The 107-page budget 'Red Book' contains one paragraph on justice. It states: ‘The government has provided £450m in 2020-21 to support the justice system in England and Wales, including funding to ensure safety in prisons and courts and funding to reduce backlogs in the Crown court caused by Covid-19.’
Law Society president David Greene commented: 'We are disappointed that the government has not committed to spend any more than the £450 million pledged to the justice system at the spending review last year.
'Access to justice has suffered throughout the pandemic as already underfunded legal aid providers have struggled to stay afloat. The consequences of this for the integrity of the justice system cannot be over-stated. We urge the government to invest further in the justice system, to ensure the public can access the justice process for the issues facing them during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.'
Bar chair Derek Sweeting QC said: ‘With parts of our justice system facing unprecedented challenges, a 56,000 case backlog in the Crown Court and some victims of crime having to wait until 2023 before they are likely see justice done, it is disappointing to see no extra funding emerging from the Treasury in today’s Budget announcement.
‘The chancellor has turned a blind eye to law and order and settled for stretching last year’s commitments to cover the future survival of our justice system. It’s not enough.’