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The human cost of this is immense. People on low incomes are facing huge attacks on their finances at the moment, including those on low wages and receiving in-work benefits, with consequent huge increases in rent arrears and actual or threatened evictions (particularly with the introduction of Universal Credit). Not to mention the removal of all Legal Aid for benefits matters other than appeals to the Upper Tribunal several years ago.

This situation needs to be halted and massively reversed. How is this going to happen? The answer in part lies with a certain 37 year old former employment solicitor from Leeds in my opinion.

It also lies in people uniting to take on the government now. The successes in relation to reversing some of the cuts in legal aid for Prison work and in getting rid of Employment tribunal fees were great, but we need more.

Those who talk loudest about democracy and the rule of law need to remember that neither can exist in reality when there is such glaring and reducing lack in access to legal advice and representation.