Government plans to slash legal aid have split Kent MPs, with one warning they could have a devastating impact on thousands of people needing advice over benefits, illnesses and disability.

Maidstone and Weald MP Helen Grant, a practising legal aid solicitor, has warned government’s plan to cut £350m from the budget for family and civil law cases could deepen the divide between the ‘haves and have-nots’ in society.

But Gillingham MP Reh Chishti has defended the move, saying the budget is out of control.

Ms Grant said there was widespread disquiet among Citizens Advice Bureaux and other charity groups at the possible consequences at a time when they were also facing grant cuts.

"They tell me that the predicted increase in volume and complexity of cases will be both unmanageable and unsustainable, even under existing funding arrangements.

"This will only be exacerbated by the forthcoming reductions in their own legal aid funding and other cuts in revenue from local authorities, charitable donations and central government grants."

While she accepted there was a need to curb spending, legal aid for civil cases was for many people "the only sword and shield in their armoury".

The system achieved "an amazing amount with very little" and other government departments should be called on to shoulder a greater share of the burden.

"We have to handle this with the utmost care and recognising that we have created a bit of social mess in the last 30 to 40 years, perhaps other government departments need to take more of the financial responsibility."

"These changes rely on people being able to find alternative help or represent themselves at court, which can be very hard."

But Mr Chishti said: "We must look at the sustainibility of the legal aid bill.

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"We have one of the largest budgets in the world at £38 per head whereas in Australia it is £9 per head.

"Under these plans, people who need help will still get help. If you look at educational tribunals and welfare tribunals, they are designed as people’s courts to allow personal representation.

"Equally, voluntary groups and charities and MPs will still be able to help people."

Under the government’s plans, legal aid will be cut for divorce, welfare benefits, school exclusion appeals, employment, immigration where the person is not detained, clinical negligence and personal injury.

It is thought there will be 500,000 fewer civil cases as a result.