The concerns of campaigners who are fighting proposed cuts to legal aid spending will be raised in Parliament, Bradford MPs have pledged.

David Ward, MP for Bradford East, and Gerry Sutcliffe, MP for Bradford South said they would question aspects of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill after meeting with solicitors, advice workers and groups campaigning against the proposals.

The bill, which has reached the committee stage in the House of Commons, proposes ending legal aid for private family law cases, clinical negligence claims, employment and education law, some debt, housing and benefit issues and some immigration cases in order to save around £300 million.

According to estimates by the Legal Action Group, the proposals would see legal aid providers in Bradford lose almost £150,000 in funding.

Mr Ward said: “There were obviously a number of strong concerns and complaints about the repercussions for a place like Bradford, and certain people in particular that would be adversely affected. There’s a long way to go with the bill.

“I have undertaken to work with the group and raise their concerns and make sure the Government is acutely aware of how it will impact on certain groups. The main question that needs to be asked is for those who are denied legal aid, what is the alternative provision for them?”

Mr Sutcliffe said: “If the proposals go through, it will have a disproportionate effect on Bradford because of the nature of our city. What we have agreed to do is to try and speak to a minister either in Bradford or in parliament as the bill’s going through. We all agreed that we will work together to see what we can do.”

Graham Mynott, project head of Keighley-based, housing, advice and training organisation Keyhouse, which hosted the meeting, said legal aid was needed for around 600 cases each year in Bradford.

  • Read more Thursday’s T&A