On Wednesday 10 December 2025, Migrants Organise took action outside the Ministry of Justice to demand a bolder commitment from the government to secure Legal Aid for all.
“We stand here today, as part of a campaign for legal aid, to demand justice for all — not just for those who can afford a lawyer, not just for those who already understand the system, but for every human being whose life is shaped by the decisions of our justice system” – Anyang, Migrants Organise member
These were the powerful words from our member Anyang, to open our action calling on David Lammy, Secretary of State for Justice, to take bolder action on legal aid.
The action was organised by the Hope and Justice Collective, members of Migrants Organise, South London Refugee Association and the All African Women’s Group
This was a critical moment to take action. Over a year ago, the Ministry of Justice responded to community pressure and pledged to increase legal aid funding. But twelve months on, thousands of people navigating Britain’s racist-by-design immigration system are still being denied the basics: a fair hearing, a roof to sleep under, life-saving healthcare, the right to work.
Legal aid has not seen a funding increase since 1996, and whilst we celebrated last year’s announcement of a 31% increase, it’s vital to remember that the funding increase pales in comparison to the money poured into hostile anti-migrant policies.
30 years of neglect
Legal advice is a lifeline to many, that’s why we need a bolder commitment from this government so that no one is left behind and our communities can thrive.
As we chanted together outside the Ministry of Justice, “ 30 years is too long and 30% is too small.”
This funding increase simply does not go far enough in addressing the devastating impact that the legal aid crisis is having on our communities.
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That’s why we’re taking action—by demonstrating on the streets, organising in our communities, and showing up for each other when the state lets us down.
Increasing Hostility
In November 2025 the government announced a “radical transformation” of the already extremely complex legal maze that migrants face when arriving in the country.
This makes it harder for people to get housing and support, long-term settlement, for their family members to rejoin them, which means damaging mental and physical stress on people navigating the procedures and unnecessary work that falls on already overburdened legal aid workers.
Up against this scale of hostility, we know that a £20m legal aid increase alone isn’t enough for people to access the advice and support they need. The previous government spent £22m on the Bibby Barge, £318m on the failed Rwanda deportations and £996m on asylum housing contracts with misery profiteer Clearsprings.
In this context, it’s staggering that in 2024 57% of people seeking asylum in the UK did not have access to legal aid. In the context of hostile and cruel immigration policies alongside austerity cuts to social welfare – this is a recipe for poverty and pain.
Join the Access to Justisce campaign
Legal aid was created to ensure that legal support and advice is available to all, but it has collapsed so far that it is near impossible for most people to access.
It is part of our grassroots organising work building the power of people experiencing the sharp intersection of the hostile environment and cuts to legal aid, transforming our connections into shared demands into action.
| Whether you’re able to donate today, can amplify our action on social media, or you’re taking action in your community another way—thanks for being with us in the fight. We organise together until we win! |
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