Storms ahead: Lib Dems prepare for legal aid row
Liberal Democrat loyalties will be put to the test this week when plans to cut legal aid return to the Commons.
A wide coalition of MPs, lobby groups and celebrities have lined up to demand the government back down on the proposals, which critics say would leave victims of domestic violence and industrial disease without legal representation.
Peers forced 11 amendments onto the bill – the highest number of changes in 50 years.
Ten Liberal Democrat MPs rebelled against the government at the report stage, prompting hopes among campaigners that the party can be convinced to back the Lords amendments.
The grassroots of the party made its own view clear when it backed a motion at spring conference to ensure the "least advantaged" continued to receive access to legal advice.
MPs are particularly likely to make sure those facing complex benefit cases continue to receive free legal representation, but they may be convinced to support all the Lords amendments.
A coalition of groups – including disability charity Scope, Amnesty International, housing charity Shelter, Mumsnet, women's rights group the Fawcett Society, the Children's Society and the Law society – have teamed up to lobby for changes to the bill.
They are backed by several celebrities, including Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Bianca Jagger.
The plans are part of Ministry of Justice efforts to slash its budget by £350 million.
