21/06/2011 – Legal aid, the ‘fourth emergency service’, is under threat
Welfare rights and technology charity Lasa has responded to the legal aid bill, published today, expressing concern about the future of "the fourth emergency service".
Proposals in the bill to slash free face-to-face legal aid advice will hurt thousands of the most vulnerable people, end up costing more than is saved and undermine the basic principle of access to justice for all. The government has shown its nerve in changing course over health service reforms and sentencing reductions. However, Lasa is extremely disappointed that, despite 5,000 responses expressing outright concerns over legal aid, they have not taken a similar path to pause, listen and learn.
It is estimated that over half a million of the poorest people will lose out on free legal advice on everyday issues such as employment, debt, welfare benefits, housing, immigration and education. We are very concerned that the proposals will lead to an increase in poverty, poor health and inequality. At a time of unprecedented welfare reforms, including Universal Credit and Local Housing Allowance, removing legal aid for all social security advice could easily undermine the successful implementation of these reforms.
Terry Stokes, Lasa's CEO, said: "Legal aid advice helps thousands of vulnerable people everyday to solve their everyday problems. It prevents homelessness, it improves health, it reduces stress and anxiety and it has been shown that it also saves other spending on public services.
"There is still time for Mr Cameron to pause, reflect and listen again to the widespread discontent over cuts to legal aid, the fourth emergency service."
Notes for editors
1) For media enquiries, please contact Paul Treloar on 0207 377 2748 or contact Liz Nightingale, email liz.nightingale@freelancepr.org
2) Lasa is a leading charity and strategic provider of knowledge, support and resources to third sector and government bodies. Lasa helps thousands of organisations across the UK each year including Age UK, Shelter and Citizens Advice Bureau. It helps organisations to get better welfare rights advice to their clients; deliver more effective and efficient services; influences policy for advice and legal services; and raises awareness of the third sector's technology needs with funders and government. Lasa is a member of the Justice for All campaign.
3) The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offender Bill was introduced to Parliament on 21 June 2011. It proposes to remove from the scope of legal aid all welfare benefits and tax credits advice as well as reductions in employment, housing, debt, and immigration cases, as well as most family law cases.