Solicitors working on the Isle of Wight are set to benefit from a government plan to increase funding for criminal aid, with £24 million injected into the justice system.

The reforms, announced by the Ministry of Justice, include a £400,000 allocation to reimburse solicitors for travel time when working in or commuting to areas with fewer than two legal aid providers, which includes the Isle of Wight.

This move is part of a broader effort to stabilise the criminal aid sector and improve access to justice.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the funding as a “first step” to reforming a system that has faced years of underinvestment. 

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“Criminal legal aid solicitors play a crucial role in our justice system, often carrying out incredibly complex work in challenging circumstances,” she said.

The changes, set to come into effect on December 6, will also increase fees for solicitors undertaking police station legal aid work and youth court cases across England and Wales.

Police station work, which often occurs at short notice during unsocial hours, will see a funding boost of £18.5 million.

Meanwhile, £5.1 million will go towards raising fees for serious youth court cases, reflecting the complexity of trials involving issues such as organised crime and sexual assault.

Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, welcomed the reforms and acknowledged the critical need for further investment. 

"The additional funding brings hope to the criminal defence profession as does [the Justice Secretary’s] recognition that this is just the first step needed to stabilise the sector,” he said.