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.