinary people.

"In employment law it's going to be impossible for anyone on a low income to get advice unless they are lucky and get access through the Citizens Advice Bureau. Benefits cases will be the same."

The Legal Action Group is campaigning for the bill to be amended when it re-appears in the House of Commons later this month.

The charity claims the worst-hit place will be Liverpool, where the number of cases eligible for legal aid would be cut by 80 per cent.

The Ministry of Justice said the moves was vital to help balance the Government's books at a difficult time.

Spokesman Yasser Mehmood said: "At more than £2bn a year, we have one of the most expensive legal aid systems in the world, which we just cannot continue to afford.

"Legal aid will continue to be available in many cases including where someone is at risk of serious violence or losing their liberty or their home, or where children may be taken into care."

The plans will need to be approved by the House of Commons and House of Lords.

By Danny Carden