Shelter is consulting with staff on the potential closure of eight of its offices due to cuts in government legal aid funding.

The government plans to cut the budget for legal aid-funded services in England, which include a number of advice giving services run by different organisations such as Shelter and Citizens Advice, by £350m.

Shelter says the cuts the housing and homelessness charity is to receive will result in a 50 per cent reduction in its face-to-face advice services, and that eight of its offices around the country could close.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “If these services have to close as a result of cuts to legal aid, this will be a massive blow not only to our staff, but to the people in the affected areas who will no longer be able to get face-to-face advice and support from Shelter. 

"We will be doing all we can to ensure people around the country can still get help with their housing problems through our helpline and website.”

Shelter’s consultation is due to end on 7 October. A final decision is expected on 16 October.

Shelter employs around 150 people under its legal services contracts.