Policy
13 February, 2006
Constitutional Affairs Select Committee to scrutinise end of funding for specialist support services
Evidence session to be held tomorrow
The Legal Services Commission's decision to end funding for specialist support services in England and Wales is due to come under the scrutiny of the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee tomorrow.
More than 100 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion (No.1542) calling on the government to 'restore funding for specialist support and to strengthen the provision of legal advice for those in greatest need', and the LSC's decision was described by MPs last week as 'astonishing' and disappointing', and having caused 'great disquiet' among those who work on behalf of vulnerable people.
NB - asked in the Lords last week, what analysis has been undertaken of the likely effects of the decision, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland) said that -
'Given the pressure on the limited legal aid budget and the number of clients needing front-line legal advice, the commission concluded that the money would now be better spent on direct front-line advice to vulnerable legal aid clients.'
For more information see -
- Legal Service Commission's decision to end funding for specialist support in England and Wales (Early Day Motion 1542); and
- Baroness Ashton's contribution to the debate in the Lords.
See also the related rightsnet policy news stories -
- 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)
