Tom Brake: Properly funded system of Legal Aid must be protected

Commenting, Co-chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, Justice and Equalities, Tom Brake said:

"Today Liberal Democrats reasserted the belief that a properly funded legal aid system where access to justice is not denied to those who can't afford it is the mark of a civilised and democratic society.

"We want to ensure that the potential impacts of cuts are fully assessed before they are introduced, the legal aid budget doesn't bear costs which should fall elsewhere in the system. We want to look at making savings through reducing the prison population and investing in more restorative justice.

"We realise that the economic mess left by Labour has placed strains on all areas of public spending. Liberal Democrats are committed to fighting against the cuts to legal aid instigated by the last government."