Women 'hardest hit' by loss of free legal advice

Free legal advice cutbacks will affect women disproportionately, it has been claimed, as the government attempts to reduce costs in the justice system.

The Guardian reveals analysis by the department found of those who will no longer be able to access certain legal services free of charge, females outnumber males by almost six to four, indicating assistance has been significantly reduced by the austerity measures.

And free legal advice for people with disabilities and those belonging to ethnic minorities will also more severely affected, with issues such as unfair dismissal potentially among those for which Britons will no longer receive government support.

Opposition supporters and women's rights groups have argued the changes will put vulnerable members of society at risk.

Recent cuts are the largest and most far-reaching since the system was introduced after the second world war, with previous budget reductions affecting support for personal injury cases.

Published by Phil Hammond