LEGAL aid provision in Wyre Forest for civil cases has fallen by more than 40 per cent over the last six years, research has shown.

Those unable to afford legal advice or representation when facing court action have been given a helping hand to navigate the justice system in their time of need thanks to legal aid which has existed since 1949.

However - the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) heralded cuts to the provision of legal aid across England and Wales – leaving some people with no choice but to attempt to represent themselves in court.

According to analysis of civil and criminal legal aid data by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit in Birmingham – Wyre Forest has nearly half of its legal aid providers since 2011-12.

There were seven providers of legal aid for civil matters in 2011-12 – with receipts showing £1,765,112 was spent on providing aid in 1,099 cases.

But fast forward to 2017-18 and there were just four providers in the district offering legal assistance in civil cases, with figures

receipts were submitted for just 356 cases at a cost of £978,206.

Labour MP Richard Burgon, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, said the figures “highlight the grim reality of a justice system in crisis” and he added: “These legal aid cuts have deliberately weakened people’s ability to challenge injustices and enforce their rights.

“Cuts to publicly-funded legal support have left people unable to defend themselves against rogue landlords, tackle exploitation at work or the flawed benefits decisions that left them needing to use a food bank.

“It is simply unacceptable that people are increasingly having to represent themselves in court when faced with life-changing decisions, for example, over access to their children. “Many will be shocked to find out that this even extends to a growing number of people defending criminal charges without a lawyer. Just as we don’t expect people with serious health problems to treat themselves without a doctor, we shouldn't leave people with legal issues to face those alone.”

In Wyre Forest, however, it is a different story regarding criminal cases.

In 2011-12 there were three active providers of legal aid in the district where £1,033,173 was spent providing assistance in 2,538 criminal cases. In 2017-18 there were still three providers offering legal aid for criminal matters but receipts were submitted for just 1,696 costing £787,072 – that’s 842 cases less and a fall in legal aid spending of £ 246,101.

The Government is reportedly undertaking a review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 which is expected to be published by the end of the year.