After a U-turn by ministers in a response to a petition, which has gained over 100,000 signatures, defendants accessing legal aid will still be allowed to choose their own solicitors.

£220 million will still be cut from the legal aid bill and this will have a major effect on the ability of vulnerable people to access it.

However the concession means that at least people will no longer have a solicitor who is simply the cheapest available, and will have a chance to search for one suited to their needs.

For today’s full story, click here

For legal aid information and how to access it, click here

For the petition which you can sign if you disagree with the cuts to legal aid, click here