Sutton’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is concerned a proposed 20 per cent cut to legal aid will hit free advice just as demand is increasing.

The CAB is calling for the Government to rethink some of the proposals and to provide alternative funding if possible.

It currently advises more than 500 debt clients a year in Sutton – many of whom are struggling with arrears of priority debts such as mortgage, rent and council tax. Chief executive of Sutton’s CAB, Steve Triner, asked people to write to their MP to support amendments to the bill.

He said: “Research based on official statistics shows expenditure on legal aid actually saves money and the cuts are therefore counterproductive.

“Public money is saved by the prevention of homelessness, prevention of mental health problems arising from unmanageable debt and maximising the incomes of disadvantaged people.”

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