Barnet Council has pledged to continue providing a free legal advice service despite one organisation facing closure following funding cuts.

Barnet Law Service, which provides hundreds of people each year with legal support in areas like employment, immigration and social housing, says it will be forced to close its doors if it cannot make up the £60,000 deficit it faces this year.

The Hendon-based organisation receives part of its funding from Barnet Council via the citizen’s advice bureau (CAB), which sub-contracts work to the BLS.

But, as the financial situation for the service is worsening, Barnet Council has pledged to continue its funding to the CAB.

A council spokesman said in a statement: “The council has a three year £1.2 million contract with the Citizens Advice Bureau, which sub-contract some work to the Barnet Law Service.

“Council funding, which represents around a third of the service’s total income, has remained relatively constant over the past few years but we understand that the BLS has faced reductions to its income from other sources.

“We will work with CAB to make sure that residents continue to receive the advice that we have commissioned CAB to provide.”