A children's charity has expressed concerns that the Government's proposed legal aid cuts will lead to at least 6,000 vulnerable children being excluded from receiving the legal support they desperately need.

 

Although the Government has stated that there will be an exceptional funding scheme available for some excluded cases, The Children's Society claim that over 4,000 children will not be eligible for this help.

 

This will mean that many children, including separated (unaccompanied) migrant children and victims of trafficking, will be left to navigate a complex legal system with no support, including going to court without a lawyer or being made vulnerable to exploitation in order to raise funds for legal support.

 

Bob Reitemeier, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society said:

 

‘We believe that different principles should apply to children in an adult legal system. All children should have access to good quality publicly funded legal advice and representation. Legal aid is already limited to those who can’t afford it.

 

‘These changes will also affect the poorest and most marginalised families in our society and many more children will suffer as a knock-on effect. It is imperative that access to justice is maintained.’