Policy
15 November, 2006
Specialist Support Services consultation put on hold
Delay to allow more time for 'analysis and consideration'
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has delayed the start of public consultation on its review of specialist support projects, funded as part of the Community Legal Service (CLS), to allow more time for analysis and consideration of the issues that have been identified during the review.
The Commission has stated that it remains committed to developing proposals for the future funding of specialist support projects and to undertaking public consultation on its proposals. It intends to announce the period of consultation 'in due course'.
Source: Supplier Support Services Review: consultation process deferred – LSC letter to specialist support providers (10 November 2006).
More information on Specialist Support is available here.
The review covers Specialist Support Services and CLS Grants for the Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice Bureau, the Solicitors Pro Bono LawWorks project, the Law Centres Federation and Advice Services Alliance.
NB - Specialist Support Services are provided by a range of organisations including Citizens Advice, Shelter, Mind, Lasa, CPAG, solicitors firms and barristers chambers who deliver a second-tier service on housing, welfare benefits, debt, employment, immigration, community care, public law and human rights, HIV/AIDS and mental health to organisations primarily involved in delivering services as part of the CLS.
For further background information see the related rightsnet policy news stories -
- LSC consults on future of specialist support services : Front-line advice organisations urged to respond by 15 September (12 September, 2006)
- Specialist Support review begins: Legal Services Commission looking at supplier support projects (13 July, 2006)li>LSC revokes termination of funding for specialist support services : Decision follows support from MPs and threat of Judical Review proceedings (23 March, 2006)
- 'Major flaws' in LSC approach to policy making: Constitutional Affairs Committee recommends reconsideration of decision to end Specialist Support (14 March, 2006)
- Specialist Support evidence published: Constitutional Affairs Committee transcript (22 February, 2006)
- Constitutional Affairs Select Committee to scrutinise end of funding for specialist support services: Evidence session to be held tomorrow (13 February, 2006)
- An astonishing and disappointing decision of great significance to the most vulnerable people in society: Parliamentary debate on the LSC's termination of Specialist Support funding (3 February, 2006)
- MPs urged to attend parliamentary debate on termination of Specialist Support Service contracts: Proforma letter now available for agencies who've used the service to send to their MP (31 January, 2006)
- Specialist Support Service fight back: Questions in Parliament (30 January, 2006)
- Specialist Support Service contracts to end early: Legal Services Commission announce termination (17 January, 2006)
