MPs to quiz legal aid chief on cuts
14.02.06

MPs will today raise concerns about plans to cut funding for essential specialist advice services on areas of law such as welfare benefits, debt, housing and immigration.

The Acting Chief Executive of the Legal Services Commission (LSC), which recently announced it would withdraw funding for Specialist Support Services in July, has been summoned to answer questions from MPs on the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee later today.

19 expert agencies including the Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice, Liberty, MIND, Shelter and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants are currently contracted by the LSC to provide specialist advice in complex areas of social welfare law to front-line advisers.

Over 100 MPs have backed an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to “restore funding for specialist support and to strengthen the provision of legal advice for those in greatest need.”

Kate Green, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, said:

“Ministers claim that ending this service will free up funding for more front-line advice but for this advice to be effective front-line advisers need the specialist back-up and support that is currently working so well.

“Specialist support means that front-line advisers, who cannot be experts on every complex aspect of social welfare law, can provide the best possible service to their clients.

“It takes up just £3 million from of a budget of £1.1 billion and the LSC’s own evaluation in 2004 showed that the scheme provides quick, early and accessible information for vulnerable and socially excluded individuals. We urge the LSC and the Government to think again and save this much-needed service.”

James Sandbach, legal affairs policy officer at Citizens Advice, added:

“Withdrawing all funding from specialist support services has direct implications for our clients, many of whom are vulnerable and on very low incomes. Specialist support can help clients who are not in a financial, educational or emotional position to employ specialists on their own to fight a case that has wider significance. This is especially so with employment cases, because the limited legal aid available precludes professional lawyers being instructed at a reasonable cost.”

 

Notes to Editors:

1. For case studies or further information please contact CPAG Press Officer Alex Belardinelli on 020 7812 5216, 07816 90930 or abelardinelli@cpag.org.uk
2. The Constitutional Affairs Select Committee is holding a one-off session with the Legal Services Commission at 4.15pm today in the Grimond Room, Portcullis House.
3. A full list of organisations funded by the LSC to provide Specialist Support Services and their areas of expertise is available here: <http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/docs/cls_main/Specialist_Support_Advice_Lines.pdf>
4. Early Day Motion 1542 has been signed by 102 MPs and can be read here: <http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=29963&SESSION=875>

For further information please contact:
Alex Belardinelli
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
abelardinelli@cpag.org.uk