THE families of the victims of the Shoreham Airshow disaster have received a further glimmer of hope in their fight for legal aid.

Lord Bassam of Brighton submitted a question on the issue to Lord Keen of Elie at the Ministry of Justice last month.

It said: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the refusal by the Legal Aid Agency of support for the families of the victims of Shoreham Airshow seeking representation in the forthcoming inquest.”

He has now received a reply from the minister which said: “The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 ensures that the decision-making process for legal aid remains independent from ministers.

“The role of Director of Legal Aid Casework (DLAC) was created as a result of the LASPO Act 2012 and the DLAC has sole responsibility for making decisions on individual cases.

“A review of the funding decision remains under way with the DLAC, pending further information being provided.”

The wording was greeted with cautious optimism by the families.

Caroline Schilt lost her 23-year-old son Jacob in the tragedy.

He and his friend Matt Grimstone were travelling to play in a football game when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to A27 in August 2015.

Both were killed instantly.

Mrs Schilt said: “We’re glad it’s gone to appeal and we’re waiting.

“We feel we should get legal aid – it’s in the public interest, and there are a lot more questions that need to be asked.

“Not just about the pilot but also questions of the CAA and the airshow organisers.”

In November it was announced that the 11 families did not qualify for Legal Aid Agency help to cover costs of their representation at the inquest into the deaths of their loved ones.

Prime Minister Theresa May asked the department to re-examine the decision.

The start of the long-delayed inquest into the deaths of the 11 men was postponed again last month.

West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield moved the pre-inquest hearing back to late March after hearing from the Crown Prosecution Service that no decision would be reached regarding possible criminal charges again pilot Andy Hill.