Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Targeted fee increases for IMA cases risk worsening broader immigration legal aid access
Recommendation
MoJ said that a shortage of immigration and asylum legal aid providers in some areas is concerning. It told us that it has taken steps to address capacity issues by increasing fees for cases related to the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (IMA) by 15% and providing additional funding to meet the cost of accreditation for new immigration asylum lawyers.30 However, the increase in fees specifically addresses an anticipated increase in demand for immigration work due to the IMA, which widened the scope of legal aid to support government’s aim of removing people swiftly if they have entered the UK illegally. MoJ has acknowledged that diverting effort to the IMA may risk exacerbating access issues for other immigration cases where MoJ has not increased fees, as providers may prioritise higher paying work.31
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 11 July 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗