The Times reported in an exclusive article last night that the Government is set to announce a major increase in legal aid funding this week to help clear a large backlog of asylum appeals. Millions in extra funding will be made available in an effort to increase the number of firms and lawyers willing to take on asylum cases. This often significantly extends the duration of hearings, with self-represented cases taking up to six times longer than those with legal representatives. A Government source told The Times: "We will increase money for legal aid above and beyond inflation to address the fact that it hasn't kept up for years." A Home Office source indicated that it could take up to a year before the total number of hotels in use begins to decline.

Source: The Times November 25, 2024 23:39 UTC