1 Oct 2025
Network rejects any half measures which will not see renewed investment in the sector
Liverpool Access to Advice Network has provided evidence for the Government’s Justice Committee inquiry into Access to Justice.
As the community of practice for Liverpool’s free legal advice sector, we know that accessible free legal support is a lifeline for people across our city. The evidence we have given presents a sector faced by unprecedented levels of demand and unstable funding arrangements. Our members are balancing maintaining the sustainability of their organisations with supporting people with increasingly complex needs.
The evidence we have submitted comes from across the very breadth of our network: we facilitated multiple feedback mediums to allow our members to share their views.
Martin Jungnitz, Independent Chair, says:
“Feedback from advice providers and community gateways continues to show an unprecedented level of urgent need for quality, independent advice which is free of charge for the client. Across matters including, for example, housing, income, employment, benefits, debt, immigration, education and social care, many residents need timely, vital support to prevent hardship and crisis. Many advice organisations face the twin challenges of high levels of urgent need and precarious funding.
Advice helps to create a fairer, healthier society for everyone, but without clear paths to sustainable funding many critical services are at risk, and many people will fail to get the support they need. This is a critical opportunity to help provide a better future for free legal advice and we hope that the review recognises the need to act decisively to improve access to advice.”
Edward Hodgson, Coordinator, says:
“We talk so often about the demand our sector is facing that it is easy to become desensitized to what that demand actually represents. These are real people in Liverpool – and across the country – who are struggling to get a response to their call for support, fighting to book an appointment, and leaving work or other commitments to attend a drop-in all to be told that there is no capacity to see more people.
This is why we fundamentally reject any notion that changes can be made without significant, thought-through investment in our sector. The questions in this inquiry ask about creating ‘limited’ funding opportunities – this is concerning, and makes it appear questionable how serious the Government is about reforming the system. There are countless studies that show that our work ultimately saves the Government money. We also know that the work we’re doing helps people avoid crises, frees people from exploitation, and improves health and wellbeing. Half-measures will not cut it – we encourage the Justice Committee to take our concerns seriously.”
The Justice Committee will now consider all evidence submitted. Our evidence may be published, and we may be called to provide further evidence. Liverpool Access to Advice Network's response can be viewed by clicking here.