Free legal advice, because your rights matter.
Free legal advice, because your rights matter.
Justice for All fears many people will be cut off from free legal advice as multiple funding streams are cut at the same time.
Free, independent advice is not free to provide. Even volunteer-run services need funding for management, training and basics like computers and office space. Local authorities are the most common source of funding for advice services.
Local authorities must make huge cuts in their spending – and their support for advice services may reduce or go altogether.
Central government supports additional debt advice, through the Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF). This funds specialised advisers to offer in-depth support for debt problems.
We are delighted the Government announced it will continue debt advice through FIF for at least a year beyond March 2011.
People with the most complicated problems, who are often the most vulnerable, need specialised legal advice from highly trained professionals. The legal aid scheme funds free legal advice.
The Government plans to cut the legal aid budget by £350 million.
Read more about Legal Aid reform
People escaping violence or persecution in the UK often need advice on finding employment, education, housing and their immigration status. The Home Office funds charities to help refugees and asylum seekers to settle in to society here.
The Home Office Advice will cut advice for newly arrived asylum seekers by 60% and advice for refugees completely.
Read more about cuts to Asylum and refugee advice.
Views from the responses to legal aid consultation:
Saving Justice