An estimated 34,000 domestic abuse survivors have been denied support in seeking protection orders in the decade since legal aid was scaled back, according to research by House of Commons library staff.
Also, the proportion of publicly funded domestic abuse cases fell from 75% to 47% between 2010-11 and 2020-21 and spending on civil legal aid for domestic abuse cases decreased 37% in real terms during the same period, the Guardian newspaper reported.
The Commons library, which provides research for MPs, was asked to review the impact of reduced legal aid availability for civil cases ten years after capital and income limits were imposed.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “More than 95% of applications for legal aid in domestic abuse cases are successful and we are making millions more people eligible through our changes to the means test.
“The Domestic Abuse Act is transforming our response to this terrible crime – redefining economic abuse, improving protection for victims and bringing more perpetrators to justice.”