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<p>The LAA commissions services on a ‘Procurement Area’ basis. Procurement Areas align
to one or a number of combined local authority areas and have been developed based
on various local factors.</p><p> </p><p>Individuals are not limited to accessing legal
advice providers in the Procurement Area where they live and may access services from
providers located in neighbouring local authorities, or at other contracted legal
advice providers located locally.</p><p> </p><p>The LAA has recently tendered for
new face-to-face housing contracts across the 134 housing and debt procurement areas
across England and Wales. As of 30 June 2019, there is at least one provider offering
housing and debt services in all but 4 procurement areas, and the LAA is considering
how to secure provision in these areas and will set out next steps shortly.</p><p>
</p><p>Legal advice is still available in these areas through the Civil Legal Advice
telephone service and irrespective of a client’s location in England and Wales, legal
advice for housing remains available through a telephone service as well.</p><p> </p><p>The
following table shows the number of providers in each of the locations enquired about,
and the number of procurement areas which fall within each.</p><p> </p><p>The Legal
Aid Agency keeps availability of legal support under constant review and takes urgent
action whenever it has concerns.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Geographical
Location</p></td><td><p># of Procurement Areas</p></td><td><p># of Providers</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>235</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wales</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>35</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other</p></td><td><p>96</p></td><td><p>212</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>This government spent £1.6 billion on legal aid last year and in addition to
the Civil Legal Advice Telephone service, we are investing £5m in innovative technologies
to help people access legal support wherever they are.</p>
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