Women and children will bear the brunt of the Government's legal aid reforms with an increasing number of victims of domestic abuse cross-examined in court by their alleged attackers, the shadow home secretary has said.
Yvette Cooper accused the Government of putting women's access to justice and safety at risk in its Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, which will save £350 million a year, ahead of it being considered by MPs next week.
She backed campaigners' calls for a re-think after they sent a manifesto to all MPs, urging politicians to protect vulnerable women and children.
"Once again women and children are bearing the brunt of this Government's actions," Ms Cooper said.
"Now they are putting women's access to justice and women's safety at risk.
"Denying victims of domestic violence legal support, or increasingly making victims endure cross-examination by their assailants, will remove the vital protection many vulnerable women depend upon.
"It's time this Government listened to women across the country and to the many women's charities and independent organisations who condemn these reforms.
"The Prime Minister needs to stop letting women down."
Stephen Cobb QC, chairman of the Family Law Bar Association, said: "We face the very real prospect that many children and women who have been victims of domestic abuse will have to endure the further trauma of being cross-examined by their alleged perpetrator, who will not be eligible for legal aid.
"It is not too late for the Government to change its approach. If it really has the interests of families in mind, then it has to think again."