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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 8:27:45 GMT 1
Today, The Legal Aid, Sentencing & Punishment of Offenders Bill gets its hurried second reading in the House of Commons....
More later
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 14:07:10 GMT 1
Ken Clarke kicks off at 2.00 on the cost and muddle, making comparisons with health costs.
Jack Straw retorts with the good outcomes on decline in crime which Clarke says is down to more secure cars and an economic boom which reduced the need to burgle!
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 14:43:33 GMT 1
Ken Clarke showing an astonishing lack of understanding of social welfare law, particularly welfare benefits, confirming the tired old 'general advice' argument. At loggerheads with Lady Hale. Says priority is protecting the vulnerable, has listened to the consultation, and recognises work CAB does but doesn't think it's legal work!
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 14:47:17 GMT 1
Sadiq Khan, the bill is in 'tatters' and will lead to a string of amendments.
Crime went down under labour.
Huge number of briefing notes knocking holes in the bill.
Ken Clarke criticised for making cuts of 23%, far higher than others. Tom Brake criticises Khan saying Labour would have made cuts.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 15:01:18 GMT 1
Khan - hugely in support of advice agencies, wrong time to remove help, CAB say hundreds and thousands of people affected, savings to the state being ignored.
Cherry picking Jackson reforms.
Clarke's plans fatally flawed.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 15:57:05 GMT 1
Elated! Helen Grant gave a passionate speech on Legal Aid and our Tory MP Sarah Wollaston intervened and pointed out our own funding crisis which will reduce our funding by between 55 and 65%. Two Conservatives speaking out against this and in support of local advice agencies!
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 16:28:32 GMT 1
Philip Davies MP for Shipley slates the bill, and he's a Conservative. He says parts of the bill are utterly ridiculous, he says its too soft on crime. It will make his party weaker.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 16:30:13 GMT 1
Elfyn Llwyd MP for Plaid Westminster Leader criticises the bill, some of it on sentencing and social welfare, family shoud be delayed until justice committee report complete.
Cuts to legal aid will increase rates of injustice.
Cuts are crude, cumbersome and callous.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 16:45:15 GMT 1
Simon Reevell MP for Dewsbury - Conservative - bill focussed on financial savings, clause 12 (Police Station) unworkable. Knife crime offence already exists.
LSC 'dysfunctional', unable to process payments.
Criticised clincal negligence changes.
Human rights route on exceptional case 'a poor solution'.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 16:49:28 GMT 1
Sir Gerald Kaufman. Bill not received good reception on 'either side of the house'.
Impact upon Manchester and services making life harder for the people who made him MP, praised Manchester Advice lost to cuts, not much left. left to 'greedy'solicitors will make poor part with their cash. Damaging for those who can least survive.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:23:29 GMT 1
Good debate from post sides. Tom Brake criticised Labour, saying they would have made cuts.
I don't think that's in dispute, but the cuts wouldn't have been in social welfare.
That said; I'm sure the voting is a foregone conclusion. The Battle will be fought in the amendments; I think there will be many of them.
Kate Green. Specialists have a vital role to play but she rather suspects the voluntary sector will be picking up the crumbs off the private sector table.
Robert Buckland MP (Conservative) for South Swindon : Debate ruined by the populist media, he spoke in the spirit of cross party intervention - well said!
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:37:56 GMT 1
Andy Slaughter winds up, he praised his opposition for 29 who spoke out against the bill and said it had been a more intelligent debate than the bill deserved.
Praise for Social Welfare Law champion, Yvonne Fovargue.
Slaughter says the bill will take away to justice for those who need it most. Putting the operation at risk, crime going up in London. Access to Justice an 'economic disaster'.
Impact assessments disproportionate on vulnerable, and women in particular.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:45:10 GMT 1
Ken Clarke returns, he really has let everyone down by absenting himself for the most constructive parts of the debate.
Please tell me ken didn't dissapear for a much needed kip.
Now Djanogly, oh here we go...
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:49:19 GMT 1
Mr Djanogly starts with a script which sounds remarkably like he started the debates with. Much emphasis on reduction of the £2 Billion legal aid bill, Ken Clarke nodding in background.
Initial talk on sentencing.
I suspect the whips are busy rounding everyone up, they'll come flooding in soon.
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:50:49 GMT 1
Djanogly rushing to finish, so far nothing on Social Welfare Law, it's coming, it's predictable....
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:51:52 GMT 1
Here it is, Jack Straw intervenes on sentencing, time's marching on..
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:52:49 GMT 1
Legal Aid starts 5,000 responses acknowledged, accused of reading into the records
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:54:28 GMT 1
Justice for All campaign acknowledged, Law Society response noted but well.... disregarded. back to legal aid being most expensive in the world, no viable alternative offered by opposition
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:55:03 GMT 1
He talks too fast and I don't do shorthand!
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:56:10 GMT 1
An attack on labour for no ideas
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:57:12 GMT 1
I've got a feeling he'll be saying 'I comend this bill to the House all in the same long drawn out breath!
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:58:40 GMT 1
I detected some interest in SWL from criminal savings, CFA viable, Clarke smiling, people piling back in
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:59:19 GMT 1
It's getting tense. Division called
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 18:59:54 GMT 1
Not a full house, the whips will be out in force
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 19:01:18 GMT 1
It'll be the ayes have it in favour of the second reading
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 19:02:34 GMT 1
Teller's just been named, call expected at 7.15
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 19:07:13 GMT 1
MP's are now voting on the legal aid, sentencing and punishment of offenders bill at the second reading.
the bill abolished the LSC, gives responsibility for legal aid to the MoJ, makes changes to the rules governing litigation costs in civil cases, and makes changes to the sentencing framework.
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Post by Patrick Torsney on Jun 29, 2011 19:11:46 GMT 1
Excellent work Nickd... waiting for the next...
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 19:12:31 GMT 1
Chamber mysteriously buzzing with people now, oh where do they all come from!
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Post by nickd on Jun 29, 2011 19:14:09 GMT 1
Ayes 295
Nos 212
Oh how predictable!
Told you it was a forgone conclusion
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