Ministers should reverse the cuts to the legal aid budget, as they are causing pain and hardship to some of the most vulnerable members of society seeking legal redress, Unite, the country’s largest union, said today.

Unite national officer for the not for profit sector Sally Kosky said: “Unite is increasingly concerned that the proposed draconian cuts on top of the major cuts already made to legal aid will fundamentally undermine access to justice.

“The government has made major attacks on the services provided to communities already battered by the austerity cuts and Unite will continue to fight to ensure that legal aid remains a key part of the welfare state.

“We call on ministers to reverse these cuts as a matter of urgency.”

Unite has members across the legal and advice sector, and also members that work in a range of agencies, both directly providing advice, and working in support agencies for vulnerable groups, such as those facing homelessness and disabled people.

Thousands of criminal case lawyers are today not attending courts in England and Wales in protest at planned £220 million cuts to legal aid.

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