Has it occurred to anyone that the motivation behind cuts (begun by New Labour remember) in legal aid – particularly in the civil arena – may be a good deal more sinister than the coalition would have us believe?

Any first-year law student should spot that one major impact will be on cases such as applications for judicial review that various aspects of the spending cuts would normally provoke. In addition, actions that many councils and other public bodies will take in the wake of the spending cuts would be similarly likely to bring a rash of claims.

Also, as long-time opponents of the Human Rights Act, the Conservatives are using the issue of votes for prisoners to gather public support for a much wider assault on the rights regime. Again, with cuts to civil legal aid, how will anyone challenge these without access to legal aid?

John Lockett, address supplied