Left MPs must stand up to Grayling over budget cuts
Thursday 24 January 2013
Printable
EmailApropos of Michael Meacher's article Bleak future for justice (M Star January 22), civil legal aid has never been available for representation at employment tribunals in unfair dismissals and harassment cases.
What has been withdrawn by the Con-Dem government is the more restrictive legal help/aid scheme for advice and preparation in employment law case.
Now that the legal aid budget has been cut, there is plenty of scope for using the substantial remaining resources to expand law centres.
Law reform organisation Justice former director Roger Smith argues that a small transfer within the legal budget - less than £10 million - could provide 29 law centres around the country alongside four national centres of excellence.
Whether these wise words will be heeded by Conservative Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is another matter.
Perhaps pressure from Meacher and other left MPs could make him see sense.
Chris Purnell
Orpington
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