Supporting Immigration Advice Amidst Financial Challenges: Local Authorities’ Funding Initiatives

Drawing from existing research, this briefing:

1. Emphasises the importance of immigration legal advice to contribute to the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration adopted by UN Member States in 2018.
2. Discusses the state of immigration advice provision in the UK and the challenges faced by immigration advice providers, including insufficient legal aid funding, saturated capacity, and policy changes increasing demand.
3. Highlights the potential role of Local Authorities in funding immigration advice. While financial challenges may deter Local Authorities from considering funding immigration advice, research indicates that providing this support can be cost-effective, prevent destitution and benefit public health.

We conclude by positing that having Local Authorities funding immigration advice aligns with the objectives of the Global Compact and can be part of a counterintuitive, yet radical, approach to address Local Authorities’ financial challenges.