Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East
Thurrock, rose on the floor of the House of Commons last week to welcome the
sensible deal on legal aid announced by
Secretary of State for Justice, Chris Grayling MP.
In a statement, the Secretary of State outlined revised
proposals for legal aid reform which will mean that all those accused of a
crime receive high quality legal representation, that defendants are free to
choose their lawyer, and that all those who currently provide criminal legal
aid services can continue to do so, provided they meet minimum quality
standards.
Amongst other changes, a new
residency test will be introduced to prevent most people who have only just
arrived in the UK from accessing civil legal aid until a year after they
arrive; there will be a limit on criminal legal aid for prisoners so that it is
not available unnecessarily; finally there the Secretary of State set out new
rules that will mean that, in most cases, the
wealthiest Crown court defendants will have to fund their own legal costs.
Mr Metcalfe rose to the floor to welcome the new proposals
saying that they will deliver fair access to justice to the people of South
Basildon and East Thurrock, while also making necessary savings.
He later commented: “The Government have had to make some
difficult decisions across the board to repair the mess left by the previous
Labour administration. Reforming legal aid has inevitably had to form part of
this process but I am extremely pleased that the Department have been able to
make much needed savings without losing the integrity of a vital system.”
“This sensible compromise means that my constituents will
have access to high quality legal aid whilst also ensuring that we have a
system that helps those in greatest need and is sustainable for the future.”
