The UK Government has confirmed up to £92 million in additional annual funding for criminal legal aid solicitors, marking a significant investment aimed at addressing years of neglect in the legal aid sector. Announced by Courts Minister Sarah Sackman, this funding is intended to strengthen the justice system, ensuring victims and defendants have timely access to legal support and justice. The move is part of the government’s broader Plan for Change, designed to reform the justice system and accelerate court proceedings for victims.
The investment provides a 24% overall uplift in criminal legal aid funding since the 2021 Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR), delivering long-awaited pay increases to solicitors. These fee enhancements recognize the vital work of legal professionals in maintaining the functioning of the criminal justice system and aim to restore public confidence in its operations.
In addition to criminal legal aid, the government is increasing housing and immigration legal aid fees by £18 million per year—the first major civil legal aid increase since 1996. An extra £2 million will support licensed housing and immigration work, with £20 million allocated to assist the most vulnerable populations, including those at risk of homelessness and victims of modern slavery. The funding is also expected to reduce the asylum backlog and phase out the use of asylum hotels.
Most of these measures are set to take effect on 22 December 2025, ensuring legal aid practitioners are adequately compensated for their critical work. This funding underpins wider justice system reforms, including the forthcoming government response to Part 1 of Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review, which advocates for bold reforms to reduce court backlogs and deliver faster justice for victims.
