Early Legal Advice Scheme pilot in Manchester and Middlesbrough helped just three people between October 2022 and March 2023

However, Minister says that draft evaluation of the pilot has gathered ‘valuable insights’ on the nature and implementation of such pilots as well as barriers to engagement

The Early Legal Advice Scheme pilot in Manchester and Middlesbrough helped just three people between October 2022 and March 2023.

Further to completion of the initial phase of the scheme – that tested provision of non-means and non-merits tested legal advice for housing, debt and welfare benefit matters in Manchester and Middlesborough between 31 October 2022 and 31 March 2023 – Shadow Attorney General Emma Thornberry asked the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in a written question in the House of Commons how many people the scheme has helped.

Responding for the Department, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the MoJ Mike Freer confirmed last week that –

'From November 2022 to March 2023, approximately 27,000 invitations were sent to residents of Manchester and Middlesbrough who were identified as having early-stage housing-related debt, inviting them to participate in the Early Legal Advice Pilot.

104 people completed the survey to apply to participate (which was necessary for data collection and protection purposes). According to Legal Aid Agency records in May 2023, three individuals from Middlesbrough requested and attended the free legal advice sessions under the pilot and there was no take-up in Manchester up to 31 March 2023.'

In addition, Mr Freer provided an update about evaluation of the pilot, saying that –

'The evaluation has gathered valuable insights on the nature and implementation of such pilots as well as the barriers to engagement. The evaluation report is currently being finalised and is expected to be published by the end of summer 2023.'

The written answer Legal Aid Scheme: Manchester and Middlesbrough is available from parliament.uk