<-- Back to proposed bills

Criminal Legal Aid Consultation Response

14 November 2024

Proposing MP
Swindon South
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Ministry of Justice

At a Glance

Issue Summary

Heidi Alexander is addressing the Government's response to the Criminal Legal Aid Crime Lower consultation launched in January.

Action Requested

The Ministry of Justice will invest an additional £2.9m, bringing the total annual investment to £24m for police station and Youth Court schemes, with specific allocations for fees harmonisation and travel reimbursement. The details are published on Gov.uk.

Key Facts

  • Criminal Legal Aid is crucial for upholding constitutional rights.
  • An additional £21.1m was allocated in the 2024/25 budget.
  • £18.5m annually will go into police station fee schemes to harmonise fees across different stations.
  • £5.1m annually will be spent on a Youth Court fee scheme for serious offences.
  • Police station travel reimbursement of around £0.4m per annum is introduced in areas with fewer providers or capacity challenges.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy