Government announces means test reforms to expand legal aid eligibility, but concerns remain about provision and inflation

The government’s announcement of means test reforms that will see over six million more vulnerable people eligible for legal aid has been met with both praise and caution from legal experts.

The changes, which include raising income thresholds and removing caps on allowable housing costs, have been welcomed as a step in the right direction by Law Society president Lubna Shuja. However, Shuja also highlighted the fact that these thresholds have not been updated in line with inflation since 2009.

A report by the Law Society last May warned that the proposed means test thresholds would be years out of date by the time they are changed. Professor Donald Hirsch, the report’s author, emphasized the importance of considering current inflation rates in determining eligibility criteria.

Shuja also raised concerns about the availability of legal aid services, pointing out that many areas in the country lack access to face-to-face civil legal aid services. She stressed that the increased eligibility will only make a meaningful difference if people can actually find a solicitor to represent them.

As the government moves forward with these means test reforms, it will be crucial to address the issues surrounding legal aid provision to ensure that vulnerable individuals have access to the legal support they need.