Reeves announced £2bn investment to build an extra 18,000 ‘social and affordable homes’ as well as a £3.25bn ‘transformation fund’ to improve public services, including funding for the foster system and £8m investment in technology to reduce administrative tasks for probation officers.
She increased the standard universal credit allowance while cutting social security and disability benefits, and pledged to introduce improved technology to tackle tax evasion and avoidance schemes which she claimed would bring a further £1bn into the public coffers.
Ian Jeffery, the Law Society’s CEO, said: ‘Although the Spring Statement didn’t deliver cuts, it didn’t deliver a proper investment plan in our justice system either.
‘A fair and effective justice system requires greater funding and bold decisions. The upcoming spending review needs to provide more funding and resources to fix the courts system, boost legal aid and protect our communities.’
