Policy
23 March, 2006
LSC revokes termination of funding for specialist support services
Decision follows support from MPs and threat of Judical Review proceedings
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has today announced that it has decided to revoke its decision to end funding for Specialist Support services in England and Wales.
In February 2006, in a parliamentary debate on the termination of the specialist support contracts, MPs said that the decision was an 'astonishing' and 'disappointing' decision of 'great significance to the most vulnerable people in society', and the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee concluded earlier this month that the LSC should reconsider the decision, it having been based on a flawed consultation process.
With more than 160 MPs having signed an Early Day Motion condemning the decision, in light of the LSC's own review that 'recognised the value and importance of specialist support advice, mentoring and training in complex areas of social welfare law', a range of specialist support providers instigated Judicial Review proceedings and on 10 March 2006 obtained interim relief from the High Court.
However the LSC has today written to the 19 specialist support contract holders to say that, having given careful consideration to the points raised in the Judicial Review proceedings, particularly in relation to the lack of adequate consultation it had undertaken, it has revoked its decision to terminate the contracts.
NB - the LSC adds that on the publication of its 'Making legal rights a reality' strategy paper (coincidentally, published today - see the rightsnet policy news story Making Legal Rights a Reality: Community Legal Service publish five year strategy), it intends to -
'... formulate and bring forward proposals relating to the future of the specialist support initiative.'
The LSC says however, once the proposals are formulated, specialist support contract holders will be consulted and given a reasonable opportunity to make representations, which will be fully considered before any final decision is taken.
See also the related rightsnet policy news stories -
- '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 (22 February 2006)
- Constitutional Affairs Select Committee to scrutinise end of funding for specialist support services (13 February, 2006)
- An astonishing and disappointing decision of great significance to the most vulnerable people in society: Parliamentary debate on the LSCs termination of Specialist Support funding (03 February, 2006)
- MPs urged to attend parliamentary debate on termination of Specialist Support Service contracts (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)
