PROVISION OF LEGAL AID

Early day motion 2334, tabled 31 October 2011 by Jim Cunningham (Labour). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes with concern that proposed legal aid cuts will lead to a loss of face-to-face advice for debt, employment, housing and welfare benefits that could make the funding stream unworkable for charities; furthernotes with alarm that the legal aid funding that will be left in placewould not be enough for not-for-profit organisations to employ one full-time caseworker in 30 per cent. of areas; further notes that the removal oflegal aid for advice on immigration, family law, clinical negligence and education and other changes means that over 650,000 people will lose out overall; further notes with alarm that immigration advice will only be available in the future under legal aid for people who are detained; further notes that Coventry Law Centre has a contract to help 380 clients with immigration issues; recognises that the current provision for legal aid for debt, housing, welfare, benefits, community care and employment allows Coventry Law Centre to assist 1,830 people in the city; notes with concern that after the proposed cuts and the effects of the introduction of the mandatory telephone gateway, that this figure will reduce to just 138 people; believes that current policies are unfair, unnecessary and unsustainable; and calls on the Government to reconsider its proposals before it damages legal aid provision irrevocably.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.