A SERVICE which helps battle discrimination is under threat of closure due to Government cuts.

The Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race and Equality Centre says its discrimination casework service is under threat of closure from April.

The loss of Government grant funding from March means the centre’s free legal support and advice service could close.

Last year the service dealt with 172 complaints of discrimination and secured more than £82,000 in compensation for clients.

Shantele Janes, director of the centre, said: ”Government Equalities Office has stated that discrimination cases can be dealt with through legal aid and don’t require a separate pot of funding.

“This fails to recognise the real difficulties that people facing discrimination experience.

“Most of the cases we deal with are employment-based and clients are not eligible under legal aid rules, but equally the claim amount is not high enough to justify the fees of a solicitor.”

Now the organisation is campaigning against the decision through an e-petition.

Visit chawrec.org.uk to show your support.