Bill 'to exclude even more' from free legal services

The suggested reductions to the legal aid budget could see even more people excluded from receiving free legal advice, it has been claimed.

Mia Sevonius, manager of a law centre in Newcastle, told the Newcastle Chronicle that proposed cuts to legal aid will leave many unable to preserve their rights relating to safe shelter, decent healthcare and education, debt management, immigration and fair treatment at work.

In addition, she said that it could stop some people from keeping their families intact.

Ms Sevonius also pointed out to the news source that many of those who are defined as being well off enough to pay for their own legal advice actually cannot afford to fund this.

She said: “Many people think that these cuts will not affect them, but if they were actually aware of what is being proposed, most would find that they have a relative or friend who will be directly impacted by this.”

Recently, Richard Miller QC, head of legal aid at the Law Society, also said that the government should re-think its planned cuts to legal aid for welfare cases, the Huffington Post said.

Published by Hannah Carr