Without the support of legal aid lawyers, which are in scarce supply, asylum seekers can be left homeless for months while waiting for the Home Office to make a decision on their case. Photo credit: Press Association/Julian Kumar. All rights reserved.
The alarming shortage of housing lawyers caused by cuts in legal aid, has received significant media coverage, following a Law Society campaign about 'legal aid deserts'. As has been widely reported, evidence suggests thousands of people have lost their homes unnecessarily because of lack of access to legal advice. What has received far less attention though is a similar dearth of expert help for those seeking asylum support, which is having an equally devastating impact, leaving extremely vulnerable asylum seekers destitute.
The Home Office can take years to reach a decision on a claim, during which time asylum seekers are unable to work or claim other welfare benefits. Asylum support is their lifeline.
