David Lammy announces 'biggest expansion of legal aid in a generation'

The boost, Mr Lammy says, will help ordinary families tackle the legal cost burden if they are ever caught up in court procedures.

The Justice Secretary was full of praise for legal aid lawyers, who he says offer support for local communities for "much less than they could earn elsewhere".

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In his speech, he said: "Let's end the lie about one of Clement Attlee's greatest creations. Legal aid. The myth of fat cat lawyers is destructive.

"Legal aid lawyers are not rich. Many are paid less than nurses, teachers and police who rely on them in court.

"They are the high street lawyers of Cornwall, Tottenham, Liverpool and Leeds, serving their communities for much less than they could earn elsewhere.

"I'm so proud that Hillsborough Law means never again will grieving families be left without a lawyer where the state lines up against them. Conference, this marks the biggest expansion of legal aid in a generation, backed by the biggest investment in a decade.

Legal aid is Government-funded support for lawyers, advice or court representation if someone is unable to stump up the costs.

It is supposed to ensure people are not denied a fair hearing just because they cannot afford hefty legal battles.

Legal aid has come under fire in recent years due to the number of migrants using it when they claim asylum after arriving in the UK.

Many need legal aid to navigate the complex system and challenge Home Office refusals or appeal deportation.

Critics feel legal aid keeps migrants locked in prolonged legal battles, which allows them to remain in the UK longer than they would otherwise.

The surge in asylum seekers arriving via small battles has also led to significant legal aid expenditures, therefore coming at an additional cost to the taxpayer.

Mr Lammy also used his speech in Liverpool to hit out at some of the aforementioned critics, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Tory Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.

He said his Tory shadow is wrong in how he “attacks our judges and institutions”.

He added: “Frankly, much of what he says would make Winston Churchill shudder in his grave. Robert, patriotism isn’t smearing our independent judiciary from a pub on X. It’s standing up for our rule of law.”

Mr Lammy continued: “The other person who doesn’t get it of course is Nigel Farage. He wraps himself in our flag but his policies don’t match British values.

“We must call his scheme to round up and deport our French, our Indian, our Caribbean neighbours who already have indefinite leave to remain what it is.

“It is racist. I say not in our country, not in our name, not in our time.”