Legal aid fees to rise by 10% for immigration and housing after lawyer action

Many lawyers gave up legal aid work due to very low rates, creating backlog of asylum cases and appeals

Ministers are to announce a 10% increase in legal aid fees for immigration and housing work after action by lawyers who warned that the failure to increase rates has led to a paralysis in the system.

Asylum work fees in England and Wales have not increased since 1996, with hourly rates for lawyers stuck at 52. Rates will now increase to 69 in London and 65 outside London for housing, debt, asylum and immigration work. Fixed-rate legal aid fees for this area of legal aid work will also increase by 10% on Friday.