There will be a march in Eastbourne as part of a National Day of Action on Friday 3rd June 2011 in response to the recent government proposals to cut the Legal Aid Budget. These proposals will have an impact on people who need access to specialist Debt, Housing and Welfare Benefit, Employment, Immigration (where the litigant is not detained), Consumer, Education, Civil and Family Law advice, as well as impact on those agencies who provide this advice.
The Ministry of Justice received over 5,000 responses to their consultation on legal aid reform. Respondents, many of whom were CAB’s and organisations with charity status currently providing legal aid funded advice, are concerned that the proposals are lacking in evidence, misunderstand the extent and range of legal advice needs and underestimate the potential impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people[i]. A clear message about the need for legal aid funding has been sent to the MOJ and it is being ignored in the rush to cut public expenditure
Eastbourne Citizens Advice Bureau and Brighton Housing Trust’s Eastbourne Advice Centre will be leading a march against the cuts, setting off from 1.30pm outside Debenhams, Terminus Road on Friday 3rd June. Stephen Lloyd MP, who has raised his concerns in several parliamentary debates, will be joining us. A stall will also be based outside Barclays Bank, in the Town Centre, with information about the proposals and a petition for the general public to sign and the march will pause here to hear from him.
Should the proposals be agreed, funding for Social Welfare Law advice in East Sussex will be halved at a time when services are under increasing pressure and demand. Residents will find themselves without access to Legal Aid at the very time when events in their lives, cuts to services or changes to the benefit system mean they are most in need of specialist advice. Good quality specialist advice enables people to take control of their lives.
The Eastbourne Advice Agencies are keen to have strong representation would therefore appreciate it if you could circulate this letter and encourage people to attend. It would also be appreciated if you could confirm attendance with trudy@esap.org.uk, who will provide you with further details should you require any, or via the Facebook Page which has been set up; “Eastbourne Day of Action against cuts to Legal Aid”
The Legal Aid, sentencing and punishment of offenders bill was voted through its 2nd reading on 29th June (295 yes votes to 212 No's) and has been committed to a Public Bill Committee, which must conclude on 13th October. Let's hope the Lords request amendments to the Legal Aid, Social Welfare Law sections of the Bill and the Government in their rush to pass this, accept them. A spokesperson for the Eastbourne Campaign commented: “I am waiting to learn why Stephen Lloyd MP voted YES to the 2nd reading having said to us that he would 'do everything he could to make the government sense on this vital issue'. Amber Rudd, the Conservative MP for Hastings abstained.”
ReplyDeleteYou can write to him and add your voice, at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA