The Community Justice Fund, which was set up to help social welfare legal advice organisations cope with the impact of COVID-19, has awarded £11.5m to 178 organisations, in its first round of funding.
Many organisations have experienced a surge in demand, particularly in the areas of employment, housing, homelessness, discrimination, debt and welfare rights.
Law centres have described being inundated with employment and discrimination cases, particularly from employees in low paid jobs who are ineligible for legal aid. Casework around debt and benefits has increased, particularly concerning universal credit, as thousands of people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
Rosario Guimba-Stewart, chief executive officer of Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network, said: ‘The funding was a lifeline to our clients who are mainly vulnerable and destitute.’
Find out more at: www.communityjusticefund.org.uk.
