Research finds millions lack local housing, welfare and community care legal aid providers across England and Wales
Millions of people across England and Wales do not have access to local legal aid providers for housing, welfare and community care matters, according to new research published by the Law Society of England and Wales.
The organisation warns that gaps in provision are leaving many people unable to obtain early legal advice, contributing to what it describes as an “uphill struggle for justice” for individuals dealing with housing, welfare and social care disputes. It says this can make it harder for people to resolve problems before they escalate.
The Law Society’s legal aid desert mapping shows that around 25 million people approximately 41% of the population in England and Wales do not have access to a housing legal aid provider in their area. It says this creates significant barriers for people needing support in housing disputes and tenancy issues.
The wider research also highlights major gaps in other areas of legal aid provision. It finds that 50 million people (82% of the population) do not have access to a local welfare legal aid provider, while 42 million people (69% of the population) do not have access to a local community care legal aid provider.
The organisation says these shortages reflect a broader decline in legal aid availability and are contributing to “legal aid deserts” across England and Wales. It warns that in many areas, people may have no local access to essential legal advice.
It also states that the absence of early legal advice can lead to issues escalating into court proceedings, eviction action or more complex disputes, increasing pressure on courts and other public services.
The Law Society links the decline in provision to years of underfunding and the closure of legal aid providers, which it says has reduced capacity and widened geographical gaps in access to justice.
Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “All of us need a safe and stable home. If our government truly believes in acting for the common good, they must guarantee that all of us – no matter where we live or how much money we have – have what we need to access justice.”
He added: “However, for these rights to be real, there must be free legal advice for people where rogue landlords break the rules and do not comply with the new Act.” He further stated: “Legal aid can make the difference between home and homelessness.”
The Law Society also emphasises that demand for housing legal advice is growing, while the number of legal aid firms able to support families facing eviction has declined. It warns that without sustained investment, more providers risk leaving the sector.
It is calling on the government to increase long-term funding for civil legal aid to ensure services remain available and sustainable, arguing that access to legal advice is essential to preventing homelessness and ensuring legal rights can be enforced in practice.