The government is rolling out a major funding increase for legal aid in housing and immigration cases including vital support for renters at risk of eviction.

Law firms and aid providers will see a 24% jump in funding for housing related work and a 35% increase for immigration cases which means more help reaching those who need it most.

To break it down:

• Housing legal aid fees will rise by 42%, from £157 to £223

• Asylum support fees go up 35%, from £413 to £559

The Ministry of Justice says this £20 million annual uplift once fully in place marks the first major investment in legal aid rates since way back in 1996.

And it has released a statement that says: “This extra funding means more people will get the support they need, when they need it – reducing stress and preventing delays in housing cases. 

“At the same time, it will help speed up decision-making in immigration cases, ensuring a fairer, faster process for everyone involved. This is part of the Government’s Plan for Change to make the justice system more efficient, fair and accessible.”

Justice Minister, Sarah Sackman KC MP, says: “This vital investment marks a turning point for civil legal aid by boosting funding to build capacity in the sector, helping to enable individuals, regardless of background or income, to uphold their legal rights.

“As part of our Plan for Change we are ensuring that our legal aid providers can deliver vital support where it’s needed most.

“This investment will help to ensure effective access to justice for some of the most vulnerable in our society, supporting a more stable and sustainable legal aid sector – one that is fit for the future and attracts and retains the brightest and the best practitioners.”

The government wrapped up a separate consultation last week, exploring plans to increase criminal legal aid fees for solicitors by up to £92 million. If adopted, this could bring significant changes to how defence lawyers are compensated for their work.

Meanwhile, housing campaigners from Generation Rent wasted no time showing support for Labour's new policy. The group took to Instagram to celebrate, posting messages of encouragement and excitement about the potential impact on renters nationwide one of which said on Instagram: “This means it will be easier for low income renters to get access to justice such as when they stand up to their landlords if they threaten their tenants with eviction.”