Legal services hit by 30% cuts to justice system?

Legal services may be among the budgets most affected by the spending review due to be released on Wednesday (October 20th).

Chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne has vowed to continue the programme of austerity measures, saying cutting public deficit will make Britain stronger in the long run.

Currently free legal services are offered for individuals in cases relating to family law and divorce, among others, but the Ministry of Justice cuts are believed to be among the most severe of any department.

The Guardian reports justice secretary Kenneth Clarke is likely to have his budget reduced from £9 billion to £6 billion, a move that will see funds lost from prison services and magistrates courts.

One ministry source claimed the move will necessitate a reduction in the number of prisoners by around 6,000, alongside sales of "large parts of the prison estate", a move that may be unpopular among the general public.