SHADOW justice secretary Richard Burgon condemned the government for delaying a review into its legal aid reforms yesterday.

Spending on legal aid fell from £2.6 billion in 2005-6 to £1.5bn last year.

A review into deep cuts imposed in 2012 by the coalition government was announced nine months ago but Justice Secretary David Lidington has now confirmed that this will not conclude until July 2018.

Mr Burgon said: “Government cuts to legal aid have priced out hundreds of thousands of people from being able to enforce their hard-won rights.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. The government must use this review to fundamentally repair the damage caused by its legal aid reforms rather than simply applying a sticking plaster to a broken system.”

A Ministry of Justice consultation will look at the rules on financial eligibility, changes made to legal fees and evidence requirements for victims of domestic violence and child abuse.