Post by jman on Oct 26, 2011 13:40:38 GMT 1
This is Gloucester on legal aid cuts there (looks like you have been doing more good work Anne!). Let's keep getting those local articles out there on how each area of the country will be affected by the cuts
"Legal aid cuts could hit 2,000 people in city .Wednesday, October 26, 2011 The Citizen
Follow.MORE than 2,000 people could lose out on essential legal advice in Gloucestershire.
That's the warning from campaigners ahead of a vote on Government plans to cut legal aid, which extends a lifeline to those who can't afford a lawyer or solicitor.
Analysis of proposed cuts, which will affect services such as the Gloucester Law Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau and the charity Shelter, show that 2,369 people in Gloucestershire will no longer have access to crucial legal help.
The figures, from campaign group Justice for All, don't include cuts to other areas of law, such as clinical negligence, immigration or family law which will also hit residents.
Justice for All campaigner Anne Whitworth, from Gloucester Law Centre, said: "In Gloucestershire, as in the rest of the country, residents will be hit hard by these cuts to such a vital service.
"People on very low incomes will no longer be able to obtain specialist advice on issues which are crucial to their lives, leaving them at an unfair disadvantage when trying to deal with those in positions of power over them, landlords, employers, government departments and public authorities, who will still be represented by solicitors.
Vote
"We urge people to write to their MPs ahead of the crucial vote in the House of Commons next week."
Liam Kelch, 48, of Matson, relied on legal aid-funded solicitors to get his son's disability allowance back when it was cut some years ago.
He said in the current climate, where overstretching in government departments was causing a headache for benefit claimants, legal aid was essential. He added: "Facilities like the law centre are vital, and I completely agree we should be opposing these cuts."
The news comes after legal organisations such as Association of Lawyers for Children, the Bar Council and Liberty called on the Government to re-think its plans for fear vulnerable people may suffer..............."
Rest at link below :
www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Legal-aid-cuts-hit-2-000-people-city/story-13664601-detail/story.html
"Legal aid cuts could hit 2,000 people in city .Wednesday, October 26, 2011 The Citizen
Follow.MORE than 2,000 people could lose out on essential legal advice in Gloucestershire.
That's the warning from campaigners ahead of a vote on Government plans to cut legal aid, which extends a lifeline to those who can't afford a lawyer or solicitor.
Analysis of proposed cuts, which will affect services such as the Gloucester Law Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau and the charity Shelter, show that 2,369 people in Gloucestershire will no longer have access to crucial legal help.
The figures, from campaign group Justice for All, don't include cuts to other areas of law, such as clinical negligence, immigration or family law which will also hit residents.
Justice for All campaigner Anne Whitworth, from Gloucester Law Centre, said: "In Gloucestershire, as in the rest of the country, residents will be hit hard by these cuts to such a vital service.
"People on very low incomes will no longer be able to obtain specialist advice on issues which are crucial to their lives, leaving them at an unfair disadvantage when trying to deal with those in positions of power over them, landlords, employers, government departments and public authorities, who will still be represented by solicitors.
Vote
"We urge people to write to their MPs ahead of the crucial vote in the House of Commons next week."
Liam Kelch, 48, of Matson, relied on legal aid-funded solicitors to get his son's disability allowance back when it was cut some years ago.
He said in the current climate, where overstretching in government departments was causing a headache for benefit claimants, legal aid was essential. He added: "Facilities like the law centre are vital, and I completely agree we should be opposing these cuts."
The news comes after legal organisations such as Association of Lawyers for Children, the Bar Council and Liberty called on the Government to re-think its plans for fear vulnerable people may suffer..............."
Rest at link below :
www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Legal-aid-cuts-hit-2-000-people-city/story-13664601-detail/story.html