Legal aid cuts will hit vulnerable

THE Coalition Government’s decision to slash access to Legal Aid funded advice will hit women and the disabled the most.
That’s the accusation being made by Warrington Borough Council executive member for Personnel Communications Cllr Hitesh Patel, who is also responsible for Equality and Diversity at the Council.
Last year the Legal Service Commission awarded three-year Legal Aid contracts to charities and firms of solicitors in Warrington.
But then at the beginning of October the Coalition Government imposed a little advertised 10 per cent cut the funding mid-way through the contracts, says Cllr Patel (pictured).
This funding cut will put further pressure on advice agencies already struggling to keep up with rising bills caused by worsening inflation, the rate of which currently stand at 5.2 per cent.
Now the Coalition have announced they are pressing ahead with plans to scrap legal aid funded advice for disability benefits advice, divorce, access to children cases, housing issues, employment rights and debt. In total there will be 413 less debts cases, 270 fewer benefit appeal cases, 68 fewer Housing cases and no employment law cases.
Cllr Patel said: “Access to justice is one the most basic of human rights any democracy should protect and yet the Tory-Lib Dem coalition’s plans to slash the Legal Aid scheme will hit the most vulnerable in society the hardest.
“Why, when we know that 40 per cent of all disability benefit appeals decisions are successful, is the Coalition planning to stop disabled people getting specialist welfare rights representation?
“Why, when we know mothers don’t always get a fair settlement when relationships break down, is the Coalition proposing to stop legal aid being used for divorce cases or access to children cases? Why, when we know many low paid part-time jobs are filled by lone parents, is the Coalition planning to stop legal aid funded advice when basic statutory employment rights like the minimum wage, holidays, etc are breached.
“These proposals will see around £156,000 annual investment being taken out of Warrington’s economy, 800 fewer families will miss out on getting legal advice and up to eight jobs in the advice sector will be at risk. This issue is not about party politics, it’s about putting the people of Warrington first and I am urging local LibDem and Tory councillors to join my call for the Coalition to re-think these plans. After all, access to justice shouldn’t be the preserve of the rich.”