Low Commission call for evidence on social welfare law

A key part of the Low Commission’s work is to gather evidence and draw on the experience and knowledge of individuals and organisations working in the areas of Social Welfare Law and the advice sector. The Low Commission is taking a wide view of its brief and will welcome any submissions relating to its aim. In particular, it would like to invite evidence under the following headings:

The expected and the actual impact of the cuts, for example:

* Closure of advice organisations
* Reduction in the number of people that can be helped
* Reduction in opening hours
* Reduction in the number of staff

The role of advice, for example:

* What advantages and benefits does it bring for individuals
* What impact does it have on the justice system
* What impact does it have on the social welfare system
* Is there a case for strategic investment in advice

The background policy changes affecting Social Welfare Law, for example:

* The impact of welfare reform

As well as also looking at the lessons from legal aid, how to reduce the demand for advice and support, different ways of delivering advice and support (such as technology, pro bono, etc), different ways of funding advice and support, and how to improve the ways of resolving disputes.

The Low Commission would welcome the inclusion of case studies and examples to illustrate the submissions where appropriate. They will welcome written evidence at any time. In particular, the Low Commission would welcome submissions on the likely impact of cuts and the background policy changes in social welfare law by the end of January 2013, and submissions on the actual impact of cuts and possible ideas for the future of advice by the end of May 2013.

The Submit evidence page allows you to briefly describe your submission and to upload your documents in Word, PDF or Excel formats. You can also submit evidence by emailing Sara Ogilvie .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

All evidence submitted to the Commission will be published on this website. If you would like your evidence to remain confidential please indicate this clearly at the top of your submission.

For more information, see Can you help?